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How to Use Steam Demos and Refunds Before Buying a Game

Try a Steam demo when available, then use the refund rules wisely: the standard offer generally requires a request within 14 days and less than two hours of playtime.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Check a game’s Steam store page for a free demo before buying. If there isn’t one—or it doesn’t answer your questions—you can still use Steam’s standard refund offer as a limited fallback: request a refund within 14 days of purchase and with less than two hours of playtime. Approval is not guaranteed, and Early Access, preorders, downloadable content (DLC), and in-game purchases have separate rules.

Try a demo first, if the game offers one

  1. Open the game’s Steam store page and look for a demo option.
  2. If a demo is available, open its page or description and check what it includes before downloading.
  3. Use it to assess the parts of the game it actually lets you try, then decide whether you have enough information to buy.

Steam demos are free, developer-provided samples tied to a full game. Not every game has one, and developers decide what content and features a demo includes. A demo may have its own store page, and it may not include every mode, feature, or language found in the full game. Check the demo’s description rather than assuming it is representative of the whole product. Steamworks documentation on demos

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

If there is no demo, Steam does not promise an equivalent trial. You can still assess the game using its store-page information and make a purchase decision with the refund rules in mind.

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Know the standard refund window before you buy

For games and software bought through the Steam store, Valve’s standard refund offer generally applies when you request a refund within 14 days of purchase and have played for less than two hours. Both conditions matter. Valve describes this as a standard offer, not an automatic entitlement: you can submit a request outside those limits, but Steam reviews it and approval is not assured. Steam Refunds policy

#1 Best Overall
VALORANT USD $25 [Online Game Code]
  • UNLOCK A UNIVERSE OF EXPERIENCES and compete with a global community of millions across multiple battlefields with Riot Games
  • Unlocks in-game currency that can be used to purchase in-game items
  • Redeemable in VALORANT, League of Legends, Wild Rift, Teamfight Tactics, Legends of Runeterra, and 2XKO
  • PC, mobile, console… it all works. Just enter your code at shop.riotgames.com/redeem and choose the game you want to use this virtual currency for
  • This code is only redeemable on Riot Accounts in North America and Canada

If you may want a refund, note the purchase date and keep playtime below two hours while you decide. The refund request is for the purchase, not a way to extend the time available to evaluate the game.

Account for Early Access and preorders

Early Access and Advance Access

For Early Access or Advance Access purchases, playtime counts toward the two-hour limit. Steam says the 14-day period for these pre-release purchases begins when the game is released; beta-testing time is excluded from the playtime calculation. Steam Refunds policy

Rank #2
Visa Physical Gift Card $100 (plus $5.95 Purchase Fee)
  • Gift Cards are shipped active and ready for use.
  • This card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Funds do not expire. If available funds remain on your card after the valid thru date has passed, please call customer service for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout. No fees after purchase.
  • To access your card information safely, type the complete website address shown on your Gift Card (MyGift.GiftCardMall.com) directly into your browser's address bar. Don't use search engines or shortened versions of the website address, as these may lead you to fake or fraudulent sites. Do not provide any Gift Card details (example: Card Number) to someone you do not know or trust. If you believe you've reached an illegitimate website, contact cardholder service at 1-888-524-1283. Be cautious of phishing sites, there are a variety of scams in which fraudsters try to trick others into paying with gift cards.
  • To report your Lost or Stolen Physical Visa Card, call Customer Service 24/7 at 1 (888) 524-1283 to cancel your Gift Card as soon as you can. You will be asked to provide the Gift Card number and other identifying information.
  • Use your Visa Gift Card in the U.S. everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted, including online.

Preorders for games you cannot play before release

If a preorder is for a game that cannot be played until release, Steam says you can request a refund at any time before release. Once released, the ordinary 14-day period begins, and the under-two-hours playtime condition applies. Steam Refunds policy

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Use the right rules for DLC and in-game purchases

DLC bought through Steam

DLC is generally refundable within 14 days if you have played the base game for less than two hours since buying the DLC, and the DLC has not been consumed, modified, or transferred. Some third-party DLC is marked nonrefundable before purchase, so check its terms on the store page. Steam Refunds policy

Rank #3
GameStop Physical Gift Card
  • Redeemable at US GameStop, EB Games, Babbage's, Electronic Boutique, EBX, Planet X, and Software Etc. stores. Also redeemable online at and GameStop.com and EBGames.com.
  • Over 6,100 stores located throughout the United States.
  • GameStop. Power to the Players.
  • Redemption: Instore and Online
  • No returns and no refunds on gift cards.

