Is CS:GO Free on Steam? Complete Guide to Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

By Michael Chen

March 31, 2025 at 12:45 PM

Yes, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) is available on Steam. In fact, Steam is the only official platform where you can download and play CS:GO. Since Valve Corporation owns both Steam and CS:GO, the game is exclusively distributed through their Steam platform.

The game became free-to-play in December 2018, meaning anyone with a Steam account can download and play it without paying. However, players can purchase the Prime Status upgrade, which provides access to exclusive features, better matchmaking, and eligibility for item drops.

To find CS:GO on Steam, you can:

1. Open the Steam client or visit Steam's website
2. Search for "CS:GO" or "Counter-Strike: Global Offensive"
3. Click "Play Game" or "Download" to begin installation
4. Wait for the download to complete
5. Launch the game through Steam

The Steam version of CS:GO receives regular updates, including new features, maps, and security patches. All official competitive matches and matchmaking are handled through Steam's servers, ensuring a secure and stable gaming experience.

It's worth noting that you must have the Steam client installed on your computer to play CS:GO, even if you find download links elsewhere. Any version claiming to be playable without Steam is likely unofficial and potentially unsafe.

If you're new to Steam, you'll need to:

1. Create a Steam account
2. Download and install the Steam client
3. Log in to your account
4. Then download CS:GO

The game requires about 25GB of free disk space and runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems through Steam.

Related Articles

Previous Articles