The big list of DRM-free games on Steam

Key points

This list only refers to the Windows versions of games - OS X and Linux versions may or may not be DRM-free.

A Steam game is DRM-free if launching its .exe directly does not start Steam client or prompt for third-party DRM.

DRM-free games can be moved outside steamapps and used freely.

Steam doesn't list which games are and aren't DRM-free.

What is Steamworks?

It is an API for gaming developers. They can use it for free to include a set of Steam features and solutions. Steamworks is not DRM, it's just one optional part of it. There are many games which are Steamworks but are DRM free. That will be noted.

Steamworks features like achievements, cloud, multiplayer and others won't work if game is launched outside of Steam client.

The Big List of 3rd Party DRM on Steam

This is a comparable list of Steam games which feature Third Party DRM.

Lists

Games are grouped in different categories as to be easy to find. There should be at least 4 games to warrant their own list. Lists are alphabetical.

Bohemia Interactive

Name	Store Page	Notes
ARMA: Cold War Assault	Link
ARMA: Gold Edition	Link
ARMA II	Link
ARMA II: Operation Arrowhead	Link	Includes Army of the Czech Republic, British Armed Forces and Private Military Company DLCs.
Take On Helicopters	Link

Devolver Digital

Name	Store Page	Notes
Hotline Miami	Link	Steamworks title. DRM free if you disable Steamworks when game launch.
Serious Sam 2	Link
Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter	Link	HD version has Steam DRM.
Serious Sam Classic: The Second Encounter	Link	HD version has Steam DRM.

Flash

DRM can't be used on Flash games (that includes AIR, too) as per Steamworks FAQ.

Name	Store Page	Notes
Auditorium	Link
Botanicula	Link	Steamworks title.
Defender's Quest: Valley of the Forgotten	Link	Steamworks title.
Flight Control HD	Link	Steamworks title.
Intrusion 2	Link	Steamworks title.
Machinarium	Link
Offspring Fling!	Link	Steamworks title.
Samorost2	Link
The Basement Collection	Link	Steamworks title.
The Binding of Isaac	Link	Steamworks title.
Trauma	Link

Larian Studios

Name	Store Page	Notes
Beyond Divinity	Link
Divine Divinity	Link
Divinity II: Developer's Cut	Link	Free upgrade for owners of Divinity II: Ego Draconis or Divinity II: The Dragon Knight Saga.
Divinity: Dragon Commander	Link	Steamworks title.

Indie

Independent video games (commonly referred to as indie games) are made by individuals or small teams generally without video game publisher financial support.

For independent games using Flash see Flash.

Name	Store Page	Notes
A Virus Named TOM	Link	Steamworks title.
Cogs	Link	Steamworks title.
Dungeon Defenders	Link	Steamworks title. DRM free if you switch it to GameSpy multiplayer mode before launching.
Dungeons of Dredmor	Link	Steamworks title.
Faerie Solitaire	Link	Steamworks title.
FEZ	Link	Steamworks title. Run FEZ_LaunchOption.exe to disable Steamworks so you can use DRM free version.
FTL: Faster Than Light	Link
Gratuitous Tank Battles	Link	Steamworks title.
Gratuitous Space Battles	Link
Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3	Link	Steamworks title.
Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 4	Link	Steamworks title.
Snuggle Truck	Link	Steamworks title.
SOL: Exodus	Link	Steamworks title.
Sol Survivor	Link	Steamworks title.
Super Crate Box	Link
Super Meat Boy	Link	Steamworks title.
Strike Suit Zero	Link	Steamworks title.
Super Laser Racer	Link	Steamworks title.
Time Gentlemen, Please! and Ben There, Dan That! Special Edition Double Pack	Link
Unstoppable Gorg	Link	Steamworks title.
Vertex Dispenser	Link	Steamworks title.
VVVVVV	Link
Windosil	Link
Wizorb	Link	Steamworks title.

Others

This list features non-indie, AAA (big publishers) and games outside publishers in separate paragraphs.

