Discounted Automation games on Steam
Unlike generic lists, our strategy game recommendations use a rigorous analysis of Steam user reviews to identify and feature only the best, community-validated automation games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free automation games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
Nomad Idle
Face waves of enemies automatically and create builds by distributing stat points, leveling up equipment, choosing passive skills, summons and more. An idle game about killing hordes of enemies, becoming stronger, and exploring an unfolding storyline. A spin-off of Nomad Survival.
Stellar Settlers: Space Base Builder
Stellar Settlers is a chill space base/city builder and colony sim game. With unique vertical and horizontal base-building gameplay, settle on 10 hostile alien planets and build your own thriving colony. Get enough materials to build a physics-based Spaceship and try to escape from disasters.
Microtopia
Become the hive mind of a robot ant colony in Microtopia! Use pheromone trails to create, automate and optimize supply chains for your ants to follow. Collect resources, produce goods, feed your queen, grow your colony and fly out to expand the species!
Blood Bar Tycoon
Blood Bar Tycoon is a vampire bar management game. Build bars and blood factories, lure humans to harvest their blood, process it, and serve your customers: other vampires. Research quirky machines and deal with hunters! Expand through Crimson City to become a mighty Elder!
Learning Factory
Build intricate supply chains to meet your feline customers' needs. Discover underground and air transport layers, a vast research tree, procedural worlds, machine learning, and endless automation in this relaxing, enemyless game.
Astrometica
Astrometica is a space exploration and base-building survival game. After a catastrophic event, explore vast space, gather resources, build bases, and uncover cosmic mysteries. Use advanced technology, craft tools, and discover new blueprints to survive and thrive in the unknown.
Eden Crafters
Embark on a journey of survival, crafting, and automation in Eden Crafters, a solo and co-op open-world game that challenges you to turn a hostile planet into a habitable haven for humanity. Temper the climate, create a breathable atmosphere, and turn toxic lakes into water: shape a new world!
Potion Tycoon
Potion Tycoon is a management simulator with a witchy twist! Build and develop your very own magic shop. Manage resources, set up production lines, mix potions and sell them smartly to stay ahead of the competition. Welcome to the potion business!
Recycling Center Simulator
Recycling Center Simulator is a business simulator game with a first person view. Make money from garbage, collect raw materials for your recycling center from different locations, recycle them, make money by producing new products and improve your factory.
shapez 2
Dive into a factory-building game with the focus on just that – building huge space factories! Construct sprawling multi-level factories and satisfying production lines without limits. Tackle increasingly complex automation challenges at your own pace – you won’t have to worry about enemies.
Mini Settlers
Mini Settlers is a minimalistic city builder! Settle islands, construct cities, and design efficient logistic networks to fulfill your buildings' needs and fuel population growth to adventure into new worlds.
No Creeps Were Harmed TD
Employ lethal turrets, traps, and gadgets to defend against an onslaught of evolving creeps! Step into a twisted, hyper 3D, mind bending realm. Upgrade and adapt your defenses. Become a master maze crafter. Collect bizarre artifacts. Rush creeps for lucrative rewards, and succumb to greed!
Happy Sheepies
Happy Sheepies is a relaxing sheep farming game that includes some Crafting and Business Management elements with its simple Drag & Drop gameplay. Meet the needs of your sheepies, craft and sell your products, and grow your business!
Rogue Voltage
The engineering roguelike. Construct your own skills by wiring circuits. Build crazy machines to zap the monsters and trigger satisfying chain reactions.
Rusty's Retirement
A relaxing idle-farming simulator that sits at the bottom of your screen while you do other things.
Oddsparks: An Automation Adventure
Oddsparks is a blend of automation and real-time strategy for both the die-hard fans of the automation genre and the automation-curious. Explore a strange fantasy world, uncover the mysteries of the past, automate your workshops, and go on adventures with your odd & adorable Sparks!
The Magical Mixture Mill
Gather exotic ingredients, brew complex mixtures, and expand your magically automated production lines -- keeping your shelves stocked, your customers happy, and your pockets full.
Outpost: Infinity Siege
Command Mobile Outpost and take XEN Firearm to venture deep into the Signet surveillance off-limit area. Collect unique Weapon Units. Amp up the firepower of the Outpost that fights with you. This is an FTD game - FPS, Tower Defense, Base Building and much more all at the same time.
