Is Loaded Legit? (Formerly CDKeys) - We Checked the Data

If you’ve been looking for cheaper Steam games, you’ve probably come across Loaded, formerly known as CDKeys. It’s one of the most recognisable names in game key reselling, and for good reason.

But is Loaded actually legit, and can you trust it with your money? We pulled the data from our price database across 180,000+ games to give you a real answer.

What Is Loaded?

Loaded (previously CDKeys.com) is a UK-based digital game key retailer that’s been operating since 2010. Unlike marketplace sites, where you’re buying from random third-party sellers, Loaded sources and sells keys directly. They’re a retailer, not a marketplace.

They rebranded from CDKeys to Loaded in 2025, but the business, team, and reputation remain the same.

They sell:

• Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation game keys
• DLC and in-game content
• Gift cards (Steam, PlayStation, Xbox)
• Software (Windows, Microsoft Office)

Is Loaded Safe and Legitimate?

Yes. Loaded is a legitimate business with over a decade of trading, millions of customers, and a long track record. They’re registered in the UK, have a dedicated support team, and process millions of orders per year.

The keys they sell are real, but like all third-party key retailers, there’s nuance worth understanding.

Where Do Their Keys Come From?

Loaded buys game keys in bulk from regions where games are priced lower (typically Eastern Europe or other lower-cost markets). They then sell them globally at a discount. This is legal, and the keys work. Unlike some of the other stores, they don’t typically partner with publishers. Publishers and developers value partnerships with stores, so it’s fair enough that they often aren’t fond of retailers like Loaded.

The short version: the keys work, you get the game, and Loaded is legal. It exists in a grey area that the game industry isn’t thrilled about, but it’s 100% legit.

How Much Can You Actually Save on Loaded?

This is where KrakenKeys comes in. We track live prices across 20+ stores, so we can actually answer this with data.

Across our database of 180,000+ games:

• Loaded lists prices on 6,627 games
• The average Loaded price is 50.55% cheaper than Steam
• On 2,291 of games, Loaded offers the lowest price across all stores we track

Remember: Game prices shift constantly. Use KrakenKeys to compare Loaded against 20+ other stores in before you buy.

Why Change From CDKeys To Loaded?

As I said before, Loaded used to be called CDKeys. Personally, I thought CDKeys was a great name. It was very easy to remember, and very descriptive. I went to the store to buy CD Keys!

One of the main reasons they switched to Loaded was because they believe that CDs are a thing of the past. There’s a generation (and this may be you) growing up, never having used a CD.

That’s one part of this industry that amazes me, the speed at which we advance. I always wonder what the next gen will look like.

The rebrand was an interesting move. Their storefront got a bit of a facelift too, and it does look better. Much like twitter, I haven’t heard many people switch over to calling it Loaded just yet.

Loaded vs Other Key Stores

At KrakenKeys, we split our stores up in to two categories.

• Key shops: Stores that are NOT partnered with developers / publishers. Often marketplaces (Loaded is an exception!)
  • Examples: Loaded, Eneba, Driffle, Gamivo, Kinguin
• Official Stores: These are stores that are partnered with developers & publishers.
  • Examples: Humble Bundle, Fanatical, IndieGala

The key difference between Loaded and marketplace sites like Driffle or Eneba is accountability. On a marketplace, you’re buying from an individual seller, on Loaded, you’re buying from Loaded directly.

Related: Is Driffle Legit? · Is Eneba Legit?

Loaded’s Trustpilot & Reputation

Loaded (CDKeys) has one of the strongest reputations of any key store online:

• Trustpilot: 4.4/5 from 300,000+ reviews (one of the highest-rated key stores)
• Well-established UK business, trading since 2010
• Verified customer reviews consistently praise fast delivery and working keys

Issues are rare but do happen. The most common complaint is a key not working after a game update or a regional restriction causing problems. Their support team typically resolves these.

Pros and Cons of Using Loaded

Pros:

• Significant discounts, on average 50% cheaper than Steam
• Direct retailer (not a marketplace), so more accountability
• Excellent reputation, 300k+ Trustpilot reviews
• Instant delivery
• Good range: games, DLC, gift cards, software

Cons:

• Keys are from grey market (regional arbitrage), developers don’t love this
• Occasional regional restrictions on some keys. We highlight this on KrakenKeys, but always double check before purchasing through Loaded.
• Not every game is listed — niche or indie titles often aren’t available
• No refunds once a key is revealed (standard for key stores)

Should You Buy From Loaded?

If you want a reliable way to save money on popular games, yes, Loaded is a safe bet. It’s one of the more trustworthy stores in this space, with a long history and strong customer base. It’s one of the reasons we are happy to display their deals.

That said, always compare prices first. Loaded is often competitive, but not always the cheapest. On some titles, Driffle or Eneba will undercut them.

As always, the best way to save money on Steam games is to use KrakenKeys before you buy. We compare Loaded, Steam and 20+ other stores side by side.

On top of that, use our Steam wishlist calculator to instantly see all the games on your Steam wishlist, and where you can buy them cheaper.

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Prices tracked by KrakenKeys across 180,000+ games and 20+ stores. Data accurate as of [April, 2026].

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