Best Video Game Tycoon

221+ iOS apps & games curated and reviewed

4.7 avg rating
18 free apps & games
Updated May 2026

Game Dev Tycoon is the household name in video game tycoon, but it's far from the only option. We track 221+ alternatives and competitors on iOS — many free, many higher-rated than you'd expect.

Top Picks for Video Game Tycoon

Game Dev Tycoon#1

Game Dev Tycoon by Greenheart Games Pty. Ltd.

Replay gaming history
Editor's Choice
🎮 Games
4.9😊(23K ratings)
$4.99
#49in Games
Game Dev Tycoon screenshot 1
Game Dev Tycoon screenshot 2
Game Dev Tycoon screenshot 3
Game Dev Tycoon screenshot 4
Game Dev Tycoon screenshot 5

Build your own game development company from the 1980s to the present. Design and create your own games, research new technologies, and manage a team to become a market leader. Enjoy a full simulation experience without ads or in-app purchases.

What We Love

  • 👍 Cheap price
  • 👍 No in-app purchases or ads
  • 👍 Addictive and fun gameplay
  • 👍 Realistic game development simulation

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Game crashes on launch for some users
  • 🐛 Orientation issues on iPhone X
  • 🐛 Difficulty remembering research and specialist information
Console Tycoon#2

Console Tycoon by Oleksii Cherneha

Console empire awaits you!
Strong Contender
🎮 Games
4.3😊(64 ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
Console Tycoon screenshot 1
Console Tycoon screenshot 2
Console Tycoon screenshot 3
Console Tycoon screenshot 4
Console Tycoon screenshot 5

Build your own gaming console empire from the ground up. Design and launch a variety of gaming devices, from home consoles to VR headsets, by managing every detail from concept to technical specifications. Navigate the historical evolution of the industry, research new technologies, and market your creations to become a global leader.

What We Love

  • 👍 Amazing game
  • 👍 Worth it
  • 👍 Good game
  • 👍 Finally

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Fix bugs
  • 🔍 Difficult to obtain research points
  • 🐛 Glitch
Game Dev Story#3

Game Dev Story by Kairosoft Co.,Ltd

Worth Considering
🎮 Games
4.9😊(2.7K ratings)
$0.99
#33in Games
Game Dev Story screenshot 1
Game Dev Story screenshot 2
Game Dev Story screenshot 3
Game Dev Story screenshot 4
Game Dev Story screenshot 5

Build your own game development studio from the ground up. Hire and train staff, research new genres, and develop hit games to conquer the industry. Create your own consoles and aim for a million-selling title.

What We Love

  • 🚀 Fun game
  • 👍 Simple, creative, and fun
  • 👍 Nostalgic and fun
  • 👍 Relaxing and enjoyable

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Bugs and crashes on newer devices
  • 🐛 Lack of explanation for some mechanics
  • 🐛 Difficulty in obtaining certain resources (e.g. hardware engineer)

More Video Game Tycoon apps to explore

4
Idle Streamer — Tuber Life
Idle Streamer — Tuber Life
Idle Streamer — Tuber Life
Influencer game: get followers
Free

Become a top internet influencer by streaming games and vlogging. Start from a bedroom studio, grow your channel with followers and donations, and upgrade your equipment to achieve celebrity status in this idle clicker simulator.

Start and manage game streamsGain followers and build a fandomReceive likes and donations
🎮 Games
(4.1K)
free with in-app purchases
5
Dev Tycoon Idle Games Offline
Dev Tycoon Idle Games Offline
Dev Tycoon Idle Games Offline
PC Game Maker Pixel Simulator
Free

Build and develop video games in a classic 2D pixel art style. Start from humble beginnings in a garage and grow your business by learning programming languages, researching technologies, and hiring staff. Unlock new offices, labs, and create your own game consoles and app stores.

Create and develop video gamesLearn programming languages (Python, JS, C++)Research new technologies
🎮 Games
(2.9K)
free with in-app purchases
6
Virtual Beggar
Virtual Beggar
Virtual Beggar
Casual Clicker Game
Free

Tap your screen to earn coins and build a business empire. Invest in companies, customize your lifestyle with new possessions, and collect various items. Compete with friends on leaderboards and restart your journey with enhanced benefits.

Tap to earn coinsInvest in companiesCustomize lifestyle
🎮 Games
(8.9K)
free with in-app purchases
7
PewDiePie's Tuber Simulator
PewDiePie's Tuber Simulator
PewDiePie's Tuber Simulator
Idle Tycoon Life Game:Go Viral
Free

Create your own internet star by making viral videos, designing rooms, and crafting memes. Compete to become the top YouTuber and unlock new items and perks as you grow your channel. Enjoy fun minigames and connect with a vibrant online community.

Create viral videosDesign trendy roomsCraft memes
🎮 Games
(224K)
free with in-app purchases
8
War Tycoon
War Tycoon
War Tycoon
Military Capitalist Simulator
Free

Become a global arms dealer in this military capitalist simulator. Build your empire from the ground up, corrupting your way to the top of the global leaderboard. Make deals with countries and profit from wartime economies.

Build a weapons dealing empireCorrupt and build your networkMake deals with countries
🎮 Games
(1.2K)
free with in-app purchases
9
TV Empire Tycoon - Idle Game
TV Empire Tycoon - Idle Game
TV Empire Tycoon - Idle Game
Stream the best live shows
Free

Build and manage your own TV empire from a small studio to a broadcasting powerhouse. Make strategic decisions to expand facilities, hire staff, and produce popular shows to attract a massive audience and become a rich media mogul.

