Published on September 10, 2022
Updated on June 19, 2023

23 Best Free FPS Games For PC

Free-to-play FPS games were a pretty uncommon commodity in the past. First-person shooter series such as Counter-Strike, Quake, and Unreal Tournament have been dominating the market for years until the Battle Royale genre made a striking appearance.

With a new contender making a breakthrough into the gaming industry, and the impact that was brought with it, multiple AAA studios have begun to produce excellent free FPS games. Titles like PUBG, Apex Legends, and Call of Duty: Warzone have not only paved the way for more F2P titles but also made it the norm.

Contrary to the past, players now have an array of options to choose from when it comes to free FPS games on PC, but of course, you won’t be doing any digging through all these options. We’ve cruised the entire internet to bring you the best free FPS games you can play on PC right now.

Table of Contents

Paladins


2016
About
Release Date
September 15, 2016
Developer
Evil Mojo
Publisher
HiRez
Genres
FPS, MOBA

Paladins is a fun free-to-play FPS game to play on PC, and in case you want to challenge players from different platforms, the game is cross-play compatible. While many prefer Blizzard’s Overwatch, Paladins is a great alternative for those seeking an experience akin to the former, and it’s easy to get addicted to it.

Much like any hero shooter out there, you get to select from dozens of different characters, each offering a different vibe and style of play that can help you tackle your opponents. However, what makes Paladins different from Overwatch is the ability to customize your chosen heroes via a deck-building system. This will most definitely give you an advantage over your enemies.

Team Fortress 2


2007
About
Release Date
October 10, 2007
Developer
Valve
Publisher
Valve
Genre
FPS
Players
Multiplayer, Single Player
Monetization
Buy to Play
Country of Origin
United States

Team Fortress 2, despite all these years, still appeals to many casual and hardcore players alike out there. Boasting one of the biggest player bases on Steam, the game isn’t dying anytime soon. Thanks to its brightly made graphics, and the enjoyable gameplay system, Team Fortress 2 remains an essential title in the genre.

In this eulogized fast-paced class-based first-person shooter, players will have to pick a character and choose one of the modes the game provides. Modes are pretty much direct — steal a briefcase, capture the flag or 1 team against another fighting each other over a cart.  All in all, Team Fortress 2 is best played with friends, and if you’re looking for a competitive free-to-play first-person shooter, this is the goat.

Destiny 2


2017
About
Release Date
September 06, 2017
Developer
Bungie
Publisher
Bungie
Genre
FPS
Players
Multiplayer
Monetization
Buy to Play
Country of Origin
United States
Available On

Destiny 2 is a free-to-play first-person shooter by the same developer behind the critically acclaimed Halo: Combat Evolved. After they broke free from Activision, Bungie went on ahead to develop Destiny 2 and release it for free, unlike the first game.

Of course, if you’re planning not to spend a dime on this game, you won’t have access to what to game fully offers, such as expansions and stories.  But if you’re a fan of the Halo franchise, know very well that much of what made the franchise incredible to play resides deep inside Destiny’s 2-play style. Fight your foes in the PvP battleground using your shooting skills, sci-fi super powers, dodge and hit with your fist. Sink hours into PvE storylines, or just hook up with a friend from any platform to shoot other opponents. It’s never too late to start the game.

Call of Duty® Warzone


2020
About
Release Date
March 10, 2020
Developer
Infinity Ward
Publisher
Activision
Franchise
Call Of Duty
Genre
Battle Royale
Monetization
Free to Play
Country of Origin
United States
Available On

Call of Duty: Warzone is the second game in the franchise to go down the free-to-play route. Warzone, among many other similar titles, was one of the progenitors that ignited the start of the battle royale trend. The game’s storyline is distinct from previous entries in the franchise, but still retains much of the core mechanics of its predecessors, namely Modern Warfare.

Call of Duty: Warzone features two modes; Plunder and Battle Royale. The first mode sees you collecting cash from boxes, accomplishing missions, and squashing every attempt from the enemy to win the match. The second mode pits you against over 150 players on a shrinking map, and the winner is the only player standing.

