Yandex Games announced a reduction in the commission for replenishing Steam wallets to 2%. Users won't need to sign up for a paid subscription or meet additional conditions. Let's analyze how competitive this offer is in the Russian market.
Since 2022, Russian Steam users have been unable to directly top up their wallets with bank cards issued in Russia. This has resulted in the emergence of a separate market of intermediaries that allow transferring money to the gaming platform. Such services are currently offered by specialized providers, banks, and mobile operators.
The cost of topping up varies significantly among them. It’s not always just about the stated commission — the final amount can also be influenced by currency conversion, the payment method, the size of the payment, and additional conditions.
For instance, with T-Bank, you can top up Steam directly from the banking app. However, according to the bank, due to the conversion rate, the amount credited to the gaming account is on average 10% less than the payment amount.
MTS employs a different model. They charge a fixed commission of 50 rubles for topping up Steam, which is supplemented by currency conversion costs — up to 10% of the payment amount.
Among specialized services, there are lower rates available. For example, Giftovik offers top-ups with a 2% commission when paid via FPS. Crediting 1,000 rubles through the service will cost 1,020 rubles. However, Giftovik warns that due to conversion, the actual credited amount can vary by 1–5% from what is stated.
Another way to save on expenses is to take advantage of promotions or subscriptions. Some platforms offer the first top-up without commission, while "Kupikod" and "Igromir" allow Steam top-ups with zero commission under paid plans. However, such offers are usually limited to a certain amount of top-ups or require regular subscription payments.
Against this backdrop, Yandex Games has opted for a fixed commission without a subscription model. According to the company announcement, once the current promotion ends, the commission for Steam top-ups will be 2%.
To fund a Steam wallet with 1,000 rubles, a user will need to pay 1,020 rubles. For topping up 5,000 rubles, the cost of the operation will be 5,100 rubles.
Moreover, according to the Yandex Games team, the rate does not include a monthly limit on the top-up amount, subscription requirements, or mandatory registration. The final cost is displayed before payment, and the transaction is conducted through the Fast Payment System.
Thus, a 2% commission alone is not a unique offer in the Russian market. However, combining this rate with the absence of a paid subscription and the lack of monthly top-up limits makes the Yandex Games offer competitive, especially for those who frequently purchase games on Steam and wish to avoid additional tariff conditions.