Games Like Kerbal Space Program

Bring to life anything you can imagine from rockets and airplanes to cars and more. Automate them with a visual programming language. Explore 3D planets and make your own. Share your creations online. Complete contracts, conquer milestones, and unlock technology in the newly added Career Mode.

Why similar: Science 18.8%, Space Sim 17.2%, Space 12.5%, Moddable 10.8% ★, Sandbox 8.7%

Why You'll Like It: It is the closest overall match to KSP, with deep rocket, plane, and rover construction built around realistic flight and orbital mechanics.

Kerbal Space Program 2 is the sequel to the acclaimed space-flight simulation game Kerbal Space Program. Enter the next generation of space adventure with exciting new parts, stunning visuals, fully revamped UI and Map View, and rich new environments to explore.

Why similar: Science 18.7%, Space 15.6%, Space Sim 13.8%, Sandbox 10.6%, Physics 8.5%

Why You'll Like It: As the direct follow-up, it keeps KSP’s core loop of assembling rockets, launching missions, and wrestling with spaceflight physics.

In Spaceflight Simulator, you will get to build your rockets, plan launches and flights, attempt landings, deploy payloads and explore new worlds.

Why similar: Space Sim 22.9%, Space 19.2%, Science 17.7%, Sandbox 14.4%, Simulation 5.9%

Why You'll Like It: It delivers the same build-launch-orbit-land rhythm as KSP in a simpler 2D format that still emphasizes staging and orbital planning.

Space Engineers is a sandbox engineering game where you design and build ships, stations, and planetary bases in a fully destructible environment. Explore planets and space, mine resources, survive hazards, and engage in combat alone or with friends in Creative or Survival modes.

Why similar: Space Sim 20.3%, Space 17.8%, Moddable 15.5% ★, Sandbox 12.3%, Physics 10.1%

Why You'll Like It: Its sandbox of constructing functional spacecraft and stations in a physics-based space environment strongly overlaps with KSP’s engineering appeal.

Build airplanes by snapping parts together, designing wing sections, and attaching engines. At any time, you can strap yourself into the cockpit and see how it flies with realistic physics. If you're not in the mood for building, over 100,000 airplanes are available to download for free.

Why similar: Sandbox 23.2%, Moddable 23.2% ★, Physics 18.8%, Building 16.4%, Open World 7.7%

Why You'll Like It: Like KSP, it is all about designing vehicles from modular parts and tuning them through hands-on flight testing and iteration.

Create & destroy on an unimaginable scale with a realistic physics-based space simulator. Explore the beauty of our universe and the fragility of our planet. Use science to bend the laws of gravity, collide planets, boil away oceans, fire epic space lasers, and customize your universe.

Why similar: Space Sim 18.7%, Space 18.2%, Science 17.6%, Sandbox 13.3%, Physics 9.1%

Why You'll Like It: While less about building craft, it matches KSP’s science-sandbox spirit with hands-on experimentation using gravity, orbits, and celestial mechanics.

Take On Mars places you right in the middle of mankind’s most exciting undertaking. Start out in the seat of a rover operator, finish as the first human to have ever set foot on the Red Planet.

Why similar: Space 25%, Science 18.2%, Space Sim 15.5%, Simulation 9.5%, Sandbox 8.7%

Why You'll Like It: It scratches the realistic space-mission itch with landers, rovers, and a grounded approach to exploration and hardware.

Build and fly realistic aircraft. Use free-form fuselage and wing editor tools and tune your engines to recreate aircraft from any era or design your own.

Why similar: Sandbox 26.2%, Science 24%, Physics 16.6%, Simulation 15.9%, Building 15.2%

Why You'll Like It: Its focus on designing aircraft from the ground up and refining them through realistic aerodynamics will feel very familiar to KSP tinkerers.

The most scientifically accurate space warfare simulator ever made. Now with Steam Workshop!

Why similar: Space 31.7%, Science 26.7%, Space Sim 14.1%, Simulation 13%, Sandbox 6.2%

Why You'll Like It: It appeals to KSP players who love hard science by emphasizing realistic spacecraft design, propulsion, and space physics.

Join a world where you design, create and pilot your own air sea rescue service. Release your inner hero as you battle fierce storms out at sea to rescue those in need.

Why similar: Sandbox 36.4%, Physics 23.6%, Building 22.5%, Open World 12%, Exploration 5.4%

Why You'll Like It: Its systems-heavy vehicle construction and debugging-heavy sandbox delivers a similar engineering mindset even outside a space setting.

