Games like Idle Research on Steam
For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free games like Idle Research are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
Mr.Mine
Explore the depths of the earth and uncover hidden treasures in this addictive idle mining game. Unlock the power of your drill with hundreds of upgrades, discover mysterious relics, and unearth priceless gems. Can you master the mines and reveal their deepest secrets? Dive in and dig deep!
Factory Town Idle
An entire town builder experience packed into a living spreadsheet. Build housing, assign workers, then craft and sell a huge variety of items to level up your town and expand your civilization across the world!
Revolution Idle
Join an experience where each revolution takes you further into the unknown! Revolution Idle challenges you to multiply your accumulators to reach unimaginable heights. Will you manage to reach infinity?
NGU INDUSTRIES
NGU INDUSTRIES (sequel to NGU IDLE) is a Free To Play Idle game and Factory Manager! It's packed with weird humor, tons of upgrades, and many hours of content! If you want that sweet, sweet dopamine release that comes with making Numbers Go Up, NGU INDUSTRIES is your game!
Wild West Saga: Idle Tycoon Clicker
Wild West Saga is an idle game where you click to make money and build a business fortune! Hundreds of Towns to explore and Patent Cards to collect, dozens of Businesses to upgrade and Outlaws to hire. The end goal? To become the richest Pioneer in the Wild West! So, are you up for it?
AdVenture Capitalist
Welcome, eager young investor, to AdVenture Capitalist! Arguably the world's greatest Capitalism simulator!
Magic Research
Magic Research is a text-based incremental game about Magic. You are the headmaster of a newly-created institution of Magic. Will you be able to lead your school to win the prestigious Tournament of Magic?
Vacuum Warrior - Idle Game
Vacuum Warrior is a Free to Play incremental idle game. Listen to the crisp crackle of dust and debris entering your vacuum as you vacuum ridiculous amounts of dust. Upgrade your vacuums, idle gains, and robot vacuums, earn achievements, and explore numerous locations in the Vacuum Warrior universe!
Industry Idle
Industry Idle is an idle game that combines factory building, resource management and market trading. Design & build your base, expand & scale up your productions, improve & optimize your economy. Plus all the incremental game goodies: offline earnings, prestige to unlock more powerful upgrades.
Idle Spiral
This is a beautiful "Idle", "Incremental" game based on spirals and mathematics. Your goal is to make the spiral grow farther and farther from the origin. The game is very simple, but it is very deep and can be enjoyed for a long time!
Idle Colony
A condensed incremental experience, where you build a colony to collect and merge bigger and bigger fruits. Combine game-changing technologies and special upgrades to find the best synergies and take your cash flow to another dimension.
Realm Grinder
Grow your realm, build alliances, and explore one of the deepest idle RPGs ever!
United Penguin Kingdom
A city-building game where you build a penguin settlement and satisfy the various needs of your penguins while dealing with seals and killer whales. Enjoy the growth of your settlement, become the king, and lead the United Penguin Kingdom.
Guild Quest
You’ve just bought yourself a new island and it’s time to fill it up with QUESTS! Collect guildians, upgrade their guildhalls, and unleash them onto your own custom quest lines.
Idle Hero TD - Tower Defense
Endless idle tower defense game full of deep strategy and combat mechanics. Unlock and upgrade dozens of epic fantasy heroes to defeat an infinite swarm of enemy monsters. Strategize hero positions, synergies, and skills for an effective defense, then sit back and let the auto-battler do its thing!
Magic Research 2
Welcome to Magic Research 2, an incremental RPG from the creator of Magic Research. Learn countless spells, face powerful foes, and command a team of Wizards who can cast spells for you as you journey to find or create the Philosopher's Stone.
Clicker Heroes
Ever wondered what one quadrillion damage per second feels like? Wonder no more! Embark on your quest to attain it today!
Underworld Idle
An idle dungeon management game, where high tier units can create low tier units.
xiuzhen idle
This is a xiuzhen simulation placement game! From the refining of qi, building the foundation to the ascension of the celestial realm, crossed into the divine realm. （The game has been updated with the english mod, but you will need to select the "english" beta in the properties option to update it）
Galaxy Idle Clicker
Embark on an interstellar journey with Galaxy Idle Clicker! Conquer galaxies, upgrade your spaceship, and face off against a myriad of enemy ships. With engaging minigames, powerful upgrades, GIC delivers an unparalleled idle space adventure. Join the cosmic conquest today and dominate the universe!
