Top 25 Best Idle Games to Play on Mobile and PC in 2025
Idle games have been a part of my life for years, and I’ve seen the genre transform from simple, tap-and-wait clickers into rich, immersive worlds that reward both patience and strategy. There’s something uniquely satisfying about setting a game in motion, stepping away, and returning to find your progress multiplied many times over. Over time, I’ve tested countless titles on both mobile and PC, searching for the best idle games that perfectly blend fun, depth, and accessibility.
In this guide, I’m sharing the top 25 best idle games to play in 2025 titles that kept me hooked for days, weeks, and sometimes months. From building vast business empires and conquering fantasy kingdoms to exploring galaxies and running bizarre simulations, each game offers a unique way to keep you entertained without constant effort. These aren’t just good picks, they’re the best idle games worth your time this year.
1. Cookie Clicker
Genre: Idle clicker / incremental game
Platform: Browser, Steam, and mobile (Android, iOS)
Gameplay
You start by clicking a giant cookie to earn cookies, then spend them on upgrades like grandmas, factories, and portals that produce cookies automatically. Over time, your numbers skyrocket into billions, with achievements and seasonal events adding variety and new challenges, which is why Cookie Clicker remains one of the best idle games for players who enjoy simple mechanics with endless progression.
Personal Experience
When I first tried Cookie Clicker, I thought I would only play for five minutes. Hours later, I was still glued to the screen, eager to unlock the next big upgrade. Coming back after a break to see millions of cookies ready to spend always gave me a strange mix of excitement and pride.
Monetization
Cookie Clicker is free to play, with optional purchases for cosmetic upgrades and faster progression. It’s easy to enjoy without spending money, but the extras can be tempting if you want to speed things up.
2. AdVenture Capitalist
Genre: Business simulation / idle clicker
Platform: Browser, Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, mobile (Android, iOS)
Gameplay
AdVenture Capitalist puts you in the role of an ambitious entrepreneur, starting with a small lemonade stand. You invest your earnings into new businesses, hire managers to automate tasks, and steadily grow your empire into a multi-industry powerhouse. As your profits multiply, you can expand into space ventures, adding even more layers of progression. The simplicity of its clicker mechanics combined with the satisfaction of exponential growth makes it one of the most addictive best idle games available.
Personal Experience
The moment I hired my first manager and saw the profits roll in without any clicking, I realized how easily this game could hook me. Watching my income rise from modest dollars to astronomical figures felt like building a dream business without the stress of real life.
Monetization
Free to play, with optional purchases for gold, which can speed up progress or unlock special items. While spending can accelerate growth, the game is well-balanced, allowing patient players to achieve everything without paying.
3. Realm Grinder
Genre: Strategy / idle clicker hybrid
Platform: Browser, Steam, mobile (Android, iOS)
Gameplay
Realm Grinder blends the addictive simplicity of idle games with the depth of a fantasy strategy title. You begin by choosing a faction, each with unique abilities, and build your kingdom by generating coins and purchasing upgrades. As your realm expands, you unlock new buildings, spells, and alliances that completely change your playstyle. The game rewards both short sessions and long-term planning, offering layers of progression that keep you engaged for months.
Personal Experience
What struck me most about Realm Grinder was how my decisions early in the game shaped my entire kingdom’s future. Experimenting with different factions kept things exciting, and the moment I unlocked my first powerful spell, I felt like my kingdom had truly come alive, making it clear why this title is often listed among the best idle games for strategy lovers.
Monetization
It’s free to play, with in-game purchases for premium currency that can speed up progress or unlock certain features. The balance is fair, allowing dedicated players to achieve everything without spending money.
4. AFK Arena
Genre: Idle RPG / hero collector
Platform: Mobile (Android, iOS)
Gameplay
AFK Arena combines idle mechanics with the thrill of collecting and upgrading heroes. Battles happen automatically, even when you’re offline, and your heroes continue to gain resources and experience. The core loop revolves around assembling a balanced team, leveling up characters, and unlocking new chapters of the story. Regular events and limited-time heroes keep the gameplay varied and give players a reason to return daily.
Personal Experience
I remember logging in after a couple of days away and finding my team stronger than ever, ready to crush a stage I had struggled with before. Building a roster with heroes from different factions felt like putting together a puzzle, and seeing it work perfectly in battle was incredibly rewarding.
