Best Programming 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 programming games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free programming games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
Black Ink
Explore Black Ink, a GPU-based painting app redefining creativity. Move beyond traditional tools, customize brushes, and let your imagination soar. Node-based system offers limitless control. Create in high-definition without performance loss.
Human Resource Machine
Program little office workers to solve puzzles. Be a good employee! The machines are coming... for your job. From the creators of World of Goo and Little Inferno.
Else Heart.Break()
A game about friendship, love and technology in a place where bits have replaced atoms.
TIS-100
TIS-100 is an open-ended programming game by Zachtronics, the creators of SpaceChem and Infinifactory, in which you rewrite corrupted code segments to repair the TIS-100 and unlock its secrets. It’s the assembly language programming game you never asked for!
The Magic Circle
In this darkly comedic story, you are the hero of an unfinished fantasy game, and your designers have failed you. Steal the power of a game god - trap their creations, swap behaviors and body parts, crafting your own unique solutions to free-form puzzles. Can you release a game ...from the inside?
Infinifactory
Infinifactory is a sandbox puzzle game by Zachtronics, the creators of SpaceChem and Infiniminer. Build factories that assemble products for your alien overlords, and try not to die in the process.
Software Inc.
Construct and design buildings for optimal working conditions. Hire people to design and release software, so you can defeat the simulated competition and take over their businesses. Manage and educate your employees to make sure they are skilled and satisfied with their job.
Homebrew - Patent Unknown
Unleash your creativity and craft anything from flying cars to jet-powered toilets.Fair warning: there's a learning curve. But once you've got it, the sky's the limit for your creations!While active development is paused, we focus preserving the game and keeping it accessible.
Contraption Maker
The spiritual successor to The Incredible Machine from its original designer and programmer. Play 100s of puzzles. Build and share elaborate contraptions with an huge variety of parts and critters.
RPG Maker VX Ace
RPG Maker VX Ace improves on every aspect of creating your very own epic adventure. An extremely powerful editor, Ace supports multiple tilesets, offers full control over autoshadow and has a very flexible features system.
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!
Uplink
Uplink lets you play as a freelance hacker tackling risky contracts for corporations. Break into systems, steal data, sabotage rivals, and upgrade your gear. Support factions or go rogue in this immersive, strategy-driven hacking simulation game where your choices shape the outcome.Most played programming games on Steam
Take a look at the top programming games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of April 26th 2025.
1. 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 6,543 reviews of which 6,226 were positive and 317 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played programming game, thanks to its 524 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.2
6,226
317
524
players
2. Turing Complete
Learn CPU architecture with puzzles Turing Complete is a programming, logic and education game developed and published by LevelHead. Released on October 02nd 2021 has received 3,871 reviews of which 3,728 were positive and 143 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. While seeing 110 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among programming games based on player count.
9.3
3,728
143
110
players
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 4,755 reviews of which 4,255 were positive and 500 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played programming games.
8.6
4,255
500
66
players
4. Discord Bot Maker
Discord Bot Maker is a powerful bot development tool for the #1 text and voice chat service for gamers: Discord. With this tool, you and your teammates can take your social experience to the next level! Discord Bot Maker is a utilities, web publishing and software game developed and published by Robert Borghese. Released on August 21st 2017 has received 2,481 reviews of which 2,166 were positive and 315 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played programming games.
8.4
2,166
315
49
players
5. Juno: New Origins
Bring to life anything you can imagine from rockets and airplanes to cars and more. Automate them with a visual programming language. Explore 3D planets and make your own. Share your creations online. Complete contracts, conquer milestones, and unlock technology in the newly added Career Mode. Juno: New Origins is a building, science and space sim game developed and published by Jundroo and LLC. Released on January 26th 2023 has received 3,070 reviews of which 2,766 were positive and 304 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played programming games.
8.7
2,766
304
48
players
6. Grey Hack
Grey Hack is a massively multiplayer hacking simulator game. You're a hacker with full freedom to act as you wish on a vast network of procedurally generated computers. Grey Hack is a hacking, simulation and programming game developed and published by Loading Home. Released on December 14th 2017 has received 1,559 reviews of which 1,408 were positive and 151 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played programming games.
8.6
1,408
151
43
players
7. The Farmer Was Replaced
Program and optimize a drone to automate a farm and watch it do the work for you. Collect resources to unlock better technology and become the most efficient farmer in the world. Improve your problem solving and coding skills. The Farmer Was Replaced is a programming, idler and automation game developed and published by Timon Herzog. Released on February 10th 2023 has received 1,495 reviews of which 1,451 were positive and 44 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played programming games.
9.2
1,451
44
42
players
8. Opus Magnum
Opus Magnum is the latest open-ended puzzle game from Zachtronics, the creators of SpaceChem, Infinifactory, and SHENZHEN I/O. Design and build machines that assemble potions, poisons, and more using the alchemical engineer’s most advanced tool: the transmutation engine! Opus Magnum is a puzzle, programming and indie game developed and published by Zachtronics. Released on December 07th 2017 has received 5,939 reviews of which 5,790 were positive and 149 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played programming games.