Microcivilization
Incremental clicker strategy, where you expand, construct, research, fight, collect heroes and make choices between good and evil. Ascend through difficulty tiers by playing through challenge campaign going back and forth through history. Mammoths included.
Unnamed Space Idle
Destroy endless waves of alien ships that have all but wiped out humanity in this long form, unfolding, sci-fi idle game. Customize your ship with different weapons and defenses to defeat specific enemy types and utilize a ton of different systems to increase your overall power.
CivIdle
CivIdle is an idle/incremental game that allows you to lead your own civilization through thousands of years from ancient times to the modern era. Expand your territory, explore a vast tech tree, build various wonders, and trade with global players: empire must grow and numbers must go up!
God Awe-full Clicker
God Awe-Full Clicker is an Endless Dungeon Clicker/Idle game full of Greek Mythology and Epic Battles with RPG style aspects.Most played games like Idle Research on Steam
Take a look at the top games like Idle Research that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of April 15th 2025.
1. IdleOn - The Idle RPG
Similarity 59% Create different classes who all work together when you're gone! When you return, spend their loot on powerful upgrades and synergies - but don't be fooled by the simple graphics, IdleOn gets more complex with each World Boss you defeat! IdleOn - The Idle RPG is a idler, pixel graphics and mmorpg game developed and published by Lavaflame2. Released on April 02nd 2021 has received 20,791 reviews of which 16,530 were positive and 4,261 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played game like Idle Research, thanks to its 13,798 peak concurrent players over the last day.
7.8
16,530
4,261
13,798
players
2. Cookie Clicker
Similarity 53% An idle game about making cookies! Originally released in 2013 on the web, and actively developed since then. This is the official version for Steam. Cookie Clicker is a clicker, idler and casual game developed by Orteil and DashNet and published by Playsaurus. Released on September 01st 2021 has received 78,130 reviews of which 75,535 were positive and 2,595 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. While seeing 13,767 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among games like Idle Research based on player count.
9.5
75,535
2,595
13,767
players
3. Revolution Idle
Similarity 71% Join an experience where each revolution takes you further into the unknown! Revolution Idle challenges you to multiply your accumulators to reach unimaginable heights. Will you manage to reach infinity? Revolution Idle is a casual, simulation and idler game developed by Oni Gaming and Nu Games and published by Oni Gaming. Released on October 11th 2024 has received 3,526 reviews of which 3,002 were positive and 524 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. While seeing 5,660 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among games like Idle Research based on player count.
8.2
3,002
524
5,660
players
4. Unnamed Space Idle
Similarity 60% Destroy endless waves of alien ships that have all but wiped out humanity in this long form, unfolding, sci-fi idle game. Customize your ship with different weapons and defenses to defeat specific enemy types and utilize a ton of different systems to increase your overall power. Unnamed Space Idle is a idler, casual and free to play game developed by Sylv and published by Jdog Corp. Released on July 27th 2023 has received 2,665 reviews of which 2,481 were positive and 184 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. With 4,727 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played games like Idle Research.
8.9
2,481
184
4,727
players
5. Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms
Similarity 54% Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms is a Dungeons & Dragons strategy management game uniting Champions from throughout the D&D multiverse into a grand adventure. Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms is a dungeons & dragons, free to play and idler game developed and published by Codename Entertainment Inc.. Released on March 25th 2020 has received 14,368 reviews of which 11,141 were positive and 3,227 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. With 3,308 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played games like Idle Research.
7.6
11,141
3,227
3,308
players
6. Clicker Heroes
Similarity 62% Ever wondered what one quadrillion damage per second feels like? Wonder no more! Embark on your quest to attain it today! Clicker Heroes is a clicker, idler and casual game developed and published by Playsaurus. Released on May 13th 2015 has received 61,156 reviews of which 54,871 were positive and 6,285 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. With 2,508 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played games like Idle Research.
8.8
54,871
6,285
2,508
players
7. Milky Way Idle
Similarity 50% Milky Way Idle: A multiplayer idle RPG where automation replaces grinding. Level up skills, gather resources, craft powerful items, and battle monsters—all while AFK. Trade in the marketplace, join a guild, team up for party combat, and socialize in chat as you progress effortlessly. Milky Way Idle is a casual, idler and trading game developed and published by cheze. Released on March 06th 2025 has received 485 reviews of which 418 were positive and 67 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. With 2,050 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played games like Idle Research.