In-game purchases

For Valve-developed games, eligible in-game purchases may be refunded within 48 hours if the item has not been consumed, modified, or transferred. Third-party developers can choose whether to offer refunds under these terms. Steam indicates eligibility at the time of purchase, so do not assume every in-game purchase has a 48-hour refund option. Steam Refunds policy

Request a refund through Steam Support

  1. Open Steam Support and sign in to the account that made the purchase.
  2. Select the purchase you want help with and follow the prompts to submit a refund request.
  3. When Steam offers a refund destination, choose the Steam Wallet or an eligible original payment method.

Steam says an approved refund is issued within a week. Some payment methods in some countries do not support refunds to the original method; in that case, the funds are credited to the Steam Wallet. Steam Refunds policy

Rank #4
Fortnite Physical Gift Card | Powered by the Epic Games Store - $50
  • An Epic Games account is required to redeem an Epic Games Store Card code
  • If playing on a console platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch or Mobile) you need to link your Epic Games account to that gaming platform (one time) to redeem your gift card code
  • The 16 digit code on the back of the card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly through your gaming platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch, Mobile, etc.)
  • Note: Nintendo devices do not support Fortnite Shared Wallet, so V-Bucks purchased using your account balance will not show up on your Nintendo device. However, if you purchase items in the web Item Shop — or another platform where you play Fortnite — those items will be available in your Locker across all platforms.
  • Redemption: Online
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Check where you bought the game

Steam’s refund policy covers purchases made through Steam. Valve says it cannot refund purchases made elsewhere, including third-party CD keys and third-party Steam Wallet cards. For those, contact the seller and check its refund terms. Steam Refunds policy

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Steam also notes that consumers in some jurisdictions may have additional rights for faulty games. Those rights depend on where you live; check the terms that apply locally if you need to rely on them. Steam Refunds policy

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
VALORANT USD $25 [Online Game Code]
VALORANT USD $25 [Online Game Code]
Unlocks in-game currency that can be used to purchase in-game items; This code is only redeemable on Riot Accounts in North America and Canada
$25.00
Bestseller No. 2
Visa Physical Gift Card $100 (plus $5.95 Purchase Fee)
Visa Physical Gift Card $100 (plus $5.95 Purchase Fee)
Gift Cards are shipped active and ready for use.
$105.95
Bestseller No. 3
GameStop Physical Gift Card
GameStop Physical Gift Card
Over 6,100 stores located throughout the United States.; GameStop. Power to the Players.; Redemption: Instore and Online
$25.00
Bestseller No. 4
Fortnite Physical Gift Card | Powered by the Epic Games Store - $50
Fortnite Physical Gift Card | Powered by the Epic Games Store - $50
An Epic Games account is required to redeem an Epic Games Store Card code; Redemption: Online
$50.00
Bestseller No. 5
Roblox Physical Gift Card | [Includes Free Virtual Item] [Redeem Worldwide] - $50
Roblox Physical Gift Card | [Includes Free Virtual Item] [Redeem Worldwide] - $50
Each gift card grants a free virtual item upon redemption.; Physical gift cards are delivered active via mail.
$50.00
Best Value
Roblox Physical Gift Card | [Includes Free Virtual Item] [Redeem Worldwide] - $50
  • Redemption: Online only. Robux cards can only be redeemed in a browser at Roblox.com/redeem. They cannot be redeemed in the Roblox mobile app or any video game console.
  • Roblox is an immersive platform for connection and communication. Every day, millions of people come to Roblox to create, play, work, learn, and connect with each other in experiences built by our global community of creators.
  • Get more with every Roblox Gift Card! From now on, when you redeem a Roblox gift card, you get up to 25% more Robux. Perfect for gaming, creating, and exploring- more Robux means more possibilities!
  • Deck out your avatar and unlock additional perks in your favorite experiences when you use Roblox Gift Cards to purchase Robux (Roblox's virtual currency).
  • Each gift card grants a free virtual item upon redemption.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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