Best Subnautica Alternatives in 2025

Looking for alternatives to Subnautica? In this comparison, we take a closer look at Subnautica alongside similar software solutions including Subnautica and The Forest.

Our detailed comparison table highlights key features, pricing, and performance of these leading solutions, empowering you to make an informed decision. Whether you're seeking robust functionality, user-friendly design, or cost-effective alternatives, explore how Subnautica and The Forest stack up to find the perfect software for your goals.

	Game Setting	Gameplay Style	Platforms	Multiplayer Support	Visuals and Immersion
Subnautica	An open-world underwater environment with vibrant ocean depths and various dangerous creatures.	Single-player survival game focused on underwater exploration, base-building, crafting, and an intriguing storyline.	Available on Mac, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox.	Primarily single-player with no emphasis on multiplayer.	Features beautiful and vibrant underwater visuals with immersive gameplay.
The Forest	An open-world forest environment featuring day-night cycle and cannibalistic mutants.	Survival-horror game with both cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes, emphasizing building shelters, hunting, and dynamic AI enemies.	Available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One.	Supports both cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes for up to four players.	Offers stunning graphics with immersive visuals of a forest environment and dynamic AI behavior.

Game Setting

Subnautica	An open-world underwater environment with vibrant ocean depths and various dangerous creatures.
The Forest	An open-world forest environment featuring day-night cycle and cannibalistic mutants.

Gameplay Style

Subnautica	Single-player survival game focused on underwater exploration, base-building, crafting, and an intriguing storyline.
The Forest	Survival-horror game with both cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes, emphasizing building shelters, hunting, and dynamic AI enemies.

Platforms

Subnautica	Available on Mac, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox.
The Forest	Available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One.

Multiplayer Support

Subnautica	Primarily single-player with no emphasis on multiplayer.
The Forest	Supports both cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes for up to four players.

Visuals and Immersion

Subnautica	Features beautiful and vibrant underwater visuals with immersive gameplay.
The Forest	Offers stunning graphics with immersive visuals of a forest environment and dynamic AI behavior.

Choosing the right software isn’t just about features. Size, license type, user ratings, and popularity also matter.

This quick comparison shows how Subnautica stacks up against Subnautica and The Forest in these key areas—helping you find the best alternative for your needs.

	Size	License	Rating	Popularity
Subnautica		Shareware
The Forest		Shareware

Size

Subnautica
The Forest

License

Subnautica	Shareware
The Forest	Shareware

Rating

Subnautica
The Forest

Popularity

Subnautica
The Forest