TerraTech Worlds
TerraTech Worlds is an open world, build-craft adventure game, set on an uncharted alien world. Play solo or with friends, explore your surroundings, craft unique vehicles, construct automated bases, and battle your way through hazards and enemies to harness the power of your environment
Rail Route
In Rail Route, you will design, construct, upgrade, and automate your railway network in one of the many maps based on real-life cities worldwide. Dispatch the trains to make the traffic flow and the network grow!
River Town Factory
If possible, would you like to go back to ancient times to start a factory, refine oil, or even build a large computer? With the accidental fall of a meteorite, you traveled back to River Town a thousand years ago and became a workshop owner. And the story will begin from here……
Return from Core
Dig, explore, build, farm, automate, and meet charming Monster Girls in this sandbox RPG. Build your camp, plant crops, set up automated production lines and prepare for an unforgettable adventure!
Against the Storm
A dark fantasy city builder where you must rebuild civilization in the face of apocalyptic rains. As the Queen’s Viceroy, lead humans, beavers, lizards, foxes, and harpies to reclaim the wilderness and secure a future for civilization's last survivors.
Most played automation games on Steam
Take a look at the top automation games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of April 16th 2025.
1. Satisfactory
Satisfactory is a first-person open-world factory building game with a dash of exploration and combat. Play alone or with friends, explore an alien planet, create multi-story factories, and enter conveyor belt heaven! Satisfactory is a base-building, automation and open world game developed by Coffee Stain Studios and published by Coffee Stain Publishing. Released on September 10th 2024 has received 227,499 reviews of which 220,958 were positive and 6,541 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played automation game, thanks to its 15,164 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.6
220,958
6,541
15,164
players
2. Factorio
Factorio is a game about building and creating automated factories to produce items of increasing complexity, within an infinite 2D world. Use your imagination to design your factory, combine simple elements into ingenious structures, and finally protect it from the creatures who don't really like you. Factorio is a automation, base-building and resource management game developed and published by Wube Software LTD.. Released on August 14th 2020 has received 212,622 reviews of which 206,226 were positive and 6,396 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. While seeing 14,006 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among automation games based on player count.
9.6
206,226
6,396
14,006
players
3. Dyson Sphere Program
Build the most efficient intergalactic factory in space simulation strategy game Dyson Sphere Program! Harness the power of stars, collect resources, plan and design production lines and develop your interstellar factory from a small space workshop to a galaxy-wide industrial empire. Dyson Sphere Program is a automation, space and base-building game developed by Youthcat Studio and published by Gamera Games. Released on January 20th 2021 has received 84,564 reviews of which 82,585 were positive and 1,979 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. While seeing 1,968 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among automation games based on player count.
9.6
82,585
1,979
1,968
players
4. AdVenture Capitalist
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. With 1,379 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played automation games.
8.7
51,759
7,153
1,379
players
5. Rusty's Retirement
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 1,013 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played automation games.
9.4
11,943
363
1,013
players
6. Trimps
A text-based incremental idle game with a ridiculous amount of unique content. Automate old stuff as you unlock new stuff to keep things interesting for hours and hours, no spam clicking necessary! Trimps is everything you love about your favorite games, distilled to their purest form. Trimps is a idler, strategy and free to play game developed and published by Greensatellite. Released on May 02nd 2022 has received 1,261 reviews of which 1,150 were positive and 111 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. With 921 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played automation games.
8.6
1,150
111
921
players
7. Captain of Industry
Land your crew of survivors on an abandoned island and survive! Mine raw materials, grow food, build factories, manufacture products, research new tech, and trade with others. Become an industrial superpower! But this is no easy task, you will be put to the test to keep your settlement alive. Captain of Industry is a base-building, automation and resource management game developed and published by MaFi Games. Released on May 31st 2022 has received 6,455 reviews of which 6,090 were positive and 365 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. With 850 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played automation games.
9.1
6,090
365
850
players
8. The Perfect Tower II
The Perfect Tower II is a mix between an incremental and a tower defense game. Build a town, manage resources and explore a variety of mini-games and tons of upgrades. Fully automate your game and watch numbers going up! The Perfect Tower II is a strategy, idler and tower defense game developed and published by Fire Sword Studios. Released on February 26th 2021 has received 3,581 reviews of which 3,154 were positive and 427 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. With 633 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played automation games.
8.5
3,154
427
633
players
9. shapez 2
Dive into a factory-building game with the focus on just that – building huge space factories! Construct sprawling multi-level factories and satisfying production lines without limits. Tackle increasingly complex automation challenges at your own pace – you won’t have to worry about enemies. shapez 2 is a management, strategy and automation game developed by tobspr Games and published by tobspr Games and Gamera Games. Released on August 15th 2024 has received 10,609 reviews of which 10,418 were positive and 191 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. With 631 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played automation games.
