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The short answer
The best co op games on Steam right now are It Takes Two and Split Fiction for two players, Deep Rock Galactic and Baldur’s Gate 3 for groups of four, and Stardew Valley for a cozy game you can play for months. If you want something cheap, Portal 2, PEAK, R.E.P.O. and Lethal Company all cost under $10 on Steam.
- Best for couples: It Takes Two ($39.99, a friend can join free with Friend’s Pass)
- Best new two-player story: Split Fiction ($49.99, split screen or online)
- Best four-player online: Deep Rock Galactic (1 to 4 players)
- Best co-op RPG: Baldur’s Gate 3 (party of up to four)
- Best cheap pick: Portal 2 ($9.99, Steam Deck Verified)
- Best big group: Valheim (1 to 10 players)
98%
Positive Steam reviews for Portal 2 and Stardew Valley
$7.99
PEAK, the cheapest paid pick
10
Max players in Valheim
1
Copy needed for It Takes Two online
In this article
A co-op game is one where you and other players work together toward the same goal instead of competing against each other. Steam, Valve’s PC game store and launcher, lists thousands of them, so finding a good one for your group takes more than scrolling the “Co-op” tag. As a result, we built this list from what each game’s official Steam store page says today: player counts, local or online play, price, Mac support and Steam Deck rating.
We have not run lab tests on these games. Instead, our picks rely on each store page’s published details and its all-time Steam user review score, so you can check every number yourself. Prices are regular US list prices unless we say a game was on sale when we checked.
What Makes a Great Co-op Game on Steam?
A great co-op game makes teamwork the point, not an add-on. In practice, that means clear roles, problems that need two or more heads, and a mode that fits how you actually play: on one couch, online with friends, or both.
Before you buy, check three things on the store page. First, look at the Features list for “Online Co-op,” “Shared/Split Screen Co-op” or “LAN Co-op,” because many games support only one of them. Second, read the player count in the description, since “co-op” can mean two players or ten. Finally, check the Steam Deck rating if anyone plays on a handheld.
What do the Steam co-op labels mean?
Steam uses a few feature labels that matter for co-op. “Online Co-op” means each player usually needs their own copy and PC. “Shared/Split Screen Co-op” means two or more people can play on one PC and one screen. Meanwhile, “Remote Play Together” means the host can stream a local co-op game to friends online, which we explain later.
Best Co Op Games on Steam Compared
The table below compares all 14 picks on the details that matter most for co-op. Use it to filter by group size first, then by price.
| Game | Players | Co-op modes | US price | Steam Deck | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| It Takes Two | 2 | Online, split screen | $39.99 | Verified | Windows |
| Split Fiction | 2 | Online, split screen, cross-platform | $49.99 | Verified | Windows |
| Portal 2 | 2 (co-op campaign) | Online, split screen | $9.99 | Verified | Windows, Linux |
| Stardew Valley | Up to 8 online | Online, LAN, split screen | $14.99 | Verified | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| Deep Rock Galactic | 1–4 | Online | $29.99 list | Playable | Windows |
| Baldur’s Gate 3 | Up to 4 | Online, LAN, cross-platform | $59.99 | Verified | Windows, Mac |
| Valheim | 1–10 | Online | $29.99 | Verified | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| Lethal Company | Up to 4 | Online | $9.99 | Playable | Windows |
| R.E.P.O. | Up to 6 | Online | $9.99 | Playable | Windows |
| PEAK | Up to 4 | Online, cross-platform | $7.99 | Verified | Windows |
| Overcooked! 2 | Up to 4 | Online, split screen | $24.99 | Verified | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| Cuphead | 2 | Local (shared screen) | $19.99 | Verified | Windows, Mac |
| Left 4 Dead 2 | 4 survivors | Online | $9.99 | Verified | Windows, Linux |
| Helldivers 2 | Up to 4 | Online | $39.99 | Playable | Windows |
Pro tip. Steam sales change prices often. When we checked, Deep Rock Galactic showed $8.99 (list $29.99) and the Overcooked! 2 Gourmet Edition showed $16.48, so add games to your wishlist and wait for a discount if you are not in a hurry. Our Black Friday gaming deals guide tracks the biggest seasonal sales.
The 14 Best Co-op Games on Steam, Ranked
These are the best co op games on Steam for most groups, ordered by how widely they suit different players. Each card lists who the game suits and, just as importantly, who should skip it.
