What Are the Best Multiplayer Steam Games?
The best multiplayer Steam games for co-op are Deep Rock Galactic, Valheim, Helldivers 2, Baldur’s Gate 3 and Stardew Valley. For competitive play, Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2 are free. Party groups love Lethal Company and R.E.P.O. Steam’s Remote Play Together also lets friends join some local co-op games online.
Affiliate disclosure: no affiliate links. Prices change, so we list free or paid only. Last updated: October 2026.
| Game | Type | Players | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deep Rock Galactic | Co-op shooter | Up to 4 | Paid |
| Valheim | Survival co-op | Up to 10 | Paid |
| Helldivers 2 | Co-op shooter | Up to 4 | Paid |
| Baldur’s Gate 3 | RPG co-op | Up to 4 | Paid |
| Stardew Valley | Farming co-op | Small groups | Paid |
| Lethal Company | Horror co-op | Small groups | Paid |
| Counter-Strike 2 | Competitive shooter | 5v5 | Free |
| Dota 2 | MOBA | 5v5 | Free |
For multiplayer picks on every platform, see our best multiplayer games guide.
How We Chose
We picked games that are better with friends, have active player bases on Steam and offer stable online play. We mixed free and paid titles and different group sizes. Check the store page for current player counts and modes.
Short Verdicts
Deep Rock Galactic
Dwarves mining and fighting bugs in teams of four (store page). One of the most welcoming co-op communities on Steam.
Valheim
Viking survival and building (store page) that shines with a small group on a shared server.
Helldivers 2
Chaotic squad missions where coordination, and friendly fire, create great stories.
Baldur’s Gate 3
A huge RPG you can play together with friends. Best for patient groups who enjoy story.
Stardew Valley
Relaxed farming with friends. Perfect for mixed-skill groups.
Lethal Company
Funny, scary co-op with proximity voice chat. Ideal for party nights.
Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2
Free, deep and competitive. Expect a learning curve.
Free games only?
See every way to get free games on Steam, from free-to-play to giveaways.
Find Steam free gamesHow to Play Steam Games With Friends
- Add friends on Steam. Use their friend code or profile link.
- Check the game’s modes. Look for Online Co-op or Online PvP on the store page.
- Invite through Steam. Right-click a friend and choose Invite to Game.
- Try Remote Play Together. For local co-op games, only the host needs to own the game.
- Use voice chat. Steam has built-in voice, or use Discord.
Valve explains Remote Play options on its Steam Remote Play page.
Common Mistakes
- Buying a game with only local co-op when friends are remote.
- Ignoring region servers, which raises ping.
- Forgetting crossplay differences between Steam and console versions.
Lag in matches? Our gaming lag guide helps. Controller setup is in our controller for Steam guide. Online play basics are in our online multiplayer guide.
Need a pick for your group?
Tell us how many players and what you enjoy. We will suggest a Steam game.
Ask GamingFixFrequently Asked Questions
What is the top pick for multiplayer Steam games?
Deep Rock Galactic is our top co-op pick for its friendly community, clear teamwork and steady updates. For a free competitive game, Counter-Strike 2 is the standard. Groups who want a relaxed experience should try Stardew Valley.
How did you choose these Steam games?
We picked games that are clearly better with friends, have active Steam communities and stable online play. We included free and paid titles, different group sizes and moods, from relaxed farming to competitive shooters.
Which multiplayer Steam game suits most players?
Stardew Valley suits the widest range of players because it is calm, easy to learn and fun for mixed skill levels. Deep Rock Galactic is the best pick for groups who want action without the pressure of competitive play.
What is Remote Play Together?
Remote Play Together lets a Steam user stream a supported local co-op game to friends online. Only the host needs to own the game, and friends join through Steam. Quality depends on the host’s upload speed.
Do Steam players need a subscription for online play?
No. Steam does not charge for online multiplayer, unlike most consoles. Some games have their own subscriptions or optional purchases, but playing online through Steam itself is free. You only need a Steam account and a copy of the game for each player, except with Remote Play Together.
