60 MB
Verified working 22 hours ago
Verified working 22 hours ago
Build an empire turn by turn — infinitely rewritable.
Last updated
Freeciv is a free strategy game released under Open Source (GPL-2.0). It runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, needs about 60 MB of disk space, and requires no account, payment or trial. On a computer, the fastest route is the PlayBound Launcher. On a phone or tablet, use the official store or site instead.
Choose how to install
Install with PlayBound or download from the official source without the launcher.
Install Freeciv with the PlayBound launcher, which opens the official Windows GTK4 setup, or download a package from freeciv.org for your OS.
Windows
Finish the official installer, then launch the GTK4 client. Start a local game against AI before joining a public server so you learn the UI.
Pick a ruleset you recognise (classic or civ2civ3) for the first match. Custom tilesets and Longturn games can wait until the basics click.
Minimum
1 GHz CPU · 512 MB RAM · Any GPU · 200 MB storage
Recommended
2 GHz CPU · 2 GB RAM · Any GPU · 500 MB storage
Yes. Freeciv is open-source (GPL) with no purchase or in-game shop. Optional donations support the project; they are not required to play.
No. It is inspired by the Civilization series and implements similar empire-building, but it is an independent project with its own rulesets, clients, and multiplayer culture.
Yes. There are public servers, Longturn games, and you can host your own. PlayBound lists Freeciv server activity where a provider is wired up.
Yes. You can play against AI, including hotseat. Multiplayer is a big part of the community, but you never have to go online.
The Windows package PlayBound installs is the GTK4 client. Qt is also common. Use whichever your package provides; the ruleset matters more than the toolkit.
Yes. Freeciv has multiplayer. You can join a public community server from the PlayBound server browser, have PlayBound start a dedicated server for your group, and host a game on your own PC. PlayBound Connect handles the setup: start a party with your friends, pick how you want to play, and everyone launches into the same game from the PlayBound launcher, with the dedicated server started for you if you choose one. It also supports hotseat play. There is no subscription and no paid multiplayer tier.