Free Survival Games on Steam
Steam currently has 9,007 Survival 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 Survival game rankings were last updated on 5/28/2025.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best survival games on Steam
- Best survival Steam Deck games
- Best survival Steam games for Mac OS
- Best survival Linux games on Steam
- Free Steam games
- Most played Steam games
- Best rated Steam games
1. 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 holds the #1 spot for "best free Survival game on Steam" with a Player Score of 59. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,553,139 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,517,155 positive reviews and 1,035,984 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 |
2. Apex Legends™
Apex Legends is the award-winning, free-to-play Hero Shooter from Respawn Entertainment. Master an ever-growing roster of legendary characters with powerful abilities, and experience strategic squad play and innovative gameplay in the next evolution of Hero Shooter and Battle Royale.
Apex Legends™ has achieved a Player Score of 67, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free Survival games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 993,874 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 667,258 positive reviews and 326,616 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 Apex Legends™ on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 11/5/2020 |
| Franchise | Apex Legends Official |
| Developers | |
| Publisher | Electronic Arts |
| Steam App Id | 1172470 |
3. Delta Force
Delta Force, a free-to-play 1st-person tactical shooter, returns as the latest in the classic series. With 25 years defining the genre, Delta Force is back with an upgraded arsenal of weaponry, jaw-dropping environments, and a truly dynamic world.
Delta Force has achieved a Player Score of 63, placing it in the #3 spot for the best free Survival games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 110,975 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 70,773 positive reviews and 40,202 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 Delta Force on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 12/4/2024 |
| Developers | |
| Publisher | TiMi Studio Group |
| Steam App Id | 2507950 |
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 Survival games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 89,497 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 73,726 positive reviews and 15,771 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. 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 #5 spot for the best free Survival games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 129,933 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 96,250 positive reviews and 33,683 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 |
6. tModLoader
Dig, Fight, and Build your way through the world of player-created mods on Terraria with tModLoader - this DLC makes modding Terraria a reality!
tModLoader has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #6 spot for the best free Survival games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 312,956 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 303,915 positive reviews and 9,041 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play tModLoader on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
7. Russian Fishing 4
Russian Fishing 4 is a fishing simulator with RPG elements. There is no story line and the whole process is based on the concept of an open, free to roam and free to play game.
Russian Fishing 4 has achieved a Player Score of 54, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free Survival games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 73,193 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 39,327 positive reviews and 33,866 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Russian Fishing 4 on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 11/11/2021 |
| Developers | |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 766570 |
8. 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 #8 spot for the best free Survival games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 64,926 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 51,605 positive reviews and 13,321 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 |
9. Unturned
You're a survivor in the zombie infested ruins of society, and must work with your friends and forge alliances to remain among the living.
Unturned has achieved a Player Score of 90, placing it in the #9 spot for the best free Survival games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 555,117 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 506,320 positive reviews and 48,797 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 Unturned on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 7/7/2017 |
| Developer | Smartly Dressed Games |
| Publisher | Smartly Dressed Games |
| Steam App Id | 304930 |
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 Survival games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 82,883 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 65,440 positive reviews and 17,443 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 Survival Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free Survival games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 694,401 | 12/21/2017 | 59 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 233,216 | 11/5/2020 | 67 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 146,501 | 12/4/2024 | 63 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 95,474 | 4/23/2024 | 81 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 48,710 | 7/9/2024 | 73 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 43,396 | 5/16/2020 | 96 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 24,496 | 11/11/2021 | 54 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 22,427 | 7/20/2023 | 78 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 13,943 | 7/7/2017 | 90 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 11,678 | 5/16/2018 | 78 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 11,426 | 6/7/2024 | 69 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 6,876 | 12/29/2017 | 90 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 6,596 | 5/17/2023 | 55 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 5,282 | 4/6/2020 | 67 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 4,590 | 3/13/2025 | 78 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,655 | 10/7/2021 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,507 | 11/27/2019 | 65 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,452 | 3/29/2017 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,411 | 9/1/2022 | 57 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,367 | 1/25/2016 | 50 | 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, May 28). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 28). PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 28). Apex Legends™ on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 29). Delta Force on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 28). Banana on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 29). Once Human on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 29). tModLoader on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 28). Russian Fishing 4 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 29). Eternal Return on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 26). Unturned on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 26). Albion Online on Steam. Steam Store.