Free Survival Games on Steam
Steam currently has 8,239 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 1/9/2025.
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
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 59. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,487,585 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,469,469 positive reviews and 1,018,116 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 975,844 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 657,729 positive reviews and 318,115 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 70, placing it in the #3 spot for the best free Survival games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 60,060 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 42,641 positive reviews and 17,419 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 Delta Force on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 12/4/2024 |
| Developer | Team Jade |
| 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 82, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Survival games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 85,312 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 70,559 positive reviews and 14,753 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. 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 #5 spot for the best free Survival games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 291,457 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 283,068 positive reviews and 8,389 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).
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 Survival games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 117,020 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 86,035 positive reviews and 30,985 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. 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 52, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free Survival games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 69,588 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 36,034 positive reviews and 33,554 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 79, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Survival games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 63,790 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 50,889 positive reviews and 12,901 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 91, placing it in the #9 spot for the best free Survival games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 550,831 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 503,833 positive reviews and 46,998 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. Dark and Darker
An unforgiving hardcore fantasy FPS dungeon PvPvE adventure. Band together with your friends and use your courage, wits, and cunning to uncover mythical treasures, defeat gruesome monsters, while staying one step ahead of the other devious treasure-hunters.
Dark and Darker has achieved a Player Score of 71, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Survival games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 62,436 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 44,597 positive reviews and 17,839 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 Dark and Darker on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
More Free Survival Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free Survival games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 458,557 | 12/21/2017 | 59 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 92,466 | 11/5/2020 | 67 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 75,472 | 12/4/2024 | 70 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 61,439 | 4/23/2024 | 82 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 32,875 | 5/16/2020 | 96 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 30,630 | 7/9/2024 | 73 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 16,867 | 11/11/2021 | 52 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 15,127 | 7/20/2023 | 79 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 14,463 | 7/7/2017 | 91 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 13,615 | 6/7/2024 | 71 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 9,296 | 5/18/2023 | 55 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 7,202 | 5/16/2018 | 78 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 5,291 | 12/29/2017 | 91 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 4,839 | 4/6/2020 | 68 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,943 | 9/1/2024 | 56 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,070 | 11/27/2019 | 63 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,915 | 10/18/2024 | 79 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,637 | 9/1/2022 | 56 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,505 | 1/25/2016 | 50 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,294 | 9/21/2023 | 77 | 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, January 9). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 9). PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 10). Apex Legends™ on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 12). Delta Force on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 6). Banana on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 3). tModLoader on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 11). Once Human on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 10). Russian Fishing 4 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 11). Eternal Return on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 7). Unturned on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 11). Dark and Darker on Steam. Steam Store.