6 Free Games to Play If You Love GTA 5

The most useful free games to play if you love GTA 5 depend on what keeps you returning to Los Santos. City shootouts, coordinated robberies, driving, and open-world exploration are different attractions. A game that delivers one of them well may be a better fit than something marketed as an all-purpose GTA replacement.

The six options below offer free base access in the versions identified here, checked on November 1, 2026. Availability can vary by device and region. The comparisons are based on publisher descriptions and official listings; they do not imply identical graphics, missions, or progression to GTA 5.

Choose by the part of GTA 5 you enjoy

Six free games worth considering

APB Reloaded: for competitive action in a crime-filled city

APB Reloaded lets you choose between Criminals and Enforcers in San Paro. Its publisher emphasizes third-person shooting, urban PvP, vehicles, and customization of characters, clothing, equipment, and cars. That combination makes it a relevant starting point if GTA Online's street battles and personal style matter more to you than scripted storytelling.

The important distinction is its online competitive focus. Do not choose it expecting a substitute for GTA 5's single-player campaign.

Try this: inspect the free PC listing on Steam and account requirements before downloading. This recommendation concerns PC: the publisher's console sunset announcement explains why older console recommendations can be misleading.

Jailbreak: for robberies and playing both sides of the law

Jailbreak, created by Badimo on Roblox, centers on organizing robberies or catching criminals, with vehicles as another major attraction. The creator describes playing together or solo. It is a sensible option when your main interest is the cops-and-robbers loop rather than realistic presentation.

“GTA-like” here describes the activities. It does not mean you are getting Rockstar's setting, story, or visual style.

Try this: use the official Jailbreak listing by Badimo and confirm that your account and device can launch it. Check the creator's name instead of choosing a similarly named copy. Account settings and experience availability can affect access.

Gangstar Vegas: for open-world crime action on mobile

Gangstar Vegas combines third-person action, driving, and a crime story in a city inspired by Las Vegas. Gameloft's listings describe missions, vehicle theft, street racing, shootouts, and a campaign. Those features make it a closer thematic match for someone seeking city-based action on a phone than a dedicated racing game would be.

The free download comes with a different business model: the Android listing identifies ads and in-app purchases, while Apple's listing identifies in-app purchases. Free installation does not mean every item or upgrade is included.

Try this: check the official Android listing or iPhone and iPad listing, then try the controls and early missions before buying anything.

One-armed robber: for the heist rather than the whole city

One-armed robber is a first-person robbery game with online co-op. Its developer describes bank and shop heists that can be approached quietly or with loud combat, plus tools and weapons that open different possibilities. Choose it when planning an operation with friends and getting loot out are the parts you want to repeat.

Its narrower focus matters. You are selecting heist scenarios, not a replacement for wandering across Los Santos between activities.

Try this: start with the free base game on the developer’s Steam page and attempt a heist with your group. The listing also identifies in-app purchases, so distinguish starting for free from buying extras.

Unturned: for open-world freedom and shared survival

Unturned offers large areas to explore by land, air, and sea, alongside scavenging, base building, cooperation, and PvP. Its Steam version is free and lists Windows, macOS, and Linux support. It fits players who value making their own plans with friends more than following a crime narrative.

The central challenge is surviving a zombie apocalypse. Supplies, shelter, and crafting change the pace and priorities compared with a city crime game.

Try this: use Unturned’s official Steam listing to check your operating system and choose single-player, co-op, or PvP according to your goal. The free claim here applies to the Steam version; check other storefronts separately.

Asphalt Legends: for cars and competitive racing

Asphalt Legends is the focused choice if collecting cars, performing stunts, and racing friends matter most. Gameloft describes arcade races, multiplayer, private lobbies, and cross-platform play. It is a driving recommendation, not a claim that Asphalt offers GTA-style open-world crime missions.

Gameloft confirms that playing without purchases is possible, while the storefronts identify optional spending. Start with the included experience and decide whether its progression suits you.

Try this: check the free listing on Steam, PlayStation Store, or Xbox Store. Read Gameloft's free-to-play explanation if the purchase options are confusing. A paid cloud-streaming option is separate from downloading a free base game.

What “free” does—and does not—tell you

A free base game can still sell content, currency, cosmetics, or convenience. The listings above explicitly show purchases for several titles, and Gangstar Vegas also discloses advertising on Android. The download price alone cannot tell you whether you will enjoy the progression without spending.

Useful action: make your first session a no-purchase trial of the normal gameplay loop. Check whether the activities you want are available, whether the controls feel comfortable, and whether your friends can join the same version. Do not buy a bundle merely because it appears beside a free download button.

Which should you try first?

For PC city PvP, consider APB Reloaded. For robbery-focused co-op, start with One-armed robber. For mobile crime missions, look at Gangstar Vegas. Jailbreak suits the police-versus-criminal loop, Unturned suits self-directed survival, and Asphalt Legends suits racing. Choose the activity you miss most, then use its official listing to verify compatibility and current access before installing.