Free indie horror games are an excellent choice for players looking for thrills and are ready to spend a couple of hours on the game but don’t want to pay anything. It’s worth noting that even among free indie horror games, you can find some solid projects that truly deserve your attention. And since there are thousands of games on Steam, it can be hard to make the right choice.
We’ve tried to make it easier for you, tested hundreds of free indie horror games on Steam, and compiled a list of the best projects. Even though the games are free, some offer in-game purchases if the player wants them.
Cry of Fear: A Psychological Survival Indie Horror Game
It is one of the best Indie Horror Games on Steam. It was originally a Half-Life mod, but thanks to its popularity, it became a full-fledged project. You play as Simon Henrikson, who is in Stockholm. Your main task is to fight through city streets filled with monsters and creatures to find your way home.
One of the features of this horror is that there are 4 possible endings, which depend on the choices you make throughout the story. The game is played in third-person, but in some challenges, a first-person view is available for a better immersion into what’s happening on screen.
The game will appeal to both beginners and experienced gamers – depending on your skill level, you can choose from four difficulty levels. Also, after completing the main story, additional features become available. We won’t spoil anything; you’ll discover everything when you finish the story.
SCP: Secret Laboratory: Multiplayer Suspense in Indie Horror
In this indie horror game, you’ll head to a mysterious laboratory where the main goal is to survive until the end of the level or eliminate your opponents. It’s a great multiplayer horror game that allows you to play for free with your friends. All players connected to the game are divided into three teams – scientists, mobile task force agents, or anomalous objects. The tasks on the map depend on which team you’re in.
We would recommend fully immersing yourself in the story of this indie horror game, no matter which team you’re playing for. You’ll encounter many locked doors and never know in advance what’s behind each of them.
This indie horror game stands out because of the variety of in-game options and a wide range of weapons. Another plus is that there are no in-game purchases – all items are available by default for free.
Dark Fracture: Prologue to Haunting Indie Horror
Even though only the prologue will be available for free here, we strongly recommend you play it. This indie horror game is a single-player, first-person experience – you’ll get immersed in what’s happening on screen and gradually witness the line between the real world and the imagined one blur.
The main character in this indie horror game is a guard at an abandoned morgue. One night, he wakes up and has no idea what to do next. Where is the line between reality and fiction? Can you find it? A tense atmosphere and jump scares that appear when you least expect them are waiting for you.
Deceit: Twists and Terror in Indie Horror
It’s another corporate indie horror game available for free on Steam. It combines detective investigation, action, and some supernatural elements. Each round has a team of 6 players – 4 healthy and 2 infected. The goal for the healthy players is to escape the strange place you’ve ended up in. The goal for the infected is to kill all the healthy players. Since you don’t initially know who’s healthy and who’s infected, you’ll have to make many decisions throughout the game. Get ready for moments where trusting another player might result in them attacking you when you least expect it.
No More Room in Hell: Survive the Indie Horror Game
It’s another free indie horror game you can play with your friends. It’s for 2 players or up to a larger group of up to 8. Remember that the number of players affects the difficulty level and the number of game rounds.
The plot is simple – you’re stuck in a zombie-infested New York, and your main goal is to get out in one piece. Who are you fighting against? In this indie horror game, your main enemies are zombie hordes you’ll need to fend off using whatever weapons you can find.
There are two game modes. In the “Missions” mode, you’ll have to complete various tasks while making your way to a shelter, while in the “Survival” mode, you’ll face off directly against hordes of the living dead.
Conclusion
The best indie horror games await you on Steam; many are free to play. We also recommend keeping an eye out for sales on the platform. For example, during Black Friday, you can find games with discounts of up to 99% or even free. Many of these games have a small file size and are pretty lenient regarding your device’s technical requirements, so you’ll be able to dive into an exciting story in just a couple of minutes.
FAQ
These are horror games made by independent companies or individual developers.
Some of the best indie horror games in 2025 include Inscryption, 5 Days a Stranger, Sons of the Forest, and Dredge.
To do this, you should search for free games to Steam or your console’s app store. Many major projects also offer demo versions, where you can play the game for a while without buying it or try a few rounds for free.
Jessica Evans is a seasoned gaming writer from Seattle with a keen eye for analysis and a knack for clear, engaging content. Skilled in game strategy, web design, and SEO, she delivers practical advice that helps players make informed choices and savor the online gaming experience.
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