Best Empire Building Apps & Games

245+ iOS apps & games curated and reviewed

4.6 avg rating
20 free apps & games
Updated October 2026

If you already know Forge of Empires, this is the deeper bench. 245+ empire building apps and games for iPhone, all reviewed and ranked by user rating, recency, and download trend as of October 2026.

Compare top Empire Building Apps & Games (October 2026)

#AppPriceRatingAdsIn-App PurchasesUpdated
1Forge of Empires: Build a CityForge of Empires: Build a CityFree4.6★ (168K)YesYesOct 2026
2Island Empire: Build & ConquerIsland Empire: Build & ConquerFree4.8★ (152)YesYesOct 2026
3Empire City: Civilization DawnEmpire City: Civilization DawnFree4.7★ (1.5K)YesYesOct 2026
4Rise of KingdomsRise of KingdomsFree4.5★ (188K)NoYesOct 2026
5Base Raid EmpireBase Raid EmpireFree—NoNoJul 2026
6The UndercityThe UndercityFree4.5★ (4)NoYesOct 2026
7Rise of Cultures: Kingdom gameRise of Cultures: Kingdom gameFree4.7★ (21K)YesYesOct 2026
8War and Peace: Civil WarWar and Peace: Civil WarFree4.5★ (35K)YesYesOct 2026

Top Picks for Empire Building

Forge of Empires: Build a City#1

Forge of Empires: Build a City by InnoGames

Civilization building game
Editor's Choice
🎮 Games
4.6😐(168K ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
Forge of Empires: Build a City screenshot 1
Forge of Empires: Build a City screenshot 2
Forge of Empires: Build a City screenshot 3
Forge of Empires: Build a City screenshot 4
Forge of Empires: Build a City screenshot 5
Forge of Empires: Build a City screenshot 6

Build and evolve your city from the Stone Age through modern times and beyond. Develop new technologies, produce goods, and trade with neighbors. Conquer territories through negotiation or battle in this award-winning strategy game.

What We Love

  • 🚀 Enjoyable gameplay
  • 🌐 Engaging social features
  • 🏆 Sense of progression
  • 👍 Cooperative community

Room to Improve

  • 💰 Excessive in-app purchases
  • 🕰️ Slow progression without spending
  • 🔄 Repetitive gameplay loop
  • 🔒 Lack of player control
Island Empire: Build & Conquer#2

Island Empire: Build & Conquer by Michael Haberzeth

Turn-Based Strategy & Empire
Strong Contender
🎮 Games
4.8😊(152 ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
Island Empire: Build & Conquer screenshot 1
Island Empire: Build & Conquer screenshot 2
Island Empire: Build & Conquer screenshot 3
Island Empire: Build & Conquer screenshot 4
Island Empire: Build & Conquer screenshot 5
Island Empire: Build & Conquer screenshot 6

Engage in a turn-based strategy game where you build and expand your island empire. Develop your economy, fortify defenses, train units, and conquer enemy territories through a campaign or multiplayer battles. Enjoy offline play and customizable maps.

What We Love

  • 👍 Great strategy game
  • 💡 Challenging and strategic
  • 👍 Simple yet complex gameplay
  • 👍 Worth paying for
  • 👍 Good user-generated content
  • 👍 Excellent value for money
  • 👍 Fair gameplay, no pay-to-win
  • 👍 Good for short sessions
  • 👍 Addictive and fun
  • 👍 Well-optimized
  • 👍 Good art style
  • 👍 Clever mechanics
  • 👍 High replayability potential

Room to Improve

  • ⚠️ Ads can be intrusive
  • ⚠️ Difficulty spikes suddenly
  • ⚠️ Some users report saving issues
  • ⚠️ User-created levels disappearing
  • ⚠️ Lack of iCloud backup
  • ⚠️ Can feel repetitive after finishing levels
  • ⚠️ Some users find it a copy of other games
Empire City: Civilization Dawn#3

Empire City: Civilization Dawn by RED BRIX WALL

Build a town! Rise of medieval
Worth Considering
🎮 Games
4.7😊(1.5K ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
Empire City: Civilization Dawn screenshot 1
Empire City: Civilization Dawn screenshot 2
Empire City: Civilization Dawn screenshot 3
Empire City: Civilization Dawn screenshot 4
Empire City: Civilization Dawn screenshot 5

Build and manage your own ancient empire. Develop cities, extract resources, forge unique cultures, and engage in trade and diplomacy with other civilizations. Create magnificent structures and expand your territory to become a legendary ruler.

What We Love

  • 🚀 Great graphics
  • 👍 Challenging
  • 👍 Enjoyable gameplay
  • 👍 Addictive
  • 👍 Fun and relaxing
  • 👍 Good value for free game
  • 👍 Entertaining and exciting

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Warehouse capacity issues
  • 💰 Microtransactions required for progress
  • 🐛 Glitches and bugs
  • 🐛 Slow progress without spending money
  • 🐛 Frequent ads can be annoying

More Empire Building apps to explore

FAQ about Empire Building

What are the best empire building apps & games for iPhone?
Forge of Empires: Build a City tops our empire building apps & games ranking as of October 2026, with a 4.6-star average from 168K App Store ratings, and it's free to download.
Yes — 20 of the top empire building apps & games we rank are free to download, including Forge of Empires: Build a City and Island Empire: Build & Conquer.
Forge of Empires: Build a City shows ads and offers in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing as of October 2026.
We track 245+ empire building apps & games on the iOS App Store as of October 2026, ranked by rating, recency, and analysis of real user reviews.

Related searches