Steam Cloud Gaming: How to Play Steam Games in the Cloud

You want to play your Steam games but don’t have a gaming PC? Or maybe you’d like to stream them while traveling, or on a device like a TV, tablet, or Chromebook? Then you might be wondering if Steam Cloud Gaming exists, and how it works.

This guide shows how to play your Steam games in the cloud and which service is the best fit for you.

Does Steam have cloud gaming?

Steam itself doesn’t offer a dedicated cloud gaming service like GeForce Now or Xbox Cloud Gaming. You can’t stream games directly through the Steam app, and there’s no built-in option to run games remotely from the cloud.

However, you can still play your Steam games in the cloud using third-party services. These platforms run your games on remote servers and stream the gameplay to your device. You don’t need to install anything locally or own a powerful PC.

To find out which cloud gaming platforms support your Steam games, use the search here on cloudbase.

How can you play Steam games on cloud gaming?

There are two main ways to play your Steam games via cloud gaming. You can either use a cloud PC, which gives you full control over a virtual Windows machine, or a catalog-based service, which lets you stream selected supported games without installation.

If you want to access your full Steam library (with a few exceptions), you’ll need a cloud PC. Services like GeForce NOW or Boosteroid only support a limited selection of cloud games. You can’t play everything there.

Here’s what you need:

And one of these two options:

#1 Cloud PCs (Full access):
Use a service like Shadow PC or airgpu. You get your own virtual Windows PC and can install Steam like on a normal computer. This gives you access to your full Steam library, modding support, and other platforms like Battle.net or Epic Games. Just note that some games may not work due to anti-cheat software. You can look up compatibility here on cloudbase.

#2 Catalog-based services (Bring-Your-Own-Games):
Services like GeForce NOW or Boosteroid support selected Steam titles. You log in, link your Steam account, and stream supported games without managing installations. These services are easier to use but limited in game selection and do not allow modding.

Both options work on most internet-connected devices like phones, tablets, laptops, or smart TVs. You just need a stable connection for smooth gameplay.

Best cloud gaming services for Steam games

To help you choose the right platform, we’ve listed the most popular cloud gaming services that work with Steam. Before picking a service, check if the game you want to play is available there. Tip: To find out use our search here on cloudbase.

Conclusion: Is Steam cloud gaming worth it?

If you just want to start playing quickly, services like GeForce NOW or Boosteroid work well, if your game is supported. For full access to your Steam library and modding options, a cloud PC like Shadow PC or airgpu is the better choice.

No matter which option you choose, you don’t need a gaming PC. Most modern devices are good enough for streaming. To see which cloud gaming services work with your games, use our search here on cloudbase.