Does Valheim run on Linux?
Verdict: Yes
Yes. Valheim has its own Linux version on Steam, so it installs and plays like any other Linux game.
Valheim ships its own Linux build, listed on Steam beside the Windows and macOS ones, so it installs and plays with nothing extra to configure. It is built for one to ten players, and hosting a world or joining a friend works the way it does on Windows.
The game spent five and a half years in early access, from February 2021, and reached its full release on 9 September 2026. A lot of the guides and videos still circulating were written during that stretch and describe an unfinished game, so check the date on any advice before you follow it.
Valheim is an indie action, adventure and RPG game from Iron Gate AB, published by Coffee Stain Publishing, first released on 9 September 2026.
You can play it alone or co-operatively online. Steam lists it as fully playable with a controller. Critics scored it 89 out of 100 on Metacritic.
The evidence
- Its own Linux version
- Yes, on Steam
- Player rating on ProtonDB
- Platinum, from 336 reports
- Steam Deck (which runs Linux)
- Verified by Valve
- Anti-cheat
- None listed
How to play it
- Install Steam from your Linux app store and sign in. Your library is already there.
- Install Valheim and press Play.
New to this? Can I play my games on Linux? explains Proton, anti-cheat and which Linux to pick for games.
If you play this, you probably asked about these
Ratings are reported by players at ProtonDB and anti-cheat status by Are We Anti-Cheat Yet. Both change, so follow the links below for today's picture.
Last checked . Sources: