Last verified: April 2026. Statistics and pricing may change.
Steam is the largest digital distribution platform for PC gaming, operated by Valve Corporation. In early 2026, Steam set a new all-time concurrent user record of 42,318,602 players online at the same time. The platform dominates PC game sales with an estimated 75% market share in the United States and roughly 74 to 75% globally. Beyond the storefront, Valve now sells dedicated gaming hardware and continues to expand Steam’s feature set. Here is a complete overview of what Steam is, how it works, and what is new in 2026.
Steam by the numbers
Steam’s user base continues to grow. According to PCGamesN, the platform hit a peak of 42,318,602 concurrent users in early 2026, breaking its previous record. Monthly active users reached 147 million in 2025, an increase of 11.4% year over year, with 69 million daily active users.
On the developer side, Valve reported at GDC 2026 that 5,863 games earned over $100,000 in revenue on Steam in 2025, a new record. The platform’s total revenue for 2025 was estimated at $16.2 billion by Alinea Analytics. (Note: this revenue figure is a third-party analyst estimate, not an official Valve disclosure. Valve is a private company and does not publicly report financials.)
Steam holds approximately 75% of the US PC digital distribution market and between 74% and 75% globally, according to data compiled by DemandSage. The remaining share is split among the Epic Games Store, GOG, Humble Bundle, and direct publisher storefronts.
How Steam works
Steam functions as a storefront, game launcher, social network, and community hub. Players create a free account, download the Steam client for Windows, macOS, or Linux, and purchase or download games through the store. Purchased games are tied to the account and can be installed on any compatible device.
The platform includes several features beyond the store itself. Steam Workshop hosts user-created mods and content for supported games. Steam Cloud syncs save files across devices. Remote Play and Steam Link allow players to stream games from their PC to other devices on the same network or over the internet. Big Picture Mode provides a controller-friendly interface designed for use on televisions.
Valve rates games for Steam Deck compatibility using three labels: Verified (works out of the box), Playable (works with some adjustments), and Unsupported (does not function properly). These ratings also help desktop users gauge controller compatibility.
In January 2026, Valve completed the transition to a 64-bit client on Windows, dropping support for 32-bit operating systems. The company has also scheduled 22 themed sales festivals throughout 2026, ranging from genre-specific events to the platform’s major seasonal sales.
Steam Deck
The Steam Deck is Valve’s handheld gaming PC, first released in February 2022. It runs SteamOS (a Linux-based operating system) and plays PC games from the user’s Steam library on a portable device. As of early 2026, Valve has sold over 4 million Steam Deck units worldwide, according to publicly available figures.
The Steam Deck is available in an LCD model and a newer OLED model. The OLED version, released in late 2023, accounts for 29% of total Steam Deck sales. It has a brighter, higher-contrast screen, improved battery life, and a slightly larger display compared to the LCD version. The average play session on Steam Deck is 57 minutes.
The device runs SteamOS, which uses a compatibility layer called Proton to run Windows games on Linux. Most popular Steam games work on the Deck, though titles with certain anti-cheat software or heavy DRM may not function. Valve’s Verified and Playable ratings help users identify which games work well before purchasing or installing.
New Steam hardware in 2026
Valve announced several new hardware products scheduled for release in 2026. The most significant is the Steam Machine, a living room PC designed to run SteamOS and play Steam games on a television.
The Steam Machine uses an AMD Zen 4 processor with 6 cores running at up to 4.8 GHz, paired with an RDNA 3 GPU. It includes 16 GB of DDR system memory and 8 GB of GDDR6 video memory. Storage options are 512 GB or 2 TB. According to Engadget, the Steam Machine is positioned as a console-like PC that runs the full Steam library without the complexity of building or configuring a traditional gaming PC.
Valve is also releasing a new version of the Steam Controller and a product called the Steam Frame. Details on the Steam Frame remain limited as of April 2026, but it appears to be a display-focused device related to the Steam ecosystem.
Steam vs Epic Games Store
The Epic Games Store, launched in late 2018, is Steam’s most prominent competitor. Epic takes a 12% commission on sales compared to Steam’s standard 30% cut (which drops to 25% after $10 million in sales and 20% after $50 million). Epic has attracted developers with its lower revenue share and has secured timed exclusives for several high-profile games.
However, Steam’s feature set remains more extensive. Steam offers user reviews, community forums, Workshop mod support, cloud saves, Remote Play, Steam Deck compatibility ratings, and a mature social system. The Epic Games Store has been adding features since launch but still lacks some of these tools. Steam’s established user base of 147 million monthly active users also gives it a significant network advantage for multiplayer games and community engagement.
Frequently asked questions
Is Steam free to use?
Yes. Creating a Steam account and downloading the client costs nothing. Individual games are purchased separately, and prices are set by publishers. Steam regularly runs sales that discount games by 50% or more. There are also many free-to-play games on the platform.
What is the difference between Steam and the Epic Games Store?
Both are digital storefronts for PC games. Steam has a larger catalog, more community features (reviews, forums, Workshop mods), and Steam Deck compatibility ratings. Epic takes a lower commission from developers (12% vs 30%) and offers weekly free game giveaways. Most major PC games are available on both platforms, though some titles are timed exclusives on one or the other.
What is the Steam Deck?
The Steam Deck is a handheld gaming PC made by Valve. It runs SteamOS (Linux-based) and can play games from your existing Steam library on a portable device with a built-in screen and controls. It is available in LCD and OLED models, with the OLED version offering a better display and longer battery life. Over 4 million units have been sold worldwide.
What is the new Steam Machine?
The Steam Machine is a living room gaming PC from Valve, scheduled for release in 2026. It runs SteamOS and is designed to play Steam games on a television without requiring a traditional PC setup. It uses AMD Zen 4 and RDNA 3 hardware with up to 2 TB of storage.