The official American Truck Simulator is downloaded from Steam, and there’s nowhere else to get it legally for free. It’s a paid PC game (Windows, macOS and Linux) that you buy on the Steam store or with a key that you activate on Steam. As of October 2026, the base game costs 244.99 MXN on Steam Mexico (€19.99 in Europe), although Steam puts it on sale frequently (sometimes at 75% off). There’s also an official free demo on Steam. Websites offering «American Truck Simulator free» are pirate sites and often come with malware.
Where to buy the official American Truck Simulator
The official American Truck Simulator website points to a single store for buying the game: Steam (store.steampowered.com, app 270880). According to SCS support, the game needs the free Steam client, and any product key is activated on a Steam account and can only be used once. ATS isn’t sold on other PC digital stores like the Epic Games Store or GOG; if someone offers it to you «without Steam», it isn’t the official version.
About third-party key stores: there are authorized stores that sell Steam keys, but also resale marketplaces where anyone can sell keys. The risk there is that the key is from another region and doesn’t work in Mexico, or that it was obtained fraudulently and Steam revokes it later. With the regional price in pesos and Steam’s frequent sales, it’s rarely worth it.
American Truck Simulator price (October 2026)
| Product on Steam | Regular price |
|---|---|
| American Truck Simulator (base game), Steam Mexico | 244.99 MXN |
| American Truck Simulator (base game), Steam Spain | €19.99 |
Prices change and Steam runs sales several times a year (seasonal sales and the studio’s own promotions), so check the current price on the game’s page before buying and, if you’re not in a hurry, add it to your wishlist so Steam notifies you of the next sale.
Editions and bundles
Besides the base game, Steam sells official bundles that include the game and a selection of DLCs, discounted compared with buying them separately. As of October 2026, these are:
- Essentials Edition: 8 products (base game and DLCs like Oregon, Washington or Special Transport).
- Premium Edition: 12 products.
- Deluxe Edition: 18 products (adds New Mexico and Heavy Cargo Pack, among others).
- Ultimate Edition: 28 products.
Steam deducts whatever you already own, so you can buy a bundle after the base game without paying twice for the same thing. In total there are more than 50 DLCs; if you’re not sure which ones are worth it, start with the American Truck Simulator DLC guide.
Is there a free American Truck Simulator demo?
Yes. On the game’s Steam page you’ll find American Truck Simulator Demo, free, for Windows, macOS and Linux. When it came out, in 2016, the demo was limited to California and a set number of jobs, and you could continue your save in the full game. It’s mainly useful for checking whether your PC runs it well before you pay. It’s the only legal way to play ATS without buying it.
Requirements to play on PC
According to Steam, the minimum is 64-bit Windows 10, an Intel Core i5-6400 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200, 8 GB of RAM, a GeForce GTX 660, Radeon RX 460 or Intel HD 630 with 2 GB of VRAM, and 25 GB of free space, for the base game alone. You’ll find the full table, with recommended requirements, macOS and Linux, in American Truck Simulator requirements.
How to download and install ATS step by step
- Create a free Steam account (store.steampowered.com) if you don’t have one.
- Download and install the Steam client from the same website. There are versions for Windows, macOS and Linux.
- On Steam, search for «American Truck Simulator» and open the store page published by SCS Software. Buy the game or, if you have a key, activate it from the Steam menu with the option to activate a product.
- Go to your Library, select American Truck Simulator and click Install. Pick a drive with enough space.
- For the language, right-click the game, go to Properties and choose Spanish in the language section. The game’s Spanish is «Spanish – Spain»: there’s no Latin American Spanish option.
- When you launch it, create your profile. You’re now on the official version, which updates automatically (as of October 2026 it’s on 1.61).
With the official game you can also use Convoy mode, Steam Workshop and mods like the Reforma Mexico map; we explain how in installing mods in ATS.
Steam Deck
ATS is rated Verified for Steam Deck. You install it the same way, from the device’s Library, with the same Steam purchase.
Watch out for «American Truck Simulator free»
If you search for «american truck simulator free» or «full download», you’ll find torrents, «repacks» and installers. They aren’t the official version, and they have serious problems:
- Malware: popular games are one of the favorite lures for spreading programs that steal passwords and accounts, including Steam accounts. Kaspersky counted more than 19 million attack attempts disguised as video games in a single year.
- Old versions: they’re usually several updates behind, without the current map or the new trucks, and they don’t update.
- No multiplayer or current mods: mods are updated for the current version, and Convoy mode needs Steam.
If price is the issue, wait for a sale: the base game often drops to a fraction of its price, sometimes at 75% off.
Looking to play it on another platform? It isn’t on consoles yet (we’re tracking it in ATS on Xbox and PS5) and there’s no official version for phones (ATS for Android).
American Truck Simulator quick facts: Steam Deck · multiplayer · download size · on mobile · PS5 and Xbox · requirements.
Frequently asked questions
How much does American Truck Simulator cost?
As of October 2026, 244.99 MXN on Steam Mexico and €19.99 on Steam Spain for the base game. Steam discounts it often, sometimes by up to 75%. DLCs and editions are paid separately.
Can you download American Truck Simulator for free?
Legally, only the official demo on Steam. The full game is paid; «free» downloads of the full game are pirated.
Can I play ATS without Steam?
No. All official PC versions are activated and played on Steam, including keys bought from other stores.
Is the game in Spanish?
Yes, the text is in Spain Spanish. There’s no Latin American Spanish option, but it’s easy to understand.
How much space does American Truck Simulator take up?
The base game requires 25 GB of free space according to Steam. Each state DLC and each map mod takes up additional space.