Is Brotato online multiplayer?
No. Brotato's multiplayer is a free local co-op mode for up to four players sharing one screen. Brazilian guide Critical Hits states plainly that there is no native online experience. Co-Optimus lists the Switch version with online co-op not supported.
Players regularly ask for online co-op on the Steam forums. As of our latest research, Evil Empire has not announced a native online mode. Any online play today relies on streaming or mods.
Option 1: Steam Remote Play Together
Remote Play Together is the official Steam feature for playing local multiplayer games online. The host runs Brotato and invites friends from their Steam friends list. Friends see a stream of the game and control their own potato.
Only the host needs to own Brotato. The co-op mode was free and works with Remote Play Together. This is the simplest and most reliable way to play online.
How to start a Remote Play session
Launch Brotato on the host PC and open the Steam overlay. Choose a friend from the friends list and select the Remote Play Together invite. Once they join, start co-op in the game and let each player pick a character.
Players on the forums say quality depends on the network. A stable, ideally wired, connection on the host side helps. If input feels delayed, lower the stream quality in Steam settings.
Option 2: community multiplayer mods
Community mods add networked multiplayer to the PC version. Brotatogether is a Steam Workshop mod that uses Steam lobbies. A third-party guide describes subscribing, selecting Multiplayer, then having the host create a lobby that others join.
Creators have also showcased modded online multiplayer in videos. These mods are unofficial and can be unstable. Some Workshop comments report crashes after a minute or two of play.
Risks of online mods
Mods can break when Brotato updates, and some conflict with each other. A Steam forum post notes that mods last updated before the 1.1 update may no longer work. The Paws & Claws update added a warning when you launch with outdated mods.
Back up your save before trying multiplayer mods. Check the mod's Workshop page for its last update and known conflicts. If the game crashes, unsubscribe from mods to test.
Console and mobile
On consoles, Brotato offers local co-op. Nintendo's Switch 2 Edition supports four players locally and GameShare with local users. Online co-op is not listed for the console versions we checked.
Mods are a PC-only option. On consoles, the practical way to play together is on the same couch. Check your platform's store page for any new features.
What you lose in online play
In co-op, players report that only the host receives achievements and unlocks. That applies to Remote Play sessions too, since they run on the host's game. Guests should do their unlock runs on their own copy.
Mods may also handle progress differently. Read the mod description carefully. When in doubt, assume only the host progresses.
- No native online multiplayer
- Remote Play Together: only the host needs the game
- Mods: unofficial, PC only, can break after updates
- Progress: usually only the host's save counts
Why there is no native online mode
Brotato's co-op was designed as a local, shared-screen mode. The official announcement in 2024 described a free four-player local co-op update. No online version has been announced in later updates.
Remote Play Together fills the gap by streaming that local mode. It keeps every player on the same screen, just as in local play. That is why it works so well with Brotato's design.
Online play on Steam Deck
Brotato is Steam Deck Verified, according to GamingOnLinux. Remote Play Together runs through Steam, so a Steam Deck can host or join. Network quality matters just as much as on a PC.
Mods are trickier on handheld devices and may affect performance. For the smoothest experience, stick with Remote Play Together. Keep the game updated before each session.
Troubleshooting Remote Play
If a session struggles, check the host's connection first, since the host streams the game to everyone. Some players on the Steam forums report that network conditions make Remote Play unusable for them. In that case, local co-op is the dependable alternative.
Closing other downloads and streams on the host PC frees up bandwidth. A wired connection is usually more stable than Wi-Fi. Test a short wave before committing to a long run.
Watching online play
Co-op Brotato is popular on YouTube. A two-player co-op video from December 2025 passed 280,000 views. Modded multiplayer showcases have also appeared, such as a JeromeACE video in February 2026.
These videos show how chaotic multiplayer runs become. They also show the difference between official co-op and mods. Watch a few before deciding which option fits your group.
Our recommendation
For most players, Steam Remote Play Together is the best way to play Brotato online. It uses the official co-op mode and needs only one copy. Try mods only if you are comfortable troubleshooting.
Read the Brotato co-op guide for team tips. The Brotato mods page explains how to install and manage Workshop mods safely. Both pages are updated as new information appears.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you play Brotato online?
Not natively. Use Steam Remote Play Together or a community multiplayer mod on PC.
Does my friend need to buy Brotato to play online?
Not with Remote Play Together. Only the host needs to own the game.
What is Brotatogether?
A community Steam Workshop mod that adds networked multiplayer through Steam lobbies. It is unofficial and may be unstable.
Is online co-op on Switch?
No. Co-Optimus lists the Switch version with online co-op not supported.
Is there crossplay in Brotato?
No native online or crossplay mode exists. Co-op is local on each platform.