Quake Champions


2017
About
Release Date
August 22, 2017
Developer
id Software
Publisher
Bethesda Softworks
Franchise
Quake
Genre
FPS
Players
Multiplayer
Monetization
Free to Play
Country of Origin
United States
Available On

Quake Champions may not please every Quake fan, but for those who didn’t grow up with Id Software’s masterpiece, it’s a good starting point with nothing to lose (I mean, it’s free duh).

The original Quake was an influential title for its time and one that played a pivotal role in revolutionizing the FPS formula to a new level. Its success paved the way for several successful sequels that improved upon the original, and also spawned several boomer shooters that attempted to follow in Quake’s footsteps while adding their spin. Quake Champions, the first free-to-play instalment in the series, is an effort to emulate the original game in every possible way while carving an identity of its own. There are multiple modes to choose from, and tons of familiar characters to pick up as you blast your enemies to oblivion.

Diabotical


2020
About
Release Date
September 03, 2020
Developer
The GD Studio
Publisher
The GD Studio
Genre
FPS
Concept
Sci-Fi
Players
Online PvP
Country of Origin
Sweden
Available On

Diabotical is a multiplayer-only first-person shooter that was released exclusively on the Epic Games Store back in 2020 for free. Similar to Quake, this is a fast-paced arena shooter made by The GD Studio. It features over 15 game modes, fatal weapons, 30 maps to choose from and more.

Probably the best thing about Diabotical is the Map Editor mode. Players can create their maps using the in-game map editor, the same editor used by the dev team to make the game. Additionally, you can customise your chosen characters the way that suits you, be prepared for some hilarious results, though. The best thing is that Diabotical works on a potato PC, and in case you’re interested, come check out the Best FPS Games You Can Play on a Low-End PC.

Apex Legends


2019
About
Release Date
February 04, 2019
Developer
Respawn Entertainment
Publisher
Electronic Arts
Genres
Battle Royale, FPS
Players
Multiplayer
Monetization
Free to Play
Country of Origin
United States

Apex Legends is a free-to-play FPS game by the same guys who brought you Titanfall, an intense shooting experience featuring a blend of on-foot gunplay and destructive mechs you can control throughout the game. During its initial release, Apex Legends was praised everywhere, and while the momentum has slowed down, the community is still kicking to this day.

The release of Fortnite, PUBG and Free Fire has indeed landed a striking impact on the gaming industry. Who would’ve thought that giants such as Electronic Arts would go on to pursue the success of a novel genre? Nobody. Surprisingly, the game was made for those who don’t enjoy Battle Royale that much, and if you haven’t played the game just yet, it’s never too late to jump right in. The site has a slew of guides to help you learn everything about the game. So, you better check out those.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive


2012
About
Release Date
August 02, 2012
Developer
Valve
Publisher
Valve
Genre
FPS
Graphics
3D
Perspective
First-Person
Concept
Military
Monetization
Free to Play
Country of Origin
United States
Available On

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (abbreviated as CS: GO) used to be a buy-to-play game until Valve announced in 2018 that the game is permanently switching to free-to-play. A move that sparked a debate over whether this was a good move or the opposite, but who cares now? Everyone now has access to one of the biggest FPS titles in the industry.

For those who haven’t played or never heard of the game, CS: GO may look rough around the edges at first glance. Its controls are a bit slow and may feel dated at times, especially if you’re accustomed to fast-paced shooters like Destiny 2 and Apex Legends. However, that’s what makes CS: GO stand out from the rest. The game requires patience, strategy and skills.  Players will have to analyze their surroundings and learn from their mistakes until they get the hang of the game. Once you get inside the game, you’ll quickly lose hundreds of hours of your playtime.

Valorant


2020
About
Release Date
June 02, 2020
Developer
Riot Games®
Publisher
Riot Games®
Genre
FPS
Players
Multiplayer
Monetization
Free to Play
Country of Origin
United States

Valorant is Riot Games’ answer to Valve’s juggernaut, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. And while it didn’t succeed at that, the game has at least achieved something that makes it worthy of mentioning on the list.

