Free Strategy Games on Steam

Steam currently has 34,284 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 12/11/2024.

Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:

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 banner

Counter-Strike 2 holds the #1 spot for "best free Strategy game on Steam" with a Player Score of 87. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 8,431,172 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 7,327,955 positive reviews and 1,103,217 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).

Release Date 8/21/2012
Franchise Valve
Developers
Publisher Valve
Steam App Id 730

2. PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS

Play PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS for free. Land on strategic locations, loot weapons and supplies, and survive to become the last team standing across various, diverse Battlegrounds. Squad up and join the Battlegrounds for the original Battle Royale experience that only PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS can offer.

PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS banner

PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS has achieved a Player Score of 59, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,472,410 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,458,450 positive reviews and 1,013,960 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

3. 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 banner

Dota 2 has achieved a Player Score of 81, placing it in the #3 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,395,553 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,955,962 positive reviews and 439,591 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).

Release Date 7/9/2013
Franchise Dota
Developer Valve
Publisher Valve
Steam App Id 570

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 banner

Marvel Rivals has achieved a Player Score of 78, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 56,912 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 44,943 positive reviews and 11,969 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.

It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, there is no confirmed information regarding Steam Deck support for this game.

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 banner

Banana has achieved a Player Score of 82, placing it in the #5 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 83,995 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 69,628 positive reviews and 14,367 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.

6. 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 banner

Once Human has achieved a Player Score of 73, placing it in the #6 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 113,028 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 82,887 positive reviews and 30,141 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

7. Cats

Cats — and that says it all. Interactive cat clicker. Click on cats for new cats. That's all, really.

Cats banner

Cats has achieved a Player Score of 76, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 3,919 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,064 positive reviews and 855 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 5/21/2024
Franchise 100 Cozy Games
Developer 100 Cozy Games
Publisher 100 Cozy Games
Steam App Id 2977660

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 banner

Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel has achieved a Player Score of 74, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 79,516 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 59,812 positive reviews and 19,704 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. 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 banner

Limbus Company has achieved a Player Score of 82, placing it in the #9 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 45,389 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 37,988 positive reviews and 7,401 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

10. Governor of Poker 3

Governor of Poker 3 is the best multiplayer poker game with a great design. In this multi-player version of Governor of Poker you compete live with thousands of real poker players to prove you are the number 1 Texas Hold ’em poker star!

Governor of Poker 3 banner

Governor of Poker 3 has achieved a Player Score of 68, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 15,461 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 10,747 positive reviews and 4,714 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.

It can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Governor of Poker 3 on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Release Date 2/19/2016
Developers
Publishers
Steam App Id 436150

More Free Strategy Games

Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free Strategy games available on Steam.

ImageName
Actions
Counter-Strike 2 steam charts
717,059
8/21/2012
87
Free
Steam Charts
PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS steam charts
327,262
12/21/2017
59
Free
Steam Charts
Dota 2 steam charts
311,281
7/9/2013
81
Free
Steam Charts
Marvel Rivals steam charts
201,040
12/6/2024
78
Free
Steam Charts
Banana steam charts
96,703
4/23/2024
82
Free
Steam Charts
Once Human steam charts
25,062
7/9/2024
73
Free
Steam Charts
Cats steam charts
23,078
5/21/2024
76
Free
Steam Charts
Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel steam charts
20,091
1/19/2022
74
Free
Steam Charts
Limbus Company steam charts
19,567
2/26/2023
82
Free
Steam Charts
Governor of Poker 3 steam charts
17,732
2/19/2016
68
Free
Steam Charts
Eternal Return steam charts
12,850
7/20/2023
79
Free
Steam Charts
World of Tanks Blitz steam charts
5,729
11/9/2016
79
Free
Steam Charts
Summoners War steam charts
5,112
1/8/2024
72
Free
Steam Charts
Albion Online steam charts
5,088
5/16/2018
78
Free
Steam Charts
Goose Goose Duck steam charts
4,058
10/3/2021
86
Free
Steam Charts
Magic: The Gathering Arena steam charts
3,167
5/23/2023
63
Free
Steam Charts
Cell to Singularity - Evolution Never Ends steam charts
3,103
11/3/2021
88
Free
Steam Charts
Tapple - Idle Clicker steam charts
3,027
6/29/2024
68
Free
Steam Charts
Lust Goddess steam charts
2,914
2/21/2024
56
Free
Steam Charts
Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms steam charts
2,867
3/25/2020
76
Free
Steam Charts
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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. (2024, December 11). Steam Store. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, December 11). Counter-Strike 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, December 11). PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, December 12). Dota 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, December 13). Marvel Rivals on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, December 12). Banana on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, December 13). Once Human on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, December 6). Cats on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, December 13). Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, December 13). Limbus Company on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, December 11). Governor of Poker 3 on Steam. Steam Store.

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