How to Compare Two Steam Libraries: Step-by-Step Guide
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Finding games you and your friends both own on Steam can be surprisingly difficult. With thousands of games in modern Steam libraries, manually scrolling through to find common titles is time-consuming and frustrating. Whether you're planning a game night, looking for your next co-op adventure, or just curious about shared interests, knowing how to compare Steam libraries is an essential skill for any PC gamer.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about comparing Steam libraries, including how to use Steam Navigator's comparison tool, privacy settings that affect comparisons, and pro tips for finding the perfect multiplayer game.
Why Compare Steam Libraries?
Before diving into the how-to, let's explore why library comparison is such a valuable feature:
**Find Multiplayer Games Instantly**: Instead of asking "Do you have this game?" repeatedly, see all your shared multiplayer games at once.
**Discover Forgotten Games**: You might own games you forgot about that your friends are actively playing.
**Plan Game Nights Efficiently**: When organizing gaming sessions with multiple friends, quickly identify games everyone owns.
**Save Money**: Before buying a new multiplayer game, check if you already own games in common that you haven't played together yet.
**Understand Gaming Preferences**: See what types of games you and your friends gravitate toward, which can inform future purchases.
Steam library comparison transforms the chaotic process of finding common games into a simple, visual experience that takes seconds instead of hours.
Understanding Steam Privacy Settings
Before you can compare libraries, you need to understand Steam's privacy settings. These settings determine whether other people (and tools like Steam Navigator) can see your game library.
Game Details Privacy Levels:
1. **Public**: Anyone can see your game library and details 2. **Friends Only**: Only your Steam friends can view your library 3. **Private**: Nobody can see your library except you
To compare libraries effectively, all participants need to have their game details set to either "Public" or "Friends Only" (if you're Steam friends).
How to Check Your Privacy Settings:
1. Log into Steam (desktop client or website) 2. Click your profile name in the top right 3. Select "Profile" then "Edit Profile" 4. Navigate to "Privacy Settings" 5. Find "Game details" and ensure it's set to "Public" or "Friends Only" 6. Click "Save Changes"
If someone's library appears empty during comparison, it's almost always a privacy setting issue. Make sure all participants have adjusted their settings appropriately.
Using Steam Navigator Library Comparison
Steam Navigator makes library comparison incredibly simple. Here's how to use our free tool:
**Step 1: Navigate to the Comparison Tool**
Go to steamnavigator.com and click "Compare Libraries" in the main navigation, or visit directly at steamnavigator.com/compare_games.
**Step 2: Enter Steam Profile Information**
You can enter Steam profiles using any of these methods: - Steam Community URL (e.g., steamcommunity.com/id/username) - Steam ID64 (17-digit number) - Custom URL username (e.g., "username")
Steam Navigator supports comparing up to 4 libraries simultaneously, perfect for small gaming groups.
**Step 3: Add All Profiles**
Click the "Add User" button to add additional profiles to the comparison. Enter each person's Steam information in the same formats mentioned above.
**Step 4: Run the Comparison**
Once all profiles are added, click "Compare Libraries." The tool will fetch public game data from Steam's API and analyze the libraries in real-time.
**Step 5: Review Results**
The comparison results show: - **Games in Common**: Titles owned by all selected users - **Game Details**: Name, playtime, and last played date - **Multiplayer Indicators**: Which games support co-op or multiplayer - **Sorting Options**: Sort by name, playtime, or recent activity
You can filter results by genre, multiplayer support, or other criteria to quickly narrow down your options.
Advanced Comparison Tips
Once you've mastered the basics, these advanced tips will help you get even more value from library comparisons:
**1. Compare Multiple Groups**
If you have different gaming circles (work friends, college friends, family), save comparisons for each group. This helps you quickly reference common games for different occasions.
**2. Filter by Multiplayer Type**
Not all multiplayer is created equal. Filter by: - Online co-op (play together against AI) - Online competitive (play against each other) - Local co-op (same screen/system) - Cross-platform support
**3. Check Recent Activity**
Games someone played recently are more likely to be installed and patched, making them better candidates for immediate play sessions.
