Is Steam Compatible with Linux?

February 12, 2026 · Software Compatibility

Introduction

Steam has been available on Linux since 2013, and the launch of the Steam Deck in 2022 dramatically accelerated Linux gaming compatibility. Thanks to Proton, the majority of the Steam library now works on Linux.

Key Takeaways

• Steam is natively available on Linux — Official packages for Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch, and more.
• Proton enables Windows games — Valve’s compatibility layer runs most Windows games on Linux.
• 15,000+ verified/playable titles — The Steam Deck program tests and rates Linux compatibility.
• Anti-cheat is the main barrier — Some competitive multiplayer games with kernel-level anti-cheat don’t work.
• Performance is often comparable — Many games run at 95–100% of Windows performance.

How Proton Works

Proton is built on several open-source technologies:

• Wine — Translates Windows API calls to POSIX/Linux equivalents.
• DXVK — Translates DirectX 9/10/11 to Vulkan.
• VKD3D-Proton — Translates DirectX 12 to Vulkan.
• FAudio — Provides XAudio2 audio support.

When you click “Play” on a Windows game in Steam on Linux, Proton handles everything transparently. No configuration is typically needed.

Compatibility Ratings

Steam uses the Deck Verified program to rate compatibility:

• Verified — Works perfectly out of the box.
• Playable — Works with minor issues or manual tweaks.
• Unsupported — Significant issues; may not launch.
• Unknown — Not yet tested.

Check ProtonDB for community reports on games not officially verified.

What Doesn’t Work Well

• Kernel-level anti-cheat — Games using EasyAntiCheat or BattlEye may work if the developer enables Linux support, but many competitive titles (e.g., Fortnite, VALORANT) do not.
• Windows-only launchers — Games requiring separate launchers (e.g., Rockstar Launcher) can be hit-or-miss.
• DRM — Some aggressive DRM schemes cause issues under Proton.

Getting Started

1. Install Steam from your distribution’s package manager or store.steampowered.com.
2. Open Steam Settings > Compatibility.
3. Check “Enable Steam Play for all other titles” and select the latest Proton version.
4. Install and play games normally — Proton activates automatically for Windows titles.

Conclusion

Steam on Linux has gone from a niche curiosity to a legitimate gaming platform. Proton makes the vast majority of the Steam library playable, and performance is competitive with Windows for most titles. The main remaining gaps are in competitive multiplayer games with aggressive anti-cheat systems.