Monetization
AFK Arena is free to play, with optional purchases for hero packs, resources, and cosmetic skins. Spending can speed up progression, but patient players can still build a strong team over time without paying.
5. Idle Miner Tycoon
Genre: Business simulation / idle management
Platform: Mobile (Android, iOS), browser, Windows
Gameplay
Idle Miner Tycoon puts you in charge of a mining empire, starting with a single shaft and a handful of workers. Your goal is to automate the process by hiring managers, upgrading machinery, and expanding into multiple mines. The game offers different resource types, each with its own value, and strategic decisions about where to invest make the progress feel satisfying. The deeper you dig, the faster your wealth grows.
Personal Experience
The turning point for me was when my mine became fully automated, and I could watch the conveyor belts carry massive loads without lifting a finger. Unlocking new mines in different regions felt like stepping into a fresh challenge each time.
Monetization
It’s free to play, with optional purchases for in-game cash and boosts that speed up production. The game is balanced well enough that you can expand your empire steadily without spending.
6. Egg, Inc.
Genre: Idle farming / simulation
Platform: Mobile (Android, iOS)
Gameplay
Egg, Inc. transforms a simple egg farm into a high-tech business empire. You start with a few chickens and basic hen houses, then invest in better vehicles, research upgrades, and futuristic egg types with higher value. As the farm expands, production continues even when you’re offline, and there’s always another upgrade to chase. The mix of casual tapping and long-term progression keeps it engaging for all types of players.
Personal Experience
One of my favorite moments was unlocking a completely new type of egg that instantly multiplied my earnings. Watching trucks constantly leave the farm loaded with eggs gave a strange sense of accomplishment, almost like running a real business.
Monetization
The game is free to play and offers optional purchases for golden eggs, which can unlock boosts and speed up progress. While they add convenience, it’s possible to grow your farm and reach late-game content without buying them.
7. Tap Titans 2
Genre: Idle clicker / action RPG
Platform: Mobile (Android, iOS)
Gameplay
Tap Titans 2 mixes fast-paced tapping with idle progression. You lead a sword-wielding hero against waves of giant titans, tapping to deal damage and recruiting allies to fight alongside you. As you unlock skills and artifacts, your damage output grows exponentially, allowing you to defeat tougher bosses and advance through countless stages. Even when you’re offline, your team keeps battling, ensuring steady rewards.
Personal Experience
The rush of defeating a titan right before the timer ran out was unforgettable. I enjoyed experimenting with different skill combinations, and it was satisfying to see my hero slice through enemies that once seemed impossible to beat.
Monetization
Free to play with optional purchases for in-game currency, premium upgrades, and event packs. While spending can help speed progression, the game offers plenty of rewards for dedicated players who prefer to play without paying.
8. Melvor Idle
Genre: Idle RPG / skill-based simulator
Platform: Browser, Steam, mobile (Android, iOS)
Gameplay
Melvor Idle takes inspiration from classic MMORPGs, offering a wide range of skills to train such as fishing, woodcutting, mining, and combat. You progress at your own pace, switching between activities as you gather resources and craft better equipment. Combat is turn-based and continues automatically, while non-combat skills keep leveling even when you’re offline. The depth of content makes it feel like a full RPG condensed into an idle format.
Personal Experience
I was surprised at how much strategy went into deciding which skills to focus on first. The satisfaction of unlocking a high-level skill and crafting something rare gave the game a long-term appeal that kept me checking back daily.
Monetization
Free to play in browsers, with a one-time purchase on Steam and mobile to unlock the full version. There are no intrusive microtransactions, making it a great choice for players who prefer a straightforward, pay-once experience.
9. Forager
Genre: Adventure / idle crafting game
Platform: PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, mobile (Android, iOS)
Gameplay
Forager blends exploration, crafting, and idle mechanics into a colorful open world. You start on a small island, gathering resources like wood, stone, and berries. Over time, you expand to new lands, build structures, and unlock automation that keeps your world running even when you’re not actively playing. The best idle games steady stream of upgrades and discoveries makes it feel rewarding at every stage.
Personal Experience
What I enjoyed most was the moment my little island turned into a bustling network of farms, factories, and resource collectors. Each expansion brought new surprises, and I often found myself playing longer than planned just to see what was around the next corner.
