Steam vs ShadowPay
Side-by-side comparison of fees, payment methods, and features to help you choose the best CS2 marketplace for buying or selling skins.
Fee Comparison
| Fee Type | Steam | ShadowPay | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buyer Fee | 0% | 0% | Tie |
| Seller Fee | 15% | 10% | ShadowPay |
| Deposit Fee | 0% | 0% | Tie |
| Withdrawal Fee | 0% | 5% | Steam |
| Total Combined | 15% | 15% | Tie |
Green = lower (better). Red = higher (worse). Fees shown as percentage of transaction value.
Payment Methods
Both · Only Steam · Only ShadowPay
Payout / Withdrawal Methods
Both · Only Steam · Only ShadowPay
Market Information
| Detail | Steam | ShadowPay |
|---|---|---|
| Type | P2P Marketplace | P2P Marketplace |
| Founded | 2012 | 2018 |
| Country | US | RU |
Steam vs ShadowPay: Which Should You Use?
For Buyers
Equal buyer fees
Both charge 0% to buyers.
For Sellers
ShadowPay
Lower seller fee: 10%
Overall Fees
Equal total fees
Both sum to 15% total.
Related Comparisons
About Steam and ShadowPay
Steam (founded 2012), based in US, charges a 0% buyer fee and a 15% seller fee. Deposits are free. Withdrawals are free.
ShadowPay (founded 2018), based in RU, charges a 0% buyer fee and a 10% seller fee. Deposits are free. Withdrawals cost 5%.
On a $100 skin, the total transaction cost at Steam is $15.00 in combined fees, versus $15.00 at ShadowPay. 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
- What is the difference between Steam and ShadowPay?
- Steam and ShadowPay are both CS2 skin marketplaces. Steam charges a 0% buyer fee and 15% seller fee. ShadowPay charges a 0% buyer fee and 10% seller fee. Overall, both have equal combined fees.
- Which is cheaper for buyers, Steam or ShadowPay?
- Both Steam and ShadowPay charge the same buyer fee of 0%.
- Which is better for selling CS2 skins, Steam or ShadowPay?
- ShadowPay has a lower seller fee (10%) making it better for sellers.
- What payment methods does Steam accept compared to ShadowPay?
- Steam accepts: Steam Wallet, Credit Card, PayPal, Paysafecard. ShadowPay accepts: Credit Card, PayPal, Cryptocurrency, WebMoney, QIWI.
- Which CS2 marketplace has lower total fees, Steam or ShadowPay?
- Steam and ShadowPay have equal combined fees (15% total).