How much does it cost to play CS2?
CS2 is one of the most popular Steam games available to play. The tactical FPS has undergone many changes over the years, including its transition away from a paid model and into free-to-play.
But there’s a myriad of microtransactions and packages that can be bought in CS2, so is it exactly free-to-play?
Is Counter-Strike 2 free?
Yes, Counter-Strike 2 is free to play. CS2 is only available on PC via Steam at this time. There is no plan from Valve to bring the iconic FPS to console—although we have seen versions of Counter-Strike on consoles in the past.
- Open Steam and log in.
- Under “Play Counter-Strike 2”, select Download and follow the prompts.
- Download the title, then launch the game when it’s ready!
CS2 requires 8GB of RAM and 85GB of drive storage. If you’re planning on downloading additional maps or content, be sure to keep extra drive space! Full system requirements can be found here.
That’s not to say there is monetization in CS2 via the Market as well as Prime Status. We’re breaking down what you can spend money on in CS2 below.
What is CS2 Prime Status? What does it cost?
Prime Status is an optional upgrade you can purchase for your CS2 account. It costs $15 USD and allows access to CS2’s ranked modes. It also acts as a paid barrier for free accounts who may want to cheat or hack in CS2.
Prime Status can also be bought from the CS2 Steam page. It is highly recommended those who want to play CS2 pick up Prime Status. It’s a one-time purchase; once you’ve got it, you won’t need to buy it again.
If you played CS:GO prior to 2018’s free-to-play update, your account may already have Prime Status. You can check by heading to the CS2 main menu and hover over your profile at the bottom. The Prime logo and “Prime enabled account” will appear if you’re good to go!
Buying weapon skins and items in CS2
You can also buy cosmetic items for CS2 from the Steam Market or other reputable sites. Most purchases will require Steam Wallet currency. You can visit CS2’s Steam Marketplace for a full list of weapon skins, knife skins, stickers, and other in-game items.
You can also use the Steam Market to sell items for Steam Wallet currency. Do note that Valve takes a cut of every item sold!
You’re not pressured to purchase stickers or skins in CS2—you even earn items just by playing each week!
That’s all for now. Head to esports.gg for more CS2 news and guides.
