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Games like Upload Labs

EnigmaDev Studios · 2025 · Windows, Linux

Steam: 90 % positive of 8,910 reviews, as of Oct 28

A sci-fi management game where you build and optimize your computer's system from the ground up. Connect and configure interconnected nodes to efficiently download, process, and upload files. Manage your setup, solve system challenges, and become the ultimate system architect

24 games that play like Upload Labs and 24 that look like it. Closest by gameplay: Dyson Sphere Program, Factorio and Turing Complete.

Player tags

  • Simulation
  • Automation
  • Idler
  • Free to Play
  • Clicker
  • Programming
  • Management
  • Logic
Map region: Factories & City Builders
Open on Steam ↗

Steam reviews

What players say

Players mostly recommend this free idle factory-builder for its satisfying node optimisation, though many find the late game grindy and the 3.0 update divisive.

Most reviewers recommend the game, and Steam's totals agree. Many players enjoy building and optimising node networks, with the ratio planning and the way connections and modules combine. Players compare it to Factorio and Satisfactory with an incremental pace, and many say the free-to-play model is fair, with purchases optional. Some players complain about thin in-game explanations, trial-and-error progression and the lack of an undo button. Others say the late game slows to a grind and the 3.0 update reset or hurt long-time saves. Recent reviews are more critical than the older helpful ones, mainly about the 3.0 changes and grinding.

Praised

  • Satisfying network optimisation

    Players enjoy arranging nodes, tuning ratios and building efficient data pipelines.

    Many players
  • Free with optional purchases

    Reviewers say the game is complete without paying, and that purchases are optional.

    Many players
  • Addictive incremental pacing

    Players report losing hours to the steady rise of numbers and new unlocks.

    Many players
  • Factory-building appeal

    Fans of Factorio and Satisfactory say it scratches the same itch in a lighter form.

    Some players

Criticised

  • Late-game grind

    Players say progression slows to a grind, with long waits for unlocks and upgrades.

    Many players
  • Unclear explanations

    Players say the in-game wiki is thin and many mechanics are learned only by trial and error or googling.

    Many players
  • 3.0 update backlash

    Long-time players say the 3.0 update reset or hurt their saves, and some reviews from the last year are harsher.

    Some players
  • No undo and fragile builds

    Players lose working systems to misclicks and want an undo function.

    A few players
Who it suits
Suits players who enjoy factory and automation optimisation with incremental pacing and do not mind trial and error.
Who should skip it
Players who dislike idle games, want clear guidance, or are put off by grinding and paid progression shortcuts should skip it.

Short vs. long playtime: Players with hundreds of hours more often criticise the late-game grind and the 3.0 changes, while newer players praise the early pacing.

Summarised by AI from 80 Steam reviews (English, helpful and recent), as of Oct 28, 2026.

Best matches

Plays and looks like Upload Labs

These games are close to it by gameplay and by look, so they appear in both lists below.

By gameplay

Plays like Upload Labs

Matched from Steam descriptions and player tags. The tags under each game are the ones both games share.

More matches

  1. Bitburner94 % positive of 7,458Shared: Simulation · Automation · Idler
  2. Uplink88 % positive of 1,769Shared: Simulation · Programming · Time Management
  3. Infinifactory94 % positive of 1,793Shared: Simulation · Automation · Programming
  4. TIS-10096 % positive of 3,399Shared: Simulation · Automation · Programming
  5. Sandustry97 % positive of 5,608
  6. Autonauts90 % positive of 3,605Shared: Simulation · Automation · Programming
  7. Hardspace: Shipbreaker89 % positive of 19,537Shared: Simulation · Sci-fi · Sandbox
  8. Logic World93 % positive of 343Shared: Simulation · Programming · Logic
  9. Hardware Engineers83 % positive of 281Shared: Simulation · Management · Singleplayer
  10. Final Upgrade75 % positive of 441Shared: Simulation · Automation · Management
  11. Craftomation 101: Programming & Craft83 % positive of 696Shared: Simulation · Automation · Programming
  12. Stationeers87 % positive of 8,656Shared: Automation · Management · Sci-fi

By look

Looks like Upload Labs

Matched from screenshots. Each card shows the screenshot closest to the look of this game.

More matches

  1. while True: learn()90 % positive of 7,399
  2. Virtual Circuit Board90 % positive of 307
  3. Heat Signature94 % positive of 6,867
  4. CivIdle72 % positive of 1,151
  5. Rail Route87 % positive of 2,433
  6. Beltmatic94 % positive of 2,241
  7. Nimbatus - Drone Creator89 % positive of 276
  8. Sir, We Have an Orc Problem85 % positive of 4,749
  9. Beltex86 % positive of 229
  10. Space Rock Breaker95 % positive of 4,873
  11. GLADIABOTS - AI Combat Arena87 % positive of 850
  12. Vectorio Classic93 % positive of 1,472

At a glance

What games like Upload Labs have in common

  • The tags they share most often with Upload Labs: Simulation (22 of 24), Automation (16) and Programming (11).
  • They came out between 2006 and 2026, 4 of them after Upload Labs (2025).
  • Best rated by Steam players: Sandustry (97 % positive of 5,608).

How these matches work

Matches come from embeddings of Steam descriptions, player tags and screenshots, computed offline. “Plays like” compares what the games are about and how players tag them; “Looks like” compares their screenshots. The share of positive reviews is based on Steam user reviews.

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