Top 15 best free iOS strategy games for iPhone and iPad (iOS)

Updated on April 25th, 2025, by Jupiter Hadley – added 3 games.

If you prefer trying a game out first before making a purchase, here are the top 15 outstanding free iOS strategy games suitable for both your iPhone and iPad!

Strategy games on mobile are extremely popular and offer a wide variety of experiences. Many games incorporate strategic elements to help players outsmart opponents or enhance their gaming experience. When you search for iOS strategy games, you’ll find numerous options, but the selection narrows significantly when you add ‘free’ to your search. Some strategy games demand deep thinking, while others offer lighter, strategic touches.

A significant number of titles on this collection include in-app purchases, which is common practice in the mobile market. Yet, they are all free to play initially, enabling you swift access to the gameplay and the option to spend money if you wish to enhance your experience with additional features. There’s no shortage of free iOS strategy games available, so feel free to explore the list and discover something that matches your preferences!

1 Lucky Offense

Lucky Offense is a unique strategy game where fortune plays a significant role. To succeed, you’ll rely not only on your strategic skills but also on a bit of good luck. You can amass stronger heroes and combine them to build a formidable army. The action can get quite thrilling as the screen becomes filled with your forces, battling against any enemies that cross your path. With numerous distinct bosses and armies to confront, you’ll need to be well-prepared and knowledgeable to emerge victorious.

2 Clash of Clans

Clash of Clans is not just a heavy-duty strategy game for free iOS users; it’s more like a fun, strategic village builder where you construct bases, assemble armies, and aim to raid and plunder other players’ villages. To maintain your clan’s dominance, you’ll have to learn how to effectively utilize each character type in your army, selecting the most powerful ones for tactical offensive maneuvers.

3 TownsFolk

In TownsFolk, you are tasked with establishing a settlement on an enigmatic terrain shrouded in mist. As you cautiously delve into the foggy expanse, it will be essential to gradually erect various structures to foster a prosperous town. The game requires strategic thinking as you not only construct buildings but also dispatch offerings to the monarch and ensure the well-being of your villagers, striking a delicate balance.

4 Warhammer Quest: Silver Tower

The strategy-packed game, Warhammer Quest: Silver Tower, offers an abundance of action. Navigate through multiple stages, utilizing distinct champions from Warhammer’s Age of Sigmar. With a myriad of unique champions, each boasting their specific skill sets and mastery required, as well as numerous diverse challenges, it’s up to you to conquer them all!

5 Rush Royale

In simple terms, Rush Royale is a vibrant game resembling tower defense, where your goal is to strategically position and merge units to create stronger defensive towers, fending off enemies attempting to advance across the screen. Some stages can be quite difficult, so it’s essential to pick your unit combinations thoughtfully if you want to succeed.

6 Forge of Empires

In Forge of Empires, you embark on a city-building adventure aimed at expanding your empire, exploring advanced technologies, and gathering valuable resources. Engage in numerous battles against other empires to establish supremacy, plunder their resources for personal gain, and become a formidable force in this popular free iOS strategy game!

7 Infection Bio War

Global Pandemic Strategy Game

Description: In Global Pandemic Strategy, players take on the role of a pathogen aiming to spread their deadly disease across the globe. You have the freedom to customize your illness by determining its mode of transmission and adding symptoms that amplify its destructive impact. The game encourages strategic thinking as there are numerous ways to spread your disease, so careful consideration is necessary when choosing your actions.

8 Airlines Manager Tycoon 2023

Strategy games aren’t exclusively focused on destruction and warfare; some, like Airlines Manager, involve overseeing an entire airline. Here, you decide when planes arrive or depart, choose the aircraft types, and aim to transport as many people as possible. The strategy lies in organizing your airline effectively and making decisions that maximize efficiency.

9 Grow Empire: Rome

Rome” is a game that combines elements of tower defense and role-playing, with a strong emphasis on strategy. In this game, you assume the role of Caesar, leader of the Roman Republic, as you engage in battles against various civilizations. To succeed, you’ll need to effectively manage your troops, weapons, and heroes. The combat takes place on levels similar to tower defense games, but there are numerous upgrades and strategic placements that will help you maintain control of the situation.

10 Supremacy 1914

Supremacy 1914 is a World War I-themed strategy game where you’ll focus on resource gathering, troop development, weapon upgrades, and the quest for scarce resources. Choose to collaborate with other nations or conquer them – the decision is yours, as your ultimate goal is to become the most influential nation! If you’re searching for a no-cost iOS strategy game to engage during your leisure time, Supremacy 1914 could be an excellent pick!

11 Kingdom Rush – Tower Defense Game

Kingdom Rush – Tower Defense is an engaging tower defense game set in a vibrant world. Your mission is to safeguard your kingdom and eliminate enemies attempting to invade by constructing towers and utilizing magic spells. You’ll encounter boss battles, manage units, and explore numerous maps that span a vast realm, provided your towers are strong enough. It’s one of our preferred free iOS strategy games, so we highly recommend giving it a try!

12 Idle Army Base: Tycoon

Casual Army Base Tycoon: This free strategy game allows for both relaxed play or detailed management. As you take on the role of commander, you’ll use the earnings of your troops to expand your base, enhance your forces, and strive to be the top army. There are numerous opportunities for investment and strategies to strengthen yourself.

13 Rise of Kingdoms: Lost Crusade

In “Rise of Kingdoms,” you embark on an adventure through a vast map filled with non-player characters and fellow gamers. Engage in realistic battles, choose whether to delve into exploration or focus on gradually expanding from your current location, attacking rival civilizations or discovering and developing unknown territories. Essentially, you’re crafting your own unique storyline in this strategy game.

14 Top War: Battle Game

Top War is a no-cost strategy game available on iPhone and iPad where you can rise to become the ultimate commander. By utilizing merge mechanics, you can enhance your buildings and troops, hire fresh heroes, elevate their abilities, and perfect their exclusive talents. There’s a variety of character classes, effortless base construction, and vast territories to seize!

15 The Battle of Polytopia

The Battle of Polytopia is an excellent strategy game designed for mobile devices. You’ll assume command over one of several tribes, aiming to achieve the highest score by navigating the map, expanding your civilization, and engaging in battles with nearby territories. This game runs smoothly on various devices, featuring uncomplicated yet adorable graphics. The gameplay is straightforward to grasp but offers numerous strategic hurdles to overcome. Don’t forget to explore our list of top RPGs for iPhone and iPad while you’re here!

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2025-04-25 16:19