CSMoney

CS.MONEY offers both P2P and bot-based trading. In P2P mode, items stay in the seller’s Steam inventory until the buyer decides to purchase, and the seller manually approves the trade. For bot-based transactions, the seller deposits items to a CS.MONEY Steam bot account, automating the transfer of goods upon purchase. P2P offers convenience for sellers who can list the same skins on multiple platforms, while bot-based offers usually provide buyers with a quick and easy “one-click” process. Moreover, users can directly buy and sell items for cash on CS.MONEY’s integrated marketplace, complete with an auction feature for those looking to maximize revenue on unique or rare skins.

Having entered the skin-trading market in 2015, CS.MONEY has captured a significant share among casual and professional traders alike. Its user-friendly design and quick trading capabilities draw millions of unique visitors every month. Notable esports partnerships—such as sponsorships with BLAST Premier and NAVI—have further elevated the site’s profile. With an extensive inventory of skins and the means to locate high-value or rare items, it remains the preferred choice for users seeking immediate access to a diverse range of products.

Launched nearly nine years ago, CS.MONEY found success following Valve's tightening of trading policies, which left many players in search of a more accessible alternative. The platform’s bot-based system quickly became vital for fast trades, with a P2P option introduced in late 2022 to circumvent Steam's 7-day hold period on transactions. Though this evolution has enhanced speed and flexibility, it has not been without trials. In August 2022, CS.MONEY suffered a major hacking incident that led to the theft of approximately $1.6 million in skins and a temporary halt of services. In spite of these challenges and ongoing discussions about its pricing practices, CS.MONEY continues to be a key player in the trading community due to its user-friendly functionality and established brand.

CS.MONEY charges a base transaction fee of 7%, reducible to 4% with a Prime subscription. Compared to Valve’s roughly 15% fee on the Steam Community Market, CS.MONEY’s 7% can appear appealing. However, it is higher than the 2.5% found on some competing platforms like BUFF163. Additionally, some users have noted the emergence of opaque fees during market dips or within the pricing of specific premium items.

In addition to its primary marketplace, CS.MONEY provides a skin wiki, a 3D inspection tool, and various resources to help users assess item floats and cosmetic details. The site has also launched a Prime subscription service, which offers advantages like quicker customer support, greater discounts on trades and cash purchases, and an increased bonus for frequent users. While not distinct projects, these features serve as standalone enhancements to the overall trading experience.

By merging P2P and bot-based trading, CS.MONEY gives users great flexibility and quick transactions. Its large selection of CS2 (as well as DOTA 2) skins means that users can find nearly any item they want, ranging from popular choices to very rare cosmetics. A simple interface allows even newcomers to understand trading within moments, complemented by a dedicated mobile app for transactions on the go. With the introduction of the market feature in late 2022, direct cash withdrawals to Visa or MasterCard accounts (in specific regions) are now possible, fulfilling long-standing requests. The Prime membership also reduces fees, enhances deals, and accelerates support, potentially saving regular traders substantial amounts over time.

Though CS.MONEY's 7% fee is markedly lower than Steam’s 15%, numerous competing third-party sites charge transaction fees in the 2% to 3% bracket, making CS.MONEY seem pricier by comparison. Some controversies have surfaced regarding claimed hidden fees, price manipulation, and inconsistent alignment with market values; prominent voices in the community like TDM_Heyzeus and zipelCS have raised concerns about how CS.MONEY operates during significant price changes. The platform's somewhat tarnished reputation has led certain users to challenge its transparency. Furthermore, while the market feature has enabled some real-money withdrawals, these are restricted to credit cards and remain unavailable in many regions, which can be disheartening for international traders.

The Prime membership's main incentive is the reduced commission fee (slashing it from 7% to 4%), which can quickly become worthwhile for those engaging in higher-value trades. This subscription also provides benefits like a 2.4% discount on marketplace purchases and a generous 45% bonus for fund top-ups. While some users debate the worth of the $8.99 monthly cost, regular traders of valuable or rare skins often view the savings as a beneficial trade-off.

CS.MONEY’s comprehensive marketplace goes beyond basic buy/sell interactions, allowing users to engage in auctions for premium items. The site also promotes the mixing of various game items, enabling users to trade CS2 skins for DOTA 2 cosmetics and vice versa, all within the same session. This flexibility contributes to the site’s ongoing popularity among collectors who engage across multiple games.