Is Rust Free to Play? Console & PC Cost

Millions of people play Rust, the survival game, every month. And despite the enormous demands made by this game on its players, many more would like to try it, to see how it goes. So lets see, is Rust free?

Understanding Rust: A Popular Survival Game

Developed by Facepunch Studios, Rust stands out amongst other survival games due to its intense player combat focus. The only way players can survive is by collecting resources, building shelter, and attacking fellow survivors in order to take their loot for themselves. Alliances may form as well as betrayals are commonplace, resulting in an enthralling yet unpredictable gaming experience.

What is Rust?

Do you have what it takes to survive? Test your wits and survival instincts with Rust, an action-packed survival game available on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Windows PC, and MacIOS. Players are challenged as they get dropped onto a deserted island where resources must be gathered in order to build shelters while fending off dangerous wildlife or other players looking for the same precious supplies.

The exhilarating mechanics of crafting, building, and combat guarantee every moment is filled with excitement!

Is Rust a Free-to-Play Game?

If you’re in the market for an engaging and intense survival game, Rust is a great option. Though it doesn’t come as a free-to-play title like some other games, players have access to all of its features when they purchase the game on Steam or consoles at varying prices.

The game can be bought on Steam for $39.99. From time to time, you may get a discount. But for the time being, you will not be able to play Rust for free.

That paid experience will give hours upon hours of exciting challenges that make your investment well worth it!

Rust may not be offered without payment, but what sets this particular survival game apart from others are its unique capabilities – making sure no two gaming sessions feel alike. For thrill-seekers who don’t mind parting with their hard-earned cash for top-notch entertainment, Rust delivers every time!

Rust’s Price on Steam

Steam has made Rust accessible for a great price of $39.99 – an offer that’s too good to miss! With this single-time purchase, gamers will gain access to the full version of the game and enjoy unlimited hours playing through survival challenges.

Rust price on steam

For those who want their gaming experience taken up another notch, there are extra packs available which can be bought by players in order to personalize their character with items such as musical instruments and summer objects provided within these special packages.

For example, as of writing this article, I found a bundle including a bunch of voice prop packs, skins, soundtracks and more.

Rust on Consoles

No matter if you’re a fan of console gaming or the PC platform, Rust is here to provide hours upon hours of high-octane action and entertainment. Available on all major platforms such as PS4, Xbox One, PS5, and even Xbox Series X/S, this title has something for everyone.

  • Price on XBOX: $49,99
  • Rust price on PS4/PS5: $49,99

Note that there are also exclusive bundles to be bought here as well.

rust free

Admittedly though its cost may be higher than what’s seen on Steam – so it’s worth taking that into account when considering your purchase – overall there are no distinctions in terms of quality between each version. Allowing gamers from any environment to experience everything that Rust has to offer!

Will Rust Ever Become a Free-to-Play Game?

Rust could potentially become a free-to-play game. But for that to happen, Facepunch Studios would have to focus more heavily on skins and other in-game items. Revenue must come from somewhere for the company to sustain its operations.

A monthly subscription might also be a good idea, but only the management of the company can know for certain what would be viable and what would be a bad idea. So far, the company’s conclusion seems to be that a high up-front fee is necessary to stay afloat and have a good cash-flow.

Looking at other competitive games and heir system requirements, such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Dota 2, Team Fortress 2, League of Legends, and so on, there’s no reason why Rust couldn’t implement a free-to-play model. 

After all, the key it’s if players spend dozens of hours per week competing in a game, it shouldn’t be that hard to sell them valuable DLCs or cool in-game items that enhance their experience fighting enemies. But that doesn’t seem to be the focus of the developer. And this means that Rust will not be free-to-play for the foreseeable future.

Alternatives to Rust: Other Free-to-Play Survival Games

If you’re trying to stay within a budget, or looking for something totally free that is an alternative to Rust, there are other amazing survival games that can give you the thrilling experiences and tough battles.

Games like ARK: Survival Evolved, Don’t Starve Together and 7 Days To Die offer players heaps of features at no cost. Providing plenty of options when it comes to selecting your next adventure in survival gaming.

List of Free-to-Play Survival Games

There are a number of games with no upfront cost that will provide players with an exciting experience. Among them are:

  • Unturned
  • Last Year
  • Lost Light
  • Will To Live Online

With so many free-to-play offerings available within this gaming genre — each offering something different than what can be experienced by any other — anyone looking solely at their budget should not worry since they will find enjoyment here too!

Comparing Rust to Other Survival Games

Rust is a great survival game with an intense focus on PvP combat, making it stand out from other titles that put more emphasis on PvE elements or different gameplay mechanics.

Compared to DayZ, Minecraft and ARK: Survival Evolved, there’s no match for the immersive multiplayer experience Rust offers.

Despite this fact, it still remains reasonably priced compared to similar games in its genre so if you’re looking for some thrilling action then Rust may just be the perfect choice. Although not free-to-play like many of these alternatives such as Fortnite and Apex Legends might be.

When pitted against them in terms of value, there’s very little difference between those given their high cost too!

Tips for Getting Rust at a Lower Cost

If you’re interested in playing Rust without paying full price, there are some ways to save money. Look for discounts on Steam and check third-party websites or follow social media platforms that offer cheap game keys—all of which allow you to get hold of this incredible survival game at a discounted rate.

To play the game Rust for free, staying vigilant is key and waiting patiently may pay off as opportunities present themselves where one can grab the thrilling experience that’s Rust with no added costs!

Waiting for Steam Sales

It is possible to purchase Rust at a much lower cost if one waits for the sales on Steam. Historically, discounts have varied from 33% up to 50%, and although it’s hard to predict when such opportunities may arise again, taking time out of your day can result in tremendous savings.

This is what I did, and I managed to buy Rust for a price of as little as $16. I’d recommend adding it to your wishlist and keep an eye on your email.

For instance, by being patient and keeping an eye on developments via Steam you could get access into this exciting world of Rust without paying full price due to its discounted form.

Third-Party Websites and CD Keys

When looking for a cheaper option to get Rust, it could be worth checking out third-party sites and searching for cheap CD keys. These websites often offer games from other countries at reduced prices when compared with the official game developer or publisher. Care must still be taken before buying as there is always a possibility of getting an invalid key or something fraudulent.

Exploring this route can potentially save you money on Rust without losing access to any aspects of the full gaming experience. Just make sure that everything checks out properly before making your purchase in order to avoid unnecessary issues. Down the line.

How much is Rust on Steam?

Rust is not free. Because there are no free-to-play game modes, it is a paid experience. For $39.99, the game it’s time to time listed for sale on Steam.

How much does it cost to play Rust?

Rust costs $39.99 for PC and $49,99 for console, making it an accesible game for a lot of players.

Is Rust free on Xbox?

It is not entirely free, but it’s available with either Xbox Live Gold or the Game Pass Ultimate. You can also buy the game at the price of $49,99 at the Microsoft Store.

Posted by
William Westerlund

William is an author, editor, and an avid gamer with over 10.000 hours in CS:GO (Counter-Strike 2). He also enjoys playing Rust, Dota 2, and TF2 but never became a top 1% player in any of those games.