Side by side
Steamworks vs Xsolla Backend
Both stand on game leaderboard software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Choose Steamworks if you plan to distribute a game or software product through Steam and want access to its portal, APIs, and optional game services. Allow time for the first-release requirements and Valve’s review. Steam’s onboarding excludes advertising-based applications and blockchain applications that issue or allow exchange of cryptocurrencies or NFTs.
Visit SteamworksXsolla Backend combines multiplayer infrastructure with player, commerce, progression, and social systems. Its free non-commercial offering and broad deployment options may appeal to teams that can accommodate hosted setup time and the commercial revenue charge.
Visit Xsolla BackendThe facts
| Steamworks | Xsolla Backend | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | API, Linux, Mac, Windows | Android, API, iPhone, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Xsolla Backend: $5 a month |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | partner.steamgames.com | xsollabackend.com |
| On game leaderboard software | #21 of 37 | #25 of 37 |
Steamworks: what it does well
- Free suite of tools for developers.
- Optional features let developers select what to use.
- Includes matchmaking, leaderboards, achievements, and microtransactions.
- Provides anti-cheat APIs and game-ban infrastructure.
- Supports API, Linux, macOS, and Windows.
What to know first
- Each new app requires a $100 USD (or equivalent) Steam Direct Fee.
- First releases require a 21-day fee lead time and a two-week Coming Soon page.
- Valve reviews the store page and game build before they can go live.
- Onboarding requires identity verification and bank and tax information.
Xsolla Backend: what it does well
- Low-code tools for cross-play multiplayer games
- Matchmaking, lobbies, sessions, and server auto-scaling
- Unreal, Unity, C++, C#, and Node.js support
- Kubernetes deployment through Helm charts
- Free hosting and unlimited support listed
What to know first
- Hosted-cluster setup may take 3–5 days
- Commercial products charged 5% of gross revenue
- Party, clans, guilds, and tournaments are coming soon
Alternatives to Steamworks Alternatives to Xsolla Backend The whole list