Free real-time strategy (RTS) games you can play
Updated 10 November 2026
Three free RTS games play in a browser with no download: Firestorm, Littlewargame and generals.io. Firestorm is a full modern-combat RTS against AI commanders or friends online that also works on phones and tablets. Littlewargame is a classic fantasy RTS against other players, and generals.io is a fast, lightweight game of conquest on a grid. If you can download, 0 A.D., OpenRA, Zero-K and Beyond All Reason are all free and open source.
| Game | Plays in | Cost | What you need | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firestorm | Browser, phone or PC | Free | Nothing to play alone; a free Etheria account to play online | A full modern-combat RTS right now, against AI or friends online |
| Littlewargame | Browser | Free | Nothing | A classic fantasy RTS against other players, in a browser |
| generals.io | Browser | Free | Nothing | Fast online matches in a few minutes |
| 0 A.D. | Windows, macOS, Linux | Free, open source | A download | Historical empire-building with ancient civilisations |
| OpenRA | Windows, macOS, Linux | Free, open source | A download | Classic 1990s base-building RTS, modernised |
| Zero-K | PC | Free, open source | A download (Steam) | Huge robot battles with real physics |
| Beyond All Reason | Windows, Linux | Free | A download | Enormous-scale sci-fi battles online |
The seven, in more detail
1. Firestorm
Firestorm is our own game, so judge it for yourself. Build a base, keep its power grid running, bring supply in from the field and send armies to break the enemy line. You command one of nine real nations, each with its own doctrine, units and signature power. Every unit has an invented name, and battles are stylised, with no gore.
There's a guided first match, a twelve-mission campaign, skirmish for two to eight commanders on eight maps, and a daily battle that's the same for everyone. It works with touch on phones and tablets. It's single player against AI commanders for now.
2. Littlewargame
A browser RTS in the classic fantasy style, with workers, gold, bases and armies, played online against other people. It's small and community-run.
3. generals.io
A minimalist online strategy game on a grid: grow your army, spread across the map and capture the enemy general. There's no base building, but matches start instantly and take minutes.
4. 0 A.D.
A historical RTS of ancient civilisations with economy, city building and large battles, single player or online. Release 28 came out in February 2026.
5. OpenRA
A modern engine for the classic 1990s base-building strategy games, with modern controls and an active online community. It's still being developed.
6. Zero-K
A large-scale sci-fi RTS where shots and terrain follow physics. It has a single-player campaign, co-op against AI and big online battles.
7. Beyond All Reason
A huge-scale sci-fi RTS in the tradition of the late-1990s classics, with hundreds of units per side and a busy online scene. It asks for a capable computer.
Questions
- Is there a free RTS I can play in my browser?
- Yes. Firestorm is a full modern-combat RTS in any browser, phones included. Littlewargame and generals.io also play in a browser with no download, against other players.
- What is the best free RTS game?
- It depends on what you want. In a browser right now, Firestorm against AI or Littlewargame against people. On a PC, 0 A.D. for history, OpenRA for the 1990s classics, and Zero-K or Beyond All Reason for huge sci-fi battles. All are free.
- Can I play an RTS on a phone or tablet?
- Firestorm works with touch on phones and tablets, in the browser. Most other RTS games here are made for a mouse and keyboard.
Prefer the classic base builders? See games like Command & Conquer.
The other games named here belong to their makers. We list them because they're good, and we don't earn anything from the links.