9.5
10,418
191
631
players
10. Bitburner
Bitburner is a programming-based incremental game. Write scripts in JavaScript to automate gameplay, learn skills, play minigames, solve puzzles, and more in this cyberpunk text-based incremental RPG. Bitburner is a programming, idler and automation game developed by Fulcrum Games, Hydroflame and over 250 github contributors and published by Fulcrum Games. Released on December 10th 2021 has received 6,530 reviews of which 6,216 were positive and 314 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. With 551 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played automation games.
9.2
6,216
314
551
players
Best deals on automation games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of automation games available on Steam right now, updated on April 16th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted automation games.
1. Last Call BBS
Boot up your Z5 Powerlance and dial into Last Call BBS, the last game from Zachtronics! The Barkeep’s loaded up his retro computer with a full set of puzzle games for you to download and play. No need to worry about copy protection, they’re all fully cracked and ready to enjoy! Last Call BBS is a puzzle, retro and automation game developed and published by Zachtronics. Released on August 03rd 2022 has received 1,378 reviews of which 1,275 were positive and 103 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. Featuring a massive 95% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for automation category.
8.8
1,275
103
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
2. InfraSpace
Create an extrasolar efficiency utopia from scratch! In this sci-fi city builder you need to start mining operations, plan production, and lay down transportation routes to ensure a smooth supply chain. InfraSpace is a city builder, automation and transportation game developed and published by Dionic Software. Released on September 22nd 2023 has received 1,611 reviews of which 1,297 were positive and 314 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 95% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in automation games.
7.7
1,297
314
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
3. Autonauts
In Autonauts you must build, create, and automate. Start by establishing a colony, crafting bots and teaching them via Scratch-style programming to build an ever evolving autonomous paradise of agriculture, industry and enlightenment. Autonauts is a simulation, programming and automation game developed by Denki and published by Curve Games. Released on October 17th 2019 has received 4,751 reviews of which 4,251 were positive and 500 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 90% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in automation games.
8.6
4,251
500
-90%
20.60€
2.06€
4. shapez
shapez is an easy-going, minimalistic factory building game about the automation of shapes through extraction and satisfying production lines. Adapt to increasingly complex shapes and grow your factory across an infinitely expanding map. Your only limitation is your creativity! shapez is a automation, base-building and resource management game developed by Tobias Springer and published by tobspr Games and Doyoyo Games. Released on June 07th 2020 has received 13,510 reviews of which 13,000 were positive and 510 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 89% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for automation games.
9.4
13,000
510
-89%
9.64€
1.06€
5. Per Aspera
Make Mars your own! Take control of the world’s most sophisticated AI (AMI) and terraform the surface of the Red Planet for a city-building experience on a planetary scale. Transform this barren world into a lush paradise and explore the surface for any ancient secrets that may be waiting. Per Aspera is a online co-op, real-time and management game developed by Tlön Industries and published by Raw Fury. Released on December 03rd 2020 has received 5,423 reviews of which 4,118 were positive and 1,305 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 88% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for automation games.
7.4
4,118
1,305
-88%
29.42€
3.53€
6. Automachef
Welcome to Automachef, a resource management puzzler where you design kitchens, program machinery and watch your genius come to life! It’s time to engineer tomorrow’s kitchen, today! Automachef is a simulation, indie and puzzle game developed by Rhombico Games and published by Team17 Digital Ltd. Released on July 23rd 2019 has received 857 reviews of which 616 were positive and 241 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.9 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 85% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for automation games.
6.9
616
241
-85%
14.99€
2.24€
7. Return from Core
Dig, explore, build, farm, automate, and meet charming Monster Girls in this sandbox RPG. Build your camp, plant crops, set up automated production lines and prepare for an unforgettable adventure! Return from Core is a crafting, survival and automation game developed by Tanxun Studio and published by 2P Games and Shochiku. Released on December 15th 2023 has received 991 reviews of which 732 were positive and 259 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 63% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for automation games.
7.1
732
259
-63%
16.46€
6.09€
8. The Last Clockwinder
A VR puzzle-automation game. Create intricate clockwork contraptions out of your own clones and restore life to an ancient tree using automation, a collection of rare plants from across the galaxy and a team of clockwork gardeners. The Last Clockwinder is a story rich, adventure and stylized game developed by Pontoco and published by Cyan Ventures. Released on June 02nd 2022 has received 652 reviews of which 628 were positive and 24 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 60% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for automation games.