Build and expand TV studio facilitiesManage and hire diverse staffUpgrade broadcast equipment and shows
🎮 Games
(15K)
free with in-app purchases
10
Vlogger Go Viral: Tycoon Tuber
Vlogger Go Viral: Tycoon Tuber
Vlogger Go Viral: Tycoon Tuber
Youtuber to Streamer Simulator
Free

Simulate the life of a digital influencer by creating your own channel, publishing various types of videos, and gaining millions of followers. Upgrade your equipment, complete missions, and become the world's top YouTuber tycoon.

Create your own YouTube channelPublish videos onlineGain millions of followers
🎮 Games
(110K)
free with in-app purchases
11
Prison Empire Tycoon-Idle Game
Prison Empire Tycoon-Idle Game
Prison Empire Tycoon-Idle Game
Manage jails, help prisioners
Free

Build and manage your own prison empire. Start small and grow your facility by meeting resident and staff needs, investing in upgrades, and maintaining order. Earn profits through successful rehabilitation and expand your business to become a renowned prison tycoon.

Manage prison facilitiesMeet resident needsHire and manage staff
🎮 Games
(87K)
free with in-app purchases
12
Idle Office Tycoon-Money game
Idle Office Tycoon-Money game
Idle Office Tycoon-Money game
Money simulator, Business game
Free
$3.99 | 100% OFF

Build a business empire from humble beginnings to a wealthy tycoon. Make strategic money decisions to grow your real estate, hire staff, and compete with others. Experience a capitalist adventure to become a billionaire.

Idle and clicker gameplayBusiness managementReal estate empire building
🎮 Games
(55K)
free with in-app purchases
13
Business Empire: RichMan
Business Empire: RichMan
Business Empire: RichMan
Idle Tycoon Simulator Games
Free

Build a virtual business empire through strategic investments, stock market trading, and real estate ventures. Manage businesses, hire employees, and acquire luxury assets to increase your net worth and status.

Business simulation and investmentStock market and cryptocurrency tradingReal estate investment
🎮 Games
(33K)
free with in-app purchases
14
Box Office Tycoon - Idle Game
Box Office Tycoon - Idle Game
Box Office Tycoon - Idle Game
Fun Idle Movie Theater Game
Free

Manage and grow your own movie theater empire. Build concessions, upgrade stations, and hire managers to earn cash. This casual idle game lets you customize your cinema and become a box office tycoon without endless tapping.

Build and upgrade movie theatersHire managers for faster earningsCustomize theater and personalize experience
🎮 Games
(4.7K)
free with in-app purchases
15
The Startup: Interactive Game
The Startup: Interactive Game
The Startup: Interactive Game
Build your own company
Free

Build and manage your own Silicon Valley startup in this interactive role-playing simulation. Recruit a team, develop products, secure funding, and navigate business challenges to become a successful tycoon. Your choices shape your unique startup story.

Build and manage a startupRecruit a team of specialistsDevelop and market products
🎮 Games
(20K)
subscription
16
Storage Empire-Idle Tycoon
Storage Empire-Idle Tycoon
Storage Empire-Idle Tycoon
Wealth builder, Idle biz game
Free

Build and manage a vast storage empire, constructing various warehouses and hiring movers to meet customer needs. Earn profits and expand your business, even offline, by strategically upgrading facilities and anticipating market trends to become the ultimate tycoon.

Build diverse warehousesHire and train moversUpgrade storage facilities
🎮 Games
(9.2K)
free with in-app purchases
17
Hero Making Tycoon Idle Games
Hero Making Tycoon Idle Games
Hero Making Tycoon Idle Games
Create & Craft Your Hero Army
Free

Build an army of potato men by developing a hero factory. Automate production lines to equip your soldiers with armor and weapons, then lead them into battle against monsters and behemoths. Enjoy a unique blend of simulation management and RPG combat.

Create a hero factoryMass produce potato menAutomated assembly lines
🎮 Games
(30K)
free with in-app purchases
18
Bud Farm: Idle Tycoon Game
Bud Farm: Idle Tycoon Game
Bud Farm: Idle Tycoon Game
Tap to Grow a Weed & Pot Farm
Free

Build a cannabis empire from a small island farm. Invest in businesses, unlock unique characters and items, and engage in bongo battles to earn rewards. Grow your earnings and lead a cultural revolution.

Build a cannabis empireInvest in businessesUnlock characters and items
🎮 Games
(96K)
free with in-app purchases
19
Sim Companies: MMO Tycoon
Sim Companies: MMO Tycoon
Sim Companies: MMO Tycoon
Grow Your Startup To An Empire
Free

Compete in a virtual economy by specializing in manufacturing, retail, or research. This strategic business simulator lets you test your management skills against other players using real-world economic principles.

Virtual economy simulationPlayer vs. player competitionManufacturing, retail, and research specialization
🎮 Games
(2.7K)
free with in-app purchases
20
Idle Cinema Empire: Idle Games
Idle Cinema Empire: Idle Games
Idle Cinema Empire: Idle Games
Build cinema & collect movies!
Free

Build and manage your own cinema empire. Expand your facilities, collect movies, and attract customers to maximize profits. Hire managers to keep your business running even when you're offline.

Cinema expansion and facility upgradesMovie collection and schedulingCustomer attraction and service improvement
🎮 Games
(16K)
free with in-app purchases