Permafrost Price and Where to Buy (Is It Free?)
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Quick answer: no, Permafrost is not free. It costs $24.99 on Steam, with a 20% launch discount ($19.99) as of October 13, 2026. The developers have said the price will likely increase during Early Access.
Where to buy
- Steam is the home of the game: Permafrost on Steam. Buying there gets you the current Early Access build and all updates.
- The game also launched on other PC storefronts (GOG and Epic listings went live at launch). Buy where you prefer, but note co-op has no crossplay between storefronts at this point.
Steam keys
- A Steam key simply activates the game on Steam. Buy keys only from authorized stores — grey-market key sites carry region and revocation risks, and unusually cheap "global keys" are the classic scam shape.
- Regional pricing varies by country; the prices above are the US snapshot.
Is it free?
No. There was a free public playtest (October 2–6, 2026, time-limited), but it is over. Any site offering a "free download" of the full game is a piracy or malware risk — the legitimate free option was the playtest, and the legitimate paid option is Steam.
Editions and DLC
Alongside the base game, Steam sells:
- Permafrost — Official Companion ($7.99, $6.39 with launch discount): the official companion guide product.
- Permafrost — Official Cookbook ($4.99, discounted at launch).
- Frozen Metropolis — A Permafrost Novel ($4.99, discounted at launch): a tie-in novella.
None of these are required to play; the base game is complete as an Early Access package.
Is it worth it?
That depends on your tolerance for Early Access edges. For a sourced snapshot of player sentiment, see Permafrost review roundup.
Related: Release date & platforms · Gameplay overview · System requirements
Related guides
- Permafrost Release Date, Platforms and Early AccessPermafrost launched in Early Access on October 9, 2026, Windows-only on Steam. At least 12 months of EA are planned; no console dates announced.
- Permafrost Gameplay: What You Actually DoA grounded look at the loop: survive the cold, loot ruins, craft up the tool tiers, rebuild shelters, follow the story — solo or in 4-player co-op.
- Permafrost System Requirements: Can Your PC Run It?Official minimum and recommended specs, what they mean in practice, and honest notes for laptops and Apple Silicon Macs.