1. It Takes Two — Best co-op game for couples
Hazelight’s It Takes Two is a two-player platform adventure built purely for co-op, and it won Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2021. Plus, only one person has to buy it: a friend can join online for free with the Friend’s Pass.
- Players: exactly 2, online or split screen
- Price: $39.99
- Steam reviews: 95% positive of 48,441
- Steam Deck: Verified
- Skip it if: you have three or more players, or you want to play solo
2. Split Fiction — Best new two-player story game
Split Fiction comes from the same studio as It Takes Two and follows two writers trapped inside their own sci-fi and fantasy stories. In addition, it supports cross-platform play and a Friend’s Pass, so your partner can join without buying a copy.
- Players: 2, online or split screen
- Price: $49.99
- Steam reviews: 96% positive of 24,102
- Steam Deck: Verified
- Skip it if: you do not want to link an EA account, which the store page says online features require
3. Portal 2 — Best cheap 2 player co-op game
Valve’s Portal 2 has a separate two-player co-op campaign with its own story and test chambers, so it is not just the solo game with a second player bolted on. Its puzzles demand real communication, which makes it one of the best co op games on Steam for friends who like to think.
- Players: 2 in the co-op campaign
- Price: $9.99
- Steam reviews: 98% positive of 174,600
- Steam Deck: Verified
- Skip it if: you want action or combat rather than puzzles
4. Stardew Valley — Best cozy co-op game
Stardew Valley is a farming and life simulator where you can invite one to seven other players into your valley online. It also supports split screen and LAN play, so it works on one couch or across the country.
- Players: up to 8 online
- Price: $14.99
- Steam reviews: 98% positive of 396,236
- Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux; Steam Deck Verified
- Skip it if: your group wants fast action
5. Deep Rock Galactic — Best four-player online shooter
Deep Rock Galactic is a one-to-four player co-op shooter where you play space dwarves mining procedurally generated caves. Because each class has a distinct job, the game rewards teams who talk and plan.
- Players: 1–4, online
- Price: $29.99 list ($8.99 on sale when checked)
- Steam reviews: 97% positive of 171,492
- Steam Deck: Playable
- Skip it if: you need local split screen
6. Baldur’s Gate 3 — Best co-op RPG
Larian’s Baldur’s Gate 3 is a story-rich Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game that you can take online as a party of up to four. However, it is long and turn-based, so it suits groups who can meet regularly.
- Players: up to 4, online or LAN
- Price: $59.99
- Steam reviews: 96% positive of 451,458
- Platforms: Windows, Mac; Steam Deck Verified
- Skip it if: you want quick drop-in sessions
7. Valheim — Best survival game for big groups
Valheim is a Viking-themed exploration and survival game for 1 to 10 players. Its Steam page lists a release date of September 9, 2026, which marks the full release after years in Early Access.
- Players: 1–10, online
- Price: $29.99
- Steam reviews: 94% positive overall; 78% in the last 30 days
- Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux; Steam Deck Verified
- Skip it if: your group dislikes grinding for resources
8. Lethal Company — Best cheap co-op horror game
Lethal Company is a co-op horror game about scavenging abandoned moons for scrap. Its Early Access notes say it is playable with up to four players, and its low price makes it an easy group buy.
- Players: up to 4, online
- Price: $9.99 (Early Access)
- Steam reviews: 97% positive of 276,751
- Steam Deck: Playable
- Skip it if: anyone in your group hates jump scares
9. R.E.P.O. — Best horror game for six friends
R.E.P.O. is an online co-op horror game for up to six players, so it fits groups too big for most horror titles. Like Lethal Company, it is still in Early Access.
- Players: up to 6, online
- Price: $9.99 (Early Access)
- Steam reviews: 96% positive of 140,402
- Steam Deck: Playable
- Skip it if: you want a finished game with a fixed feature set
10. PEAK — Best cheap party game
PEAK is a co-op climbing game where your team of lost scouts must scale a mountain to escape an island. Multiplayer is friends-only, with up to four climbers and cross-platform play.
- Players: up to 4, online
- Price: $7.99
- Steam reviews: 95% positive of 147,270
- Steam Deck: Verified
- Skip it if: you want to play with strangers, since matchmaking is friends-only
11. Overcooked! 2 — Best couch co-op chaos
Overcooked! 2 puts up to four chefs in a frantic kitchen, either on one couch or online. As a result, it is great for parties, although it can test friendships.