Stationeers puts you in control of the construction and management of a space station to run by yourself or online with your friends. Complex atmospheric, electrical, manufacturing, agriculture, and gravitational systems require your thought and management at all times!

Why similar: Science 24.8%, Space 19.8%, Moddable 17% ★, Sandbox 13.9%, Physics 11.8%

Why You'll Like It: It is a demanding space engineering sim where understanding systems, resources, and physics matters as much as construction.

Command the Nimbatus and craft drones out of hundreds of different parts. Survive unknown threats in a fully destructible, procedural universe, compete against other players in different arenas or enjoy complete creative freedom in the sandbox.

Why similar: Space Sim 28.4%, Space 23%, Sandbox 12.7%, Physics 10.2%, Building 9.2%

Why You'll Like It: This modular space builder captures KSP’s trial-and-error creativity in a 2D sandbox centered on custom craft design.

Build the ultimate vehicle and explore a vast open world filled with challenges and adventure. Play solo or team up with friends in multiplayer to conquer the toughest obstacles. With a thrilling campaign mode and endless creative possibilities, Trailmakers is the ultimate sandbox for adventurers.

Why similar: Space 41.4%, Sandbox 17.8%, Physics 14.7%, Building 12.9%, Open World 6.7%

Why You'll Like It: Its accessible vehicle-building sandbox captures KSP’s fun of quickly prototyping machines, breaking them, and improving them.

Space Engineers 2 is a playable Early Access Alpha sandbox focused on engineering, exploration, and colonization in a fully destructible universe. Design and build ships, stations, and planetary bases while uncovering the story of Miro and Ivan Sokol. Help shape the future of the Almagest system.

Why similar: Science 16.2%, Space 15.8%, Moddable 12.8% ★, Space Sim 12.8%, Sandbox 11.4%

Why You'll Like It: It expands on the original’s shipbuilding-and-physics formula for players who want more modern space construction tools.

Build physically simulated rovers to transport awkwardly shaped cargo across the rugged terrain of Mars. Earn funds, unlock new parts, and use your ingenuity to help the Martians establish a new home. Playable solo or in online co-op!

Why similar: Science 24.5%, Space Sim 22.1%, Sandbox 14.1%, Physics 11.5%, Building 10.3%

Why You'll Like It: Building unstable but functional Mars rovers and hauling equipment across rough terrain feels a lot like KSP’s glorious engineering jank.

Mine and craft your way to orbit, build your own starship and explore a vast, dangerous galaxy alongside your crew. For players who love a meaningful survival progression, a unique and elegant building system, and epic space-opera scale.

Why similar: Space 28.7%, Space Sim 16.4%, Sandbox 16.2%, Building 14.3%, Simulation 10%

Why You'll Like It: It offers freeform spaceship construction and piloting for players who mainly love the design-and-test part of KSP.

The ultimate space sandbox. Participate in epic fleet battles, form alliances, strive to dominate entire galaxies and harness the universe’s resources for your industrious empire or the destruction of others. Customise your experience, the universe is yours!

Why similar: Space 36.8%, Sandbox 22%, Space Sim 11.4%, Building 11.2%, Open World 6.9%

Why You'll Like It: Its block-based shipbuilding and exploration make it a solid fit for players who want to engineer and fly their own spacecraft.

Build and explore in a true space sandbox survival adventure. Construct mighty capital vessels, sprawling planetary settlements, and vast space stations in your galactic journey to discover the mysteries of Empyrion!

Why similar: Space Sim 22.4%, Space 22.2%, Sandbox 13%, Building 10.7%, Physics 10.4%

Why You'll Like It: It combines ship construction, planetary operations, and space travel in a way that overlaps with KSP’s sandbox mission fantasy.

Equipped with cutting-edge salvaging tech, carve & slice spaceships to recover valuable materials. Upgrade your gear to take on more lucrative contracts and pay your billion credits debt to LYNX Corp!

Why similar: Space 31.1%, Space Sim 17.8%, Physics 14.8%, Sandbox 14.5%, Simulation 9.1%

Why You'll Like It: The zero-g movement, ship systems, and tactile space physics make it a good fit for KSP fans even though the focus is disassembly.

A physics-based mining sim, set in the thickest debris field in Sol. Every action has a reaction, lasers are invisible without a medium, and your thrust is a potent weapon. Find trade, adapt your equipment to your playstyle, hire a crew to help. Unravel the mysteries of the rings, or just get rich.

