CSFloat vs Steam Market vs Buff163 vs Skinport
The same CS2 skin has a different price on every market. Here’s why they diverge — and which price to buy at, sell at, and value your inventory at.
Updated 2026-09-14 · 4 markets compared · Free tool included
Quick answer
The same skin costs different amounts because of fees, currency and how easily you can cash out. Buff163 (China) is usually the cheapest and the reference price. CSFloat and Skinport are Western markets where you can withdraw real money for a fee. Steam shows the highest prices, but the money is locked in your Steam Wallet and can’t be cashed out. Buy where it’s cheapest and trusted; sell where you can actually withdraw.
A CS2 skin doesn’t have one price — it has four or more at once. An AK-47 | Redline can show one number on Buff163, a higher one on CSFloat and Skinport, and the highest of all on the Steam Market, all in the same minute. None of them is wrong. The gap comes down to fees, the currency and region each market runs in, and whether the money you make can actually leave the platform.
The four markets at a glance
| Market | Currency | Seller fee | Cash out? | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSFloat | USD | Low | Yes — real money | Mid | Cashing out (West), float/pattern shopping |
| Steam Market | Steam Wallet | ~15% | No — Steam credit only | Highest | Staying inside Steam, zero scam risk |
| Buff163 | CNY (¥) | Low | Hard outside China | Lowest / reference | Cheapest buys, the reference price |
| Skinport | EUR / USD | Mid | Yes — to your bank | Mid | Cashing out (Europe) |
Fees and cash-out rules change over time — treat these as the shape of the market, not exact figures.
How each market actually prices
Buff163 — the reference price
NetEase’s Buff163 is the largest CS skin market in the world, priced in Chinese yuan. Its depth of supply and buyers makes it the de-facto “true” market price most other sites are compared against, and it’s usually the cheapest place to buy. The catch is cashing out: withdrawals run through Alipay and are awkward for anyone outside China, so Westerners mostly use it as a price reference or to buy, not to sell.
CSFloat — Western cash-out + float shopping
A reputable Western marketplace (formerly CSGOFloat) in USD with low fees and real-money withdrawal. It’s built around inspecting float, pattern and stickers, so it’s where people go for a specific low-float or blue-gem copy. Prices sit above Buff but below Steam, and you can actually take money out — the main reason it’s popular for selling in the West.
Skinport — the European cash-out
An EU-based third-party market in EUR/USD with a mid-range seller fee and withdrawals straight to your bank (SEPA and similar). Prices are broadly comparable to CSFloat. It’s the go-to cash-out for European sellers who want money in an actual bank account.
Steam Community Market — highest price, trapped money
Valve’s in-client market is the safest and most instant option — no third parties, no scams — but it takes roughly a 15% cut, and every cent you make stays as region-locked Steam Wallet credit you can’t withdraw to real money. Because that balance is “trapped,” people happily overpay with it, which is exactly why Steam prices sit highest. Great for buying games with skin money; poor for actually cashing out.
Why the same skin costs different amounts
Fees: Steam takes ~15%, while the third-party markets take far less, so a seller can accept a lower sticker price and still net more. Trapped money: Steam earnings can only become Steam Wallet credit, and because that money can’t be cashed out, buyers overpay with it — inflating Steam prices above everywhere else. Currency and supply: Buff163 runs in yuan on the deepest pool of Chinese supply and demand, which sets the lowest reference price the Western markets then build on top of.
Which price should you value your inventory at?
Value at the price you could actually realize, not the biggest number. For most Western players that’s the CSFloat or Skinport price — the Steam total looks great but you can’t turn it into real money. The cleanest approach is to see all four at once and pick the one that matches how you’d really sell. That’s exactly what SkinROI does: it values your whole inventory across CSFloat, Steam, Buff163 and Skinport side by side, with history and profit/loss.
See also: live prices across all four markets · how to check your inventory value
See your inventory at all four prices — free
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Frequently asked questions
Why is Buff163 so cheap?
Buff163 is the biggest CS skin market and it’s priced in Chinese yuan with deep supply, so it sets the lowest “true” market price. Western sites price above it because they add a Western cash-out layer and less competition.
Can you cash out Steam Market money?
No. Money you make selling on the Steam Community Market becomes Steam Wallet credit, which is region-locked and can only be spent on Steam — games, other items, or more skins. To get real money you need a third-party market like CSFloat or Skinport.
Why are Steam Market prices higher than everywhere else?
Two reasons: Steam takes about a 15% fee, and the balance you earn is locked in your Steam Wallet. Because that wallet money can’t be cashed out, people are willing to overpay with it, which pushes Steam prices above the real-cash markets.
Buff163 vs CSFloat — which is cheaper?
Buff163 is almost always cheaper, since it’s the global reference market. CSFloat sits a bit above it because it’s a Western marketplace with real-money withdrawal. You buy cheaper on Buff, but CSFloat is far easier to cash out from if you’re outside China.
Is CSFloat legit and safe?
Yes, CSFloat (formerly CSGOFloat) is an established, reputable Western marketplace with buyer protection and real-money withdrawals. As always, use the official site and enable account security.
Is Skinport safe?
Yes, Skinport is a well-known EU-based marketplace that pays out to your bank account. It’s one of the standard Western options for selling skins for real money.
Can you buy from Buff163 outside China?
You can browse and buy, but you’ll need to fund a Buff balance (usually via Alipay), which is the friction point for non-Chinese users. Selling and withdrawing is the harder part — most Westerners use Buff to buy or as a price reference, not to cash out.
What’s the safest place to sell CS2 skins?
Steam is the safest (no third party) but you can’t cash out. Among real-money options, CSFloat and Skinport are the established, reputable Western markets. Avoid unknown instant-sell sites offering prices that look too good.
Which price should I use to value my inventory?
Value at the price you could actually realize. For most Western players that’s the CSFloat or Skinport price, not the inflated Steam number. A tracker like SkinROI shows all four side by side so you can total your inventory at whichever market you’d really sell on.