Yes, Counter-Strike 2 is free. You download it on Steam without paying, and the only thing you can buy on top is Prime Status, a one-time purchase of $14.99. Below you’ll find the minimum requirements for Windows and Linux, how much disk space Steam asks for, how CS2 runs on the Steam Deck and why you can’t play it on a Mac. All details apply as of 19 October 2026.
Is CS2 really free?
CS2 is a free-to-play game on Steam, developed and published by Valve. It launched on 27 September 2023 as a free upgrade to CS:GO and replaced the old game completely. That’s why Steam still shows CS:GO’s original release date, 21 August 2012. Anyone who owned CS:GO didn’t have to buy anything again, and their account and inventory carried over to CS2.
Without paying, you can play offline training, Casual and Deathmatch, which is where new players start. Competitive matchmaking unlocks as you play. You’ll find the game on its Steam page, Counter-Strike 2.
What Prime Status adds
Prime Status is a one-time purchase, not a subscription. The Prime Status Upgrade package costs $14.99; on the Czech Steam store it was €13.29 on 19 October 2026, and your local store shows the price in your currency. For that you get:
- ranked matches mostly against other Prime players,
- item and case drops,
- access to Premier, which you can’t play without Prime,
- the option to link CS2 to FACEIT, which requires Prime in CS2.
If you already had Prime in CS:GO, it still counts in CS2 and you don’t need to buy it again. For more on Prime Status, VAC and bans, see our guide to Prime and VAC. How Premier itself works is explained in our guide to ranks and Premier.
CS2 minimum system requirements
Valve only lists minimum requirements on Steam. It doesn’t publish recommended requirements, so any recommended spec tables you see elsewhere are not official.
| Component | Windows | Linux |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 10 | Ubuntu 20.04 |
| Processor | 4 hardware CPU threads, Intel Core i5 750 or higher | 4 hardware CPU threads, Intel Core i5 750 or higher |
| Memory | 8 GB RAM | 8 GB RAM |
| Graphics | 1 GB or more, DirectX 11 with Shader Model 5.0 | AMD GCN or newer, or NVIDIA Kepler or newer, with up-to-date Vulkan drivers |
| Storage | 85 GB | 85 GB |
Minimum requirements mean the game will run on that kind of setup. We don’t list frame rates for specific graphics cards, because Valve doesn’t publish them. If your PC is on the weaker side, our guide to the best FPS settings will help.
How much space CS2 takes
Steam lists 85 GB of free space for CS2, the same on Windows and Linux. Use that figure when you clear space on your drive. If you want to play community maps as well, leave some extra room: according to the patch notes, a single Steam Workshop map can be up to 3 GB.
Linux, macOS and Steam Deck
CS2 runs on PC only, on Windows and Linux. The Linux version is official and has its own requirements in the table above.
macOS
You can’t play CS2 on a Mac, because the game doesn’t support macOS. You may still come across macOS requirements on the game’s Steam page, but those are left over from CS:GO and don’t apply to CS2.
Steam Deck
On the Steam Deck, CS2 is rated Playable, not Verified. Valve gives two reasons: interface text is hard to read on the Deck’s screen, and the on-screen control icons don’t match the Deck’s buttons. The default controls do work, and the game runs well enough on default settings. We don’t quote Deck frame rates, as older measurements no longer reflect the current version of the game.
Other features listed on Steam
Full audio is available in English only. Steam also lists these features for the game:
- Cross-Platform Multiplayer,
- Steam Workshop,
- in-app purchases,
- Valve Anti-Cheat,
- Remote Play on phone, tablet and TV,
- Steam Timeline.
If you’re new to Counter-Strike, also read what CS2 is to see how it differs from CS:GO.
Join our Discord if you want advice on your setup or company for your first matches. Hop into the GamersTogether Discord.
FAQ
Yes. CS2 is free-to-play on Steam. The only paid part is Prime Status, a one-time purchase of $14.99.
Steam lists 85 GB of free disk space for both Windows and Linux.
Valve doesn’t publish recommended requirements. Only the minimum ones are official: Windows 10, 4 CPU threads (Intel Core i5 750 or higher), 8 GB RAM and a 1 GB graphics card with DirectX 11 and Shader Model 5.0.
No. CS2 doesn’t support macOS and only runs on Windows and Linux.
Yes, with a Playable rating. Interface text is hard to read on the Deck and the control icons don’t match it, but the default controls and settings work.
Information verified on 19 October 2026. Find more in our CS2 guides.