**4. Consider Free-to-Play Games**
If your comparison shows limited overlap, expand your search to include popular free-to-play titles that anyone can download immediately.
**5. Look for Series Consistency**
If multiple people own different games in a series (e.g., everyone owns different Call of Duty titles), consider standardizing on one for regular group play.
**6. Account for Sale Timing**
Steam sales often result in groups of friends buying the same games. Keep track of upcoming sales and coordinate purchases for maximum overlap.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
**Issue: Profile Not Found**
- Verify the Steam ID or URL is correct - Ensure the profile exists and hasn't been deleted - Check for typos in custom URLs
**Issue: No Games Showing**
- Confirm all users have set game details to "Public" or "Friends Only" - Wait a few minutes; Steam API can occasionally be slow - Refresh the comparison after adjusting privacy settings
**Issue: Outdated Information**
- Steam Navigator caches data for performance; if you just changed privacy settings or bought new games, wait 10-15 minutes - Clear your browser cache and try again - The Steam API updates on its own schedule, typically within an hour of changes
**Issue: Missing Games from Results**
- Some games don't report multiplayer status accurately in the API - F2P games might not show unless played recently - DLC and expansions sometimes appear separately from base games
Alternative Comparison Methods
While Steam Navigator provides the easiest comparison experience, here are alternative methods:
Manual Steam Profile Comparison:
1. Visit each friend's Steam profile 2. Click the "Games" tab 3. Manually note games you both own
This method works but is extremely time-consuming for large libraries.
Steam's Built-in Features:
Steam's own interface has limited comparison features. You can see what friends are playing currently, but there's no comprehensive library comparison tool.
Third-Party Tools:
Several other websites offer library comparison, but many require: - Account registration - Steam API key generation - Paid subscriptions for full features
Steam Navigator keeps it simple: no registration, no API keys, completely free.
Best Practices for Gaming Groups
If you regularly game with the same group, establish these practices:
**1. Designate a Library Curator**
Have one person responsible for periodically checking for new common games and organizing game nights around them.
**2. Create a Shared Wishlist**
Coordinate Steam wishlist additions so the group buys the same games during sales, maximizing future overlap.
**3. Establish Genre Nights**
If your group has diverse tastes, designate different nights for different genres based on who has games in that category.
**4. Use Voice Chat Integration**
Popular games often have built-in voice chat, but for older titles, coordinate external voice solutions (Discord, TeamSpeak) beforehand.
**5. Schedule Regular Comparisons**
Run library comparisons monthly or after major Steam sales to discover new opportunities for group play.
Privacy and Security Considerations
When comparing libraries, keep these privacy points in mind:
What's Visible:
Game titles you own
Total playtime per game
Last played dates
Achievement progress
What's Not Visible:
Your Steam password or credentials
Friends list (unless also set to public)
Inventory items or trading cards
Purchase prices or payment information
Steam Navigator only accesses publicly available data through official Steam APIs. We never ask for your password and cannot access private information.
Protecting Your Privacy:
If you're privacy-conscious but still want to compare: 1. Set game details to "Friends Only" and only compare with Steam friends 2. Use Steam's nickname feature to control how you appear 3. Temporarily set library to public for comparison, then revert to private 4. Remember that comparison tools can only see what Steam's API provides
Conclusion
Comparing Steam libraries is an essential skill for modern PC gamers who want to maximize their multiplayer experiences. Whether you're using Steam Navigator's free comparison tool or manual methods, the ability to quickly identify shared games transforms how gaming groups organize and play together.
By following this guide, you'll save countless hours of "Do you have this game?" conversations and discover gaming opportunities you never knew existed. The key is ensuring everyone has appropriate privacy settings, using efficient comparison tools, and establishing good practices for your gaming group.
Ready to find your next multiplayer adventure? Head over to our [Library Comparison Tool](/compare_games) and start discovering common games with your friends today!