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Apex Legends

20 Best Free Games to Stream on Twitch in 2025 (And Why Viewers Love Them)

May 18, 2025

By mostafa eladawy

Collage of popular free Twitch games in 2025 including League of Legends, Valorant, Fortnite, and more — perfect games for streaming and growing your audience on Twitch

🎮 20 Best Free Games to Stream on Twitch in 2025 (And Why Viewers Love Them)

Not every top Twitch streamer started with expensive games or massive setups. Many built loyal followings by playing free games — and in 2025, there’s no shortage of incredible options. Whether you’re into shooters, MOBAs, MMOs, or card games, this list will help you find the best free games to stream on Twitch in 2025.

Let’s dive into 20 viewer-magnet titles that cost $0 but can help you grow your channel:

1. League of Legends

Genre: MOBA
Why It’s Great for Twitch:

Massive global fanbase
Endless outplay potential and skill expression
Twitch chat loves dramatic comebacks and rage moments

From ranked grinds to fun ARAM sessions, LoL remains one of the most-watched games on Twitch — for good reason.

League of Legends gameplay featuring team fight in Summoner’s Rift with champions using abilities.

2. Valorant

Genre: Tactical FPS
Why It’s Great for Twitch:

Intense, high-stakes moments
Riot regularly promotes creators
Good mix of skill and personality-driven content

Perfect for both competitive players and casual streamers with strong personalities.

“Valorant FPS match showing an agent using abilities in a competitive 5v5 tactical round.”

3. Fortnite (Zero Build Mode)

Genre: Battle Royale
Why It’s Great for Twitch:

New skins, events, and seasons = constant hype
Zero Build lowers the skill barrier
High visibility in Twitch browse sections

Still a top 10 Twitch category and very beginner-friendly for new streamers.

Fortnite Zero Build mode with a player gliding into a vibrant map during a battle royale match

4. Counter-Strike 2 (CS2)

Genre: Competitive FPS
Why It’s Great for Twitch:

Legendary game with deep mechanics
Clutch plays = high viewer engagement
Great for educational and high-rank gameplay

The GOAT of tactical shooters, now with modern visuals.

CS2 match screenshot showing intense bombsite defense with modern graphics and player models

5. DOTA 2

Genre: MOBA
Why It’s Great for Twitch:

Complex strategy = tons to explain on stream
Huge international fanbase
Competitive scene brings constant viewers

If you’re confident and love deep mechanics, DOTA can help you carve a loyal niche.

DOTA 2 team fight with powerful spells and high-detail character models in a Radiant jungle

6. Apex Legends

Genre: Battle Royale
Why It’s Great for Twitch:

Fast-paced movement and flashy kills
Regular updates and new characters
Viewers love clutch revives and 1v3 wins

Perfect for duos and trios content with high energy.

Apex Legends squad in mid-air drop into map with weapons drawn and high-octane visuals

7. Teamfight Tactics (TFT)

Genre: Auto Battler
Why It’s Great for Twitch:

Great for chat interaction
Viewers enjoy calm, strategic gameplay
Riot promotes streamers via events

TFT works well if you’re analytical or enjoy breaking down meta comps.

Teamfight Tactics board setup with various League of Legends champions in auto-battle

8. Path of Exile

Genre: ARPG
Why It’s Great for Twitch:

Hardcore builds and deep mechanics
Seasonal leagues bring fresh content
Viewers enjoy watching insane DPS and speed-clears

Big opportunity for creators who love theorycrafting.

Path of Exile gameplay with dark fantasy ARPG combat and powerful character spell effects

9. Hearthstone

Genre: Card Game
Why It’s Great for Twitch:

Slow-paced = more time to chat
Surprise wins and RNG moments are hilarious
Great for mobile streaming too

Ideal if you like calm, strategic games with lots of commentary.

Hearthstone card match with detailed hero portraits and animated minion combat

10. Genshin Impact

Genre: Action RPG / Gacha
Why It’s Great for Twitch:

Huge anime and mobile game fanbase
High discoverability through character banners
Great for community pulls and account reviews

Best for streamers who are expressive, positive, and interactive.

Genshin Impact open-world battle scene with anime-style character and elemental effects

11. World of Tanks

Genre: Tactical Vehicle Combat
Why It’s Great for Twitch:

Unique gameplay compared to typical FPS
Great for slower-paced, chill streams
Strong niche community

Great if you’re looking to stand out in a less saturated space.

World of Tanks battle with multiple tanks engaging in combat on a realistic battlefield

12. Rocket League

Genre: Sports / Car Soccer
Why It’s Great for Twitch:

Easy to watch, hard to master
Perfect for hype plays and freestyle goals
Short matches = great pacing for streams

Fantastic for both solo queues and custom tournaments.

Rocket League soccer match with cars flipping mid-air to score in a neon-lit arena

13. Destiny 2

Genre: MMO FPS
Why It’s Great for Twitch:

PvE raids and PvP trials attract different viewers
Amazing gunplay and world-building
Strong community during seasonal updates

Ideal for long-form streams or weekend grind sessions.

