Choose Cockroach Simulator
Choose Cockroach Simulator if you want the Multi-player, Online PvP, and PvP side of the pairing. On Steam, it's currently about 40% cheaper on the Steam Store. Cockroach Simulator launched in 2016.
Cockroach Simulator vs Rat Simulator
Cockroach Simulator and Rat Simulator both land in Indie, Simulation on Steam, which is why they keep getting compared. The comparison below is built from each game's Steam metadata — release year, genres, categories, Steam Deck status, price, and review score — refreshed daily by imho.run's scraper. Headline differences: Both share Indie, Simulation on Steam. Cockroach Simulator (2016) is 1 year older than Rat Simulator (2017). Rat Simulator scores higher on Steam reviews (86% positive) than Cockroach Simulator (76% positive). No login or purchase needed — scroll for the full table, the verdict FAQ, and links to ranked similar games for both titles.
Which should you pick?
Choose Rat Simulator
Choose Rat Simulator if you want a Casual experience. On Steam, it carries the stronger Steam consensus at 86% positive across 121 reviews.
Both Cockroach Simulator and Rat Simulator sit in Indie and Simulation on Steam, so either pick lands in the same broad neighborhood. Use the side-by-side table for the feature view, or follow the "Games like" links below to see ranked alternatives for either title.
Side-by-side comparison
 Cockroach Simulator |  Rat Simulator | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2016 | 2017 |
| Genres | Indie, Simulation | Indie, Simulation, Casual |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Unrated | Deck Playable |
| Price | 2.99 USD | 4.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 76% positive (867 reviews) | 86% positive (121 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Multi-player | Single-player only |
| Developers | HFM Games | Visualnoveler |
Side by side
- Both share Indie, Simulation on Steam.
- Cockroach Simulator (2016) is 1 year older than Rat Simulator (2017).
- Rat Simulator scores higher on Steam reviews (86% positive) than Cockroach Simulator (76% positive).
- Cockroach Simulator is currently ~40% cheaper on Steam than Rat Simulator (2.99 USD vs. 4.99 USD).
- Rat Simulator is Deck Playable on Steam Deck; Cockroach Simulator has no Deck rating yet.
Cockroach Simulator vs Rat Simulator — FAQ
- Which is better, Cockroach Simulator or Rat Simulator?
- On Steam reviews Rat Simulator scores higher (86% positive) than Cockroach Simulator (76% positive). Both have enough reviews to trust the signal, so for players using reviews alone, Rat Simulator is the safer pick. Genre fit still matters — check the side-by-side table for the categories each game lands in.
- Should I play Cockroach Simulator or Rat Simulator first?
- If you want chronology, Cockroach Simulator (2016) came out before Rat Simulator (2017). If neither is a sequel to the other, order doesn't really matter — start with whichever fits your current mood, since both share enough on Steam to make either a reasonable opener.
- Are Cockroach Simulator and Rat Simulator similar?
- They overlap on Indie, Simulation on Steam, so the catalogue groups them together — but "similar" depends on the specific mechanics. Use the genre + category rows above to decide whether the overlap matches what drew you to the one you've already played.
- Does Rat Simulator have multiplayer like Cockroach Simulator?
- No. Cockroach Simulator supports multiplayer on Steam (Multi-player), while Rat Simulator is listed as single-player only.