Best Free PC Games in 2025 Actually Worth Your Time
Free-to-play gaming has a well-earned reputation problem. For every genuinely excellent F2P title, there are twenty exploitative money sinks designed to extract as much cash as possible from people chasing dopamine. Separating the genuinely good from the predatory takes time most people don't have.
We did the legwork. These eight free PC games in 2025 are worth installing — not just tolerable for free games, but legitimately excellent experiences that compare favorably to paid titles.
The List
The gold standard for F2P done right. Grinding Gear Games has never sold power — only cosmetics and stash tabs (technically convenience, but not pay-to-win). The game itself is among the deepest ARPGs ever made, with a skill system that would take years to fully understand. If Diablo feels too shallow, this is the answer, and it won't cost you anything to find out.
Warframe has been free for over a decade and is genuinely one of the best co-op action games on PC. You play as space ninjas with supernatural powers fighting across the solar system. The movement system is uniquely fluid — vaulting, sliding, and wall-running in ways most games still haven't matched. The catch is a steep learning curve and a complex menu system, but the dedicated community makes it accessible.
CS2 is probably the most skill-rewarding FPS on PC, period. The mechanical ceiling is absurdly high, the competitive scene is massive, and the base game is entirely free. The skin gambling economy around cases is a legitimate concern for people prone to that kind of spending — don't open cases — but the game itself never requires spending a dollar. Runs on almost any hardware.
Riot's tactical shooter blends CS:GO-style gunplay with hero abilities from Overwatch. The result is polarizing among hardcore CS players but enormously popular for good reason — it's accessible enough for newcomers while having a high enough skill ceiling to satisfy competitive players. Anti-cheat is aggressive (the Vanguard kernel driver is controversial but effective). Runs on low-end hardware beautifully.
The Delta Force reboot made a real splash when it launched, delivering large-scale military FPS gameplay that scratches the Battlefield itch more effectively than recent Battlefield titles. The extraction mode adds high-stakes tension, and the gunplay is genuinely satisfying. The battle pass is optional and never creates a meaningful gameplay gap. This one is worth keeping installed.
Apex has the best-feeling movement of any battle royale on PC and consistently receives updates that keep it fresh. The legend variety allows for dramatically different playstyles, and the three-player squad format encourages coordination without requiring a full party. The monetization has gotten more aggressive recently (limited-time cosmetic bundles at high prices), but spending is never required to enjoy the full game.
Genshin is one of the most visually stunning F2P games ever made — a massive open-world action RPG that would comfortably sit alongside $60 AAA titles in terms of production quality. The core game is completable without spending money, though the gacha system for new characters requires either patience with the free currency or real money for quick access to new releases. If the gacha model bothers you, treat it as a rotating character roster rather than a collection game.
The most complex competitive game on PC, and arguably the fairest F2P model in gaming. Every hero is free. Valve sells cosmetics — hats and effects — and nothing else. The game itself has an infamous learning curve that has been called "the deepest game ever made" without hyperbole. If you're willing to invest the time to learn it, Dota 2 offers a depth of strategic gameplay that no other title comes close to. Just go in prepared: it will humble you.
The Short Version
If you want the best pure game experience: Path of Exile 2. Best competitive shooter: CS2 or Valorant depending on your style. Best for playing with friends casually: Apex Legends or Warframe. Most production value: Genshin Impact. Most depth possible in a free game: Dota 2.
Any of these are worth at least a few hours of your time — and several of them are worth years.