9.0
628
24
-60%
22.99€
9.19€
9. Hydroneer
Hydroneer is a mining and base building sandbox. Dig for gold and other resources to turn a profit and enhance your mining operation. Build a base of operations, forge weapons, go fishing, and dig deep! Hydroneer is a base-building, mining and sandbox game developed and published by Foulball Hangover. Released on May 08th 2020 has received 24,728 reviews of which 21,422 were positive and 3,306 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 60% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for automation games.
8.5
21,422
3,306
-60%
14.79€
5.91€
10. The Signal State
Set in a post-apocalyptic future, The Signal State puts your logic skills to the test with complex puzzles inspired by modular synthesizers. Repair machines, rebuild an abandoned farm, and be part of a revolution that will change the fate of agriculture once and for all. The Signal State is a puzzle, logic and simulation game developed by Reckoner Industries and published by The Iterative Collective and indienova. Released on September 23rd 2021 has received 562 reviews of which 490 were positive and 72 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 60% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for automation games.
8.2
490
72
-60%
16.99€
6.79€
Free automation games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play automation games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on April 16th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play automation games.
1. AdVenture Capitalist
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. With 1,379 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free automation games on Steam.
8.7
51,759
7,153
1,379
players
2. Trimps
A text-based incremental idle game with a ridiculous amount of unique content. Automate old stuff as you unlock new stuff to keep things interesting for hours and hours, no spam clicking necessary! Trimps is everything you love about your favorite games, distilled to their purest form. Trimps is a idler, strategy and free to play game developed and published by Greensatellite. Released on May 02nd 2022 has received 1,261 reviews of which 1,150 were positive and 111 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 921, this automation game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free automation games on Steam.
8.6
1,150
111
921
players
3. The Perfect Tower II
The Perfect Tower II is a mix between an incremental and a tower defense game. Build a town, manage resources and explore a variety of mini-games and tons of upgrades. Fully automate your game and watch numbers going up! The Perfect Tower II is a strategy, idler and tower defense game developed and published by Fire Sword Studios. Released on February 26th 2021 has received 3,581 reviews of which 3,154 were positive and 427 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 633, this automation game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free automation games on Steam.
8.5
3,154
427
633
players
4. Bitburner
Bitburner is a programming-based incremental game. Write scripts in JavaScript to automate gameplay, learn skills, play minigames, solve puzzles, and more in this cyberpunk text-based incremental RPG. Bitburner is a programming, idler and automation game developed by Fulcrum Games, Hydroflame and over 250 github contributors and published by Fulcrum Games. Released on December 10th 2021 has received 6,530 reviews of which 6,216 were positive and 314 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 551 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #4 position in the best free automation games on Steam.
9.2
6,216
314
551
players
5. Alpha League
Alpha League is a free-to-play, hero based Auto Chess. In Alpha League, simply pick and build your favorite hero in a Roguelike fashion with 12 different combat genres, and then battle the other 7 Bots or Players to be the winner. Alpha League is a auto battler, turn-based tactics and roguelite game developed and published by Beaveroid Entertainment. Released on February 22nd 2024 has received 1,227 reviews of which 1,032 were positive and 195 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 299 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #5 position in the best free automation games on Steam.
8.0
1,032
195
299
players
6. 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! CivIdle is a early access, idler and base building game developed and published by Fish Pond Studio. Released on February 16th 2024 has received 606 reviews of which 457 were positive and 149 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 216 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #6 position in the best free automation games on Steam.
7.2
457
149
216
players
7. Incremental Adventures
Lead your heroes in their neverending adventures! A minimalistic Idle game where combat is fully automated. It's up to you to make the most of that automation to reach extremely high numbers! Incremental Adventures is a idler, automation and text-based game developed and published by Gniller. Released on August 11th 2020 has received 772 reviews of which 603 were positive and 169 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played free automation games on Steam.
7.4
603
169
93
players
8. 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. Industry Idle is a automation, idler and resource management game developed and published by Fish Pond Studio. Released on September 13th 2024 has received 1,351 reviews of which 1,053 were positive and 298 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free automation games on Steam.
7.5
1,053
298
44
players
9. Prospector: The First Contract
As the Prospector in this Prologue chapter, you will be taking on your first contract. Explore new planets, gather resources, build your fully automated base, and ship materials to distant colonies. Prospector: The First Contract is a open world survival craft, sandbox and survival game developed by Loonworks Games and published by HypeTrain Digital. Released on July 12th 2024 has received 496 reviews of which 457 were positive and 39 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played free automation games on Steam.
8.6
457
39
2
players