Monetization
Forager is a paid game with no microtransactions, offering the full experience upfront. Once purchased, you can explore, automate, and expand without any additional costs.
10. Crusaders of the Lost Idols
Genre: Idle RPG / strategy
Platform: Browser, Steam, mobile (Android, iOS)
Gameplay
Crusaders of the Lost Idols combines idle gameplay with strategic formation building. You assemble a team of heroes, each with unique abilities, and arrange them on the battlefield to maximize their power. As enemies are defeated automatically, you earn gold to upgrade your team and unlock new crusaders. Special events and challenges keep the gameplay varied, encouraging you to adjust strategies for different situations.
Personal Experience
The fun for me came from experimenting with different hero lineups to see how they affected my damage output. Finding the perfect combination that allowed my team to push further into a difficult stage felt incredibly satisfying.
Monetization
Free to play, with optional purchases for in-game currency and premium crusaders. The game is generous with rewards, allowing steady progress without spending, though premium heroes can provide a boost for competitive events.
11. Adventure Communist
Genre: Idle clicker / satirical simulation
Platform: Browser, Steam, mobile (Android, iOS)
Gameplay
Adventure Communist turns resource production into a quirky, satirical experience. You start by farming potatoes, which serve as the foundation for your growing communist empire. As production scales, you recruit workers, unlock new industries, and expand into larger operations. The game keeps progressing while you’re offline, and its humor adds personality to the typical idle formula, securing its place as one of the best idle games for players who enjoy comedy mixed with progression.
Personal Experience
I found myself laughing at the over-the-top propaganda messages and tongue-in-cheek writing. Watching my potato farm evolve into a massive industrial state was both absurd and oddly satisfying, especially when new production lines unlocked.
Monetization
Free to play, with optional purchases for boosts, time skips, and premium resources. While spending speeds up progress, the game is designed so that patient players can still reach the endgame without paying.
12. Clicker Heroes
Genre: Idle clicker / RPG
Platform: Browser, Steam, mobile (Android, iOS)
Gameplay
Clicker Heroes is all about defeating endless waves of monsters and bosses, earning gold to hire and upgrade a team of heroes. Your characters attack automatically, but tapping the screen or clicking with your mouse adds extra damage. As you progress, you unlock new heroes, level up abilities, and eventually ascend to start fresh with powerful bonuses, keeping the gameplay loop engaging.
Personal Experience
I enjoyed the sense of power that came from seeing my heroes destroy enemies in seconds, especially after a big upgrade. The first time I ascended and realized how much faster I could progress, it felt like I had unlocked a new layer of the game.
Monetization
Free to play, with optional purchases for rubies and time-saving boosts. The balance allows steady advancement without spending, but the premium currency can help skip long grind periods.
13. Plantera
Genre: Idle farming / casual simulation
Platform: PC, Nintendo Switch, mobile (Android, iOS)
Gameplay
Plantera is a peaceful idle farming game where you grow crops, plant trees, and raise animals in a colorful side-scrolling garden. As you collect coins, you can hire helper creatures that gather resources automatically. Over time, your farm expands with more plants, decorations, and animals, creating a charming and self-sustaining ecosystem, making it a favorite choice among the best idle games for relaxing and casual play.
Personal Experience
The relaxing pace and cheerful music made me want to keep expanding my little farm just to see it become more lively. Unlocking new plants and animals felt rewarding, and it was satisfying to return later and find the garden thriving on its own.
Monetization
Plantera is a paid game on most platforms, offering the full experience without microtransactions. Once purchased, you can enjoy all the content without any extra costs.
14. Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms
Genre: Idle strategy / Dungeons & Dragons
Platform: PC (Steam, Epic Games Store), Xbox, PlayStation, mobile (Android, iOS)
Gameplay
Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms blends idle mechanics with the lore and characters of Dungeons & Dragons. You recruit a roster of champions, each with unique skills, and place them in formations to maximize their abilities. As you progress through campaigns, you unlock gear, upgrade heroes, and face increasingly tough enemies. Events and time-limited adventures provide new champions and rewards, keeping the experience fresh.
