Free Survival Games on Steam
Steam currently has 7,048 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 5/30/2024.
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
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 holds the #1 spot for "best free Survival game on Steam" with a Player Score of 58. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,364,165 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,382,025 positive reviews and 982,140 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 |
| Developer | KRAFTON, Inc. |
| 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 77, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free Survival games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 830,035 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 645,630 positive reviews and 184,405 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 Apex Legends™ on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 11/5/2020 |
| Franchise | Apex Legends Official |
| Developers | |
| Publisher | Electronic Arts |
| Steam App Id | 1172470 |
3. 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 91, placing it in the #3 spot for the best free Survival games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 539,442 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 493,637 positive reviews and 45,805 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 |
4. 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 #4 spot for the best free Survival games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 250,443 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 243,059 positive reviews and 7,384 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).
5. 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 #5 spot for the best free Survival games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 72,729 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 57,582 positive reviews and 15,147 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 |
6. Banana
Banana is a clicker Game, in which you click a Banana! In Banana you click the Banana to gain even more Bananas!!
Banana has achieved a Player Score of 89, placing it in the #6 spot for the best free Survival games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 3,122 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,903 positive reviews and 219 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 | |
| Publisher | aaladin66 |
| Steam App Id | 2923300 |
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 48, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free Survival games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 63,279 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 30,556 positive reviews and 32,723 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 | 11/10/2021 |
| Developers | |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 766570 |
8. SCP: Secret Laboratory
Deep within the SCP Foundation during a containment breach, many of the anomalies have bypassed security and escaped from their chambers - without peaceful intentions. Become site personnel, a re-containment agent, or an anomalous entity and fight to take control of or escape the facility!
SCP: Secret Laboratory has achieved a Player Score of 91, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Survival games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 190,505 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 174,708 positive reviews and 15,797 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 SCP: Secret Laboratory on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 12/29/2017 |
| Developer | Northwood Studios |
| Publisher | Northwood Studios |
| Steam App Id | 700330 |
9. Hero's Land
HERO'S LAND is an MMO PVPVE game where survival isn't just a goal—it's a necessity. Monsters and enemies are out to get you, making every encounter a potential ambush. Fight for glory, and welcome to a world where strategy and courage are your greatest assets.
Hero's Land has achieved a Player Score of 56, placing it in the #9 spot for the best free Survival games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 37,760 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 21,255 positive reviews and 16,505 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Hero's Land on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
10. 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 #10 spot for the best free Survival games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 56,298 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 44,384 positive reviews and 11,914 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 |
More Free Survival Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free Survival games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 179,351 | 12/21/2017 | 58 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 110,364 | 11/5/2020 | 77 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 62,165 | 7/7/2017 | 91 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 25,212 | 5/16/2020 | 96 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 17,393 | 5/16/2018 | 78 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 13,085 | 4/23/2024 | 89 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 8,911 | 11/10/2021 | 48 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 6,129 | 12/29/2017 | 91 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 5,844 | 5/17/2023 | 56 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 4,644 | 7/19/2023 | 78 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 4,213 | 3/29/2017 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,408 | 9/1/2022 | 56 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,199 | 9/21/2023 | 78 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,509 | 1/30/2015 | 86 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,403 | 6/5/2021 | 93 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,307 | 11/27/2019 | 60 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,273 | 1/25/2016 | 50 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,195 | 6/14/2023 | 55 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,149 | 6/6/2012 | 80 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,041 | 2/28/2018 | 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. (2024, May 30). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 30). PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 24). Apex Legends™ on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 26). Unturned on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 23). tModLoader on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 29). Albion Online on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 30). Banana on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 27). Russian Fishing 4 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 30). SCP: Secret Laboratory on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 27). Hero's Land on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 30). Eternal Return on Steam. Steam Store.