- Players: up to 4, split screen or online
- Price: $24.99 (Gourmet Edition $16.48 on sale when checked)
- Steam reviews: 93% positive of 14,676
- Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux; Steam Deck Verified
- Skip it if: your group gets stressed by time pressure
12. Cuphead — Best local co-op challenge
Cuphead is a run-and-gun boss-fight game with 1930s cartoon-style hand-drawn art. You play as Cuphead or Mugman in single player or local co-op, and the bosses are famously tough.
- Players: 2, local co-op (Remote Play Together supported)
- Price: $19.99
- Steam reviews: 96% positive of 66,542
- Platforms: Windows, Mac; Steam Deck Verified
- Skip it if: either player gets frustrated easily
13. Left 4 Dead 2 — Best classic co-op shooter
Valve’s Left 4 Dead 2 is a co-op zombie shooter where four survivors fight across five campaigns. Even though it launched in 2009, it still holds a 97% positive score from 234,419 reviews.
- Players: 4 survivors, online
- Price: $9.99
- Platforms: Windows, Linux; Steam Deck Verified
- Skip it if: you want modern graphics
14. Helldivers 2 — Best squad shooter, with a caveat
Helldivers 2 is a third-person shooter where squads of up to four take on missions across a hostile galaxy. That said, its recent Steam reviews were only 43% positive when we checked, against 80% all time, so read recent reviews before buying.
- Players: up to 4, online
- Price: $39.99
- Steam reviews: 80% positive of 640,041; recent reviews Mixed
- Steam Deck: Playable
- Skip it if: you want a calm, stable experience
What Are the Best 2 Player Co-op Games on Steam?
The best 2 player co-op games on Steam are It Takes Two, Split Fiction and Portal 2, because all three are designed around exactly two players. Beyond those, Cuphead and Unravel Two suit pairs who share one screen.
What are the best co op games on Steam for couples?
For couples, It Takes Two is the easiest recommendation, since its story is literally about a couple and only one of you needs to buy it. Next, Stardew Valley works well for a slower, shared routine. Similarly, Split Fiction suits couples who already finished It Takes Two and want more.
For a free two-player pick, try We Were Here. It is a free puzzle game where two players, trapped in an abandoned castle, must talk each other through rooms. It has 89% positive reviews of 16,319 and a Steam Deck rating of Playable.
Which Steam Games Have Split Screen Co-op?
On Steam, It Takes Two, Split Fiction, Portal 2, Stardew Valley, Overcooked! 2 and Unravel Two all list “Shared/Split Screen Co-op” among their features. Cuphead also supports local co-op on one screen.
Unravel Two is worth a special mention for couch players. It costs $19.99, and its Steam page lists shared or split screen co-op but no online co-op, so both players need to be in the same room.
Do you need two controllers for split screen?
Yes, in most cases each local player needs a controller, since one keyboard and mouse usually controls only one player. If you are short a pad, you can browse PC-compatible controllers on Amazon. Also, check each game’s store page for its listed controller support.
What does shared split screen co-op mean?
“Shared/Split Screen” is Steam’s label for games that two or more people can play on one PC and one display. The screen may split into halves, or both players may share one view, as in Cuphead and Overcooked! 2.
What Are the Best Cheap and Free Co-op Games?
The best cheap co-op games on Steam are PEAK at $7.99 and Portal 2, Lethal Company, R.E.P.O. and Left 4 Dead 2 at $9.99 each. For free options, We Were Here and Warframe both cost nothing to download.
| Game | Price | Players | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| PEAK | $7.99 | Up to 4 | Laughs with friends |
| Portal 2 | $9.99 | 2 | Puzzles |
| Lethal Company | $9.99 | Up to 4 | Horror |
| R.E.P.O. | $9.99 | Up to 6 | Bigger horror groups |
| Left 4 Dead 2 | $9.99 | 4 | Shooting |
| We Were Here | Free | 2 | Free puzzle co-op |
| Warframe | Free (in-app purchases) | Online squads | Free action co-op |
Warframe is a free-to-play online action game with co-op missions and cross-platform play, and it is Steam Deck Verified. However, it includes in-app purchases, so set limits if kids play.
In addition, Don’t Starve Together often drops below $10 in sales; it showed $5.09 against a $14.99 list price when we checked. Likewise, the co-op ghost-hunting game Phasmophobia, which supports up to four players, showed $13.99 against a $19.99 list price.
