Steam review

Steam ranks first because it combines the biggest PC catalog with the most buyer-friendly refund rule among the large stores. Valve says the store has nearly 30,000 games, and its refund page says it will refund nearly any purchase for any reason if you ask within two weeks and have played less than two hours. DLC follows a similar fourteen day rule, and refunds go back to your original payment method or your Steam Wallet. Around the store you get automatic updates, wishlists, community hubs, the Steam Workshop for mods and a checkout that accepts more than 100 payment methods. The tradeoff is ownership: games stay inside your Steam account and usually need the client, and Steam is rarely the cheapest place to buy a Steam game, because official key sellers such as Humble Bundle, Fanatical and Green Man Gaming often discount the same titles. Use Steam as your library and wishlist, then compare key prices before you buy.

Who it is for

PC and Steam Deck players who want the widest catalog and a simple refund rule in one place.

Price

See vendor pricing (USD check pending).

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• Catalog of nearly 30,000 games from AAA to indie
• Refund for any reason within two weeks of purchase with under two hours of playtime
• Automatic game updates, wishlists and store-wide sales
• Steam Workshop mods for nearly 1,000 supported games
• Storefront that supports 100+ payment methods across over 35 currencies

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: The largest PC catalog on this list
• Strength: Clear, published refund rule that also covers DLC
• Strength: Refunds go back to your payment method or Steam Wallet
• Weakness: Games are tied to your Steam account and the Steam client
• Weakness: Refunds after two hours of play are not guaranteed
• Weakness: Key sellers often sell the same Steam games for less

Key facts

• Catalog: Nearly 30,000 games
• Refund rule: Within two weeks, under two hours played
• Payment: 100+ methods, over 35 currencies
• Client languages: 28
• Hardware: Steam Deck and Valve Index

Where it ranks

Steam is No. 1 in our Best Places to Buy Video Games verdict.