Local Co-op vs Online Co-op on Steam: Which Do You Need?
Understand local co-op vs online co-op on Steam, where Remote Play Together fits, and which game features to check before planning a session.
For a shared computer, check for local or shared-screen co-op. For separate computers, check the game's online co-op support, or consider Remote Play Together if it is listed. The last option streams a local session from a host. These features answer different setup questions, even when the same game offers all of them.
This guide to local co-op vs online co-op on Steam is based on official pages checked on October 18, 2026. It is a buying and setup checklist, not a compatibility test for every game.
What are you actually sharing?
| Setup | What to look for | Question to settle first |
|---|---|---|
| Both people at one computer | Local or Shared/Split Screen Co-op | Which input devices does the game support together? |
| People running the game on separate computers | Online Co-op | What copies, accounts, and compatible versions does this title require? |
| A guest joining a streamed local session | Remote Play Together | Can the host run the game and can both players use the intended controls? |
Steam lists Online Co-op and Shared/Split Screen Co-op separately on titles such as Overcooked! 2. Read the features for the exact game you intend to play, then check its instructions for the details. A genre tag alone is not a complete setup guide.
Does Remote Play Together count as online co-op?
It lets people play together over the internet, but the game session uses a local multiplayer arrangement. Valve describes guests as joining as if they were at the host computer; only the host needs to own and install the game. Guests connect through streaming. Steamworks documentation.
That distinction matters when choosing a menu. For a streamed local session, follow the local join flow. For the game's own online mode, follow that game's online invitation instructions. Our Steam Remote Play Together setup guide covers the former.
Valve also explains that Remote Play Together supports separate controllers or shared keyboard and mouse access. Treat input support as a separate check from whether the stream connects. Steam Remote Play overview.
Can some players share a computer while others join online?
Check the individual game. Unrailed!'s official description explicitly says its local and online co-op can be mixed. That is useful evidence for that title; do not treat it as a guarantee for everything with both labels. Unrailed! on Steam.
The same caution applies to different editions and platforms. Before anyone purchases a copy, write down the exact title, edition, devices, and intended mode. Then look for an explicit statement that matches that arrangement. If the store description leaves a material detail unclear, ask the game's support team before committing money.
Which arrangement should you choose?
Our recommendation is to start with where each person will be. If you share a room and a computer, prioritize local input support. If you are apart and already have compatible copies, investigate the built-in online mode. If one person owns a supported local game, investigate Remote Play Together.
Then choose the experience. Do you want to divide jobs, share a vehicle, or solve a moving logistics problem? Our six local co-op Steam picks for two explains those trade-offs.
Do not let a connection label make the entire decision. A technically compatible game can still be a poor fit if one person wants a relaxed evening and the other wants constant time pressure. Settle both the setup and the kind of cooperation before choosing.