Report updated Apr 2, 2026
Steam Chat
v1.0.15Active Steam gamers who want to maintain social connections, coordinate multiplayer sessions, and stay updated with their gaming communities while away from their PC.
What Is Steam Chat?
Launched May 21, 2019
Updated Oct 2025
What users think iIndependent intel reports to help builders create better apps or enhance existing ones. Still in beta, accuracy and relevancy get better every day. For informational purposes only.
What does it look like?
What are the key features?
Enhanced messaging supporting high-fidelity links, videos, tweets, GIFs, Giphy, and Steam emoticons.
View online/in-game status, custom categories, and favorites bar synced from the desktop client.
Dedicated spaces for communities and organizing game nights with friends.
Granular notification settings per friend, group chat, and chat channel to ensure important alerts are never missed.
Generate and share links via text or email to easily add new friends on Steam.
What do users think? iIndependent intel reports to help builders create better apps or enhance existing ones. Still in beta, accuracy and relevancy get better every day. For informational purposes only.
“Recent user voice shows a upset sentiment. Users appreciate basic functionality, but report login failures and app fragmentation.”
What Users Love
the app is fully functional as a peer to peer messenger
It lets me message friends like I’d like to
Pain Points
Just says "there was a problem logging you in"...
I can’t log into steam chat was it bugged
Why do Í need two apps now to do what one (somehow less poorly) did before?
Why does Steam have a separate app for chat, while even the PlayStation App has chat capabilities within its main app?
High confidence · 99 reviews available
How is it ranked?
| Chart | Rank | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Free | #92 | ▼11 |
What are the pros and cons?
Pros
- Deep integration with the massive Steam user base
- Familiar UI for desktop Steam users
- Zero-cost barrier to entry
Cons
- Severe technical debt and authentication bugs
- Fragmented user experience due to separate app architecture
- Lack of critical features like voice chat
What is the market outlook?
Growth Opportunities
- Re-integrating chat into the main Steam app
- Implementing voice chat to compete with Discord
- Leveraging Steam's library data for better game-invite context
Market Threats
- Discord's dominance in the gaming communication space
- User migration to decentralized social platforms
- Negative brand perception caused by app instability
Who competes with Steam Chat?
Contenders
Element Classic
★3.3 (572)Vector Creations Limited
Offers secure, decentralized group chat functionality that appeals to privacy-conscious gamers looking for an alternative to centralized platforms.
Same Space
New Kids on the Block
Fisheye Lens - Lomo Camera
Klinger
An emerging social graph protocol that allows gaming communities to own their social connections, threatening traditional siloed chat apps.
What are the key takeaways?
Steam Chat is a upsetting social networking app that is completely free. With a 2.4/5 rating from 34.5K reviews, it upsets most users from users. Users particularly appreciate basic functionality, though login failures remains a common concern.
Best for: Active Steam gamers who want to maintain social connections, coordinate multiplayer sessions, and stay updated with their gaming communities while away from their PC.
How much does it cost?
Model: free
The app serves as a utility extension for the Steam ecosystem rather than a standalone revenue generator, focusing on user retention and platform engagement.
iOS Version
1.0.15
Android Version
1.1
Release Date
May 21, 2019
iOS Price
Free
Android Price
Free
Developer
Valve