Our verdict: Steam Link turns a weak laptop or living-room PC into a screen for your gaming PC. It does one thing: connects to a computer running Steam and streams its games. If the second PC can run full Steam, Remote Play in Steam itself does the same; Steam Link is the lighter option.
About Steam Link
Steam Link is Valve's streaming client for Steam Remote Play. The game runs on your gaming PC, and Steam Link shows the picture and sound on the device in front of you while sending back keyboard, mouse and controller input. The Windows version is a small app that does not need a full Steam installation on the second computer.
You pair Steam Link with a computer that is logged into Steam, either on the same home network or over the internet. It works with many controllers, including Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch Pro and some 8BitDo models, and Valve has added AV1 streaming from high-end host PCs. Valve's Remote Play page lists the same app for Android, iOS, Raspberry Pi, Linux and Meta Quest.
What it does well
- Remote Play client. Streams games from any PC running Steam to this computer.
- Home and remote. Pairs with your host PC on the local network or over the internet.
- Controller support. Works with Xbox, PlayStation, Switch Pro and other gamepads.
- Network test. Measures your connection and suggests streaming settings.
- AV1 streaming. Optional AV1 video streaming from high-end host PCs.
Who it is for
Good fit
Steam players who want to play games from their gaming PC on a laptop or a PC connected to the TV.
Look elsewhere
People without a gaming PC running Steam, or networks with weak Wi-Fi.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free and official from Valve
- No full Steam client needed on the second PC
- Wide controller support
Cons
- Needs a separate gaming PC running Steam
- Quality depends on your network
- Download is a ZIP, not a single installer
How to install Steam Link
The download is a ZIP from Valve; extract it and run SteamLink.msi (or setup.exe). Install Steam Link on the PC you play on, not on the gaming PC, which only needs Steam running and signed in. Use wired Ethernet or 5 GHz Wi-Fi on the host for a stable stream.
Questions about Steam Link
Is Steam Link free?
Yes. Steam Link is free from Valve; you need a Steam account and a PC running Steam to stream from.
Do I install Steam Link on my gaming PC?
No. The gaming PC only runs Steam. Install Steam Link on the laptop or second PC you want to play on.
What is the difference between Steam Link and Steam Remote Play?
Remote Play is the Steam feature that streams games. Steam Link is a lightweight client for it; on a PC you can also stream by logging into full Steam on both computers.
