Cheap does not have to mean cheap-feeling. Some of the best-reviewed games on PC cost less than a sandwich, and a few of the very best cost nothing at all. Below are the cheap PC games worth your money right now, sorted by what you actually want: free, under $10, couch, co-op, and cross-platform.
Last updated: June 7, 2026. Prices checked: June 2026. Sources: Steam, Epic, publisher pages and partner stores. We refresh prices and sale notes regularly.
Best picks at a glance
- Best free: Among Us (free on mobile, around $4.99 on PC) and the rotating freebies on the giveaways tracker.
- Best cheap overall: Vampire Survivors, around $4.99 for hundreds of hours.
- Best under $10 single-player: Terraria (around $9.99).
- Best premium-on-sale: Deep Rock Galactic, around $11 during a sale (list around $29.99).
- Best for 2 players: Portal 2, around $9.99 and often near $1 on sale.
- Best for big groups: Among Us, around $4.99 per copy.
- Best couch / local: Beat Or Die The MiniGames, around $4.99.
- Best cross-platform: Stardew Valley, around $14.99, play and save across PC and consoles.
Quick list
| Game | Best for | Players | Platforms | Entry cost | Why pick it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vampire Survivors | Cheap roguelike | 1-4 | PC, Xbox, Switch, mobile | ~$4.99 | Absurd value, instant fun |
| Terraria | Sandbox | 1-8+ | PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, mobile | ~$9.99 | Years of content for pocket change |
| Stardew Valley | Cozy farm sim | 1-4 | PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, mobile | ~$14.99 | The comfort-game benchmark |
| Lethal Company | Cheap co-op horror | 1-4 | PC | ~$9.99 | Hilarious, terrifying with friends |
| Phasmophobia | Ghost hunting | 1-4 | PC | ~$19.99 | Best budget scares with a squad |
| Brotato | Quick roguelike | 1 | PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch | ~$4.99 | One-more-run in short bursts |
| Balatro | Card roguelike | 1 | PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, mobile | ~$14.99 | Poker brain-melter, hard to drop |
| Among Us | Big-group party | 4-15 | PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, mobile | ~$4.99 | Cheapest group laugh going |
| Deep Rock Galactic | Co-op shooter | 1-4 | PC, Xbox | ~$29.99 (sale ~$11) | Rock and stone with the crew |
| Portal 2 | Puzzle / co-op | 1-2 | PC, PlayStation, Xbox | ~$9.99 (sale ~$1) | A classic that still teaches design |
| Hollow Knight | Metroidvania | 1 | PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch | ~$14.99 | Enormous game, tiny price |
| Dead Cells | Action roguelike | 1 | PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch | ~$24.99 (sale ~$8) | Razor-tight combat |
| Mad Games Tycoon 2 | Management sim | 1 | PC | ~$19.99 | Build a studio empire |
| Carnival Games | Family party | 1-4 | PC, Switch | ~$19.99 | Easy minigame night |
| October Night Games | Budget horror RPG | 1-4 | PC | ~$12.99 | Spooky board-game energy |
| Beat Or Die The MiniGames | Couch chaos | 2-8 | PC | ~$4.99 | Cheap, loud, local |
| ABRACA - Imagic Games | Local party | 1-4 | PC, PlayStation | ~$9.99 | Fairy-tale brawl for couch crews |
| Incredible Dracula 4: Games Of Gods | Time management | 1 | PC | ~$9.99 | Relaxing click-and-plan loops |
| Mind Games | Brain trainer | 1 | PC | ~$4.99 | Quick puzzle workouts |
| Shard Games | Budget action | 1 | PC | ~$4.99 | Low-cost arena scrapping |
Best free PC games
Free is its own shelf, and it is a good one. <ins>Among Us</ins> is free on mobile and only around $4.99 on PC, which makes it the cheapest way to get five or more people laughing in one lobby. Beyond that, the smart move is to check the giveaways tracker and Epic's rotating free titles before you spend anything. Publishers hand out genuinely strong games to build their stores, so a patient buyer keeps a wishlist and pounces.
Best cheap single-player games (under $20)
This is where the best value lives. Vampire Survivors at around $4.99 is the easiest recommendation on the page: simple to learn, weirdly addictive, and stuffed with unlocks. Brotato (around $4.99) scratches the same itch in tighter, faster runs. Terraria at around $9.99 is the long-haul pick, a 2D sandbox you can pour hundreds of hours into solo.
If you want something with more story and craft, Hollow Knight (around $14.99) is one of the largest, most atmospheric games at any price, and Balatro (around $14.99) turns poker hands into a roguelike you will lose evenings to. On the simulation side, Mad Games Tycoon 2 (around $19.99) lets you run a game studio from a garage to a global powerhouse, and Incredible Dracula 4: Games Of Gods (around $9.99) is a low-stress time-management series for unwinding. For pure puzzle reps, Mind Games (around $4.99) bundles quick brain exercises into bite-size sessions.