Name	Store Page	Notes
Alpha Protocol	Link	Run Binaries\APGame.exe, not APLauncher.exe.
Galactic Civilizations I: Ultimate Edition	Link
Galactic Civilizations II: Ultimate Edition	Link	Base game (Dread Lords [GalCiv2.exe]) and Dark Avatar [GC2DarkAvatar.exe] expansion are DRM free.
GT Legends	Link
GTR - FIA GT Racing Game	Link
GTR 2 - FIA GT Racing Game	Link
Saira	Link
Sniper Elite	Link
System Shock 2	Link
Tales of Monkey Island Complete Pack	Link	Only Chapter One.
The Witcher: Enhanced Edition Director's Cut	Link	It has Steam DRM, but you can use CD key for the free DRM backup (you get installation files) on GOG.com.
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Enhanced Edition	Link	Steamworks title. You can use CD key for the free DRM free backup (you get installation files) on GOG.com.
Worms Pinball	Link

Paradox Development Studio

Every Paradox Development Studio game is DRM free and even some they publish (Paradox Interactive).

Paradox stated many times their developed games are and will be DRM free like this one post or by their CEO.

Name	Store Page	Notes
Arsenal of Democracy: A Hearts of Iron Game	Link	Steam and other DD have outdated v1.07 because Paradox dropped support. Download v1.08 patch and apply it. It is highly recommended by developers. After patch, game is DRM free.
Crusader Kings Complete	Link
Crusader Kings II	Link	Includes all expansions and DLCs.
Darkest Hour: A Hearts of Iron Game	Link	Steam has outdated v1.02. Download v1.03 patch from developers and read Installation notes - Steam users. After patch, game is DRM free.
Europa Universalis III Complete	Link	Includes Heir to the Throne and Divine Wind expansions and all DLCs.
Europa Universalis IV	Link	Steamworks title. Includes all expansions and DLCs.
Europa Universalis: Rome - Gold Edition	Link
For The Glory: A Europa Universalis Game	Link	Download v1.2 patch in archive for DRM free version of game.
Hearts of Iron 2 Complete	Link
Hearts of Iron III	Link	Includes all expansions and DLCs.
Majesty Gold HD	Link	Run MajestyHD.exe from the HD folder.
Majesty 2	Link
March of Eagles	Link
Sengoku	Link
Victoria I Complete	Link
Victoria II	Link	Includes A House Divided and Heart of Darkness expansions and all DLCs.

SEGA

Every game on the list (except Sonic the Hedgehog 4 - Episode I) is run on emulator, hence DRM free.

Name	Store Page	Notes
SEGA Mega Drive Classics Pack	Link	Pack includes: Altered Beast, Comix Zone, Crack Down, Ecco the Dolphin, Gain Ground, Golden Axe, Shadow Dancer, Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master Space harrier II and Vectorman.
SEGA Mega Drive Classics Pack 2	Link	Pack includes: Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle, Bonanza Bros, Columns, Ecco Jr, Eternal Champions, Fatal Labyrinth, Galaxy Force II, Kid Chameleon, Ristar and Super Thunder Blade.
SEGA Mega Drive Classics Pack 3	Link	Pack includes: Alien Storm, Bio-Hazard Battle, Columns III, Decap Attack, Ecco: The Tides of Time, ESWAT: City Under Siege, Flicky, Golden Axe II, Sword of Vermilion and Virtua Fighter 2.
SEGA Mega Drive Classics Pack 4	Link	Pack includes: Alien Soldier, Gunstar Heroes, Landstalker: The Treasures of King Nole, Light Crusader, Shining Force, Shining Force II, Streets of Rage, Streets of Rage 2 and Wonder Boy III: Monster Lair.
SEGA Genesis Classics Pack 5	Link	Pack includes: Beyond Oasis, Dynamite Headdy, Golden Axe III, Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom, Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom, Revenge of the Shinobi, Streets of Rage 3, Vectorman 2 and Wonder Boy in Monster World.
Sonic 3 and Knuckles	Link
Sonic 3D Blast	Link
Sonic Spinball	Link
Sonic the Hedgehog	Link
Sonic the Hedgehog 2	Link
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 - Episode I	Link	Steamworks title.
ToeJam & Earl	Link
ToeJam & Earl in Panic on Funkotron	Link

Squere Enix

Name	Store Page	Notes
Dungeon Siege	Link
Dungeon Siege II	Link
Thief Gold	Link
Thief II: The Metal Age	Link

Semi-indie

Games developed by indie studio/developer but published by big publisher.

Name	Store Page	Notes
Bastion	Link	Steamworks title.
Fairy Bloom Freesia	Link	Steamworks title.
Trapped Dead	Link

Ubisoft

Name	Store Page	Notes
Assassin's Creed: Director's Cut Edition	Link	Run game via DX9 launcher.
Far Cry 2: Fortune's Edition	Link
Heroes of Might & Magic V: Tribes of the East	Link	Run H5_Game.exe from binDM folder, not from bin folder.
Rayman Origins	Link