Free Survival Games on Steam
Steam currently has 8,493 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 3/2/2025.
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 2,508,817 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,485,408 positive reviews and 1,023,409 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 981,482 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 659,559 positive reviews and 321,923 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. 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 #3 spot for the best free Survival games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 87,018 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 71,894 positive reviews and 15,124 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 |
4. 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 67, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Survival games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 85,961 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 57,669 positive reviews and 28,292 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 |
| Developer | Team Jade |
| Publisher | TiMi Studio Group |
| Steam App Id | 2507950 |
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 299,561 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 290,925 positive reviews and 8,636 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 121,300 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 89,224 positive reviews and 32,076 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. 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 #7 spot for the best free Survival games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 552,336 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 504,446 positive reviews and 47,890 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 |
8. 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 #8 spot for the best free Survival games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 80,624 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 63,719 positive reviews and 16,905 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 |
9. 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 70, placing it in the #9 spot for the best free Survival games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 64,734 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 46,039 positive reviews and 18,695 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).
10. 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 #10 spot for the best free Survival games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 70,902 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 37,216 positive reviews and 33,686 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 |
More Free Survival Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free Survival games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 136,417 | 12/21/2017 | 59 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 68,337 | 11/5/2020 | 67 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 54,162 | 4/23/2024 | 82 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 50,566 | 12/4/2024 | 67 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 32,155 | 5/16/2020 | 96 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 20,094 | 7/9/2024 | 73 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 13,099 | 7/7/2017 | 91 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 10,513 | 5/16/2018 | 78 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 9,002 | 6/7/2024 | 70 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 4,875 | 11/11/2021 | 52 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 4,004 | 10/18/2024 | 79 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,213 | 10/12/2021 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,055 | 12/29/2017 | 90 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,698 | 5/18/2023 | 55 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,658 | 7/20/2023 | 79 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,010 | 4/6/2020 | 68 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,661 | 1/25/2016 | 50 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,465 | 6/5/2021 | 93 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,437 | 6/6/2012 | 80 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,333 | 3/29/2017 | 87 | 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, March 2). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 2). PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 28). Apex Legends™ on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 2). Banana on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 2). Delta Force on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 1). tModLoader on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 2). Once Human on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 28). Unturned on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 26). Albion Online on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 23). Dark and Darker on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 25). Russian Fishing 4 on Steam. Steam Store.