Free Strategy Games on Steam
Steam currently has 37,410 Strategy games available to download and play. Explore our list of the best free games ranked by popularity and ratings. Data for this list is calculated from reviews and player counts reported directly by Steam and will be updated in real-time. Free Strategy game rankings were last updated on 6/6/2025.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best strategy games on Steam
- Best strategy Steam Deck games
- Best strategy Steam games for Mac OS
- Best strategy Linux games on Steam
- Free Steam games
- Most played Steam games
- Best rated Steam games
1. Counter-Strike 2
For over two decades, Counter-Strike has offered an elite competitive experience, one shaped by millions of players from across the globe. And now the next chapter in the CS story is about to begin. This is Counter-Strike 2.
Counter-Strike 2 holds the #1 spot for "best free Strategy game on Steam" with a Player Score of 86. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 8,819,227 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 7,645,201 positive reviews and 1,174,026 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on both Windows and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Counter-Strike 2 on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
2. Dota 2
Every day, millions of players worldwide enter battle as one of over a hundred Dota heroes. And no matter if it's their 10th hour of play or 1,000th, there's always something new to discover. With regular updates that ensure a constant evolution of gameplay, features, and heroes, Dota 2 has taken on a life of its own.
Dota 2 has achieved a Player Score of 81, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,500,939 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,038,614 positive reviews and 462,325 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Dota 2 on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
3. PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS
PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, the high-stakes winner-take-all shooter that started the Battle Royale craze, is free-to-play! Drop into diverse maps, loot unique weapons and supplies, and survive in an ever-shrinking zone where every turn could be your last.
PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS has achieved a Player Score of 59, placing it in the #3 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,557,213 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,519,949 positive reviews and 1,037,264 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 12/21/2017 |
| Franchise | KRAFTON, Inc. |
| Developers | |
| Publisher | KRAFTON, Inc. |
| Steam App Id | 578080 |
4. Marvel Rivals
Marvel Rivals is a Super Hero Team-Based PVP Shooter! Assemble an all-star Marvel squad, devise countless strategies by combining powers to form unique Team-Up skills and fight in destructible, ever-changing battlefields across the continually evolving Marvel universe!
Marvel Rivals has achieved a Player Score of 79, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 288,380 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 229,303 positive reviews and 59,077 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Marvel Rivals on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 12/6/2024 |
| Developer | NetEase Games |
| Publisher | NetEase Games |
| Steam App Id | 2767030 |
5. Banana
Banana is a clicker Game, in which you click a Banana! In Banana you click the Banana to gain even more Bananas! Every 3 hours, you get dropped a banana. Each banana is also made by the community in discord. Come hang out with us and let's grow into something awesome !
Banana has achieved a Player Score of 81, placing it in the #5 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 89,689 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 73,864 positive reviews and 15,825 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on both Windows and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Release Date | 4/23/2024 |
| Developers | |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 2923300 |
6. Limbus Company
As the Executive Manager of Limbus Company, lead your group of twelve Sinners, venture into the buried facilities of Lobotomy Corporation, and lay claim on the Golden Boughs.
Limbus Company has achieved a Player Score of 83, placing it in the #6 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 63,294 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 53,003 positive reviews and 10,291 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Limbus Company on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 2/26/2023 |
| Developer | ProjectMoon |
| Publisher | ProjectMoon |
| Steam App Id | 1973530 |
7. Once Human
Once Human is a multiplayer open-world survival game set in a strange, post-apocalyptic future. Unite with friends to fight monstrous enemies, uncover secret plots, compete for resources, and build your own territory. Once, you were merely human. Now, you have the power to remake the world.
Once Human has achieved a Player Score of 73, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 130,789 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 96,916 positive reviews and 33,873 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run Once Human on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 7/9/2024 |
| Developer | Starry Studio |
| Publisher | Starry Studio |
| Steam App Id | 2139460 |
8. Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel
Yu-Gi-Oh! MASTER DUEL is the ultimate free-to-play cross-platform strategy card game with fast-paced Duels, stunning HD graphics and a new, dynamic soundtrack! Get ready to challenge Duelists around the world!
Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel has achieved a Player Score of 73, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 86,783 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 64,392 positive reviews and 22,391 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Release Date | 1/19/2022 |
| Franchise | Yu-Gi-Oh! |
| Developers | |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 1449850 |
9. Eternal Return
Eternal Return is a free-to-play, 2.5D perspective Battle Royale game. Search, Craft, Hunt, and Fight using a variety of characters. Plan your strategy and become the last survivor on this eternal experiment.
Eternal Return has achieved a Player Score of 78, placing it in the #9 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 65,067 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 51,712 positive reviews and 13,355 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Eternal Return on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 7/20/2023 |
| Developer | Nimble Neuron |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 1049590 |
10. Albion Online
Albion Online is a fantasy sandbox MMORPG featuring a player-driven economy, classless combat system, and intense PvP battles. Explore a vast open world full of danger and opportunity. Grow your wealth, forge alliances, and leave your mark on the world of Albion.
Albion Online has achieved a Player Score of 78, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 83,066 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 65,573 positive reviews and 17,493 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Albion Online on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 5/16/2018 |
| Developer | Sandbox Interactive GmbH |
| Publisher | Sandbox Interactive GmbH |
| Steam App Id | 761890 |
More Free Strategy Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free Strategy games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 909,013 | 8/21/2012 | 86 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 339,262 | 7/9/2013 | 81 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 264,943 | 12/21/2017 | 59 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 121,492 | 12/6/2024 | 79 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 99,727 | 4/23/2024 | 81 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 29,618 | 2/26/2023 | 83 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 28,996 | 7/9/2024 | 73 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 24,138 | 1/19/2022 | 73 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 9,673 | 7/20/2023 | 78 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 7,352 | 5/16/2018 | 78 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 7,059 | 1/8/2024 | 70 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 6,578 | 4/15/2020 | 73 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 5,244 | 5/23/2023 | 63 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 4,416 | 8/27/2024 | 57 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,599 | 12/29/2017 | 90 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,400 | 10/15/2020 | 83 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,370 | 12/16/2010 | 73 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,279 | 11/9/2016 | 78 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,259 | 3/13/2025 | 78 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,113 | 4/6/2020 | 67 | Free | Steam Charts |
Soures & References
Steambase has best-in-class data powered directly by Steam, our data partners, and in-house experts. Player counts and rankings are enriched, analyzed, and updated in real-time to ensure we surface the most up-to-date insights. Learn more about the Steambase approach to data collection and our review methodology.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, June 6). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, June 6). Counter-Strike 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, June 6). Dota 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 28). PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, June 6). Marvel Rivals on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, June 6). Banana on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, June 5). Limbus Company on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, June 6). Once Human on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, June 5). Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, June 7). Eternal Return on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 26). Albion Online on Steam. Steam Store.