Personal Experience
What impressed me most was how the formation system made every placement decision matter. Choosing the right champions for a battle felt strategic, and it was satisfying to see my team overcome a stage I had been stuck on for days, which is why Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms easily earns a spot among the best idle games for fans of strategy and role-playing.
Monetization
Free to play, with optional purchases for chests, skins, and event currency. While spending can unlock champions and gear faster, the game rewards consistent play, allowing progress without payment.
15. Bit Heroes Quest
Genre: Idle RPG / dungeon crawler
Platform: PC (Steam), mobile (Android, iOS)
Gameplay
Bit Heroes Quest combines pixel-art charm with idle RPG mechanics. You explore dungeons, battle monsters, and collect loot, with your character continuing to fight automatically after battles are initiated. Along the way, you can recruit pets and companions to join your team, each adding unique abilities. The game offers PvE adventures, PvP arenas, and guild events for a mix of solo and social play.
Personal Experience
I enjoyed the nostalgia of its retro graphics paired with modern idle features. One of the most rewarding moments was capturing a rare companion that completely changed my battle strategy and made my team much stronger.
Monetization
Free to play, with optional purchases for premium currency, cosmetic items, and special gear. While paying can speed up gear collection, patient players can still build a strong team over time without spending.
16. Fallout Shelter
Genre: Simulation / management
Platform: PC (Steam, Bethesda Launcher), PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, mobile (Android, iOS)
Gameplay
Fallout Shelter puts you in charge of managing an underground vault in the Fallout universe. You assign dwellers to jobs, produce resources like food, water, and power, and expand your vault with new rooms. Dwellers can be trained, equipped, and sent out into the wasteland to collect loot. The game runs in real time, allowing your vault to grow and thrive even while you’re away.
Personal Experience
I found it especially fun to customize my vault layout and see each dweller take on a specific role. Sending a well-equipped team into the wasteland and watching them return with rare gear gave a great sense of accomplishment.
Monetization
Free to play, with optional purchases for lunchboxes, pet carriers, and resource packs. These speed up progress and add bonuses, but careful management makes it possible to succeed without spending.
17. Swarm Simulator
Genre: Idle strategy / resource management
Platform: Browser, Steam
Gameplay
Swarm Simulator focuses on building and evolving a massive insect colony, starting with just a few larvae. You generate meat and other resources to evolve new life forms, expand your swarm’s territory, and eventually conquer planets. The game runs in real time, so progress continues while you’re away, and the sheer scale of upgrades gives it incredible long-term depth.
Personal Experience
What stood out for me was how satisfying it felt to start with almost nothing and slowly expand into an unstoppable galactic swarm. The exponential growth made every return to the game exciting, with huge leaps in progress waiting.
Monetization
Free to play with no intrusive monetization. All progression can be achieved naturally without spending money, making it appealing for patient players.
18. Grow Castle
Genre: Idle defense / strategy
Platform: Browser, Steam, mobile (Android, iOS)
Gameplay
Grow Castle combines tower defense mechanics with idle progression. You defend your castle from waves of enemies by recruiting heroes, upgrading defenses, and unlocking special abilities. As you advance, you can expand your territory and increase your army’s strength, making each wave easier to handle.
Personal Experience
One of my favorite moments was unlocking a hero that completely changed how I defended my castle. Watching waves of enemies get destroyed before they even reached the walls felt incredibly satisfying.
Monetization
Free to play, with optional in-game purchases for premium currency to unlock heroes and upgrades faster. The game is generous enough to remain fun without spending.
19. Soda Dungeon 2
Genre: Idle dungeon crawler / RPG
Platform: PC (Steam), mobile (Android, iOS)
Gameplay
In Soda Dungeon 2, you recruit adventurers from a tavern, send them into dungeons for loot, and upgrade your town to prepare for deeper runs. Combat is automated, but team composition and gear choices greatly influence success. The game also features humor-filled dialogue that keeps things lighthearted.
Personal Experience
The quirky personalities of the characters made dungeon crawling more entertaining, and I found myself doing “just one more run” to see what random loot I’d find next.
Monetization
Free to play, with optional purchases for premium currency, gear, and convenience features. The core game can be enjoyed fully without payment.
