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Tech riderRev. 7 Oct 2026

Steamworks

Ch 345.4of 37 Game Leaderboard Software
  1. 1Runs onAPI, Linux, Mac, Windows
  2. 2CostsFree plan
  3. 3Multiplayer networkingYes
  4. 4Player accountsYes
  5. 5MatchmakingYes
  6. 6Cloud dataYes
  7. 7Live-ops toolsYes
  8. 8Deployment modelhybrid
8 lines stated Written from the maker's own pages: partner.steamgames.com
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Overview

Steamworks is ranked #34 of 37 in game leaderboard software on Specifiction. It runs on API, Linux, macOS, Windows. There is a free plan.

Steamworks plans and pricing

All plans
Steamworks Free Free suite of tools; $100 USD (or equivalent) Steam Direct Fee for each new app to distribute; fee is recoupable after at least $1,000.00 Adjusted Gross Revenue partner.steamgames.com · 7 Oct 2026

Compared on game leaderboard software

Free plan
Nopartner.steamgames.com
Multiplayer networking
Yespartner.steamgames.com
Player accounts
Yespartner.steamgames.com
Matchmaking
Yespartner.steamgames.com
Cloud data
Yespartner.steamgames.com
Live-ops tools
Yespartner.steamgames.com
Deployment model
hybridpartner.steamgames.com

Facts

Purpose
Steamworks is a set of tools and services by Valve for configuring, managing, and operating games on Steam.partner.steamgames.com · 7 Oct 2026
Audience
Developers use Steamworks to distribute games or software to Steam customers and manage products through the partner portal.partner.steamgames.com · 7 Oct 2026
Features
Available features include matchmaking, leaderboards, achievements, microtransactions, Steam Cloud, Steam Input, Steam Overlay, and Steam Workshop.partner.steamgames.com · 7 Oct 2026
Optional integration
Developers can use as few or as many Steamworks features as they choose, and some features require product implementation while others can be configured in the portal.partner.steamgames.com · 7 Oct 2026
SDK
The Steamworks SDK is required to upload content to Steam, while its other features are optional.partner.steamgames.com · 7 Oct 2026
Platforms
The SDK documentation includes build instructions for Linux and a DirectX-to-OpenGL compatibility layer for macOS.partner.steamgames.com · 7 Oct 2026
Web API
The HTTP-based Web API has public methods and protected methods that require authentication and are intended for trusted back-end applications.partner.steamgames.com · 7 Oct 2026
API security
The partner-only Web API host is HTTPS-only and requires a publisher Web API key for every request; IP allow lists are available as an added security layer.partner.steamgames.com · 7 Oct 2026
Anti-cheat
Steam offers anti-cheat APIs and game-ban infrastructure, and developers may also use their own anti-cheat solution.partner.steamgames.com · 7 Oct 2026
Onboarding
Onboarding requires digital paperwork, payment details, bank and tax information, identity verification, and electronic signatures on agreements.partner.steamgames.com · 7 Oct 2026
Release requirements
For first releases, the app fee must be paid at least 21 days before release and the public Coming Soon page must be live for at least two weeks.partner.steamgames.com · 7 Oct 2026
Review
Valve reviews the store page and game build before they can go live; the documented review takes between 1 and 5 days.partner.steamgames.com · 7 Oct 2026
Support
Steamworks developer support is available by support ticket, and developer discussion boards are another place to seek advice.partner.steamgames.com · 7 Oct 2026
Distribution limits
Steam’s onboarding guidelines exclude advertising-based applications and applications built on blockchain technology that issue or allow exchange of cryptocurrencies or NFTs.partner.steamgames.com · 7 Oct 2026

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Where it ranks on Specifiction

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