The three product types explained
The shop sells three kinds of product. They look similar on the page but you get very different things. Read this before you buy.
Quick comparison
| Pre-owned account | New account | Game key | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What you get | An account someone used before, with games already in its library | An account nobody has used | A code you redeem on your own account |
| Sign in to someone else's account? | Yes | Yes | No |
| Speed | Short verification wait | Instant | Instant |
| Price | Lowest | Middle | Whatever the game costs |
| Warranty | 30 days | No expiry | No expiry |
| Risk of the previous owner reclaiming it | Yes | No | No |
Pre-owned accounts
An account with a previous owner, usually with several games in its library, accumulated playtime, and sometimes in-game collectibles. That is why it costs far less than buying the games yourself.
Good for people who want many games for one price, or want collectibles that can no longer be bought.
What to know
- You get the username, password and the account's email address, plus tools on our site to request verification codes and read its mailbox
- There is a risk the previous owner asks the game publisher for the account back, which is why the warranty runs 30 days. The full terms are in the "Product terms" box on the product page and in the Terms of Service.
- Buying involves a "verifying" step that can take up to about a minute and a half. That is normal — see Buying a pre-owned account.
New accounts
An account nobody has used. Its library contains only what the product page lists. Delivered instantly, no verification wait.
Good for people who want that one game and do not want previous-owner risk.
Game keys
A code you redeem on your own game account. You never sign in to anyone else's account. Once redeemed the game is permanently in your library.
Good for people who already have their own account and just want the game.
What to know some keys are region-locked. Read How to activate a game key on Steam before you redeem, because a redeemed key cannot be taken back.
How to tell which type you are looking at
- The filter bar on the catalogue has a Product type option
- Each product card has a type badge over the image
- The product page title says it outright — "Pre-owned Steam account", "New Steam account", "Steam CD-KEY"
Still not sure?
Three questions:
- Do you already have your own game account and just want this game? → Game key
- Do you want lots of games for one price and can accept the risk? → Pre-owned account
- Do you want a clean account with nobody's history on it? → New account