Steam
Steam is the prime platform for PC gaming, hosting thousands of titles across every genre imaginable. But while there’s no shortage of options, most games come with a price tag. If you’re wondering how to get free Steam games, you’re in luck, there are still plenty of ways to play great games without spending a penny.
This article will take you through the many ways to find free games you can play on Steam!
Take Advantage of Games on Steam That Are Free
There are plenty of free-to-play games on Steam, making it one of the easiest ways to get started without spending anything. From Counter-Strike 2 to DOTA 2 to Overwatch 2 (make sure to check out our Overwatch 2 Guide for beginners), there’s no shortage of options. Just search for the “Free to Play” tag on Steam to see what’s currently available.
While many of the best multiplayer games are free to play nowadays, there are also several smaller single-player experiences here too!
If you’re not sure where to start, here’s a quick list of popular and highly rated titles that belong among the free best Steam games currently available:
- Counter-Strike 2 – Classic competitive FPS with global matchmaking and tactical gameplay.
- DOTA 2 – A deep and complex MOBA with a massive esports scene.
- Warframe – A fast-paced sci-fi looter-shooter with cooperative missions and regular updates.
- Team Fortress 2 – A timeless class-based shooter with unique characters and fun gameplay.
- Destiny 2 (Free Version) – MMO-style FPS with expansive worlds and cooperative gameplay options.
- Brawlhalla – A fun and chaotic platform fighter featuring dozens of characters and regular updates.
- Path of Exile – A deep action RPG with endless build possibilities and seasonal content updates.
Watch for Steam Limited-Time Free Promotions
Very occasionally, developers will drop the price of their games to $0. That’s right, there are the rare occurrences that games have totally free promotional events. In the past these have included legendary titles like Left 4 Dead 2.
These promotions are usually time-sensitive, so keeping an eye on gaming news websites, Steam’s official announcements, and game publisher social media accounts is a great way to stay informed. Some games on Steam that are free become available permanently after these events, but others are only accessible for a limited time, so act quickly when you see them!
Enable Steam Notifications for Free Offers
Another great tip for anyone wondering how to get free Steam games is to turn on notifications for discounts and special promotions. When you add a game to your wishlist, Steam will notify you whenever that title goes on sale, and in rare cases, it becomes free for a limited time. It’s a simple way to stay ahead of surprise giveaways without constantly checking the store. Just make sure your notification settings are enabled, and let Steam do the work for you!
Participate in Steam Giveaways
Many websites, discord servers, streamers, and communities will often host Steam giveaways. If you’re a member of any of these communities, you can join the giveaways for a chance to win some free games.
Giveaways can happen during special events, such as game anniversaries, holidays, or community milestones. Participating in these giveaways is usually as simple as following a creator, joining a community, or engaging with a post. Some developers also run key giveaways for their games, so checking out indie game forums or official Steam groups can increase your chances of snagging a free game.
Try Steam’s Playtest and Beta Programs
Developers often rely on players to test their upcoming games. These exist on Steam through the Steam playtest and beta programs.
To get involved with these, you can search for games with an “apply for playtest” button on Steam. To make your search easier, you can join developer discord servers and check the Steam community hub.
Playtesting is an excellent way to not only get early access to games but also provide feedback that helps shape the final product. Some beta programs offer exclusive rewards to testers, including free copies of the game upon release, so it’s worth looking into long-term playtest opportunities.
Claim Free Games from Third-Party Platforms
While not on Steam, there are plenty of competing platforms that frequently offer free games. You can also check out the SteamDB Free Games list to track all games currently available for free on Steam. Epic Games Store is well known for providing monthly free games, often featuring huge titles from just a few years ago for free.
Amazon Prime Gaming, GOG and itch.io also all offer plenty of Steam-compatible keys which can be a great way to get your hands on some free game keys that can be compatible on Steam.
If you’re looking for more options, keep an eye on Humble Bundle and Fanatical, as these platforms sometimes give away free Steam keys as part of promotions. Even if the games aren’t directly tied to Steam, you can often manually add them to your Steam library and enjoy all the benefits of the platform.
Quick Recap: How to Get Free Steam Games
If you’re short on time or just want a quick checklist, here’s a summary of the best ways on how to get free games on Steam:
- Browse Steam’s library of games on Steam that are free to discover hundreds of titles you can play without spending anything.
- Enable Steam notifications for wishlisted games.
- Watch out for limited-time free promotions on Steam.
- Join Steam giveaways hosted by creators or communities.
- Sign up for Steam playtests and beta programs to try upcoming titles early.
- Check third-party platforms like Epic Games Store, Prime Gaming, and GOG for free Steam-compatible games.
As you can see, how to get free Steam games isn’t some big mystery, there are tons of easy ways to grab great PC games without paying a cent.. Meaning that you can still enjoy a top-tier of gaming without needing to spend any money!
