Is docker-steam-headless free to use? What license does it have?

docker-steam-headless is open source under the GPL-2.0 license. Check the license terms before using it in commercial products.

Is docker-steam-headless still maintained?

Actively maintained. The last commit to docker-steam-headless was on Oct 5, 2026.

What can I use docker-steam-headless for?

Hosting a Steam library on a home server and playing from a laptop or TV Playing Steam games in a browser from a device without a dedicated gaming PC Running game launchers such as Lutris or Heroic in a containerized desktop

How do I install docker-steam-headless?

Choose an installation guide: Docker Compose, Unraid, or Ubuntu Server Follow the chosen guide to deploy the Docker container Connect via the noVNC web interface, Moonlight, or Steam Link

Where can I get docker-steam-headless?

The source code and installation instructions are on GitHub: https://github.com/Steam-Headless/docker-steam-headless

Steam-Headless/docker-steam-headless

A Docker image that runs a headless Steam client with a desktop, letting you stream games to a browser, Moonlight, or Steam Link.

Open-source alternative to:Steam Link Parsec

View on GitHub

Stars: 4,917
Forks: 296
Open issues: 17
Last commit: 15 days ago

What is it?

Headless Steam Service is a Docker image that runs a Steam client on a Linux desktop inside a container, so a machine without a monitor can host games. You can play through a web browser with audio via noVNC, or connect with Moonlight or Steam Link. Other Steam clients can also use Steam Remote Play to reach the container.

The image is based on Debian Trixie and includes an Xfce4 desktop, a Web UI for managing the container, and support for NVIDIA, AMD and Intel GPUs. Steam is configured to run on Linux with Proton, and game launchers such as Lutris, Heroic and EmuDeck can be installed through Flatpak from the Web UI.

Persistent data should be kept in the home directory or a mounted volume, since files stored elsewhere are wiped when the container updates. Deployment guides are provided for Docker Compose, Unraid and Ubuntu Server.

Key features

01Runs the Steam client on Linux with Proton support
02Streams games to browsers via noVNC with audio, and to Moonlight or Steam Link
03Supports NVIDIA, AMD and Intel GPUs
04Includes full controller support
05Installs Lutris, Heroic and EmuDeck through Flatpak from the Web UI

Use cases

Hosting a Steam library on a home server and playing from a laptop or TV
Playing Steam games in a browser from a device without a dedicated gaming PC
Running game launchers such as Lutris or Heroic in a containerized desktop

Quick start

1
Choose an installation guide: Docker Compose, Unraid, or Ubuntu Server
2
Follow the chosen guide to deploy the Docker container
3
Connect via the noVNC web interface, Moonlight, or Steam Link

Things to know

Licensed under GPL-2.0, a copyleft license that requires derivative works to remain open source.
Requires you to self-host a Docker container, and installation is set up through separate guides.
The container runs with root access and still includes SSH, which the maintainer lists as a TODO to remove.

Topics

#docker #steam #game-streaming #moonlight #gpu #linux #remote-desktop #novnc #gameserver #gamestream

FAQ

What is docker-steam-headless?: A Docker image that runs a headless Steam client with a desktop, letting you stream games to a browser, Moonlight, or Steam Link. Headless Steam Service is a Docker image that runs a Steam client on a Linux desktop inside a container, so a machine without a monitor can host games. You can play through a web browser with audio via noVNC, or connect with Moonlight or Steam Link. Other Steam clients can also use Steam Remote Play to reach the container.
Is docker-steam-headless free to use? What license does it have?: docker-steam-headless is open source under the GPL-2.0 license. Check the license terms before using it in commercial products.
Is docker-steam-headless still maintained?: Actively maintained. The last commit to docker-steam-headless was on Oct 5, 2026.
What can I use docker-steam-headless for?: Hosting a Steam library on a home server and playing from a laptop or TV Playing Steam games in a browser from a device without a dedicated gaming PC Running game launchers such as Lutris or Heroic in a containerized desktop
How do I install docker-steam-headless?: Choose an installation guide: Docker Compose, Unraid, or Ubuntu Server Follow the chosen guide to deploy the Docker container Connect via the noVNC web interface, Moonlight, or Steam Link
Where can I get docker-steam-headless?: The source code and installation instructions are on GitHub: https://github.com/Steam-Headless/docker-steam-headless

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