8.1
418
67
2,050
players
8. Rusty's Retirement
Similarity 51% A relaxing idle-farming simulator that sits at the bottom of your screen while you do other things. Rusty's Retirement is a farming sim, idler and automation game developed and published by Mister Morris Games. Released on April 26th 2024 has received 12,306 reviews of which 11,943 were positive and 363 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. With 1,659 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played games like Idle Research.
9.4
11,943
363
1,659
players
9. Idling to Rule the Gods
Similarity 57% Idling to Rule the Gods is a free to play Idle-Game with a lot of content and some Minigames. Depending on your play-style, you can play it fast or slow. Either way it can be fun for hundreds of hours! Idling to Rule the Gods is a free to play, indie and simulation game developed and published by Shugasu GmbH. Released on May 27th 2016 has received 1,885 reviews of which 1,612 were positive and 273 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. With 1,352 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played games like Idle Research.
8.2
1,612
273
1,352
players
10. Galaxy Idle Clicker
Similarity 60% Embark on an interstellar journey with Galaxy Idle Clicker! Conquer galaxies, upgrade your spaceship, and face off against a myriad of enemy ships. With engaging minigames, powerful upgrades, GIC delivers an unparalleled idle space adventure. Join the cosmic conquest today and dominate the universe! Galaxy Idle Clicker is a idler, casual and clicker game developed and published by Soehnle. Released on July 18th 2024 has received 621 reviews of which 473 were positive and 148 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. With 1,309 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played games like Idle Research.
7.2
473
148
1,309
players
Best deals on games like Idle Research on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of games like Idle Research available on Steam right now, updated on April 15th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted games like Idle Research.
1. Don Duality
Similarity 51% Don Duality is a Chaos Manager game with card mechanics. Send your gangsters to the heist and launder money in your restaurant. Hire staff and upgrade your establishment, but remember that life like a roulette wheel and not everything can be fully controlled in Don's journey. Don Duality is a casual, card game and rogue-like game developed by Königsborgs and published by Ravenage Games and 2P Games. Released on August 25th 2023 has received 367 reviews of which 244 were positive and 123 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.4 out of 10. Featuring a massive 65% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for games like Idle Research.
6.4
244
123
-65%
14.79€
5.17€
2. Don Duality
Similarity 51% Don Duality is a Chaos Manager game with card mechanics. Send your gangsters to the heist and launder money in your restaurant. Hire staff and upgrade your establishment, but remember that life like a roulette wheel and not everything can be fully controlled in Don's journey. Don Duality is a game developed and published by . Released on August 25th 2023 has received 367 reviews of which 244 were positive and 123 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.4 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 65% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in games like Idle Research.
6.4
244
123
-65%
14.79€
5.17€
3. Outpath
Similarity 58% An experimental clicker base building game. Craft, gather & manage resources, build your base and buy more islands to exploit and expand! Outpath is a simulation, base-building and crafting game developed by David Moralejo Sánchez and published by GrabTheGames and UpgradePoint. Released on October 16th 2023 has received 2,523 reviews of which 2,386 were positive and 137 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.0 out of 10. Thanks to its 28% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in games like Idle Research.
9.0
2,386
137
-28%
14.75€
10.62€
Free games like Idle Research on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play games like Idle Research you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on April 15th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play games like Idle Research.
1. IdleOn - The Idle RPG
Similarity 59% Create different classes who all work together when you're gone! When you return, spend their loot on powerful upgrades and synergies - but don't be fooled by the simple graphics, IdleOn gets more complex with each World Boss you defeat! IdleOn - The Idle RPG is a idler, pixel graphics and mmorpg game developed and published by Lavaflame2. Released on April 02nd 2021 has received 20,791 reviews of which 16,530 were positive and 4,261 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. With 13,798 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free games like Idle Research.
7.8
16,530
4,261
13,798
players
2. Revolution Idle
Similarity 71% Join an experience where each revolution takes you further into the unknown! Revolution Idle challenges you to multiply your accumulators to reach unimaginable heights. Will you manage to reach infinity? Revolution Idle is a casual, simulation and idler game developed by Oni Gaming and Nu Games and published by Oni Gaming. Released on October 11th 2024 has received 3,526 reviews of which 3,002 were positive and 524 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 5,660, this game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free games like Idle Research.