20. Adventure Ages
Genre: Idle civilization builder
Platform: Mobile (Android, iOS)
Gameplay
Adventure Ages takes you through different periods in history, starting in ancient times and advancing into the future. You produce resources, complete missions, and unlock new eras, each with unique visuals and mechanics. Progress continues even while you’re offline, and each age offers fresh goals to aim for.
Personal Experience
I enjoyed the satisfaction of seeing my civilization leap from primitive tools to futuristic technology in a single session. Each new era felt like a big reward for my efforts.
Monetization
Free to play, with optional boosts and time skips available for purchase. The game is well-balanced for free players who don’t mind a slower pace.
21. Time Clickers
Genre: Idle shooter / clicker
Platform: PC (Steam)
Gameplay
Time Clickers blends idle clicker mechanics with shooter visuals. You destroy cubes to earn money, which can be used to upgrade weapons, hire a team, and unlock powerful abilities. Your team keeps firing even when you’re offline, ensuring constant progress, making it one of the best idle games for players who want action-packed gameplay alongside idle progression.
Personal Experience
The unique mix of shooter action with idle upgrades made it feel fresh compared to other clickers. Upgrading my weapons and watching them obliterate cubes in seconds was always rewarding.
Monetization
Free to play with no aggressive monetization. Optional purchases are limited to convenience boosts.
22. NGU Idle
Genre: Idle RPG / comedy
Platform: PC (Steam)
Gameplay
NGU Idle stands for “Numbers Go Up,” and it’s a humorous idle RPG where you train stats, fight bosses, and gather gear. The game features multiple systems running at once, from adventure zones to item crafting, making it rich in content for an idle title.
Personal Experience
The sarcastic, self-aware humor made me laugh as much as the gameplay itself. Discovering new bosses and rare gear felt like uncovering hidden jokes and treasures at the same time.
Monetization
Free to play, with optional purchases for cosmetics and convenience boosts. Progress is fully achievable without spending money.
23. Spaceplan
Genre: Story-driven idle clicker
Platform: Browser, PC, mobile
Gameplay
Spaceplan is a narrative idle game where you generate energy using potatoes to power a spacecraft. As you progress, the story unfolds, blending humor, mystery, and unexpected twists. The idle mechanics are simple, but the storytelling keeps you hooked until the end.
Personal Experience
I was pleasantly surprised at how emotionally invested I became in a game about potatoes. Each story reveal made me want to keep clicking just to see what happened next.
Monetization
One-time purchase with no microtransactions, giving access to the full story in one go.
24. Leaf Blower Revolution
Genre: Idle simulation / parody
Platform: PC (Steam)
Gameplay
Leaf Blower Revolution takes something as simple as clearing leaves and turns it into an epic idle journey. You upgrade your leaf blowers, unlock new zones, and eventually collect absurd tools like nuclear blowers to speed things up.
Personal Experience
The ridiculousness of blasting leaves with over-the-top upgrades kept me entertained, and each unlock felt more absurd in the best way possible, which is why Leaf Blower Revolution stands out as one of the best idle games for players who enjoy humor mixed with satisfying progression.
Monetization
Free to play, with optional DLC packs that add extra content and features.
25. War Clicks
Genre: Idle military strategy
Platform: Browser, Steam
Gameplay
War Clicks blends military base management with idle combat. You train soldiers, produce vehicles, and participate in battles that run automatically. Switching between base-building and active fighting keeps the gameplay dynamic.
Personal Experience
I enjoyed the sense of progression from a small training camp to a massive war machine, especially when my army dominated battles I once struggled with.
Monetization
Free to play, with optional purchases for faster training and upgrades. The game remains playable and rewarding without spending money.
Conclusion
Idle games have come a long way, offering experiences that range from lighthearted fun to deep strategic challenges. In this list of the top 25 best idle games to play on mobile and PC in 2025, we’ve explored titles that can fit into any lifestyle whether you have minutes to spare or want something running in the background all day.
From classics like Cookie Clicker and AdVenture Capitalist to inventive gems like Spaceplan and Leaf Blower Revolution, each game here brings its own charm, mechanics, and reasons to keep coming back. The beauty of idle games lies in their ability to reward both casual play and long-term dedication, making them a perfect match for players of all kinds. So whether you want to build, battle, or simply watch your numbers climb, these are the best idle games to keep you entertained this year and beyond.