Valorant is a hybrid of a tactical shooter and hero shooter, making it act as a blend between Overwatch and CS:GO. Similar to the latter, Valorant provides two modes:  players will have to plant bombs while paying attention to other teams’ attempts to defuse them — and the second mode has you battling different opponents as you unleash your powers to obtain victory. If you have grown bored of CS: GO for some reason, Valorant is a great alternative. It’s not revolutionary by any means, but hey, it’s fun.

Splitgate


2019
About
Release Date
May 24, 2019
Developer
1047 Games
Publisher
1047 Games
Genre
FPS
Players
Multiplayer
Monetization
Free to Play
Country of Origin
United States

Splitgate is best described as ” Prey and Portal meet Halo “. This is a fast-paced arena-based shooter, and an ambitious take on the genre, incorporating different ideas all mashed together. It’s easy to spot the similarities between Halo and Splitgate as the team behind the game consists of several Halo 3 veterans.

What makes Splitgate interesting is the fact that anyone can open portals to bounce around the map, shoot their enemies in the head and more. These portals, however, can only be placed on specific surfaces, a decision to limit players from spamming this feature excessively, hence risking to making the game redundant. Portals also add a layer of tactical advantage during gameplay, if you’re smart enough, you can headshot an enemy and bounce back to your early position to take out another.

Splitgate is a very competitive game, and if you’re someone who enjoys competitiveness, it’s for you.  In case you didn’t know, Splitgate is cross-play compatible if you want to play with your friends from other platforms.

Black Squad


2019
About
Release Date
June 26, 2019
Developer
NS Studio
Publisher
Valofe
Genre
FPS
Concept
Realistic
Players
Online Co-Op, PvP, Single Player
Country of Origin
Australia
Available On

Black Squad is like the little brother of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. And while it may feel too similar to these two at times, the game delivers an intense multiplayer experience that makes for some fun gameplay segments.

Probably the best thing about Black Squad is the lack of any pay-to-win features, including microtransactions and loot boxes. The game instead encourages players by improving their skills and earning mostly everything via the in-game currency. The cash earned can be used to purchase certain cosmetic items, such as weapon skins in case you want to flaunt them out. Black Squad runs on mostly everything these days, and even a PC without a dedicated graphics card, the game will run just fine. Want more games you can run on a PC without a graphics card? you came to the right place.

The Cycle: Frontier


2022
About
Release Date
June 08, 2022
Developer
Yager Development
Publisher
Yager Development
Genre
FPS
Players
Online Co-Op, Online PvP
Country of Origin
Germany
Available On

The Cycle: Frontier is a pretty different bread compared to each game that has been mentioned earlier. The former is a unique quest-based PvPvE multiplayer FPS, a surprisingly well-made shooter by Yager Developments. Initially released in a much worse state, the developers have worked tremendously to make the game enjoyable. It’s safe to say that with each update, the game gets better and better, but it is still far from being perfect.

The core of The Cycle: Frontier is pretty straightforward; your aim is to complete various quests before other players finish you off. You can also become a nuisance to other players by ruining your opponents’ effort by doing something like hijacking their automated tools while they’re busy doing something else. The Cycle: Frontier is fun with friends or if you can find a buddy online, it is still very much in development as developers are constantly adding new things to the game. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you’re a fan of titles such as Escape from Tarkov, you may like this.

TOXIKK


2016
About
Release Date
September 10, 2016
Developer
Reakktor Studios
Publisher
Schwiezer System
Genre
FPS
Players
LAN Co-Op, LAN PvP, Online Co-Op, Online PvP, Single Player
Country of Origin
Germany
Available On

Toxikk (stylized as TOXIKK) is an old-school shooter with sick graphics, fluid movement and most importantly, ideas that will make FPS Arena aficionados happy.

The game isn’t entirely free as the free edition is merely a demo. It includes the core elements of the game, but many features are sadly missing. Such as the ability to access the map editing tool, all achievements, the server browser and more. The downside to TOXIKK is the fact that it’s a dead game. You won’t find any players online, but if you have a couple of friends, you can play together, and hey, it’s worth it.

