Free Simulation Games on Steam
Steam currently has 46,866 Simulation 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 Simulation game rankings were last updated on 1/22/2026.
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1. Dota 2
Every day, millions of players worldwide enter battle as one of over a hundred Dota heroes. And no matter if it's their 10th hour of play or 1,000th, there's always something new to discover. With regular updates that ensure a constant evolution of gameplay, features, and heroes, Dota 2 has taken on a life of its own.
Dota 2 holds the #1 spot for "best free Simulation game on Steam" with a Player Score of 81. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,654,125 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,155,874 positive reviews and 498,251 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 Dota 2 on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
2. 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 has achieved a Player Score of 60, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,662,464 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,597,482 positive reviews and 1,064,982 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.
- Last Updated:1/21/2026
- Steam App Id:578080
3. Bongo Cat
Bongo cat needs your help. Bongo cat needz more hatz!!! Every time you press a key, Bongo cat will punch your taskbar. Type, click, play, work to collect more points. Which hats will you find?
Bongo Cat has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #3 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 86,613 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 84,617 positive reviews and 1,996 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, there is no confirmed information regarding Steam Deck support for this game.
- Release Date:3/5/2025
- Developers:
- Publisher:Irox Games
- Last Updated:1/21/2026
- Steam App Id:3419430
4. War Thunder
War Thunder is the most comprehensive free-to-play, cross-platform, MMO military game dedicated to aviation, armoured vehicles, and naval craft, from the early 20th century to the most advanced modern combat units. Join now and take part in major battles on land, in the air, and at sea.
War Thunder has achieved a Player Score of 72, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 706,192 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 514,152 positive reviews and 192,040 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
- Release Date:8/15/2013
- Franchise:Gaijin Network Ltd
- Developer:Gaijin Entertainment
- Publishers:
- Last Updated:1/21/2026
- Steam App Id:236390
5. VRChat
Join our growing community as you explore, play, and help craft the future of social VR. Create worlds and custom avatars. Welcome to VRChat.
VRChat has achieved a Player Score of 75, placing it in the #5 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 255,114 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 192,300 positive reviews and 62,814 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
- Release Date:2/1/2017
- Developer:VRChat Inc.
- Publisher:VRChat Inc.
- Last Updated:1/21/2026
- Steam App Id:438100
6. The Sims™ 4
Play with life and discover the possibilities. Unleash your imagination and create a world of Sims that’s wholly unique. Explore and customize every detail from Sims to homes–and much more.
The Sims™ 4 has achieved a Player Score of 86, placing it in the #6 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 186,772 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 162,445 positive reviews and 24,327 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 The Sims™ 4 on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
- Release Date:6/18/2020
- Franchise:The Sims
- Developer:Maxis
- Publisher:Electronic Arts
- Last Updated:1/22/2026
- Steam App Id:1222670
7. Heartopia
Welcome to Heartopia, a multiplayer life simulation game crafted for creativity, freedom, and peace. Build your dream home, explore a wide range of hobbies, and forge warm connections with friends in a town full of endless possibilities.
Heartopia has achieved a Player Score of 69, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,600 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,832 positive reviews and 768 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, there is no confirmed information regarding Steam Deck support for this game.
- Release Date:1/17/2026
- Franchise:XD International
- Developer:XD
- Publisher:XD
- Last Updated:1/22/2026
- Steam App Id:4025700
8. 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 #8 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 94,965 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 77,806 positive reviews and 17,159 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:
- Last Updated:1/17/2026
- Steam App Id:2923300
9. eFootball™
Step up and experience the exhilarating soccer game that has now surpassed 900 million downloads! The stars of today, legends of the past, and fellow users from around the world are all waiting for you!
eFootball™ has achieved a Player Score of 50, placing it in the #9 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 103,508 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 51,491 positive reviews and 52,017 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play eFootball™ on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
- Release Date:9/30/2021
- Franchise:KONAMI
- Developers:
- Publishers:
- Last Updated:1/22/2026
- Steam App Id:1665460
10. 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 76, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 162,374 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 125,228 positive reviews and 37,146 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:
- Last Updated:1/22/2026
- Steam App Id:2139460
More Free Simulation Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free Simulation games available on Steam.
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, January 22). Steam Store. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com
- Valve Corporation. (2026, January 22). Dota 2 on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/570
- Valve Corporation. (2026, January 21). PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/578080
- Valve Corporation. (2026, January 21). Bongo Cat on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/3419430
- Valve Corporation. (2026, January 21). War Thunder on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/236390
- Valve Corporation. (2026, January 21). VRChat on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/438100
- Valve Corporation. (2026, January 22). The Sims™ 4 on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1222670
- Valve Corporation. (2026, January 22). Heartopia on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/4025700
- Valve Corporation. (2026, January 17). Banana on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/2923300
- Valve Corporation. (2026, January 22). eFootball™ on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1665460
- Valve Corporation. (2026, January 22). Once Human on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/2139460