CSGOEmpire vs Steam
Side-by-side comparison of fees, payment methods, and features to help you choose the best CS2 marketplace for buying or selling skins.
Across 893 CS2 items listed on both, CSGOEmpire was cheaper on 89% and Steam on 11%. CSGOEmpire lists the median shared item 27.55% below Steam.
CSGOEmpire has lower combined fees (0% total vs 15%), making it generally cheaper for traders.
Fee Comparison
| Fee Type | CSGOEmpire | Steam | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buyer Fee | 0% | 0% | Tie |
| Seller Fee | 0% | 15% | CSGOEmpire |
| Deposit Fee | 0% | 0% | Tie |
| Withdrawal Fee | 0% | 0% | Tie |
| Total Combined | 0% | 15% | CSGOEmpire |
Green = lower (better). Red = higher (worse). Fees shown as percentage of transaction value.
Price Spread
Lowest listed price on each market for actively traded items listed on both, grouped by the lower of the two prices. Data from Oct 23, 2026.
| Price Range | Items | CSGOEmpire cheaper | Steam cheaper | Median CSGOEmpire vs Steam |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10 to $100 | 1 | 0% | 100% | +304.28% |
| Over $100 | 892 | 89% | 11% | -27.55% |
| All items | 893 | 89% | 11% | -27.55% |
| Most traded items | CSGOEmpire | Steam |
|---|---|---|
| StatTrak™ AK-47 | Case Hardened (Field-Tested) | $422.96 | $550.00 |
| FAMAS | Mecha Industries (Factory New) | $197.15 | $148.04 |
| M4A4 | Eye of Horus (Factory New) | $616.52 | $1,062.56 |
| ★ Talon Knife | $275.01 | $367.19 |
| Desert Eagle | Hypnotic (Factory New) | $200.00 | $178.45 |
| ★ M9 Bayonet | $639.02 | $935.00 |
Payment Methods
Both · Only CSGOEmpire · Only Steam
Payout / Withdrawal Methods
Both · Only CSGOEmpire · Only Steam
Market Information
| Detail | CSGOEmpire | Steam |
|---|---|---|
| Type | P2P Marketplace | P2P Marketplace |
| Founded | 2016 | 2012 |
| Country | CW | US |
CSGOEmpire vs Steam: Which Should You Use?
For Buyers
Equal buyer fees
Both charge 0% to buyers.
For Sellers
CSGOEmpire
Lower seller fee: 0%
Overall Fees
CSGOEmpire
0% combined vs 15%
Related Comparisons
About CSGOEmpire and Steam
CSGOEmpire (founded 2016), based in CW, charges a 0% buyer fee and a 0% seller fee. Deposits are free. Withdrawals are free.
Steam (founded 2012), based in US, charges a 0% buyer fee and a 15% seller fee. Deposits are free. Withdrawals are free.
On a $100 skin, the total transaction cost at CSGOEmpire is $0.00 in combined fees, versus $15.00 at Steam. Selling it leaves you $100.00 on CSGOEmpire and $85.00 on Steam after the seller fee. For active traders making many transactions, choosing the lower-fee platform can make a significant difference over time. Use SkinsTrack's marketplace explorer to compare all CS2 marketplaces side by side.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are CS2 skins cheaper on CSGOEmpire or Steam?
- Of 893 actively traded CS2 items listed on both, CSGOEmpire had the lower price on 797 (89%) and Steam on 96 (11%). CSGOEmpire lists the median shared item 27.55% below Steam. $10 to $100: Steam is cheaper more often (1 items). Over $100: CSGOEmpire is cheaper more often (892 items). Data from Oct 23, 2026.
- What is the difference between CSGOEmpire and Steam?
- CSGOEmpire and Steam are both CS2 skin marketplaces. CSGOEmpire charges a 0% buyer fee and 0% seller fee. Steam charges a 0% buyer fee and 15% seller fee. Overall, CSGOEmpire combined fees.
- Which is cheaper for buyers, CSGOEmpire or Steam?
- Both CSGOEmpire and Steam charge the same buyer fee of 0%.
- Which is better for selling CS2 skins, CSGOEmpire or Steam?
- CSGOEmpire has a lower seller fee (0%) making it better for sellers.
- What payment methods does CSGOEmpire accept compared to Steam?
- CSGOEmpire accepts: CS2 Skins, Cryptocurrency, Gift Cards, Credit Card, Astropay, PayPal, paysafecard, Klarna, Neteller, Trustly, iDEAL. Steam accepts: Steam Wallet, Credit Card, PayPal, Paysafecard.
- Which CS2 marketplace has lower total fees, CSGOEmpire or Steam?
- CSGOEmpire has lower total combined fees (0%) versus Steam (15%).