SteamCommunity

While often referred to as a P2P marketplace, the Steam Community Market operates differently from typical peer-to-peer platforms: you list items directly from your Steam inventory, and buyers can acquire them instantly. When you sell, the funds go to your Steam Wallet, which can only be used for other Steam purchases, not redeemed for cash. This streamlined process eliminates the need for external bots or third-party platforms, providing a more straightforward and integrated experience.

The SCM is by far the most popular marketplace for CS2 and other Steam game items, handling millions of transactions daily. Its constant visibility in the Steam client—accessed by over 100 million active users worldwide—ensures rapid selling times and high liquidity for most items. Whether you're after a budget skin or a valuable collectible, you'll likely find multiple options on the Steam Community Market at any time.

Valve launched the Steam Community Market in 2013, initially focusing on trading cards. It soon expanded to include CS:GO items (now CS2), DOTA 2 cosmetics, and various other in-game assets. Being fully owned and operated by Valve—established in 2003—confirms the platform's legitimacy and safety, which has built user trust. Over the years, the market's built-in protections and integrated design have made it a favorite for both newcomers and casual traders.

The main downside of the SCM is its total fee of 15% for CS2 items. This includes a 5% 'Steam Transaction Fee' and a 10% 'game-specific fee' for CS2 (and some other titles). Although this is high compared to many third-party marketplaces (e.g., 2.5% on BUFF163), users who prioritize convenience and security may still find the service worthwhile. Remember, once your earnings are in your Steam Wallet, they can only be used to purchase other Steam items or games, as there's no official way to convert them back to currency.

Steam encompasses much more than just the Community Market. Beyond CS2 items, Valve offers a vast library of games, community workshops, user forums, and digital distribution services. While not a separate 'marketplace project', integrated features—like Steam Trading Cards, emoticons, and backgrounds—are also available through the Steam Community Market. This ecosystem approach is unique to Valve and is a significant reason for Steam’s continued dominance in the PC gaming market.

• Widespread Trust and Security: Trading on Valve’s official platform almost completely removes the risk of scams or dodgy deals.

• Fast Selling Times: Thanks to its massive user base, it’s generally easy to sell items quickly, particularly if they’re competitively priced.

• Integrated User Experience: No need to enter personal details on outside sites; everything is handled within the Steam client or Steam’s official website.

• Quick Sell Feature: A buy order system allows you to sell items instantly at the highest pre-set demand price—ideal for urgent transactions.

• Beginner-Friendly: The entire process is straightforward, making it a preferred choice for users who are uncomfortable with third-party platforms.

• High Transaction Fees: About 15% total for CS2 items, much higher than third-party marketplaces.

• No Real-Cash Withdrawals: Funds in Steam Wallet can’t be withdrawn as cash, restricting their use to purchases on Steam.

• Generally Higher Item Prices: Since users can't cash out, sellers often price items higher to make up for not being able to earn real money.

• Limited Availability of High-Tier Items: Rare skins like the AWP Dragon Lore may frequently be out of stock, driving serious collectors to broader listing platforms.

• Variance in Regional Prices: While not always a problem, local pricing and currency conversion can at times make items pricier in certain areas.

A lesser-known benefit of the Steam Community Market is the buy order feature, which allows users to automatically request to purchase specific items at or below a particular price. Traders often take advantage of this to snag skins at better rates, even though supply can vary based on market demand.

Valve’s ecosystem includes user-generated content and game support, featuring workshop submissions and official community functions. This cohesive experience enhances user engagement on Steam, allowing users to level up their profiles with trading cards or showcase new cosmetics—reinforcing the value of in-platform transactions despite higher fees.