This study aimed to prepare stabilizer-free oily nanosuspensions and to characterize their in vitro release and physical stability. The nanosuspensions were prepared by wet bead milling with varied oils and drug loadings. They were characterized using photon correlation spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and in vitro release. The particle size stability was evaluated under freeze-thaw cycling, dry heat and storage time. Hydrocortisone and dexamethasone were successfully formulated into oily nanosuspensions without stabilizer. Drugs after milling remained in the crystalline state. For in vitro release, nanosuspensions had a longer release than microsuspensions. Increasing the drug loading from 1 % to 3 % resulted in a longer release due to a higher viscosity. Different release periods were observed for paraffin and medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) nanosuspensions due to different drug solubilities in the oils. Drug particles were released by settling to the paraffin-water interface. In contrast, particles partially dissolved in MCT before releasing to the aqueous medium, which promoted the faster release. Stabilizer-free oily nanosuspensions had an improved physical stability among freeze-thaw cycling and dry heat, and a similar stability compared with span 80 stabilized oily nanosuspensions after 3 months. In summary, stabilizer-free oily nanosuspensions possessed promising stability and a prolonged in vitro release properties. By varying drug loadings and oil types, tailored release profiles can be obtained for stabilizer-free oily nanosuspensions.