Ironsight


2019
About
Release Date
June 20, 2019
Developer
Wiple Games
Publisher
Wiple Games
Genre
FPS
Players
Online PvP, Single Player
Country of Origin
South Korea
Available On

Ironsight is strikingly too similar to Activision’s Call of Duty: Warzone. The gameplay mechanics and graphics make it hard to miss the similarities between the two. Heck, the game can also be reminiscent of Black Squad at times.

The game takes place in a futuristic setting where nations are fighting over the remaining natural resources on planet earth after a natural disaster. Not like someone would care about the story of a free-to-play shooter, anyway.

Ironsight is recommended to those who don’t want to install 100GB worth of game size, and hey, it runs completely fine on a potato PC these days.

PlanetSide 2


2012
About
Release Date
November 22, 2012
Developer
Rogue Planet Games
Publisher
Daybreak Game Company
Genre
FPS
Concept
Sci-Fi
Players
MMO, Online PvP
Country of Origin
United States
Available On

PlanetSide 2 is perhaps one of the progenitors that paved the way for what we know today as ” Battle Royale”. The game’s gameplay pits you against hundreds of players on a massive map littered with destructive vehicles, tons of players blasting each other, and corners in which you can camp to take on target.

For players looking for rock-solid gameplay with tons of players on-screen, PlanetSide 2 is a recommended one. The guns feel satisfying to use, and the movement is also smooth along with the decent graphics. Every kill you execute feels satisfying, but the best feeling is blowing an enemy’s vehicle that has been mowing down your teammates. Revenge feels incredible.

Halo Infinite


2021
About
Release Date
December 08, 2021
Developer
343 Industries
Publisher
Xbox Game Studios
Franchise
Halo®
Genre
FPS
Concept
Sci-Fi
Players
Crossplay, LAN PvP, Online Co-Op, PvP, Single Player
Country of Origin
United States
Available On

Halo Infinite is the first entry in the franchise to ever go free-to-play, and boy how is this an awesome thing. Similar to Doom Eternal, Master Chief is a potent soldier equipped with destructive weapons capable of purging an array of foes, an energy sword that can slice through enemies and finally, a grappling hook to reach higher places.

Halo Infinite doesn’t fail to offer players an enjoyable experience. And while the game has had a rough start, the guys at 343 Industries have been working constantly on the game, adding extra maps, modes and more to keep players hooked. Players looking for a free-to-play FPS title with a solid gameplay system should look no further.

Dirty Bomb


June, 2015 TBC
About
Release Date
June, 2015 TBC
Developer
Splash Damage
Publisher
Warchest
Genre
FPS
Players
Online PvP
Monetization
Free to Play
Country of Origin
United Kingdom
Available On

Dirty Bomb is one of the best hero shooters to land on the Steam platform. And despite being released seven years ago, the game’s fast-paced gameplay, and online PvP all offer an enjoyable shooting experience. The lack of any controller support or aim assist makes Dirty Bomb a challenging game that’ll put any competent player’s skills to the test.

The game consists of two mods; Objective and Stopwatch. The former sees you battling your way through the city while trying to complete objectives before the time runs out. Meanwhile, the second mode is about who’s father completes certain objectives.

Dirty Bomb’s official servers are closed, but that doesn’t mean the game is entirely dead as there exist several community servers. If you’re short on money and looking for a fun-to-play F2P game, Dirty Bomb should keep you company.

No More Room in Hell


2011
About
Release Date
October 31, 2011
Developer
Lever Games
Publisher
Lever Games
Genre
FPS
Concept
Zombie
Players
Online Co-Op
Monetization
Free to Play
Country of Origin
Canada
Available On

No More Room in Hell is a cooperative first-person shooter survival horror reminiscent of Valve’s Left 4 Dead series. Set in a zombie apocalypse, players have to survive hordes of walking dead marching to devour their flesh. With its heavy focus on co-op, players will have to support each other to survive as one bite from zombies means the end.

