Life simulation games like The Sims

inZOI is the biggest new game like The Sims, on PC. BitLife and The Sims FreePlay are the phone picks, and Roam has short life and home games for iPhone.

The Sims, and what it gives you

The Sims is a life-simulation series by Maxis, published by Electronic Arts, first released in 2000. You build a home, make people, and run their days: jobs, friends, needs, drama. The Sims 4 base game has been free to play since October 2022.

Since the base game is free, most people looking for alternatives want something different: better graphics, a phone version, or a faster life story.

Alternatives, and who each is for

inZOI. Krafton's life sim, in early access on PC since March 2025. Realistic cities and deep character creation. For players who want a new-generation Sims.
BitLife. A text-based life sim on phones. Live a whole life in ten minutes, one choice at a time. For players who love the drama more than the building.
The Sims FreePlay. EA's free Sims game for phones. Houses, jobs and relationships, on a smaller scale.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Island life on Switch. Decorate, meet neighbors, no needs bars.
Bloxburg (Roblox). Welcome to Bloxburg: build a house, get a job, live a Sims-like life with other players.

What to try if you only like part of The Sims

Only the building: try a house-building mode in Bloxburg, or a cozy decorating game like Unpacking. Only the stories: BitLife. Only the town life: a roleplay game like Brookhaven on Roblox, where you act out the story with other players.

Roam games are short, so they fit the in-between moments when you do not want to load a full save.

Rent Before Curfew (Roam). An open-world city life sim. Rent is due and the clock says 17:04.
UNBOXED (Roam). Moving day. Six boxes. Make it feel like home.

Play it on Roam

Make your own life sim with Roam

Describe the house, the people and the problem. Your friends can be your roommates.

Try: "life sim in a tiny city flat, 3 roommates are my friends, pay rent by Friday, someone keeps eating my food"

Create it with Roam See Roam

Questions people ask

Is The Sims 4 free?

Yes. The Sims 4 base game has been free to play since October 2022. Expansion packs cost money.

Is there a game like The Sims on mobile?

The Sims FreePlay and BitLife are on phones. Roam has short life and home games on iPhone.

Is inZOI out?

inZOI has been in early access on PC since March 2025.