Why similar: Space 22%, Space Sim 20%, Science 19.9%, Physics 11%, Sandbox 8.8%

Why You'll Like It: Its grounded thrust, inertia, and hard-sci-fi spaceflight feel will click with players who enjoy KSP’s more realistic side.

The world's first science-based photorealistic interactive 3D planetarium that models the entire Universe, using procedural generation for uncharted areas.

Why similar: Space 20.7%, Science 20.5%, Space Sim 20.3%, Sandbox 14.6%, Education 8.3%

Why You'll Like It: It captures the awe and astronomical curiosity that often drives KSP players, even if it is more exploration tool than construction sim.

Over 1000 unique components allow you to build and command voxel vehicles from the deep ocean to outer space! Forge strategies, allegiances and fleets strong enough to destroy eight deadly factions of the planet and reign supreme. A genre-defying mashup of simulation, building, RTS and RPG.

Why similar: Space 26.9%, Sandbox 24.2%, Physics 19%, Building 18.4%, Simulation 9.3%

Why You'll Like It: Though not space-based, its extremely deep vehicle engineering and subsystem tuning is perfect for KSP players who love complex builds.

Explore a world of creative building, interactive machines, and gears - lots of gears. Build all things mechanical: cars, trucks, cranes, tanks, gearboxes, engines, clocks, anything you can think of. Test your creations to destruction in challenging scenarios, and share them in the workshop!

Why similar: Moddable 24.4% ★, Sandbox 21.6%, Physics 18.8%, Building 17.9%, Simulation 10.3%

Why You'll Like It: It is a pure engineering sandbox about assembling functional machines, ideal for players who enjoy KSP’s mechanical problem-solving most.

You’re the designer, engineer and architect if you can imagine it you can create it! Construct robots of any shape or size from eight-legged spider bots to eerie UFO contraptions.

Why similar: Science 31.1%, Sandbox 19.4%, Physics 14.4%, Building 13.5%, Education 11.8%

Why You'll Like It: Its robot and vehicle building rewards the same iterative design thinking, balance tweaks, and physics experimentation as KSP.

Crash through walls and tear down buildings in Instruments of Destruction, a vehicle-action game featuring advanced physics-based demolition. Pilot 130+ unique vehicles across scores of challenge-packed missions or design your own contraptions and wreck highly-interactive sandbox worlds.

Why similar: Physics 63.2%, Simulation 33.4%, Singleplayer 3.4%

Why You'll Like It: Its physics-heavy construction sandbox rewards the same urge to prototype weird machines and learn through spectacular failure.

Lead a major space agency as you guide humanity to Mars in this strategy simulation game. Construct a base, design and build rockets, conduct missions throughout the Solar System, and write your own history of Space exploration. Created with support from the European Space Agency.

Why similar: Science 22.9%, Space Sim 21.1%, Space 20.3%, Education 10.3%, Building 8.5%

Why You'll Like It: It focuses on running a space agency and planning missions, matching the broader fantasy of building up a successful space program.

Carefully balance mobility, firepower and armour in a dedicated tank designer. Then uncarefully put them to the test in a series of combat scenarios progressing through the ages of the tank. Here, your limit is what you can fit inside your hull and turret while still being able to move forwards.

Why similar: Sandbox 45.8%, Building 31.4%, Physics 22.8%

Why You'll Like It: Its part-by-part vehicle design and obsession with functional engineering make it a strong off-theme pick for KSP’s builder audience.

Build and fly your own airplane! Complete missions to earn money, upgrade your plane, and discover new locations in an open world.

Why similar: Science 23.1%, Sandbox 21.2%, Physics 18.5%, Building 18.3%, Simulation 6.7%

Mine asteroids, salvage space debris, design your own small or massive spacecraft using individual functional components, complete missions, and engage in battles against enemies in a vast galaxy with realistic physics based on orbital mechanics or in a classic physics mode.

Why similar: Space 38.1%, Space Sim 16.8%, Sandbox 16.7%, Simulation 11.9%, Building 7.5%

Why You'll Like It: This 2D space sandbox lets you build and pilot your own ships, offering a lighter but still relevant engineering-and-space loop.

Do you have what it takes to become an astronaut? Reentry is a realistic space flight simulator inspired by the early NASA space programs, from orbiting Earth in Mercury and Gemini, to the moon landing in project Apollo. Learn the procedures. Operate the spacecraft. Complete the mission.