Which Co-op Games Work on Steam Deck?
Most of our picks run on Steam Deck, Valve’s handheld gaming PC. Valve rates games as Verified, meaning they work great out of the box, or Playable, meaning they may need some manual tweaking, according to the official Steam Deck Verified page.
From our list, It Takes Two, Split Fiction, Portal 2, Stardew Valley, Baldur’s Gate 3, Valheim, PEAK, Overcooked! 2, Cuphead and Left 4 Dead 2 are Verified. Meanwhile, Deep Rock Galactic, Lethal Company, R.E.P.O., Helldivers 2, Phasmophobia and Unravel Two are rated Playable.
Watch out. Not every co-op hit works on the Deck. For example, Destiny 2 is free on Steam but rated Unsupported for Steam Deck, so check the rating on the store page before you buy for a handheld.
If you are weighing handhelds, our Switch 2 vs Steam Deck comparison covers price and hardware differences.
How to Play Co-op on Steam (Even if Only One Person Owns the Game)
To play online co-op on Steam, each player usually needs their own copy, then you invite friends from your Steam Friends List or the game’s own menu. However, two features let you skip that.
What is Steam Remote Play Together?
Remote Play Together is a Steam feature that streams a local co-op game from the host’s PC to friends online. According to the official Steam Remote Play page, one player owns and runs the game, and up to four players, or more with fast connections, can join. So a couch co-op game like Cuphead becomes playable with a friend in another city.
What is a Friend’s Pass?
A Friend’s Pass is a free download that lets a friend join one owner’s game online. On Steam, It Takes Two and Split Fiction both offer one, although the Split Fiction page notes that online play needs an EA account and a persistent internet connection.
Pro tip. Remote Play streams video from the host, so the host needs a strong upload speed. If games stutter, our guide to increasing FPS on Windows 11 can help the host PC run smoother. For voice chat, a gaming headset with a microphone also helps teams talk clearly.
Finally, if your group is choosing hardware, our gaming PC builds guide shows what you need for smooth online co-op.
Our verdict
For two players, start with It Takes Two, since only one of you has to buy it and its Steam reviews sit at 95% positive. For groups of four, Deep Rock Galactic is the best co op game on Steam for teamwork, while Baldur’s Gate 3 is the pick for a long campaign.
On a budget, Portal 2 and PEAK deliver the most for under $10. Meanwhile, Valheim is the answer for big groups of up to ten. Above all, check the player count and co-op mode on each store page before everyone buys a copy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best co-op game on Steam right now?
It Takes Two is one of the best co-op games on Steam for two players, with 95% positive reviews from 48,441 users, and only one player needs to buy it thanks to the Friend’s Pass. For groups of four, Deep Rock Galactic and Baldur’s Gate 3 are top picks. For larger groups, Valheim supports up to 10 players.
What are the best co-op games on Steam for couples?
The best co-op games on Steam for couples are It Takes Two, Split Fiction and Stardew Valley. It Takes Two and Split Fiction are built for exactly two players and both offer a Friend’s Pass, so one purchase covers online play. Stardew Valley suits couples who want a slower, relaxing game they can play together over months.
What are the best free co-op games on Steam?
We Were Here is a free two-player puzzle game on Steam with 89% positive reviews. Warframe is a free-to-play online action game with co-op missions, although it includes in-app purchases. Both are free to download. In addition, Steam Remote Play Together lets friends join a local co-op game that only the host owns.
Do both players need to own the game to play co-op on Steam?
Usually yes for online co-op, since each player needs their own copy. However, Steam Remote Play Together lets one player who owns a supported game stream it to friends, according to Steam. Also, It Takes Two and Split Fiction offer a free Friend’s Pass, so a friend can join the owner online without buying.
What Steam games have split screen co-op?
On Steam, It Takes Two, Split Fiction, Portal 2, Stardew Valley, Overcooked! 2 and Unravel Two all list Shared/Split Screen Co-op as a feature. Cuphead also offers local co-op on one screen. Each local player typically needs a controller, so check the store page for controller support before you buy.
What are the best co-op games for Steam Deck?
Portal 2, Stardew Valley, It Takes Two, Split Fiction, Baldur’s Gate 3, PEAK, Valheim and Cuphead are all rated Steam Deck Verified, which Valve says means they work great out of the box. Deep Rock Galactic, Lethal Company and R.E.P.O. are rated Playable, so they may need some manual setup on the Deck.
