Is Escape From Tarkov Free to play on Steam

Escape from Tarkov is the benchmark work in the first-person tactical extraction shooter genre, making this type of game one of the mainstream themes today. What’s more well-known among players is that the game has remained in early access for several years. The good news is that it will finally launch its official 1.0 version on November 15, 2025, and will be available on Steam.

So, can players who have already purchased the game on Battlestate directly play the Steam version? Will Escape from Tarkov on Steam be free? Let’s take a closer look now.

Information About Tarkov Release on Steam

So far, we haven’t able to get detailed information about the release on Steam, but there is one crucial thing to be known for the players, which is confirmed by the producer of the game. is that for whoever purchased the game on Battlestate’s official website, will have to RE-PURCHASE the game on Steam, if they want to launch it through Steam, but they also have to LINK their Battlestate account to the Steam so the edition they purchased can be carried over to Steam.

So yes, if you want to play it on Steam, you will need to purchase the game on Steam again. This decision has been met with significant criticism from the existing player community. Many long-time fans have expressed disappointment, feeling it is unfair to charge them a second time for a game they already own, especially since both the standalone and Steam versions use the same servers and require a Battlestate Games account.

For players who haven’t bought the game and intended to buy it on Steam, it’s worth noting that you still need a Battlestate account to proceed into the game.

How to Prepare for Tarkov 1.0 release

If you are a new player, check your system hardware detail before you purchase the game. We have them right here for you to check:

Note: You can see that the recommended system hardware has a much more higher tier than minimum. The game itself requires a good CPU and a RAM of higher capacity (32 GB or above) to run smoothly. We suggest you replace them if your hardware barely meets the requirements.

Understand the Servers Functions and Your Connection

During Escape from Tarkov early access, players are allowed to select the server’s region they want to matchmake in through Battlestate Games Launcher. Most players decided to let the launcher choose for them by checking the automatically selection in servers’ window. The launcher should choose locations near players to have a better experience playing this shooter game. Some players, on the contrary, want to switch servers because of multiple reasons.

However, as of the publication of this article, we still do not know whether the Steam version of Escape from Tarkov will allow players to choose server regions. Therefore, we recommend that you prepare the following in advance:

Test Your Server Ping

Whether the Steam version supports server selection or not, we recommend that you perform a Tarkov ping test. This way, you’ll know which server is more suitable for your connection and the current status of the server. This helps you avoid network congestion and server anomalies.

Use GearUP to Fix Tarkov Connection

GearUP can improve your network connection by adjusting routing nodes, making the connection between your device and the Tarkov servers smoother. Whether or not the game supports manually selecting servers, due to ISP limitations, your nodes are often not optimal. Therefore, GearUP can play a role in significantly reducing Tarkov's ping. The advantage of GearUP lies in its automated process—no matter what network fluctuations occur, players don’t need to manually adjust their network settings. Over the past few years, it has been highly popular among Tarkov players, especially those in the Russian region.

Step 1: Click this button to download GearUP.

Step 2: Search for Escape from Tarkov or Tarkov.

Step 3: Select a server—GearUP can help you connect to any Tarkov server worldwide.

Step 4: Start boosting, then launch the game, and you'll see real-time network optimization effects.

Use a Wired Ethernet Connection

Whenever possible, connect your PC directly to the router via an Ethernet cable instead of relying on Wi-Fi. Wireless connections are notoriously unstable for online gaming—even with a strong signal—due to latency spikes and interference.

Free Up Bandwidth Before Playing

Close any applications that consume significant network resources, such as:

• File downloads (torrents, game updates)
• Video/music streaming (YouTube, Twitch, Spotify)
• Cloud backup services

Note: Make sure you don’t select the server that estimated ping is above 160ms, otherwise the game will remove you from the game, potentially cause your loss of all the gear you brought into the game.

FAQs about Escape From Tarkov Steam Version

Q1: Is there any difference between the Steam version and the Battlestate version of Tarkov?

No, both versions will be upgraded to the official 1.0 release on November 15th, use the same servers, and offer identical content.

Q2: I already own the Battlestate version. Do I still need to buy the Steam version?

If you want to play on Steam, then yes. You will still need to purchase the Steam version.

Q3: Are the accounts cross-compatible between the two versions?

Yes. After purchasing the Steam version of Tarkov, existing players can link their Battlestate Games account to access their previously purchased game version, profile, and character data.

Conclusion

To be honest, it’s frustrating to know that even for the supporters who had previously bought the game, will have to buy it again on Steam if they want to play it on Steam. It’s unclear whether the developers will change it as many fans are against it, but for those new players, we suggest you wait for its release and make purchases based on its review. Also, make sure you prepare beforehand, use GearUP to gain network advantages over your PMC opponents!