Steam is Valve's digital storefront and launcher for PC gaming, used to browse, buy, download and update games, then launch them from a single library. Beyond the store, it includes community features like friends lists, chat, achievements, cloud saves that sync progress between machines, and Steam Workshop for browsing and installing mods for supported games. The Steam client itself is free to download; individual games are purchased separately, and pricing regularly drops during Steam's seasonal sales.
What You Get Beyond Just Buying Games on Steam
Steam's store is the most visible part, but the client also handles the ongoing side of PC gaming: automatic game updates, cloud saves that follow a profile between computers, and a friends list with chat and shared game activity. For supported titles, Steam Workshop adds a built-in way to browse, subscribe to and auto-install community-made mods without leaving the client.
Steam Features
- Digital game store — browse, purchase and download PC games directly from Valve and third-party publishers
- Automatic updates — installed games and the client itself stay patched automatically
- Cloud saves — sync save data for supported games across different PCs
- Friends and community — friends lists, chat, groups and shared activity feeds
- Steam Workshop — browse and install community-made mods for supported games
- Achievements and trading cards — in-game achievements and collectible items for supported titles
- Seasonal sales — regular storewide discount events on game prices
- Big Picture and Steam Deck support — a controller-friendly interface for TVs and Valve's Steam Deck handheld
How to Install Steam on Windows
- Download the installer from the official download page or the button on this page.
- Run the setup file and follow the installation prompts.
- Create a free Steam account or sign in to an existing one.
- Browse the store or your existing library to find a game.
- Click Install on a game, then launch it once the download finishes.
Is Steam really free?
Free. The Steam client and account are free to download and use; individual games and other content on the store are purchased separately.
How to download Steam safely
Use the request button on this page and we will email you the current link for store.steampowered.com — the publisher's own website — so you receive the authentic build. We do not host, mirror, patch or repackage this software in any way.
Avoid third-party "download manager" sites offering Steam. They commonly wrap the genuine installer in their own bundler, which is how adware and browser hijackers get onto a machine that the user believed was clean.
Alternatives to Steam
Other free system utilities software worth comparing before you decide:
Epic Games Launcher
Free game launcher and digital storefront with regular free game giveaways.
GOG Galaxy
Free game launcher for GOG's DRM-free game storefront.
Discord
Free voice, video and text chat app popular among gaming communities.
Frequently asked questions
Is Steam free to download?
Yes, the Steam client and creating an account are free; you only pay for the games and content you choose to buy.
Can Steam be used on Mac or Linux?
Yes, Steam has native clients for Windows, macOS and Linux, though individual game availability varies by platform.
What is Steam Workshop?
It is a built-in system for browsing, subscribing to and automatically installing community-made mods for supported games.
Do Steam games work offline?
Many games support Steam's Offline Mode, letting you play without an internet connection once a game is installed and previously launched online.
What is Steam Cloud?
Steam Cloud automatically syncs save data and some settings for supported games across different computers signed into the same account.
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People also search for
The terms visitors use to find this page. Each one lands here because it describes the same program.
Searches from India
Steam is identical worldwide — these are search phrasings, not different downloads. Every one of them gets the same official build from store.steampowered.com.
