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:
- 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 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).
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 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 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).
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 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 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.
| Release Date | 4/23/2024 |
| Developers | |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 2923300 |
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 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 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 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 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 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.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 717,059 | 8/21/2012 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 327,262 | 12/21/2017 | 59 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 311,281 | 7/9/2013 | 81 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 201,040 | 12/6/2024 | 78 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 96,703 | 4/23/2024 | 82 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 25,062 | 7/9/2024 | 73 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 23,078 | 5/21/2024 | 76 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 20,091 | 1/19/2022 | 74 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 19,567 | 2/26/2023 | 82 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 17,732 | 2/19/2016 | 68 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 12,850 | 7/20/2023 | 79 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 5,729 | 11/9/2016 | 79 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 5,112 | 1/8/2024 | 72 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 5,088 | 5/16/2018 | 78 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 4,058 | 10/3/2021 | 86 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,167 | 5/23/2023 | 63 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,103 | 11/3/2021 | 88 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,027 | 6/29/2024 | 68 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,914 | 2/21/2024 | 56 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,867 | 3/25/2020 | 76 | 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. (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.