Free Strategy Games on Steam
Steam currently has 36,124 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 4/1/2025.
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 8,682,488 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 7,536,237 positive reviews and 1,146,251 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
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 #2 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,525,853 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,497,713 positive reviews and 1,028,140 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 2,462,939 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,008,204 positive reviews and 454,735 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. 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 #4 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 87,966 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 72,632 positive reviews and 15,334 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 |
5. 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 80, placing it in the #5 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 254,130 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 204,569 positive reviews and 49,561 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 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 |
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 124,086 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 91,573 positive reviews and 32,513 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. 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 #7 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 84,443 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 62,975 positive reviews and 21,468 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 |
8. 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 84, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 54,262 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 46,413 positive reviews and 7,849 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 |
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 79, placing it in the #9 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 64,099 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 51,046 positive reviews and 13,053 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 | 7/19/2023 |
| Developer | Nimble Neuron |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 1049590 |
10. Goose Goose Duck
Goose Goose Duck is a game of social deduction for up to 16 players. Players are separated into different groups that are each assigned a different objective. Complete your team’s objective to win!
Goose Goose Duck has achieved a Player Score of 85, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 71,284 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 61,825 positive reviews and 9,459 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Goose Goose Duck on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 10/3/2021 |
| Developer | Gaggle Studios, Inc. |
| Publisher | Gaggle Studios, Inc. |
| Steam App Id | 1568590 |
More Free Strategy Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free Strategy games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,677,887 | 8/21/2012 | 86 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 824,999 | 12/21/2017 | 59 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 503,394 | 7/9/2013 | 81 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 115,439 | 4/23/2024 | 82 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 77,997 | 12/6/2024 | 80 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 30,285 | 7/9/2024 | 73 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 28,237 | 1/19/2022 | 74 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 26,526 | 2/26/2023 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 22,513 | 7/19/2023 | 79 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 13,328 | 10/3/2021 | 85 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 10,529 | 2/19/2016 | 68 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 10,312 | 5/16/2018 | 78 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 8,232 | 1/7/2024 | 69 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 7,713 | 11/9/2016 | 78 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 7,681 | 4/6/2020 | 68 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 5,253 | 5/23/2023 | 63 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 5,112 | 12/29/2017 | 90 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 4,657 | 4/15/2020 | 74 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 4,525 | 10/15/2020 | 83 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 4,185 | 2/21/2024 | 55 | 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, April 1). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 1). Counter-Strike 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 1). PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 1). Dota 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 31). Banana on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 28). Marvel Rivals on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 30). Once Human on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 31). Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 31). Limbus Company on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 1). Eternal Return on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 20). Goose Goose Duck on Steam. Steam Store.