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Stellaris on Linux

Paradox's sci-fi grand strategy game runs natively on Linux, with cross-platform multiplayer and Workshop mods. Here is how it scores, where your saves live, Steam Deck tips, recent updates and what developers can learn from Paradox. Updated November 2026. Part of our Linux games list.

A fleet battle around a bright star
Stellaris, running natively on Linux · Official screenshot, Paradox Interactive
01Scorecard

Stellaris on Linux: the scorecard

Native Linux build

Yes. Proton is not needed.

Steam Deck

Playable (not Verified).

Engine

Paradox's own Clausewitz engine.

Multiplayer

Player-hosted and cross-platform, so Linux players can join Windows and Mac games. There is no dedicated server to host.

Current version

4.5.2 (October 6, 2026), part of the 4.5 "Cygnus" update.

Next

The Willpower expansion and the free 4.6 "Corona Borealis" update on November 23, 2026.

Released

May 9, 2016.

DLC

Over 30 on Steam.

Reviews

Metacritic 78.

Verdict

Flawless on a Linux desktop. On the Steam Deck it works, but it is a mouse-heavy game.

02Tests

How it does on our four tests

Runs natively or flawlessly

Pass. Native Linux build from Paradox.

Steam Deck Verified

Partly. Valve rates it Playable.

Hosts on Linux

Not applicable. Multiplayer is hosted by a player, and Linux players can host or join cross-platform games.

Survives updates

Pass. Every update ships on Linux, and Paradox keeps rollback branches for old saves.

Like Dota 2, the Steam Deck rating is the only asterisk.

03Setup

Installing, saves and mods

  1. Buy and install on Steam. The native Linux build is used automatically.
  2. Mods install from the Steam Workshop and work the same on Linux.
  3. Before a big update, back up your saves. 4.5 "Cygnus" broke save compatibility with 4.4 and earlier.
Saves on Linux

~/.local/share/Paradox Interactive/Stellaris/save games/

Roll back

Right-click Stellaris, choose Properties, then Betas, and pick a rollback branch such as "Stellaris 4.4 Rollback". Once a save is opened in a newer version, it cannot go back.

Minimum

Ubuntu 22.04 x64, Intel i3-530 or AMD FX-6350, 4 GB RAM, GTX 460, HD 5870, RX Vega 11 or Intel HD 4600, 12 GB disk.

Recommended

Ubuntu 22.04 x64, Intel i5-3570K or Ryzen 5 2400G, 4 GB RAM, GTX 560 Ti or Radeon R7 370, 12 GB disk.

Input

A three-button mouse and keyboard.

The species creation screen
Creating your species · Official screenshot, Paradox Interactive
04Deck

On the Steam Deck

  • Valve rates it Playable, not Verified.
  • Stellaris is built for a three-button mouse and lots of small text.
  • Use the touchpads as a mouse and zoom the interface, or dock the Deck with a mouse and keyboard.
  • Steam Cloud keeps your empire in sync between the Deck and your PC.
The galaxy map with the interface open
The galaxy map: lots of small text · Official screenshot, Paradox Interactive
05News

Recent updates and expansions

  • Nov 23, 2026 Coming: the Willpower expansion with Ideologies and Galactic Halls, plus the free 4.6 "Corona Borealis" update.
  • Oct 6, 2026 4.5.2 patch.
  • Sep 22, 2026 4.5 "Cygnus": the largest bug fix patch in Stellaris history, with over 350 fixes, stability, desync and AI improvements. Nearly half the changes came from player reports. The Pop Group rework breaks saves from 4.4 and earlier.
  • Jul 2026 4.5 open beta, with nine updates before release.
  • Jun 15, 2026 Nomads, the first part of Season 10: nomadic empires that live on massive Arkships and link Waystations with Waylines.
  • Jun 2026 4.4 "Pegasus" update and patches.
A Galactic Hall megastructure in orbit
Galactic Halls arrive with Willpower · Official screenshot, Paradox Interactive
06Speed

Keeping the late game fast

Stellaris slows down as empires grow, on every platform. The simulation is limited by the CPU, so the biggest wins come before you start:

Galaxy size

Small and medium galaxies stay quick to the end. Huge galaxies are for strong CPUs and patience.

AI empires

Fewer AI empires means fewer fleets, pops and wars to simulate.

Habitable worlds

A lower habitable worlds setting means fewer planets full of pops later.

On the Steam Deck

Pick a small galaxy and play at a slower game speed. It is a mouse-heavy game, so the trackpads help.

07Fixes

Logs and fixes

WhatWhere or how
Error log~/.local/share/Paradox Interactive/Stellaris/logs/error.log
Mods and playsetsManage them in the Paradox launcher, which runs natively on Linux. Turn a playset off to test a clean game.
Crash after an updateVerify the files in Steam and start without mods. Then add mods back once they update.
Old save will not loadUse a rollback branch in Properties, then Betas, as in the setup section above.
08Devs

For developers: what Paradox gets right

  • Native Linux on one engine across Windows, macOS and Linux, with cross-platform multiplayer.
  • Open betas before big updates, with weekly dev diaries explaining every change.
  • Rollback branches so players can finish old campaigns after a save-breaking update.
  • Publish the save paths for every platform, Linux included, in the patch notes.
  • Workshop mods that work everywhere.
  • Listen to bug reports. Paradox says nearly half of the 4.5 changes came from players.
09Gallery

Screenshots and art

A science ship near a red star
Exploring a red giant · Official screenshot, Paradox Interactive
A fleet battle around a bright star
Fleet battles · Official screenshot, Paradox Interactive
A neutron star system
Strange stars and anomalies · Official screenshot, Paradox Interactive
The galaxy map with empires
Empires across the galaxy · Official screenshot, Paradox Interactive
A planet view with population details
Managing a colony · Official screenshot, Paradox Interactive
A ship jumping through hyperspace
Hyperlane travel · Official screenshot, Paradox Interactive
A fleet near a ringed planet
Fleets in orbit · Official screenshot, Paradox Interactive
A Galactic Hall megastructure
A Galactic Hall (Willpower, in development) · Official screenshot, Paradox Interactive
Art of a crowd rallying around an ideology
Willpower: ideologies spread across the stars · Official art, Paradox Interactive
Art of a robed figure surrounded by candles
Willpower story art · Official art, Paradox Interactive
?Q&A

Quick answers

Does Stellaris run on Linux?

Yes. Stellaris has a native Linux build on Steam, and multiplayer is cross-platform with Windows and Mac.

Is Stellaris Steam Deck Verified?

No. Valve rates it Playable: it works, but it is built for a mouse and has small text.

Where are Stellaris saves on Linux?

In ~/.local/share/Paradox Interactive/Stellaris/save games/.

When does Stellaris: Willpower come out?

November 23, 2026, together with the free 4.6 "Corona Borealis" update.

Why does Stellaris get slow late in the game?

The simulation is CPU-bound. Smaller galaxies, fewer AI empires and fewer habitable worlds keep it fast.

Where is the Stellaris error log on Linux?

~/.local/share/Paradox Interactive/Stellaris/logs/error.log

Added November 2026: Paradox user folder layout on Linux; galaxy setup options from the game.