Inspired by George Romero’s Living Dead series, No More Room in Hell’s universe is a dangerous place, and to survive the odds players must cooperate with each other. Fans of zombie shooting games will want to take a look at this game.

A.W.O.L.


2022
About
Release Date
September 16, 2022
Developer
Shotspark Studios
Publisher
Shotspark Studios
Genre
FPS
Graphics
3D
Perspective
First-Person
Concept
Military
Players
Single Player
Monetization
Free to Play
Country of Origin
United States
Available On

A.W.O.L is a fantastic first-person shooter built using the Build Engine, and the best part? it’s completely free. While it’s free to download and play, this isn’t what you’d call a “eurojank” or a mediocre title.

Players take control of Dwayne Allen joining their former squad mates on the hunt for their missing C.O. Gun shooting segments in A.W.O.L can get pretty intense, and that’s where one of the game’s main mechanics come to play: commands. Players can execute various commands that play a pivotal role during combat. Likewise, the enemy team can do the same to take you down. So it’s crucial for you to learn how the game’s mechanics work. Fans of Duke Nukem 3D and Ion Fury should give this game a shot. It’s free, so what do you have to lose?

Stalcraft


2022
About
Release Date
December 09, 2022
Developer
EXBO
Publisher
EXBO
Genre
FPS
Graphics
3D
Perspective
First-Person
Concept
Post-Apocalyptic
Players
Online Co-Op, Online PvP
Monetization
Free to Play
Country of Origin
Russia
Available On

Stalcraft is the result of combining Minecraft and S.T.A.L.K.E.R, resulting in a dynamic MMOFPS that incorporates survival horror elements. Developed by a small Russian team, the game offers a unique experience that is both thrilling and immersive.

Set in the open world of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, this free-to-play game can get pretty intense at times, especially with the number of skilled players the game will throw you against. If the going gets tough, you can always summon your best friend, and team up to take anyone, anytime, online!

Shatterline


2022
About
Release Date
September 08, 2022
Developer
Frag Lab
Publisher
Frag Lab
Genre
FPS
Concept
Sci-Fi
Players
Online Co-Op, Online PvP
Monetization
Free to Play
Country of Origin
Ukraine
Available On

Shatterline has had a rough start as an early access game, but the developers quickly turned the tides with the help of the community’s constant feedback. Today, Shatterline is one of the best free-to-play FPS titles on the market.

With gameplay akin to juggernauts from the genre, Shatterline prides itself as one of the most intense, fast-paced, roguelike co-op experiences to date. The game boasts excellent visuals for a free-to-play game with up to four modes for players to engage in. If you’re into hero shooters, give this game a shot.

Shrine II


2020
About
Release Date
September 22, 2020
Developer
Scumhead
Publisher
Scumhead
Genre
FPS
Graphics
3D
Perspective
First-Person
Interaction
Real-Time
Players
Single Player
Monetization
Free to Play
Country of Origin
United States
Available On

Shrine 2 is a trek to the bygone era of classic shooters like Hexen, and Powerslave. Developed by a solo developer known as Scumhead, this second instalment of the original Shrine is a blast to go through.

If you crave a boomer shooter, then Shrine 2 will keep you entertained for as long as you want. Grab it now on Steam, for free. And if you liked Shrine, why don’t you check the other games developed by Scumhead?

Aim Lab


2018
About
Release Date
February 07, 2018
Developer
Statespace
Publisher
Statespace
Genre
FPS
Graphics
3D
Perspective
First-Person
Interaction
Real-Time
Players
Single Player
Monetization
Free to Play
Country of Origin
United States
Available On

Aim Lab is a valuable tool designed to enhance your aiming skills and reflexes, giving you an edge over your opponents in upcoming matches. Developed by Statespace, this game is a convenient and effective way to improve your abilities.

The best part is that it’s completely free, allowing you to access its benefits without any financial commitment. Take advantage of this handy resource and level up your aiming prowess with Aim Lab.

This marks the end of this article. Thank you for reading.

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FreeckyCake

I'm just your average gamer who enjoys hunting hidden gems and underrated games. My love for Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams is like a truck and I recommend that you play it.

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