By Valve
Report updated Apr 19, 2026
Steam Link
For existing Steam users who want the flexibility to play their PC game library on mobile devices, tablets, or TVs within their home network.
Steam Link is an established games app that is completely free. With a 3.3/5 rating from 54.6K reviews, it shows polarized user reception. Users particularly appreciate remote gaming capability, though connectivity and lag remains a common concern.
What is Steam Link?
Current Momentum
v1.3
* Fixed performance issues with AV1 decoding on some devices * Please report bugs and crashes here: https://steamcommunity.com/app/353380/discussions/4/
Active Nemesis
Moonlight Game Streaming
By Diego Waxemberg
Other Rivals
7-Day Rank Pulse 🇺🇸
GamesNo ranking data
Rating Pulse 🇺🇸
Recent User MoodAI-powered deep analysis surfacing high-signal insights. Still in beta, accuracy improves daily. For informational purposes only.
What makes this app unique?
What Does It Look Like?
How Is The App's Momentum Right Now?
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What Are The Key Features?
Streams existing Steam games from a PC to mobile devices or tablets over a local network
Supports MFI, Steam, and Bluetooth controllers for console-like gaming experiences
Works with Windows, Mac, and Linux host computers
Provides specific guidance for 5GHz WiFi and Ethernet configurations to ensure low-latency performance
How much does it cost?
- Completely free to use with no subscription or in-app purchase requirements
Valve uses this as a utility to increase the value of the Steam ecosystem, driving engagement with their primary PC storefront rather than monetizing the app itself.
Who Built It?
Valve
Extending the Steam PC ecosystem to mobile through essential account utilities and strategic cross-platform titles.
Portfolio
4
Apps
Who is Valve?
Valve's mobile presence serves as a strategic extension of its dominant PC storefront, focusing on ecosystem retention rather than standalone mobile growth. Their primary moat is the mandatory nature of their security and social utilities, which tether users to the Steam platform regardless of their device. However, the portfolio faces a significant challenge in technical execution, as the reliance on these tools creates friction when performance lags behind user expectations for a major platform holder.
Who is Valve for?
- Core PC gamers
- Steam platform users seeking account security
- Social connectivity
- Remote access to their game libraries
Portfolio momentum
Released 3 updates across 4 apps in the last 6 months, maintaining a steady cadence for its core utility and gaming titles.
What other apps does Valve make?
What do users think recently?
High confidence · 99 reviews analyzed · Based on 99 reviews. Signal may be noisy.
How did the latest release land?
What is the recent mood?
Recent user voice shows a mixed sentiment. Users appreciate remote gaming capability and cost-effectiveness, but report connectivity and lag and technical bugs and stability.
What Users Love
What Frustrates Users
What is the competitive landscape for Steam Link?
How's The Games Market?
How does it evolve in the Games market?
| Country | Category | Chart | Rank | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇳🇿 New Zealand | Entertainment | AndroidFree | #124 | ▼3 |
| 🇮🇱 Israel | Entertainment | AndroidFree | #176 | ▼10 |
The rivals identified
The Nemesis
Moonlight Game Streaming
★4.6 (15.6K)Diego Waxemberg
💀The primary open-source alternative that offers superior low-latency streaming performance for NVIDIA-based PC setups.
Head-to-head analysis pending — refresh this report for a detailed comparison.
Contenders
Parsec
Games Repository
A high-performance remote desktop application specifically optimized for gaming with ultra-low latency and collaborative features.
PC-to-Device Streaming
Voice Recognition Controls
Brainway: Boost Productivity
★2.8 (3.7K)Medical Score
🚀Offers browser-based and app-based game streaming that focuses on ease of use without requiring specific hardware configurations.
Peers
Unified Cloud Access
External Monitor Support
AnyDesk Remote Desktop
★2.7 (131.3K)AnyDesk Software GmbH
⚡A broad remote access utility that allows users to control their PC from a mobile device, serving as a functional alternative for game management.
New Kids on the Block
Phone Controller
Cloud Direct Management
Sunshine
Sunshine Wholesale Mart Sdn. Bhd.
A rapidly growing open-source host software that pairs with Moonlight to provide a modern, highly customizable streaming experience.
The outtake for Steam Link
Strengths to defend, gaps to attack
Core Strengths
- Deep integration with the Steam ecosystem
- Completely free with no monetization barriers
- Strong brand trust
Critical Frictions
- Inconsistent streaming performance
- Technical bugs and connectivity issues
- Regression in UI/UX features
Growth Levers
- Better in-app network diagnostic tools
- Restoration of user-requested UI features
- Expansion to new hardware platforms
Market Threats
- High-performance open-source alternatives
- Rise of native cloud gaming services
Key Takeaways
Steam Link is an established games app that is completely free. With a 3.3/5 rating from 54.6K reviews, it shows polarized user reception. Users particularly appreciate remote gaming capability, though connectivity and lag remains a common concern.
Where Is It Heading?
Trend analysis
Available very soon