Free Survival Games on Steam
Steam currently has 11,018 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 4/29/2026.
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 60. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,705,972 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,631,292 positive reviews and 1,074,680 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 1,044,827 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 706,476 positive reviews and 338,351 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 58, placing it in the #3 spot for the best free Survival games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 180,956 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 105,469 positive reviews and 75,487 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. 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 365,443 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 354,965 positive reviews and 10,478 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. 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 #5 spot for the best free Survival games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 561,993 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 511,731 positive reviews and 50,262 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 |
6. Arena Breakout: Infinite
Arena Breakout: Infinite is a high-stakes tactical extraction shooter where every decision matters. Fight, loot, and extract—or lose it all. With stunningly realistic visuals, lifelike sound, and unforgiving PvPvE combat, every raid is a gamble between glory and ruin.
Arena Breakout: Infinite 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 53,414 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 39,644 positive reviews and 13,770 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 Arena Breakout: Infinite on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 9/16/2025 |
| Developer | Morefun Studios |
| Publisher | Morefun Studios |
| Steam App Id | 2073620 |
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 59, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free Survival games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 85,398 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 50,303 positive reviews and 35,095 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. 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 77, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Survival games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 170,752 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 132,491 positive reviews and 38,261 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 |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 2139460 |
9. 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 75, placing it in the #9 spot for the best free Survival games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 72,028 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 54,720 positive reviews and 17,308 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 |
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 64, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Survival games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 82,057 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 53,185 positive reviews and 28,872 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 Dark and Darker on the Steam Deck.
More Free Survival Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free Survival games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 482,819 | 12/21/2017 | 60 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 152,304 | 11/5/2020 | 67 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 128,706 | 12/4/2024 | 58 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 29,255 | 5/16/2020 | 96 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 21,198 | 7/7/2017 | 90 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 20,904 | 9/16/2025 | 73 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 14,430 | 11/11/2021 | 59 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 13,319 | 7/9/2024 | 77 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 12,287 | 7/19/2023 | 75 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 9,239 | 6/7/2024 | 64 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 8,347 | 5/16/2018 | 78 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 5,942 | 6/9/2017 | 75 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 5,856 | 4/23/2024 | 81 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 5,284 | 12/29/2017 | 90 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,839 | 4/6/2020 | 67 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,396 | 3/13/2025 | 80 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,441 | 10/12/2021 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,296 | 3/29/2017 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,104 | 5/18/2023 | 54 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,958 | 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. (2026, April 29). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, April 29). PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, April 29). Apex Legends™ on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, May 3). Delta Force on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, May 1). tModLoader on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, May 1). Unturned on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, May 2). Arena Breakout: Infinite on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, April 24). Russian Fishing 4 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, April 23). Once Human on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, April 30). Eternal Return on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, April 30). Dark and Darker on Steam. Steam Store.