It’s great to know you don’t have to break the bank or even spend a dime to enjoy a good MMO on Steam. These free MMOs bring together thousands of people who fight, trade, build, and grow stronger side by side. From fantasy battles to futuristic wars, Steam’s free MMO catalog has something that fits nearly every playstyle.
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The MMOs that make up this list feel complete and exciting to play. For anyone who enjoys building a character, forming alliances, or simply being part of a world that keeps evolving, these titles are proof that the best adventures can start with just a Steam download.
Neverwinter
Brings Heroes Together To Defend A Fallen City From Monsters And Political Chaos
Neverwinter
- Released
- June 20, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- MMORPG
Neverwinter brings the Dungeons & Dragons universe to MMO form with real-time combat and story-driven campaigns. It’s completely free on Steam and places players in the city of Neverwinter and its surrounding regions. The game focuses on fast, action-based combat requiring players to aim and dodge instead of relying on auto-targeting. Each class has distinct powers, from spellcasting wizards to agile rogues, creating a gameplay experience that feels more like an action RPG than a traditional point-and-click MMO.
Players can group up in parties to take on challenging dungeons, trials, and campaigns (story missions). These have mechanics, bosses, and rewards scaled to group size or difficulty. There is also some content in PvP modes like Domination, Strongholds, Gauntlgrym, and open PvP in specific areas. Players queue for these to fight other players. Matchmaking helps balance teams. Victory grants Glory points and rewards usable in PvP gear.
Rift
Centers On Closing Dangerous Portals Threatening Telara
Rift
- Released
- March 1, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- MMORPG
Rift is a fantasy MMORPG set in a magical world called Telara. Telara is threatened by invasions from elemental Planes, fire, water, air, earth, and players must defend their homes. The world itself is dynamic: rifts (portals) open in zones, monsters flood out, and players band together to close them.
There are also invasions (large-scale attacks), strongholds (PvP or PvE capture/defend content), zone events, and “Instant Adventures” (queuing into short dungeons or content scaled to player and party size), so players always have something to do, whether alone or in groups.
PlanetSide 2
Pits Three Factions Against Each Other In A Continuous Global War For Dominance
PlanetSide 2
- Released
- November 20, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- First-Person Shooter, MMO
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
PlanetSide 2 is a free MMO first-person shooter where thousands of players fight. The war never stops. Each match isn’t a small skirmish: entire regions are contested, with infantry, vehicles, and air forces all working together. Players pick one of three empires: Terran Republic, New Conglomerate, or Vanu Sovereignty. Each has its own style and gear.
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Being free doesn’t mean shallow. In PlanetSide 2, maps are enormous. Bases, outposts, towers, and open fields all matter. Controlling territory gives resources and advantages to a faction. Because territory matters over time, every fight can shift the balance of power for hours or days. Upgrades, better vehicles, and weapon attachments are earned through playing, not just buying.
Throne And Liberty
Combines Massive Open-World Exploration With Real-Time Combat And Castle Conquests
Throne and Liberty
- Released
- October 1, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- MMORPG
Throne and Liberty is a free MMORPG that takes large-scale online battles to another level. Set in the fantasy world of Solisium, it combines PvE, PvP, and guild warfare inside a constantly changing environment. What makes it pretty unique is how the world reacts to weather and time. Wind can slow arrows, and darkness affects visibility. So players must adapt their tactics depending on what’s happening around them.
Guilds are central to the experience. Large groups fight for control of castles, strongholds, and resources. Some of these battles can have hundreds of players clashing in open fields or defending keeps against rival guilds. The PvPvE setup means enemies might not just be other players but also powerful monsters that appear mid-battle, forcing everyone to think fast.
The Lord Of The Rings Online
Live Out Adventures Across Middle-earth’s Legendary Lands
The Lord of the Rings Online
- Released
- April 24, 2007
WHERE TO PLAY
The Lord of the Rings Online allows you to experience Tolkien’s world through an MMO lens. The game recreates familiar regions like The Shire, Bree, and Rivendell with impressive attention to detail. The gameplay centers on questing, exploration, and story-driven progression. Players choose from classic races and classes like Hobbits, Elves, and Dwarves, each with unique skills.
The game features PvMP (Player vs. Monster Player), where users can play as monsters to battle heroes in special open-world zones. This gives PvP a lore-friendly side rarely seen in other MMOs. The Lord of the Rings Online is probably the best Lord of the Rings game ever, and it’s no surprise.
Old School RuneScape
Let's Players Build Skills, Earn Wealth, And Compete In A Fully Player-Driven Economy
Old School RuneScape
- Released
- January 4, 2001
WHERE TO PLAY
Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a recreation of RuneScape from around 2007. Free players have access to many skills, many quests, though some areas and high-level content are reserved for members. OSRS includes various game modes like Ironman mode, which is basically a challenge mode where players cannot trade with others, cannot pick up drops from other players, and must rely on their own efforts.
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There’s also a newer version of Ironman where up to five players can form a group and share certain benefits, but still adhere to Ironman rules for trading and drops.
Guild Wars 2
Players Unite To Stop Ancient Dragons And Regional Threats
Guild Wars 2
- Released
- August 28, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
With its mix of action combat, exploration, and story-driven content, it’s easy to see why Guild Wars 2 is loved by many. The base game is completely free on Steam and gives players access to the core campaign, dynamic world events, and rich open zones.
The combat system feels more alive than traditional MMOs. Players can dodge, block, and swap weapons mid-fight, turning each encounter into something closer to an action RPG. PvP and large-scale World vs World battles give another layer of competition. Hundreds of players can take part in siege warfare, defending keeps or capturing enemy strongholds.
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