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What Steam counts as playtime, how people add hours, and what is safe. Written by the people who run idlr, with the parts that do not favour us left in.

7 min read · Updated 2026-09-10
How to boost your Steam hours: five methods compared
Leaving the game open, desktop idlers, ArchiSteamFarm, a hosted service, or buying an account: what each one costs, needs and risks.
1. 1What Steam actually counts
2. 2Method 1: leave the game open on your PC
3. 3Method 2: a desktop idler
4. 4Method 3: ArchiSteamFarm on your own server
5. 5Method 4: a hosted idling service
6. 6Method 5: buying an account that already has hours
7. 7Side by side
8. 8Is any of this safe for the account?
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6 min read · Updated 2026-09-10
Is Steam idling VAC safe?
What VAC actually detects, why running a game without playing it is not on that list, and where the real risks to your account are.
1. 1What VAC is for
2. 2What can actually get you banned
3. 3Trading cards, badges and levels
4. 4Where the real risk is: your credentials
5. 5What idlr does, precisely
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