Why similar: Space Sim 23.6%, Space 22%, Science 21.2%, Physics 8.9%, Simulation 7%

Explore the Solar System. Mine and drop asteroids. Colonize and terraform. Lead the space race and compete with other corporations on your way to profit. Watch the expansion of human race over the centuries.

Why similar: Science 21.1%, Space 19%, Space Sim 16.9%, Sandbox 11.9%, Physics 9.5%

Build the most efficient intergalactic factory in space simulation strategy game Dyson Sphere Program! Harness the power of stars, collect resources, plan and design production lines and develop your interstellar factory from a small space workshop to a galaxy-wide industrial empire.

Why similar: Space 35.7%, Space Sim 15.2%, Sandbox 15.1%, Building 13.6%, Simulation 7.9%

Take control of your own starship and blaze your trail in an ever-changing galaxy. Master the arts of combat, mining and trade or venture out into the unknown across a 1:1 scale universe.

Why similar: Space Sim 37.9%, Space 31.3%, Sandbox 7.9%, Open World 7.4%, Simulation 6.6%

Take part in a space program. Design spacecrafts and send them off to explore the vast expanses of space. Experience the real scale of the Solar system and the size of its celestial bodies.

Why similar: Science 17.8%, Space 15.9%, Space Sim 15.8%, Sandbox 10.4%, Physics 8.5%

Enter the creative paradise of Scrap Mechanic! Build fantastic machines, go on adventures with your friends and defend against waves of evil Farmbots in this imaginative multiplayer survival sandbox. With Scrap Mechanic’s powerful creation tools you can engineer your own adventures!

Why similar: Sandbox 25.3%, Building 21.3%, Physics 19.6%, Moddable 11.5% ★, Open World 9.5%

Oxygen Not Included is a space-colony simulation game. Deep inside an alien space rock your industrious crew will need to master science, overcome strange new lifeforms, and harness incredible space tech to survive, and possibly, thrive.

Why similar: Space 22.6%, Sandbox 20.4%, Building 20.2%, Space Sim 10.9%, Simulation 9.5%

This "spaceship simulation roguelike-like" allows you to take your ship and crew on an adventure through a randomly generated galaxy filled with glory and bitter defeat.

Why similar: Space 51.5%, Space Sim 23.6%, Simulation 6.4%, Sci-fi 5.6%, Difficult 5%

Your journey to building a vast space empire begins behind the controls of a single ship. Explore, trade, fight, and build as you rise to command fleets, stations, and entire economies in a living, fully simulated universe that reacts to every decision.

Why similar: Space Sim 24.2%, Space 23.8%, Moddable 17.6% ★, Sandbox 14%, Simulation 6.9%

Besiege is a physics building game about constructing medieval machines to annihilate armies, obliterate castles and overcome challenging obstacles. Conquer the campaign or skirmish with friends in Multiplayer!

Why similar: Moddable 28.5% ★, Sandbox 23.1%, Physics 19%, Building 16.3%, Simulation 11%

Interact with strange new worlds in a unique and tactile way, molding the environment itself as if it were clay in your hands. Build your base, master resource management, automate your production lines, and more as you unravel the mysteries of the universe, alone or with friends.

Why similar: Space 41.2%, Sandbox 20.6%, Building 12.5%, Open World 11.2%, Exploration 4.9%

Dynamic abstract sandbox universe. Changes and evolves as you do.

Why similar: Space 38.8%, Sandbox 19.6%, Space Sim 15.2%, Physics 8.8%, Simulation 6.6%

Satisfactory is a first-person open-world factory building game with a dash of exploration and combat. Play alone or with friends, explore an alien planet, create multi-story factories, and enter conveyor belt heaven!

Why similar: Sandbox 33.7%, Building 27.2%, Open World 17.4%, Simulation 8.4%, Exploration 5.6%

Factorio is a game about building and creating automated factories to produce items of increasing complexity, within an infinite 2D world. Use your imagination to design your factory, combine simple elements into ingenious structures, and finally protect it from the creatures who don't really like you.

Why similar: Sandbox 39.8%, Moddable 22.1% ★, Building 15.6%, Open World 9.3%, Simulation 7.7%

Take Your Creature From Zero To Galactic HeroGet out of your starship and turn your Spore creatures into legendary Space Captains. For the first time, beam down with your allies to take on action-packed, planetside adventures. Complete quests, collect rewards, and even create your own missions.