- Under $20 buys genuinely complete, content-rich games
- Roguelikes give the best hours-per-dollar ratio
- Sales push premium single-player games into this bracket too
Best cheap co-op games
Honest note first: everything in this section actually supports playing together online, so you can split the cost or just team up.
For 2 players Portal 2 is the standout. At around $9.99 (and frequently near $1 on sale) its co-op campaign is a masterclass in two-brain puzzle solving. Lethal Company (around $9.99) also works beautifully as a duo if you want jump-scares and bad decisions.
For 3-4 players Deep Rock Galactic (around $29.99, often around $11 on sale) is the gold standard for four-player shooting, mining and chaos. Phasmophobia (around $19.99) is the best budget ghost-hunting game for a small squad, and Lethal Company scales up to four for maximum panic. If you prefer a lighter tone, October Night Games (around $12.99) brings spooky board-game competition for up to four.
For 5+ players Among Us (around $4.99 on PC, free on mobile) remains the cheapest big-group game that reliably works. It is built for accusations, alliances and betrayal at scale.
Best cheap couch / local multiplayer
Same-screen play is alive and well on PC, and it is cheap. Beat Or Die The MiniGames (around $4.99) is a loud, fast couch party game that supports a big lineup of players on one machine. ABRACA - Imagic Games (around $9.99) is a fairy-tale local brawler for up to four, and Carnival Games (around $19.99) is the no-fuss option for family nights and younger players. Grab some controllers and you are set.
Best cross-platform cheap games
If your friends are split across PC and consoles, buy games that travel. Stardew Valley (around $14.99) syncs progress and supports cross-play farming. Terraria (around $9.99) and Among Us (around $4.99) both run almost everywhere and play across platforms with the right settings. For solo players who switch between a desktop and a handheld, many cheap roguelikes like Vampire Survivors and Balatro are verified on the Steam Deck, so your $5 purchase follows you to the couch and the commute.
Honourable / adjacent picks
These are decent and cheap, but they only loosely fit a "best cheap games for everyone" list, so they sit here with a reason.
- Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King: great budget nostalgia, but it is a retro platformer collection rather than a modern crowd-pleaser.
- Gamestonk Simulator: Gone Rogue: a cheap, niche market-trading novelty that will only click with a specific player.
- Winter Sports Games, Summer Sports Games: inexpensive seasonal sports compilations, fun in short bursts but light on depth.
- Shard Games: a low-cost action pick worth a look on sale, though it is rougher than the headline names above.
FAQ
What are the best cheap PC games under $5? Vampire Survivors and Brotato (both around $4.99) are the easiest wins for hours of roguelike fun, and Among Us is around $4.99 on PC. Several puzzle and party titles like Mind Games and Beat Or Die The MiniGames also sit near that price.
Are cheaper key-store prices on Eneba or Kinguin safe? Partner key stores can be much cheaper, especially for premium games. Stick to well-reviewed sellers, read the fine print on regional restrictions, and compare against Steam, Epic and GOG first. Our deals page does that comparison for you.
How do I get good PC games for free? Watch Epic's weekly free games and our giveaways tracker, and add wishlist alerts on every store. Free-to-keep promotions are common, so a little patience replaces a lot of spending.
What is the best cheap co-op game for two people? Portal 2 at around $9.99 (and often near $1 on sale) is the classic pick for two. Lethal Company (around $9.99) is the funniest scary option if you both like a fright.
When is the best time to buy cheap PC games? During major seasonal sales. The biggest discounts cluster around the summer and winter events, so keep an eye on the Steam sale tracker and set wishlist notifications to catch the floor price.
Are budget management and sim games any good? Yes. Mad Games Tycoon 2 (around $19.99) is a deep studio-builder, and Incredible Dracula 4: Games Of Gods (around $9.99) is a relaxing time-management loop. Both punch above their price.
What cheap games run well on Steam Deck? Most lightweight roguelikes and 2D games. Vampire Survivors, Balatro, Terraria and Dead Cells all run great on handhelds. Check the verified list on our Steam Deck page before you buy.
Do cheap horror games actually deliver scares? They do. Lethal Company and Phasmophobia prove a small price can buy big tension, especially with friends. For more in the genre, browse the horror hub.
The bottom line
Cheap PC games are one of the best deals in the hobby right now. A few dollars buys roguelikes you will replay for months, sub-$10 sandboxes that never run dry, and co-op nights that cost less than a round of drinks. Buy on sale, keep a wishlist, and check key stores against the big platforms before you commit.
Ready to spend smart? Compare live prices across stores in our full catalog, and see what is discounted today on the deals page.
Alex, Scout Team