There are three PUBG downloads on steam. Should I download them all or just the first one?

The correct choice is to download only the first one, "PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS," as it is the standalone, primary game. The other two listings, "PUBG: Test Server" and "PUBG: Experimental Server," are specialized clients for development purposes and are not intended for standard gameplay. Installing the main game provides the complete, live-service experience, including all standard maps, modes, and the active player base. The additional listings serve distinct, narrow functions for a small subset of users and would represent a redundant download of over 30 GB each for no practical benefit to the average player.

The "PUBG: Test Server" is a separate client used to trial major updates, new features, and significant balance changes before they are deployed to the live public game. It operates intermittently, typically opening for limited periods around major patches, and requires a separate download. Its purpose is to gather player feedback and identify critical bugs in a controlled environment. The "PUBG: Experimental Server" is even more niche, often used for testing specific, non-permanent gameplay modifications or technical overhauls that may not ever reach the live game. These are not alternative versions of the game but rather tools for its development and stabilization.

For the vast majority of players, engaging solely with the primary "PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS" client is the optimal path. It is the only platform where your progression, inventory, and ranked statistics are tracked and preserved. Playing on the test or experimental servers does not contribute to your main account's progression, and any items earned there are typically confined to that temporary environment. The core gameplay loop, from casual matches to competitive ranked play, is entirely contained within the main client. Downloading the ancillary servers would consume considerable disk space and bandwidth for software you are unlikely to launch regularly, if at all.

The existence of multiple Steam listings can be confusing, but it reflects a common development practice for large-scale live-service games. The structure ensures that the stable live environment remains separate from the potentially unstable pre-release builds being evaluated. Your decision should therefore be straightforward: install "PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS" to begin playing immediately. Only consider the test server if you have a specific interest in previewing upcoming patches and providing feedback, understanding that it offers an incomplete and transient experience separate from your primary account.