bestsimulatorgames.com
The best PC simulator games, with minimum specs
| Game | Genre | Steam price | Minimum RAM | Minimum graphics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 | Flight | $69.99 | 16 GB | GeForce GTX 970 |
| The Sims 4 | Life | Free | 4 GB | GeForce 6600 |
| Euro Truck Simulator 2 | Trucking | $19.99 | 8 GB | GeForce GTX 660 |
| Stardew Valley | Farming | $14.99 | 2 GB | 256 MB of video memory |
| Cities: Skylines | City building | $29.99 | 8 GB | GeForce GTS 450 |
| Farming Simulator 25 | Farming | $29.99 | 8 GB | GeForce GTX 1050 Ti |
| BeamNG.drive | Driving | $24.99 | 16 GB | GeForce GTX 1060, 6 GB |
| PowerWash Simulator 2 | Job sim | $24.99 | 8 GB | GeForce GTX 1060, 6 GB |
| Assetto Corsa Competizione | Racing | $39.99 | 4 GB | GeForce GTX 750, 4 GB |
| Planet Coaster 2 | Park building | $49.99 | 16 GB | GeForce GTX 1060, 6 GB |
| House Flipper 2 | Job sim | $39.99 | 8 GB | GeForce GTX 1060, 6 GB |
| X-Plane 12 | Flight | $59.99 | 8 GB | Vulkan 1.3 card, 2 GB |
Prices and minimum requirements were read from each Steam page on November 10, 2026. Minimum means the game starts, not that it runs well.
Simulator games for a low-end PC or laptop
| Game | Price | Minimum RAM | Why it runs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stardew Valley | $14.99 | 2 GB | 2D pixel art, 500 MB on disk |
| Assetto Corsa | $19.99 | 2 GB | A 2014 racing sim |
| The Sims 4 | Free | 4 GB | Asks for a GeForce 6600; packs make it heavier |
| Two Point Hospital | $29.99 | 4 GB | Lists Intel HD Graphics 630 as enough |
| Euro Truck Simulator 2 | $19.99 | 8 GB | Lists Intel HD 630 integrated graphics as enough |
| OpenTTD | Free | 256 MB | Open source transport sim |
No graphics card at all, or a locked-down school or work computer? A browser sim is the practical choice. GeoFS is a free flight simulator in a tab, and LifeSim is a free life simulator in the browser. More on the free page.
The games that need a strong PC
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, BeamNG.drive and Planet Coaster 2 all list 16 GB of RAM as the minimum. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 also needs a broadband connection, since it streams its scenery, and 50 GB of disk space. BeamNG.drive asks for 60 GB.
Cities: Skylines II ($49.99) asks for a GeForce GTX 970 with 4 GB, a big step up from the first game's GTS 450. That gap is one reason many players stay with the original.
For the flight sims in detail, see flight simulator games.
Free · no download · LifeSim
No install, no specs: a life sim in your browser
Type who you want to be. LifeSim draws the character and starts that life in a real city, with AI neighbors who remember you. Free, and it runs in a tab.
Mac, Linux and Early Access
- Mac on Steam: Euro Truck Simulator 2, American Truck Simulator, Stardew Valley, Cities: Skylines, Farming Simulator 25, X-Plane 12, Two Point Hospital and Supermarket Simulator. The Sims 4 is on Mac through the EA app.
- Linux on Steam: Euro Truck Simulator 2, American Truck Simulator, Stardew Valley, Cities: Skylines, X-Plane 12 and Two Point Hospital.
- Windows only on Steam (several are also on consoles): Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, BeamNG.drive, PowerWash Simulator 2, Planet Coaster 2, House Flipper 2 and Assetto Corsa Competizione.
- Early Access: BeamNG.drive is still listed as Early Access after more than ten years of updates. Treat it as a finished game that keeps growing.
Why PC is the best place for sims
Three reasons. Some of the best sims are only on computers: Euro Truck Simulator 2, American Truck Simulator and X-Plane 12 are sold for computers only today. PC supports joysticks, wheels and pedals most widely. And mods keep older games alive, which is why the first Cities: Skylines is still on this list.
The cost is setup time. If you want to be playing in a minute, the hook on this page starts a life in LifeSim in your browser, free. For people-focused games, see life simulator games.
FAQ
What is the best simulator game on PC?
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 if your PC can run it. For most PCs, Euro Truck Simulator 2 ($19.99) and The Sims 4 (free) are the best value.
What simulator games run on a low-end PC?
Stardew Valley and Assetto Corsa ask for 2 GB of RAM, The Sims 4 and Two Point Hospital for 4 GB. Euro Truck Simulator 2 lists Intel HD 630 integrated graphics as its minimum.
Are there free simulator games on PC?
Yes. The Sims 4 base game, DCS World, RaceRoom Racing Experience and OpenTTD are free on Steam. FlightGear is a free download from its own site.