Which Payment Processors Handle Credit Cards on Steam and Itch.io

Steam uses Valve's own payment system, not a traditional credit card processor

Steam, the largest digital game store, does not route your credit card through a separate payment company. Instead, Valve built its own payment infrastructure and handles card processing directly. When you add a credit card to your Steam wallet, Valve's system talks to your card issuer (your bank or credit union) to verify the charge and complete the transaction.

This matters because it means there is no middleman between you and Valve. Your card data goes to Valve's servers, not to a third-party processor. Valve uses industry-standard encryption and fraud detection, but the company itself is responsible for keeping your information secure. Steam also accepts PayPal, regional payment methods like Alipay and WeChat Pay, and gift cards as alternatives to direct card entry.

Itch.io uses Stripe to process credit card payments

Stripe is the payment processor behind Itch.io's credit card system. Stripe is a company that specializes in handling online payments for small businesses and independent creators. When you buy a game on Itch.io and enter your credit card, that information goes to Stripe, not directly to Itch.io's servers.

Stripe then verifies your card with your bank and transfers the funds. Itch.io itself never sees your full card number—Stripe handles that part. This is actually a common setup for smaller platforms because it means Itch.io does not have to build and maintain its own payment security infrastructure. Itch.io also accepts PayPal and other regional payment methods depending on where you are located.

Key Takeaways

• Steam processes credit cards through Valve's own payment system, so your card data goes directly to Valve rather than to a third-party processor.
• Itch.io uses Stripe to process credit card payments, which means your card information is handled by Stripe instead of Itch.io itself.
• Both platforms offer alternatives to credit cards, including PayPal, regional payment methods, and gift cards.
• Neither platform stores your full credit card number on their servers after the transaction is complete, though the initial processing differs between the two.

Why Steam and Itch.io chose different payment routes

Steam built its own payment system because it is one of the largest digital storefronts in the world and processes millions of transactions daily. At that scale, Valve found it made sense to invest in proprietary infrastructure rather than pay fees to a third-party processor. Valve also operates in many countries, so having direct control over payment processing lets them handle regional variations and currency conversions themselves.

Itch.io, by contrast, is a platform designed for independent game developers and small studios. Using Stripe lets Itch.io focus on its core mission—hosting and distributing games—without the cost and complexity of building payment infrastructure from scratch. Stripe also makes it easier for Itch.io to expand into new regions, since Stripe already has relationships with banks and payment systems worldwide.

What happens to your card information after you buy something

On Steam, your card details are stored in your account if you choose to save them for future purchases. You can remove this information at any time through your account settings. Steam keeps encrypted records of your transactions for your purchase history and for fraud prevention, but the card data itself is encrypted and not accessible to Steam employees in plain text.

On Itch.io, Stripe handles the storage of card information if you save it. Itch.io does not store your full card number at all—Stripe does that part. If you want to remove a saved card from Itch.io, you can do so through your account settings, and Stripe will delete the associated token. Both platforms use tokenization, which means they store a code that represents your card rather than the actual card number.

How to add and remove payment methods on each platform

On Steam: Go to your account name in the top right, select "Account details," then click "Manage payment methods." From there you can add a new card, remove an existing one, or set a default payment method. Steam will ask you to verify a small charge to your card the first time you add it—this is normal and the charge is reversed immediately.

On Itch.io: Log into your account, click your username in the top right, and select "Billing." From there you can add a new card or remove a saved one. Itch.io also shows your purchase history and any subscriptions you have active. If you are buying from a creator's page rather than the main Itch.io store, the payment still goes through Stripe but you may see slightly different screens depending on how the creator set up their page.

Regional differences in payment processing

Steam accepts credit cards in most countries, but some regions have restrictions. In China, for example, Steam uses local payment partners instead of direct card processing. In parts of Europe, Steam must comply with PSD2 (Payment Services Directive 2), which requires extra verification steps for certain transactions—you may see a pop-up asking you to confirm your purchase with your bank.

Itch.io's payment options vary by region because Stripe's coverage is not uniform worldwide. In some countries, Itch.io offers alternative payment methods like local bank transfers or digital wallets. If you are outside the United States or Europe, check Itch.io's payment methods page to see what options are available in your location, as this changes periodically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my credit card information safer on Steam or Itch.io?

Both use industry-standard encryption and neither stores your full card number after the transaction. Steam's direct processing means Valve handles security itself, while Itch.io's use of Stripe means Stripe handles it. Stripe is a specialized payment company with security as its core business, while Valve is a game company that built payment systems as a side function. Both are legitimate, but Stripe's specialization is arguably an advantage.

Can I use the same credit card on both Steam and Itch.io?

Yes. Your card is not locked to either platform. You can use the same card on Steam, Itch.io, and anywhere else that accepts credit cards. Each platform stores its own record of your card separately, so removing it from Steam does not affect your Itch.io account.

What should I do if I see a charge I do not recognize?

Contact your bank or credit card issuer first—they can reverse fraudulent charges and issue you a new card if needed. Then log into the platform where the charge appeared and check your purchase history. If you did not make the purchase, report it to Steam or Itch.io support with your transaction ID so they can investigate on their end.

Do Steam and Itch.io charge different fees for credit card payments?

You do not pay a fee as the buyer—the cost is the same whether you use a credit card, PayPal, or another method. Behind the scenes, Steam and Itch.io pay processing fees to their respective payment systems, but those costs are built into the game prices you see, not charged separately to you.

Can I use a debit card instead of a credit card?

Yes. Both Steam and Itch.io accept debit cards the same way they accept credit cards. From the payment system's perspective, a debit card works identically to a credit card—the only difference is that the money comes directly from your bank account rather than being billed to you later.