Games Like Cookie Clicker (2026): 10 Idle and Clicker Games

Cookie Clicker takes a laughably simple idea, click a cookie and watch the number go up, and turns it into something you check on all day. If you've baked your way through it, or you just want another game where the numbers keep climbing, there's a whole family of idle and incremental games waiting.

Here are ten idle games to try if you like Cookie Clicker, listed in no particular order and sorted from A to Z. Some are heavy on clicking and some barely need it. Every detail comes from each game's own Steam or App Store page, and I've left out anything I couldn't confirm there. If you'd like other things to run on an older computer, my guide to PC games for laptops with limited memory is worth a look.

Idle and incremental games like Cookie Clicker at a glance

In the free to play column, Yes means the game's own store page lists it as free to download, and No means it doesn't. A free download can still have optional extras inside the game, so read each store page before you install.

Game	Platforms	Good for	Free to play
AdVenture Capitalist	Windows, Mac, Linux (Steam)	A light-hearted business-building idle game	Yes
Antimatter Dimensions	Windows, Mac (Steam)	Deep number-crunching that keeps unfolding	Yes
Cell to Singularity	Windows, Mac (Steam)	Tapping through evolution and technology	Yes
Clicker Heroes	Windows, Mac (Steam)	Clicking monsters and recruiting heroes	Yes
Egg, Inc.	iPhone, iPad (App Store)	Hatching chickens and building hen houses	Yes
Idle Slayer	Windows (Steam)	An idle role-playing game with offline progress	Yes
Kittens Game	Windows, Mac, Linux (Steam)	Managing a growing village of kittens	No
NGU Idle	Windows (Steam)	Weird humour and a very large pile of upgrades	Yes
Realm Grinder	Windows, Mac (Steam)	Growing a fantasy realm with alliances	Yes
Trimps	Windows (Steam)	Text-based incremental play with plenty to automate	Yes

Ten idle games to try after Cookie Clicker, A to Z

AdVenture Capitalist

Best for: Players who want a cheerful, easy-to-follow idle game where you build up a business empire and watch the totals climb.

Antimatter Dimensions

Best for: Players who love big numbers and clever systems, and don't mind a game that reveals new layers the longer you stay.

Cell to Singularity

Best for: People who like a learning-flavoured tapper, with a story that runs from early life through dinosaurs to future technology.

Clicker Heroes

Best for: Players who enjoy a fantasy twist on clicking, where you recruit heroes, earn gold and keep progressing even while idle.

Egg, Inc.

Best for: People who want a cheerful phone idle game about hatching chickens and expanding a farm, ideal for short check-ins.

Idle Slayer

Best for: Players who like growing a character, crafting gear and defeating bosses, with progress that continues when they step away.

Kittens Game

Best for: Patient planners who enjoy managing resources and unlocking new technologies as a village of kittens grows into a civilisation.

NGU Idle

Best for: Players who want a funny, quirky idle game packed with upgrades and the simple joy of numbers going up.

Realm Grinder

Best for: Fans of idle role-playing who like building up a realm, forming alliances and exploring a surprisingly deep game.

Trimps

Best for: Players who enjoy automating old tasks as new ones appear, with no need for constant clicking.

What makes an idle game feel like Cookie Clicker

Idle and incremental games share a few ingredients, and each game mixes them differently. Knowing what you enjoy helps you pick.

• Numbers that keep growing. The pleasure of watching a total jump from small to enormous is the core of the genre.
• Upgrades that change the game. The best ones keep unlocking something new, so you always have a goal in sight.
• Progress while you're away. Many idle games keep earning in the background, so coming back feels like a reward.
• Resets and prestige. Some games ask you to start over for permanent bonuses, which gives long-term play its shape.
• A theme you like. Chickens, kittens, wizards and businesses all feel different, even when the maths is similar.

Which Cookie Clicker alternative suits which player

• Light, cheerful idle games suit people who want to check in for a minute and move on.
• Role-playing idle games suit players who want heroes, gear and a bit of story around the numbers.
• Deep incremental games suit puzzle lovers who enjoy figuring out how systems fit together.
• Text-based and management games suit patient planners who like spreadsheets in game form.
• Phone idle games suit anyone who wants a quick check-in on the bus or in a queue.

If you like games you can leave running, strategy games for PC to download and games you can play offline are two more lists to browse, and puzzle games for PC suits the deep-systems crowd.

Questions to ask before you start a new idle game

• Does the game keep running when it's closed, or only while it's open?
• Does it need to stay online, or does it work offline?
• Is it free to download, and what does the store page say about extras?
• Will it run on my computer or phone? What do the requirements say?
• What age rating does the store show, if a child may play too?

Getting the most from an idle game

A few habits make these games more rewarding.

1. Read the first few upgrades slowly. They usually teach you how the whole game works.
2. Check in a few times a day rather than staring at the screen.
3. Don't be afraid of a reset if the game offers permanent bonuses.
4. Look at the settings for a way to save, back up or pause your progress.
5. Set a time limit if you notice the game taking over your evenings.

A note for parents about idle games

Idle games look harmless, but they're designed to bring you back again and again. Some include adverts or online features. Look at the age rating on each store page, check the settings, and talk with your child about how long they spend playing.

Mistakes people make when looking for games like Cookie Clicker

• Expecting an exact copy and feeling let down when the rules differ.
• Starting several idle games at once and never getting far in any of them.
• Ignoring the platform and finding the game won't run on their device.
• Leaving a game running on a laptop for days without checking the battery or heat.
• Forgetting to check the age rating before handing a device to a child.

Do you make mobile or PC games? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

Picking your next idle game after Cookie Clicker

Think about what kept you hooked: the upgrades, the theme or the sheer size of the numbers. Choose two games that match, try each for a few days, and keep the one you look forward to checking. Idle games reward patience, so give your pick a fair chance before you move on.

Frequently asked questions

Are there games exactly like Cookie Clicker?

No game is an exact copy, but many share the idea of simple actions that snowball into huge numbers. Each adds a twist, such as heroes, chickens, kittens or an evolving world.

Are games like Cookie Clicker free to download?

Many are. The free to play column in the table shows which ones list themselves as free on their own store page. Check the page in your country for current details.

Do idle games keep running when I close them?

It depends on the game. Some progress in the background, some only while open, and some give you a bonus when you return. The store page or the game's own help will tell you.

Can I play idle games on my phone?

Yes, at least one game on this page is listed on the App Store for iPhone and iPad. If you use another type of phone, look at what's offered in your own app store.

Are idle games suitable for children?

Ratings and online features vary. Look at the age rating on each store page and talk with your child about how long they spend playing.