9.4
5,790
149
41
players
9. Desynced
Desynced is a sci-fi strategy game with fully customizable units and behaviors. Gather, build, research, and explore the unknown. Alone or with friends, unveil the mystery of an AI on the edge of self-awareness and uncover the hidden truth in this blend of strategy, automation, and exploration. Desynced is a strategy, automation and programming game developed by Stage Games Inc. and published by Forklift Interactive. Released on August 15th 2023 has received 1,361 reviews of which 1,130 were positive and 231 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played programming games.
7.9
1,130
231
40
players
10. SHENZHEN I/O
BUILD CIRCUITS. WRITE CODE. RTFM. SHENZHEN I/O is a programming, automation and puzzle game developed and published by Zachtronics. Released on November 17th 2016 has received 4,136 reviews of which 3,933 were positive and 203 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played programming games.
9.1
3,933
203
37
players
Best deals on programming games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of programming games available on Steam right now, updated on April 26th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted programming games.
1. Juno: New Origins
Bring to life anything you can imagine from rockets and airplanes to cars and more. Automate them with a visual programming language. Explore 3D planets and make your own. Share your creations online. Complete contracts, conquer milestones, and unlock technology in the newly added Career Mode. Juno: New Origins is a building, science and space sim game developed and published by Jundroo and LLC. Released on January 26th 2023 has received 3,070 reviews of which 2,766 were positive and 304 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Featuring a massive 93% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for programming category.
8.7
2,766
304
-93%
18.43€
1.29€
2. 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 4,755 reviews of which 4,255 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 #2 best deal in programming games.
8.6
4,255
500
-90%
19.30€
1.93€
3. Human Resource Machine
Program little office workers to solve puzzles. Be a good employee! The machines are coming... for your job. From the creators of World of Goo and Little Inferno. Human Resource Machine is a programming, puzzle and indie game developed and published by Tomorrow Corporation. Released on October 15th 2015 has received 4,363 reviews of which 4,098 were positive and 265 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.0 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 66% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in programming games.
9.0
4,098
265
-66%
14.79€
5.02€
4. 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! 7 Billion Humans is a programming, puzzle and indie game developed and published by Tomorrow Corporation. Released on August 23rd 2018 has received 1,933 reviews of which 1,810 were positive and 123 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 66% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for programming games.
8.9
1,810
123
-66%
14.79€
5.02€
5. SHENZHEN I/O
BUILD CIRCUITS. WRITE CODE. RTFM. SHENZHEN I/O is a programming, automation and puzzle game developed and published by Zachtronics. Released on November 17th 2016 has received 4,136 reviews of which 3,933 were positive and 203 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 58% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for programming games.
9.1
3,933
203
-58%
14.69€
6.17€
6. 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 564 reviews of which 491 were positive and 73 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 54% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for programming games.
8.2
491
73
-54%
16.85€
7.75€
7. 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! SpaceChem is a puzzle, difficult and programming game developed and published by Zachtronics. Released on March 02nd 2011 has received 4,983 reviews of which 4,596 were positive and 387 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. Currently offered at a 42% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for programming games.
8.9
4,596
387
-42%
9.67€
5.61€
8. Desynced
Desynced is a sci-fi strategy game with fully customizable units and behaviors. Gather, build, research, and explore the unknown. Alone or with friends, unveil the mystery of an AI on the edge of self-awareness and uncover the hidden truth in this blend of strategy, automation, and exploration. Desynced is a strategy, automation and programming game developed by Stage Games Inc. and published by Forklift Interactive. Released on August 15th 2023 has received 1,361 reviews of which 1,130 were positive and 231 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.9 out of 10. Currently offered at a 32% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for programming games.
7.9
1,130
231
-32%
29.01€
19.73€
9. Grey Hack
Grey Hack is a massively multiplayer hacking simulator game. You're a hacker with full freedom to act as you wish on a vast network of procedurally generated computers. Grey Hack is a hacking, simulation and programming game developed and published by Loading Home. Released on December 14th 2017 has received 1,559 reviews of which 1,408 were positive and 151 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a 20% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for programming games.
8.6
1,408
151
-20%
19.99€
15.99€
Free programming games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play programming games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on April 26th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play programming games.
1. 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 6,543 reviews of which 6,226 were positive and 317 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. With 524 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free programming games on Steam.
9.2
6,226
317
524
players
2. Space Travel Idle
If you ever dreamed of exploring space at a relaxed pace, here's a journey designed for you. Space Travel Idle is a early access, card battler and programming game developed by Ayatsuji_San and published by Spaceive. Released on September 22nd 2020 has received 527 reviews of which 334 were positive and 193 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #2 spot among the most played free programming games on Steam.
6.1
334
193
24
players
3. Glitchspace
Glitchspace is about reprogramming the game to solve puzzles. Trapped in an abstract cyberspace world, your way forward uses visual programming to edit environmental geometry, whilst unlocking key programming concepts along the way. Glitchspace is a programming, indie and puzzle game developed and published by Space Budgie. Released on May 05th 2016 has received 365 reviews of which 266 were positive and 99 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played free programming games on Steam.
6.9
266
99