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
Main Assembly
You’re the designer, engineer and architect if you can imagine it you can create it! Construct robots of any shape or size from eight-legged spider bots to eerie UFO contraptions.
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.
Pumping Simulator
Pumping Simulator As an active member of a gas station in a major city around the world, you can play with up to 10 friends in a multiplayer co-op mode or single player mode to help you understand what the pumpers are going through, and maybe will make you rich.
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.
Transport INC
Become the manager of the largest transport corporation ever! Create new planes, bus, trains and truck connections. Optimize them to ever-changing demands and adapt to unexpected events. Beat the competition. Connect cities all around the real world map!
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.
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!
Necesse
Build, quest, and conquer across an infinite procedurally generated world. Play alone or with friends as you establish a settlement and explore deep dungeons, fight monsters and bosses, mine rare ores, craft magical equipment, recruit specialists for your colony, and more!
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!
ASTRONEER
Interact with strange new worlds in a unique and tactile way, molding the environment itself as if it were clay in your hands. Build your base, master resource management, automate your production lines, and more as you unravel the mysteries of the universe, alone or with friends.
7 Billion Humans
Automate swarms of office workers to solve puzzles inside your very own parallel computer made of people. A thrilling followup to the award winning Human Resource Machine. Now with more humans!
SHENZHEN I/O
BUILD CIRCUITS. WRITE CODE. RTFM.
Big Pharma
What if you had it in your power to rid the world of disease, to improve the lives of millions, to ease suffering and cure the sick… and earn a tidy profit? As the head of your own Pharmaceutical Conglomerate you have this power resting in your hands. Will you use it for good?
SpaceChem
Zachtronics is back with an ambitious new design-based puzzle game. Take on the role of a Reactor Engineer working for SpaceChem, the leading chemical synthesizer for frontier colonies. Construct elaborate factories to transform raw materials into valuable chemical products!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