What is the cheapest place to buy BAO?

Steam at $6.99 — an official store, and the lowest of the 1 store we compare for your region. Prices update through the day, so check the table above before buying.

No — BAO is a paid game. The cheapest we can find it is $6.99.

Has BAO ever been cheaper?

Yes — the lowest we have tracked is $1.74. It is $6.99 today.

Can I play BAO on Mac?

Yes. BAO has a native macOS version on Steam.

Does BAO have crossplay?

Yes — Steam lists BAO with cross-platform multiplayer, so players on Steam can play with players on other platforms. Steam does not say which platforms; the developer's site has the full list.

Is BAO on PC Game Pass?

No — BAO is not on PC Game Pass right now. The best price to buy it right now is $6.99.

BAO

Name: BAO
Brand: VMS Media
Availability: InStock

VMS Media · October 16, 2020 · Strategy, Board Game, Tabletop, Logic, Turn-Based Strategy

Buy BAO from Steam at $6.99 — the cheapest of 1 store we compare.

Strategy deals Turn-Based Strategy deals

7 user reviews86% · 7

Best price

$6.99

lowest tracked $1.74

Buy at Steam

Prices last checked 1 Aug 2026, 09:22 UTC

More games under $10 →More Steam deals →

Where to buy BAO — official stores

Steam

Standard Edition · Steam

$6.99

Buy

BAO price by region

BAO costs $4.69 in Georgia (USD), £5.19 in the United Kingdom, €5.69 in Europe (EUR), $6.99 in the United States, CA$7.99 in Canada, NZ$8.89 in New Zealand, A$9.95 in Australia, R$14.49 in Brazil and zł25.49 in Poland right now.

Cheapest BAO offer in each region, in local currency
Region	Best price	Official store	Key shop	Stores
Georgia (USD)	$4.69	$4.69	—	1
United Kingdom	£5.19	£5.19	—	1
Europe (EUR)	€5.69	€5.69	—	1
United Statesyour region	$6.99	$6.99	—	1
Canada	CA$7.99	CA$7.99	—	1
New Zealand	NZ$8.89	NZ$8.89	—	1
Australia	A$9.95	A$9.95	—	1
Brazil	R$14.49	R$14.49	—	1
Poland	zł25.49	zł25.49	—	1

Each row is a real price from that region's own stores, not a currency conversion, so the figures are not directly comparable. Switch regions in the header to shop the one you buy in.

Screenshots

About BAO

✦ AI summary

BAO is a digital adaptation of Bao la Kiswahili, the ancient Swahili mancala game where you outwit opponents by strategically sowing and stealing seeds to clear their front row or force them into stalemate. It stands out with its intricate ruleset kept automatically in check, superhuman sowing speeds that keep games snappy, and a formidable AI opponent alongside online multiplayer where no two matches ever play the same way twice.

BAO (of the Swahili people)

Bao is a boardgame in the mancala family of boardgames (games with seeds and pits).

There are many simple mancala type games out there but none of those are as mesmerizing as Bao. This game focuses solely on the full unrestrained, unadulterated, and arguably most beautiful version of Bao: Bao la Kiswahili (‘Bao of the Swahili people’).

Basics of the game: your goal is to rid your opponent’s front row of seeds, or to put your opponent in a position where they are unable to make any moves (stalemate). You do so by placing, sowing, and stealing seeds.

BAO provides unparalleled diversity and complexity, not a single game is ever the same.
The online game mode provides masters and novices alike with a platform to meet their match, test their skills, challenge friends and duel other BAO adversaries.
Besides providing a comprehensive Tutorial, BAO keeps track of all of the different rules. You can’t accidentally mess up a move, making learning the game a blast.
BAO gives you the option of super human seed sowing speeds, making tirelessly long moves a thing of the past.
Don’t want to play online? BAO also provides a carefully crafted AI to test your skills before you head into the ring.
The AI knows what move to make before you can say “Bao la Kiswahili”, couple that with the fast sowing, and even the lengthier games are usually no more than 20 minutes.

BAO — game info

Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux / SteamOS
Player modes: Single-player, Online PvP, Cross-platform multiplayer
PC Game Pass: Not included

More games like this:Mac games Linux games Crossplay games

Price alert

Get notified the moment the price hits your target.

BAO price history

BAO is $6.99 at Steam right now, compared across 1 store. The lowest we have tracked is $1.74.

2026-09-26low $6.99 · now $6.99

BAO price changes · since 26 Sep 2026
Date	Price	Store
26 Sep 2026	$6.99	—

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A live price and history chart for BAO, updating on its own. Free to use anywhere — it carries a link back here and needs nothing else.

BAO — questions & answers

What is the cheapest place to buy BAO?: Steam at $6.99 — an official store, and the lowest of the 1 store we compare for your region. Prices update through the day, so check the table above before buying.
Is BAO free?: No — BAO is a paid game. The cheapest we can find it is $6.99.
Has BAO ever been cheaper?: Yes — the lowest we have tracked is $1.74. It is $6.99 today.
Can I play BAO on Mac?: Yes. BAO has a native macOS version on Steam.
Does BAO have crossplay?: Yes — Steam lists BAO with cross-platform multiplayer, so players on Steam can play with players on other platforms. Steam does not say which platforms; the developer's site has the full list.
Is BAO on PC Game Pass?: No — BAO is not on PC Game Pass right now. The best price to buy it right now is $6.99.

What Steam players say

Recent verbatim reviews from Steam — separate from playze.io community reviews below.

Recommended Oct 16, 2020

As a Tanzanian local who grew up playing this game I am glad that the game now has a good and accurate representation on Steam. The game has a lot more strategic options and variations than most mancala like games.

13 found this helpful

Recommended Aug 4, 2021

Like chess, this game requires that the players think a few steps ahead; however, while chess has a few set of rules and a few kinds of pieces, Bao has only one kind of piece and a complex system of rules to govern them. In chess, you take time to set up your pieces. In Bao, you work through two different phases of the game, and watch your work chain react (the flow to this is hard to explain, but satisfying to experience). Those looking for a popular, simple game may find this hard to warm up to (that said, this game does come with a tutorial, and will highlight legal possible moves). Those looking for a fresh mental exercise, or perhaps wanting to learn about other cultures may be interested to give this a shot. The people working on this game are likely to add new things over time, like a French translation, and a possible hot seat mode. There is an online mode, but I wasn't able to find anyone there at the time (I do hope this game gets more popularity over time); if you are able to find someone, it is expected that your experience with online will differ from person to person. Parents will want to know that online communication with strangers is possible in the online mode. …

4 found this helpful

Recommended Jun 2, 2021

Had a lot of fun playing this game. The design of the game looks really nice and the background music is great! Practice really makes perfect with this game, and I totally forgot the time sometimes because you really have to focus and strategize while playing. If you like chess or similair strategy games then I highly recommend to give Bao a try!

4 found this helpful

Recommended Nov 23, 2024

Simple, easily usable software with a very good tutorial part. My only problem is thtat the tutorial is not reachable by parts. You have to click a lot to get a specific information.

Not recommended Mar 13, 2021

The game looks good. Tutorial could be a bit more clear, but I think I can deduce the rules with more play. However, I don't understand how to play with my friend via the online game feature. So I can't recommend game in it's current state. And I can't find any help on the online feature.

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