Destiny 2 fireteam in a sci-fi setting using exotic weapons in PvE mission

14. Roblox

Genre: Sandbox
Why It’s Great for Twitch:

Huge range of mini-games = never boring
Easy to involve chat in gameplay
Younger audiences = faster growth

Great for community nights and creative game discovery.

Roblox gameplay showcasing user-generated mini-games with blocky characters

15. Smite

Genre: MOBA (Third-Person)
Why It’s Great for Twitch:

God-based combat is unique and engaging
Less saturated than LoL or DOTA
Good blend of action and strategy

A great niche if you like MOBAs but want something more dynamic.

Smite third-person MOBA match with mythological gods using ultimate abilities

16. World of Warships

Genre: Naval Strategy / PvP
Why It’s Great for Twitch:

Tactical and slow-paced = chill vibes
Niche but loyal viewer base
Perfect for educational content or memes

Ideal for thoughtful streamers who like planning over reflexes.

World of Warships naval battle with detailed warships exchanging fire on the open sea

17. Warframe

Genre: Sci-Fi MMO / Looter Shooter
Why It’s Great for Twitch:

Constant action and flashy abilities
Deep lore and customization
Devs support community creators

Amazing for high-energy streams with fast gameplay.

Warframe combat scene featuring futuristic ninjas using guns and swords in fast-paced action

18. War Thunder

Genre: Military Sim
Why It’s Great for Twitch:

Tons of tanks, planes, and naval units
Great for fans of realism and tactics
Underrated on Twitch = more room to grow

Streamers who enjoy combat strategy thrive here.

War Thunder military sim with tanks and fighter planes in large-scale war combat

19. Paladins

Genre: Hero Shooter
Why It’s Great for Twitch:

Similar to Overwatch, but with its own twist
Easy to get into, hard to master
Friendly to F2P streamers

A good choice if you want hero-based gameplay with less pressure.

Paladins hero shooter match with fantasy-style characters casting abilities in arena

20. The Finals

Genre: Team-Based FPS
Why It’s Great for Twitch:

Destructible maps = unique gameplay moments
Stylish and fast-paced
Built-in “tournament” feel even in casual matches

A rising star in 2025 with tons of viral potential.

The Finals FPS game with team-based action and destructible buildings in futuristic setting

🧠 Pro Tip: Mix It Up

Switching between 2–3 games from this list can help keep your content fresh and attract different viewer types. Combine:

One competitive game (e.g., Valorant, DOTA 2)
One casual/community game (e.g., Roblox, Genshin)
One high-hype action game (e.g., Apex Legends, Warframe)

(With Average Viewers & Live Channels)

Game	Average Viewers	Average Channels Live	Viewer/Channel Ratio
1. League of Legends	150K – 200K	5,000 – 6,500	★★★ (High competition)
2. Valorant	120K – 160K	6,000 – 8,000	★★☆
3. Fortnite	90K – 120K	5,000 – 7,000	★★☆
4. Counter-Strike 2	100K – 130K	4,500 – 6,000	★★★
5. DOTA 2	50K – 90K	1,500 – 2,000	★★★★
6. Apex Legends	80K – 100K	3,000 – 4,000	★★★☆
7. Teamfight Tactics	20K – 35K	500 – 800	★★★★
8. Path of Exile	25K – 40K	700 – 1,000	★★★★
9. Hearthstone	15K – 25K	300 – 500	★★★★☆
10. Genshin Impact	40K – 60K	1,200 – 1,800	★★★☆
11. World of Tanks	5K – 10K	100 – 300	★★★★★
12. Rocket League	30K – 45K	1,500 – 2,000	★★☆
13. Destiny 2	20K – 35K	700 – 1,200	★★★☆
14. Roblox	40K – 70K	2,000 – 2,800	★★☆
15. Smite	5K – 8K	150 – 250	★★★★★
16. World of Warships	3K – 5K	80 – 150	★★★★★
17. Warframe	10K – 18K	300 – 500	★★★★
18. War Thunder	8K – 15K	200 – 400	★★★★☆
19. Paladins	3K – 5K	100 – 200	★★★★★
20. The Finals	45K – 65K	1,800 – 2,500	★★★☆

🔎 What Do These Numbers Mean?

Average Viewers: Total number of people watching the game at any given time
Average Channels Live: How many streamers are broadcasting the game
Viewer/Channel Ratio: Helps determine discoverability
- ★★★★★ = Easier to stand out
- ★★ or ★ = High competition

💡 Pro Tips:

If you're new to Twitch, consider games with high viewer-to-channel ratios (like Smite, War Thunder, Hearthstone).
If you're established, top-viewership games like Valorant or LoL offer better growth potential.

🎥 Bonus: Stream Overlay Boost

Want to stand out? Use animated Twitch overlays from FragileGFX to make your stream look pro-level — even if you’re just starting. Clean visuals = more trust = more followers.

Final Thoughts

Streaming success isn’t about the most expensive game — it’s about engaging gameplay, personality, and consistency. These 20 free titles offer everything you need to grow, entertain, and thrive on Twitch in 2025.

So what are you waiting for? Pick a game, fire up OBS, and go live. 🎙️🔥