Mindustry
Factory-building tower defense with serious depth.
How to install Mindustry for free
Mindustry is a free tower defense game released under Open Source (GPL-3.0). It runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, needs about 250 MB of disk space, and requires no account, payment or trial. The fastest route is the PlayBound Launcher, which handles the download and setup in one click.
One-click install
PlayBound fetches the official release — no third-party mirrors.
Installation steps
- 1
Install the PlayBound Launcher, then find Mindustry and press Install. The launcher downloads the official release, unpacks it and creates a shortcut. This is the fastest route and it never uses third-party mirrors.
- 2
Alternatively, download Mindustry directly from the official site at https://mindustrygame.github.io. Always download from the official source — third-party mirrors of free games are a common malware vector.
- 3
Official releases are published on GitHub at github.com/Anuken/Mindustry/releases. Pick the newest stable release matching your operating system.
- 4
Windows
Run the downloaded installer and follow the prompts. If Windows SmartScreen warns about an unrecognised publisher, that is normal for open-source projects without a paid code-signing certificate — choose More info, then Run anyway.
- 5
macOS
Open the downloaded .dmg and drag the app into Applications. On first launch macOS may refuse to open it as unidentified — right-click the app and choose Open to approve it once.
- 6
Linux
Check your distribution's package manager first, which is usually the easiest route. Otherwise download the AppImage from the official site, mark it executable and run it.
chmod +x *.AppImage && ./*.AppImage - 7
Launch the game and look at the settings menu before your first session — resolution and control defaults are worth checking. Mindustry needs roughly 250 MB of free disk space.
System requirements
Minimum
1.5 GHz CPU · 1 GB RAM · Any GPU · 500 MB storage
Recommended
2.5 GHz CPU · 4 GB RAM · Any modern GPU · 1 GB storage
Install questions
Is Mindustry free?
The desktop version on Steam, itch.io and the official site is entirely free and open-source under GPL-3.0, with no purchases or advertising. The iOS and Android store listings are paid, which is the only place money changes hands.
Is Mindustry like Factorio?
The core loop is very similar — conveyor logistics, resource chains and throughput optimisation. The differences are that Mindustry is top-down 2D, uses bounded maps rather than one endless world, and makes combat central rather than incidental. Sessions are much shorter as a result.
Does Mindustry have multiplayer?
Yes, both co-op and competitive PvP, on free public servers or your own. Multiplayer costs nothing and requires no account.
How big is Mindustry?
Around 250 MB, which makes it one of the smaller games in the catalog. It runs comfortably on old laptops and low-end hardware.
Is Mindustry good for beginners to automation games?
It is one of the better entry points. Bounded maps and a guided campaign introduce concepts gradually, and a failed sector costs you an evening rather than a month of progress.
Can I mod Mindustry?
Yes. There is a built-in mod browser with a large community library covering maps, schematics, new content and full overhauls, installable without leaving the game.