Is Battlenet better than Steam?

With the release of Modern Warfare 2, this question is more relevant than ever to PC gamers. Based on an in-depth analysis across key aspects like features, performance, pricing and more – Battle.net edges out Steam this year for the ultimate Call of Duty experience.

Battle.net Allows Console Cross-play

The standout advantage is that Battle.net enables cross-platform multiplayer between PC and console gamers. As per Activision CEO Bobby Kotick, 70% of Call of Duty players were on Sony and Microsoft consoles in 2021.

So if your friends game on Xbox or PlayStation, Battle.net lets you team up. This chart shows total Callof Duty player distribution:

Steam unfortunately restricts you to playing only with other PC gamers.

Shared Multiplayer Servers

An area where both platforms deliver equal excellence is multiplayer stability. Based on official confirmation, Steam and Battle.net use exactly the same server infrastructure for Call of Duty titles.

So whether you‘re racking up killstreaks in Team Deathmatch or clutching the last zone in Domination, latency and ping values are practically identical on both Battle.net and Steam:

In other words – no difference in multiplayer reliability whatsoever.

Steam Leads in Desktop Features

When it comes to ancillary features though, Steam unquestionably wins. The platform offers much more community engagement tools like guides, forums, reviews and even built-in broadcasting.

Plus the download speeds tend to be faster compared to Battle.net in 2022:

For managing game libraries and desktop quality-of-life, Steam is miles ahead.

Game Prices Almost Identical

Historically Steam sales used to beat Battle.net pricing for Call of Duty titles. But in 2022, both Modern Warfare II and Warzone 2.0 launch at the same $69.99 standard edition rates across platforms. From a pure cost perspective, parity has been achieved:

For the first time, your wallet won‘t be the decision maker when pondering Battle.net vs Steam for the latest Call of Duty releases.

The Verdict

Based on the above analysis, Battle.net has a slight edge for Call of Duty in 2022 – but only for players who game with console friends. The cross-play capabilities give it the upper hand this year.

However Steam undisputedly offers the richer desktop experience, outclassing Battle.net when it comes desktop services and ancillary gaming functionality.

So it truly depends on your priorities:

• If you have an Xbox or PlayStation crew, Battle.net lets you squad up so go for it
• For the best overall PC gaming ecosystem, Steam still wins

Either way, both platforms will deliver an incredible, cutting-edge Call of Duty experience. The power is now in your hands to take a balanced call depending on your needs. Game on!