Yes, Rust has player-versus-player modes.

Do we both need to own Rust to play together?

Yes. Rust is played online, so each player needs their own copy on their own Steam account (or PC Game Pass where it is offered). Steam Families can share a library, but two people cannot play the same shared game at the same time.

How many people play Rust?

About 143,870 players were in-game when this page's data was last refreshed (2026-09-09).

Ready Up — what game do we play?Compare two Steam libraries →

Multiplayer games › Survival › Survival craft

Is Rust multiplayer or co-op?

Yes — co-op and PvP. Rust is a survival craft game released in 2018, 87% positive on Steam (1,227,784 reviews), with 143,870 playing right now. $39.99 on Steam.

Co-opPvPSurvival · Survival craft

The only aim in Rust is to survive. Everything wants you to die - the island’s wildlife, other inhabitants, the environment, and other survivors. Do whatever…

How Rust plays with friends, according to Steam

Online co-op: Yes
Local / split-screen co-op: Not listed on Steam
Online PvP: Yes
LAN play: Not listed on Steam
Cross-platform multiplayer (Windows / Mac / Linux): Yes
MMO: Yes
Mods: Steam Workshop

Steam's own category list for the game, as of 2026-09-09. "Not listed" means the store page does not claim that mode; community mods or Remote Play can still add it.

Steam tags: Survival, Crafting, Multiplayer, Open World, Open World Survival Craft, Building, PvP, Sandbox

Do you and a friend both own Rust?

Ready Up compares two Steam libraries and shows every multiplayer game you both have — including whether Rust is one of them — then helps you pick tonight's game with a weighted roll or a bracket.

Or open the Steam store page.

Games like Rust you can play together

Don't Starve Together

Survival craft · 95% positive on Steam (499,061 reviews) · 30,542 playing right now

Terraria

Survival craft · 97% positive on Steam (1,409,473 reviews) · 24,580 playing right now

Valheim

Survival craft · 94% positive on Steam (499,828 reviews) · 14,439 playing right now

V Rising

Survival craft · 89% positive on Steam (119,440 reviews) · 10,961 playing right now

Enshrouded

Survival craft · 86% positive on Steam (78,080 reviews) · 10,654 playing right now

The Planet Crafter

Survival craft · 96% positive on Steam (54,316 reviews) · 7,330 playing right now

Tired of Rust? The Swap tab finds the closest unowned games of the same type that are newer or rated higher.

Quick answers

Is Rust co-op?: Yes, Rust supports co-op.
Does Rust have PvP?: Yes, Rust has player-versus-player modes.
Do we both need to own Rust to play together?: Yes. Rust is played online, so each player needs their own copy on their own Steam account (or PC Game Pass where it is offered). Steam Families can share a library, but two people cannot play the same shared game at the same time.
How many people play Rust?: About 143,870 players were in-game when this page's data was last refreshed (2026-09-09).

Ready Up is a free tool: enter two Steam usernames and it lists the multiplayer games you both own, runs a bracket to pick one, and suggests new co-op games that fit how you both play. Ratings, tags and player counts from Steam and SteamSpy; page updated 2026-09-23. Powered by Steam — not affiliated with or endorsed by Valve Corporation or Microsoft. Ready Up is a Somebody Decide program. How the data works · Legal & privacy · All types · Game Pass