Stellaris (2016): runs on Windows 11, Mac, Linux, Steam Deck?

Gamicality score 81 / 100

Playability today ★★★★★ 4.5

Runs today5 / 5
Design today3.5 / 5
See the checks

Steam user reviews Very Positive

185,433 reviews86% positive
Steam store page

Released: 2016
Developer: Paradox Development Studio
Genre: Simulation, Strategy
Runs on: Windows, macOS, Linux, Steam Deck
Last checked: October 31, 2026

Does Stellaris run on Windows 11, Apple Silicon Macs, Linux and Steam Deck?

Windows 11	Expected to work. It is sold for Windows today and no problem is on record. SourceNo player reports yet
Mac (Apple Silicon)	Steam sells a Mac version. Not yet confirmed on Apple Silicon. SourceNo player reports yet
Linux	Yes, there is a native Linux version. SourceNo player reports yet
Steam Deck	Playable, as rated by Valve: it works, but may need some manual configuration. SourceNo player reports yet

Played it lately? Tell other players whether it works for you. One click, no account. How we check where it runs

Synopsis

A real-time grand strategy game from Paradox set across a randomly generated galaxy. You design a species and its government, then explore, colonize, research, trade, wage war and negotiate with other empires over centuries of in-game time, with story events and crises along the way.

What people say

Critics at launch loved the early game of exploration and discovery but found the middle and late game slow and uneventful, with passive AI rivals. Years of free updates and paid expansions have reworked most systems, and the game keeps a large, loyal player base. Current players still point to the same weak spots: a heavy learning curve with a tutorial many find overwhelming, and serious slowdown in large late-game galaxies.

Playability today

Playability runs from 1 to 5. It is the average of two parts. Each part starts at 1 and climbs to 5 as more of its checks pass. Read the method.

Runs today: 5 / 5

✓Sold today from an official store
✓Runs on Windows 11 without fan patches
–Single-player works without an internet connection
–All of its content still works (servers, DLC, unlocks)
–Supports modern resolutions and widescreen
–Full controller support or remappable controls
✓Steam Deck Verified or Playable
✓No intrusive DRM or required third-party launcher account
✓No pay-to-win or pushy microtransactions
–No known game-breaking bugs in the current version

Filled in from the Steam store and Valve’s Steam Deck rating. Checks marked – are unknown and do not count until someone checks them.

Design today: 3.5 / 5

✓Controls feel natural on a modern controller or mouse and keyboardMouse and keyboard control with hotkeys and queued orders works as expected for a strategy game, and players do not complain about handling. Source: steamcommunity.com.
✓Menus, text and interface are clear on today's screensThe interface is dense but scales to modern resolutions and leans on detailed tooltips; the complaints are about the amount of information, not legibility. Source: pcgamingwiki.com, steamcommunity.com.
✓Saving is fair: free saves or frequent checkpoints, little lost progressSaving is free at any time, with optional autosaves, unless the player chooses the single-save Ironman mode. Source: pcgamingwiki.com.
✗It teaches itself: no guide needed to make progressNew players often find the tutorial overwhelming and are routinely pointed to YouTube series, and some mechanics are not explained well in game. Source: steamcommunity.com.
✗Pacing holds up: little grind, filler or forced backtrackingCritics called the mid-game a slog, and players still fight heavy late-game lag that slows long campaigns to a crawl. Source: opencritic.com, steamcommunity.com.
✓Camera and movement never fight the playerThe zoomable galaxy map and system views move freely and draw no complaints. Source: steamcommunity.com.

Judged against games made today, from complaints that recur in recent Steam reviews and discussions, forums, PCGamingWiki and community wikis. Each reason links to where it comes from.