Steam

by Valve · Gaming

FreeWindowsMacLinux

The biggest PC game store and launcher.

Official download from store.steampowered.com (opens in a new tab)

Opens store.steampowered.com, Valve's own site. No mirror, no bundle.

Overview

What is Steam?

Steam sells and launches PC games, with cloud saves, friends, workshop mods and Proton for running Windows games on Linux. The client is free; games are bought separately.

Key features

  • Huge game library
  • Cloud saves
  • Steam Workshop mods
  • Proton for Linux gaming

Best for

  • PC gamers
  • Linux gaming
  • Seasonal sales

Included in starter kits

Install

How to install Steam

  1. 1Open the official Steam download page on store.steampowered.com.
  2. 2Pick the build for your system (Windows, Mac, Linux; check x64, ARM or Apple silicon where offered).
  3. 3Run the installer and read each screen; decline anything you did not ask for.
  4. 4Keep it updated from the app's own updater or your package manager.

Install from the command line

  • Windows · winget

    winget install --id Valve.Steam -e --source winget

  • Mac · Homebrew

    brew install --cask steam

  • Linux · Flatpak (Flathub)

    flatpak install flathub com.valvesoftware.Steam

Package IDs checked against the public winget, Homebrew and Flathub repositories on 1 Nov 2026. Build a script for several apps.

Safety

Download Steam safely

  • Check the domain

    The real download lives on store.steampowered.com. Look-alike domains and search ads are the most common trap.

  • Skip mirrors

    Download portals can wrap installers in adware or old versions. You never need them for this app.

  • Verify if you can

    If the publisher lists a checksum, compare it with our in-browser checker before running the file.

  • Watch the installer

    Untick extras, browser changes or trials you did not ask for.

Open the checksum checker

Alternatives

Steam alternatives

Other gaming apps, closest platform match first.

All gaming

FAQ

Steam questions

Where can I download Steam safely?

Download Steam only from Valve's official site at store.steampowered.com. Avoid mirror and "download portal" sites, which can bundle extra software with the installer.

Is Steam free?

Yes. Steam is free to download and use, though it is not open source.

Does Steam work on Windows, Mac and Linux?

Steam is available for Windows, Mac, Linux. Check Valve's download page for exact system requirements and whether your processor (x64, ARM or Apple silicon) is supported.

Can I install Steam from the command line?

Yes, with winget on Windows (winget install --id Valve.Steam -e); Homebrew on Mac (brew install --cask steam); Flatpak on Linux (flatpak install flathub com.valvesoftware.Steam). Package managers fetch the publisher's files and make updates easy.

What are good alternatives to Steam?

See the alternatives section on this page and the full gaming list on AltFTool, which shows each app's licence and platforms side by side.