8.2
3,002
524
5,660
players
3. Unnamed Space Idle
Similarity 60% Destroy endless waves of alien ships that have all but wiped out humanity in this long form, unfolding, sci-fi idle game. Customize your ship with different weapons and defenses to defeat specific enemy types and utilize a ton of different systems to increase your overall power. Unnamed Space Idle is a idler, casual and free to play game developed by Sylv and published by Jdog Corp. Released on July 27th 2023 has received 2,665 reviews of which 2,481 were positive and 184 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 4,727, this game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free games like Idle Research.
8.9
2,481
184
4,727
players
4. Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms
Similarity 54% Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms is a Dungeons & Dragons strategy management game uniting Champions from throughout the D&D multiverse into a grand adventure. Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms is a dungeons & dragons, free to play and idler game developed and published by Codename Entertainment Inc.. Released on March 25th 2020 has received 14,368 reviews of which 11,141 were positive and 3,227 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 3,308 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #4 position in the best free games like Idle Research.
7.6
11,141
3,227
3,308
players
5. Clicker Heroes
Similarity 62% Ever wondered what one quadrillion damage per second feels like? Wonder no more! Embark on your quest to attain it today! Clicker Heroes is a clicker, idler and casual game developed and published by Playsaurus. Released on May 13th 2015 has received 61,156 reviews of which 54,871 were positive and 6,285 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 2,508 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #5 position in the best free games like Idle Research.
8.8
54,871
6,285
2,508
players
6. Milky Way Idle
Similarity 50% Milky Way Idle: A multiplayer idle RPG where automation replaces grinding. Level up skills, gather resources, craft powerful items, and battle monsters—all while AFK. Trade in the marketplace, join a guild, team up for party combat, and socialize in chat as you progress effortlessly. Milky Way Idle is a casual, idler and trading game developed and published by cheze. Released on March 06th 2025 has received 485 reviews of which 418 were positive and 67 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 2,050 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #6 position in the best free games like Idle Research.
8.1
418
67
2,050
players
7. Idling to Rule the Gods
Similarity 57% Idling to Rule the Gods is a free to play Idle-Game with a lot of content and some Minigames. Depending on your play-style, you can play it fast or slow. Either way it can be fun for hundreds of hours! Idling to Rule the Gods is a free to play, indie and simulation game developed and published by Shugasu GmbH. Released on May 27th 2016 has received 1,885 reviews of which 1,612 were positive and 273 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 1,352 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #7 position in the best free games like Idle Research.
8.2
1,612
273
1,352
players
8. Galaxy Idle Clicker
Similarity 60% Embark on an interstellar journey with Galaxy Idle Clicker! Conquer galaxies, upgrade your spaceship, and face off against a myriad of enemy ships. With engaging minigames, powerful upgrades, GIC delivers an unparalleled idle space adventure. Join the cosmic conquest today and dominate the universe! Galaxy Idle Clicker is a idler, casual and clicker game developed and published by Soehnle. Released on July 18th 2024 has received 621 reviews of which 473 were positive and 148 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 1,309 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #8 position in the best free games like Idle Research.
7.2
473
148
1,309
players
9. AdVenture Capitalist
Similarity 68% Welcome, eager young investor, to AdVenture Capitalist! Arguably the world's greatest Capitalism simulator! AdVenture Capitalist is a clicker, idler and management game developed and published by Hyper Hippo Games. Released on March 30th 2015 has received 58,912 reviews of which 51,759 were positive and 7,153 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 1,265 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #9 position in the best free games like Idle Research.
8.7
51,759
7,153
1,265
players
10. Mr.Mine
Similarity 75% Explore the depths of the earth and uncover hidden treasures in this addictive idle mining game. Unlock the power of your drill with hundreds of upgrades, discover mysterious relics, and unearth priceless gems. Can you master the mines and reveal their deepest secrets? Dive in and dig deep! Mr.Mine is a idler, clicker and strategy game developed and published by Playsaurus. Released on September 30th 2020 has received 16,877 reviews of which 15,520 were positive and 1,357 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 1,260 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #10 position in the best free games like Idle Research.
9.0
15,520
1,357
1,260
players