Guides

Two Steam accounts on one PC at the same time.

Yes, two people can use two Steam accounts on one PC at the same time. Steam runs one copy at a time inside a Windows session, and Hydra Multi-Seat gives each person a separate Windows session and account on their own seat. Each person signs in to their own Steam and plays their own game.

One PC, a seat for everyone: Hydra Multi-Seat in under two minutes.

Why does a second person have nowhere to start Steam?

Steam and other game launchers check whether a copy is already running on the PC. A normal Windows PC has one person signed in at the screen, so the second person has no session of their own to start theirs in.

How do two Steam accounts run at once on one PC?

With Hydra, every seat is its own Windows session with its own Windows account. The check for a copy that is already running is kept separate for each seat, so each person starts their own Steam and signs in to their own Steam account.

Install Hydra on your PC and plug in a screen, keyboard and mouse for the second person.
In the Hydra panel, give the second seat its screen, keyboard, mouse and sound.
The second person signs in to their own Windows account, starts Steam and signs in to their own Steam account.

What does each person keep apart?

Their own Windows account, desktop and files.
Their own Steam account and game library.
Their own game saves and settings.
Their own screen, keyboard and mouse, and their own game controller if they like.
Their own sound: a headset or speakers per seat.

Nothing is streamed. Every screen runs straight from the PC's graphics card, so each game runs at full graphics speed.

Can we play the same game, or different ones?

Both. Each person plays from their own seat, the way two PCs would, so one of you can play a strategy game while the other plays an action game, or you can both play the same game from your own accounts. Nothing needs setting up per game.

Does it work with other launchers?

Yes. Any program that allows one copy at a time is handled the same way: each seat runs its own copy. That includes the launchers from other stores.

What you need

Windows 10 and 11 (x64).
A graphics card from NVIDIA, AMD or Intel.
For each person, a screen, a keyboard and a mouse.
Game controllers, headsets and webcams work too: give each seat its own.

You don't need a second PC. Start the free 7-day trial, every feature included, and sign in to two Steam accounts on your own PC. One license covers every seat.

More ways to play together: two gamers, one PC and couch co-op on PC with separate screens. Every way to share a PC is in two people, one PC.

Questions people ask

Can two Steam accounts be signed in on one PC at the same time?

Yes. With Hydra Multi-Seat each person has a seat with its own Windows session, so each starts Steam in their own session and signs in to their own account.

Do we need a second Windows account?

Each seat signs in to a Windows account of its own, so Steam, its game library and its saves stay with the person who uses that seat.

Can we play the same game together?

Yes. Each person plays from their own seat, the way two PCs would, with their own copy of the game running in their own session.

Does this work for other launchers, like Epic Games or EA?

Yes. A launcher that allows one copy at a time checks for one already running, and that check is kept separate for each seat. It works the same for every program, with nothing to set up per game.

Do I pay for each Steam account or each seat?

No. One license covers every seat on the PC, so adding a person costs nothing extra.

Try Hydra Multi-Seat on your own PC.

Every feature is free for 7 days. After that you pay monthly, yearly, or once for a lifetime license at the launch price. One license covers every seat on the PC, so you never pay per seat. The pricing page shows the prices in your currency.

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