You do not need Steam to run iRacing. You can buy the membership on iRacing.com or on Steam, and on track nobody can tell which one you have.
The choice still matters, because it decides who bills you for as long as you keep that account. I checked both stores and the iRacing support pages on 5 October 2026. Here is what really changes.
The short answer
Buy it on iRacing.com unless you have a clear reason to use Steam. You keep promo codes, the referral program and the 2 year plan, and you can still start the sim from your Steam library later.
Go with Steam if you have Steam Wallet funds to spend, or if the Steam price in your currency is lower once tax is counted.
What is different
| iRacing.com account | Steam account | |
|---|---|---|
| Who bills you | iRacing | Steam |
| Where you renew | iRacing.com only | Steam only |
| Where you buy cars and tracks | iRacing | Steam |
| Pay with Steam Wallet | No | Yes |
| Promo codes | Yes | No |
| Referral reward program | Yes | No |
| Choose when to spend iRacing credits | Yes | No, they apply automatically |
| Plans listed today | 1 month, 3 months, 1 year, 2 years | 1 month, 6 months, 12 months |
| Launch from the Steam library | Yes, after you add the Steam key | Yes |
| Racing, licences, iRating, servers | Same | Same |
The key line is the second one. iRacing support is clear about it: if you bought from iRacing, you renew through iRacing. If you bought through Steam, every purchase goes through Steam, renewals included. The two billing systems are separate.
The Steam store page says the same from the other side. Accounts bought on Steam cannot be combined with accounts bought on iRacing.com, and a member with a direct account cannot renew it on Steam.
So this is not a choice you make every year. You make it once.
What is the same
Everything you do with a wheel in your hands.
- The same sim, with the same updates each season.
- The same official series, hosted sessions and leagues.
- The same licence, safety rating and iRating.
- The same included content. Today that is 32 cars and 29 tracks with the base membership.
- The same VR and triple screen support.
Nobody races on a "Steam server". There is one iRacing.
Prices on iRacing.com
These are the prices on the iRacing membership page today, in US dollars. Sales tax or VAT is added on top, depending on where you live.
| Plan | Regular price | New member price (30% off) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | $14.75 | $10.33 |
| 3 months | $37.50 | $26.25 |
| 1 year | $124.50 | $87.15 |
| 2 years | $222.50 | $155.75 |
On the 2 year plan a new member pays about $6.49 a month. That is the cheapest regular way into iRacing, and Steam does not list that plan.
Prices on Steam
Steam sells iRacing as a subscription in your local currency. This is what the store page showed me today, in euros:
| Plan | Renewal price | Intro price today |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | 15.86 euros | 4.48 euros |
| 6 months | 80.99 euros | 20.97 euros |
| 12 months | 134.54 euros | 28.63 euros |
Two things to read carefully here.
First, the intro prices on Steam were very low today, lower than the new member offer on iRacing.com. If you are new and you see the same offer, Steam is the cheaper first year. After that you renew at the regular Steam price, and you cannot move to a website promo.
Second, Steam prices change by country and by promotion. Do not trust my table for your region. Open both pages, pick the same length, add tax to the iRacing.com price and compare the totals.
Promo codes, referrals and credits
This is where the direct account wins over time.
Promo codes. iRacing and its partners hand out discount codes now and then. They are redeemed on the iRacing website and they do not work on Steam accounts.
Referral program. If a friend refers you, they get a reward. That only counts for new direct memberships. Steam accounts are not eligible.
iRacing credits. You can earn credits by taking part in official series through a season, and you can receive them as gifts. On a direct account you choose when to use them at checkout. On a Steam account they are applied automatically and you cannot turn that off. More on that in how iRacing dollars and credits work.
Can you switch later?
Not by yourself.
A direct account cannot become a Steam account. What you can do is add a Steam key to it, so the sim shows up in your Steam library and Steam counts your hours. The billing stays with iRacing. The steps are in how to log into iRacing with Steam.
In the other direction, members on the Steam forum report that iRacing support can convert a Steam account into a direct one. I have not done it myself, so write to support before you count on it.
What you should not do is open a second account to change store. Your licence, iRating and bought content stay on the first one.
Which one should you pick?
| Your situation | Pick |
|---|---|
| You have a promo code or a friend's referral | iRacing.com |
| You want the 2 year plan | iRacing.com |
| You have money sitting in your Steam Wallet | Steam |
| Steam is cheaper in your currency, tax included | Steam |
| You want all your games billed in one place | Steam |
| You already have an account on one side | Stay where you are |
My view: for a sim you will pay for over years, I want to deal with the company that runs it. So I would go direct. But if Steam gives you a much lower first year where you live, take it. The racing is the same.
Before you pay for anything, check what you get for free with the base membership in the iRacing free cars list, and read whether you can play iRacing without buying anything. If you are just starting, how to start iRacing takes you from the install to the first race.
One last thing. Both stores renew automatically. If you only want to try it for a month, see how to turn off auto renew in iRacing.
FAQ
Do I need Steam to play iRacing?
No. You can buy the membership on iRacing.com and install the sim from there. Steam is optional.
Is iRacing cheaper on Steam or on the website?
It depends on your country and on the offer of the day. The website has promo codes and a 2 year plan. Steam has local prices and its own intro offers. Compare the totals with tax.
Can I renew a direct iRacing account through Steam?
No. A direct account renews on iRacing.com only, even if it is linked to Steam.
Can I use Steam Wallet funds for iRacing?
Only on an account that was bought through Steam. Then the membership and the content are paid on Steam.
Do promo codes work on Steam accounts?
No. iRacing promo codes are redeemed on the iRacing website and are not valid for Steam accounts.
Can I merge a Steam account and an iRacing.com account?
No. The Steam store page says the two types of account cannot be combined.
Is the game different on Steam?
No. It is the same sim on the same servers, with the same series, licences and iRating.
Can I launch a direct account from Steam?
Yes. Add the Steam key to your iRacing account and the sim appears in your Steam library. The billing stays with iRacing.