Why similar: Space 38.3%, Sandbox 20.4%, Simulation 17.2%, Open World 8.8%, Exploration 4.6%

Navigate your scrappy ship through the boneyard in search of valuable parts in abandoned vessels. Use salvage to upgrade your ship, or sell it for cash to pay down your mounting debt, or restock fuel, air, or food. Fly and role-play aboard your dream spaceship in this hardcore noir space-sim.

Why similar: Space Sim 29.3%, Space 24.8%, Sandbox 17.3%, Simulation 8.2%, Building 6.5%

Be the architect of your own universe with Spore, an exciting single-player adventure. From Single Cell to Galactic God, evolve your creature in a universe of your own creations.

Why similar: Science 29.8%, Space 24.9%, Sandbox 17.8%, Simulation 8.2%, Open World 7.1%

Make your dream cars a reality with Automation’s unparalleled car and engine design tools. Gain a competitive edge through smart engineering and business decisions to help you build an automotive empire. Will you become an industry leader, or just a footnote in automotive history?

Why similar: Science 19.5%, Sandbox 17.9%, Building 15.1%, Moddable 14.8% ★, Simulation 12.5%

Use the Nimbatus Drone Creator to construct physically simulated drones and try them out in a virtual testing environment. Do you have what it takes to become a drone engineer?

Why similar: Science 18.7%, Space Sim 16.7%, Simulation 13.8%, Space 13.6%, Sandbox 11.9%

Developed by the creator of the original Kerbal Space Program, KitHack Model Club is a physics-based model building sandbox that offers limitless freedom for you and your friends. Design, build, battle, fly (and crash!) your very own RC vehicles, or experiment with over 2,400 ready-made vehicles!

Why similar: Moddable 24.3% ★, Sandbox 16.7%, Physics 13.8%, Education 12.8%, Building 11.8%

My Summer Car is the ultimate car owning, building, fixing, tuning, maintenance AND permadeath life survival simulator. You start the game with hundreds of loose parts and assemble both car and engine.

Why similar: Sandbox 22.3%, Simulation 22.1%, Building 20.4%, Open World 17.8%, Difficult 5.3%

SimplePlanes is back! Build planes, cars, or anything else using powerful procedural parts! Explore detailed environments with friends in multiplayer, cause chaos, or download 1,000,000 community crafts for free.

Why similar: Sandbox 35.7%, Building 25.3%, Simulation 17.5%, Open World 13.6%, Exploration 6.1%

Become a Space Mechanic! Get your hands dirty, explore the depths of space and repair broken machinery. Diagnose problems using diagrams and tools, perform repairs, manage your resources and watch the simulated machinery come alive. Or just gaze upon the beauty of the Solar System.

Why similar: Space Sim 24.4%, Science 22.7%, Space 21.7%, Physics 8.7%, Building 8.2%

Embark on a space voyage with your ragtag crew of civilians in search of a new home. Build spaceships tile by tile, create optimal gas conditions, manage the needs and moods of their crew, encounter other space-faring groups, and explore the universe in this spaceship colony simulation.

Why similar: Space Sim 24.6%, Space 24.5%, Sandbox 16.3%, Building 11.5%, Simulation 7.7%

Kinetic Void is a 3D space adventure with a focus on customization and enjoyable space simulation. The shipyard allows players to construct their ship piece by piece. Ships can be as simplistic as a cockpit, a hull, a engine and a gun, or as complex as a player wants.

Why similar: Space 46%, Sandbox 16.9%, Simulation 12%, Space Sim 11.3%, Building 6.3%

A spaceship building and universe-exploration game. Collect resources, expand and grow your fleet, and conquer your personal galaxy. Stellar ambience by Peaks.

Why similar: Space 38.9%, Sandbox 24.2%, Building 20.7%, Open World 3.8%, Physics 3.3%

Guide a group of space settlers trying to establish a base on a remote planet. Grow food, collect energy, mine resources, survive disasters and build a self-sufficient colony in a harsh and unforgiving environment.

Why similar: Space 47%, Space Sim 12.4%, Building 10.5%, Sandbox 9.7%, Simulation 8.4%

Satellite Command is a realistic, relaxing astrophysics simulator. Complete contracts with real data, launch and take control of ever more powerful Satellites, research advanced technology and build your Space Agency!

Why similar: Science 21.5%, Space Sim 19.2%, Space 18.1%, Sandbox 12.7%, Physics 9.6%