Free Strategy Games on Steam
Steam currently has 36,631 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 4/25/2025.
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 8,734,128 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 7,578,427 positive reviews and 1,155,701 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 2,538,798 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,507,140 positive reviews and 1,031,658 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 2,472,363 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,015,406 positive reviews and 456,957 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 81, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 88,487 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 73,010 positive reviews and 15,477 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 270,650 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 217,753 positive reviews and 52,897 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 125,968 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 93,074 positive reviews and 32,894 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 85,343 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 63,525 positive reviews and 21,818 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! |
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| 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 55,994 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 48,021 positive reviews and 7,973 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. 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 #9 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 15,535 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 10,669 positive reviews and 4,866 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 | |
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| Steam App Id | 436150 |
10. Summoners War
A global hit RPG that captured the Summoners all around the world! Jump into the Sky Arena, a world under battle over the vital resource: Mana Crystals. Design your own deck and strategy using 1,000 Monsters to claim victory. Go on an epic adventure with your Monsters!
Summoners War has achieved a Player Score of 69, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 8,389 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 5,944 positive reviews and 2,445 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.
More Free Strategy Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free Strategy games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 864,494 | 8/21/2012 | 86 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 316,831 | 12/21/2017 | 59 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 300,898 | 7/9/2013 | 81 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 97,812 | 4/23/2024 | 81 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 79,003 | 12/6/2024 | 80 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 26,225 | 7/9/2024 | 73 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 14,566 | 1/19/2022 | 74 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 13,642 | 2/26/2023 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 11,754 | 2/19/2016 | 68 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 8,941 | 1/8/2024 | 69 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 8,658 | 7/20/2023 | 79 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 6,070 | 5/16/2018 | 78 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 4,373 | 11/9/2016 | 78 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,936 | 5/23/2023 | 63 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,414 | 2/21/2024 | 55 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,885 | 11/3/2021 | 88 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,754 | 12/16/2010 | 73 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,675 | 10/15/2020 | 83 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,580 | 3/25/2020 | 76 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,578 | 12/29/2017 | 90 | 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 25). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 25). Counter-Strike 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 16). PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 23). Dota 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 24). Banana on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 24). Marvel Rivals on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 24). Once Human on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 25). Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 24). Limbus Company on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 22). Governor of Poker 3 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 24). Summoners War on Steam. Steam Store.