SteamOS3
Valve’s console-style Linux for handheld gaming.
What is SteamOS?
SteamOS is Valve’s Arch-based operating system for the Steam Deck and a growing list of handhelds. Gaming Mode boots straight into Steam; Desktop Mode runs KDE Plasma. The base system is read-only and updated as an image, while Proton runs many Windows games. Installing it on general desktop PCs is not an officially supported path.
Who is SteamOS for?
SteamOS fits best for gaming and immutable systems. Where it ranks in our lists:
- #1 of 9: best immutable and atomic Linux distros
- #2 of 13: best Linux distros for gaming
- #3 of 22: best Linux distros for beginners
Pros
- Console-like Gaming Mode
- Proton compatibility layer integrated
- Image-based updates with fallback
Cons
- Official support targets specific handhelds
- Read-only base limits traditional package installs
SteamOS system requirements
For a comfortable desktop with a modern web browser, plan for about 16 GB of RAM. SteamOS is available for x86_64. Leave at least 25 GB of storage for the system and applications. These figures are editorial guidance; check the official documentation for minimums.
SteamOS versions and support dates
| Version | Released | Latest | Support ends | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SteamOS 3 holo | Mar 1, 2022 | 3 | Not announced | Supported |
| SteamOS 2 brewmaster | Nov 1, 2015 | 2 | Jun 30, 2019 | Ended |
| SteamOS 1 alchemist | Dec 1, 2013 | 1 | Nov 2, 2015 | Ended |
Source: endoflife.date. Support scope varies by product; confirm on the project’s site.
Try SteamOS before you install
Write the image to a USB stick and boot it as a live session to test Wi-Fi, graphics, sound, and suspend on your own computer. A browser trial on DistroSea shows the desktop, but cannot verify your hardware.
Compare SteamOS with…
Best SteamOS alternatives
Bazzite
A gaming-focused desktop built on Fedora Atomic.
Also suited to gaming and immutable systemsAnatase
One immutable Fedora image for desktop, handheld, and gaming.
Also suited to gaming and immutable systemsRakuOS
Atomic Fedora that still lets you install native packages.
Also suited to gaming and immutable systemsSteamOS: common questions
What is SteamOS based on?
SteamOS is based on Arch Linux. It uses Flatpak (Discover) for software and systemd as its init system.
What is the latest version of SteamOS?
The latest SteamOS release is 3 (“holo”), released Mar 1, 2022, according to endoflife.date.
Is SteamOS good for beginners?
Yes. SteamOS is one of the more approachable distributions: console-like gaming mode.
How much RAM does SteamOS need?
We suggest about 16 GB of RAM for a comfortable desktop experience with a modern browser. This is editorial guidance, not the project’s official minimum, which can be lower. It runs on x86_64.
What desktop does SteamOS use?
SteamOS offers Gaming Mode + KDE Plasma.
Is SteamOS a rolling release?
SteamOS uses atomic, image-based updates: the system updates as a unit and keeps the previous version for rollback.
Is SteamOS free?
Yes, SteamOS is free to download and use.