The Best PC Game Launchers in 2026
We researched PC game launchers through official websites, including pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. Rankings focus on the category’s core job: installing, updating and accessing PC games, alongside verified features, supported platforms and value for money.
Our top picks
-
Top ranked
Steam#1 of 219.4/10A free game library and launcher with community tools, mods, cloud saves, and offline play.
Free plan
-
Runner-up
GOG Galaxy#2 of 219.1/10A free library hub with offline support and rollback for supported games.
Free plan
-
Top-ranked free plan
Xbox app for PC#3 of 218.9/10A free Windows launcher with a paid PC Game Pass catalog and cross-store features.
Free plan
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
The full ranking 21 tools, best first
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Best forPC gamers seeking a free, feature-rich game library
A free game library and launcher with community tools, mods, cloud saves, and offline play.
- Third-party game import
- Mod integration
- Offline mode
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Steam -
Best forDRM-conscious multi-library users
A free library hub with offline support and rollback for supported games.
- Third-party game import
- Mod integration
- Offline mode
9.1/10★★★★★Visit GOG Galaxy -
Best forGame Pass subscribers
A free Windows launcher with a paid PC Game Pass catalog and cross-store features.
- Third-party game import
- Mod integration
- Subscription catalog
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Xbox -
Best forPlayers seeking free games
A free launcher for claiming games and managing a library across PC, Mac, and mobile.
- Subscription catalog
- Offline mode
- Cloud saves
8.7/10★★★★☆Try Epic Games Store -
Best forOrganizing multi-store PC libraries
LaunchBox organizes multi-store PC and emulated games in one customizable library.
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit LaunchBox -
Best forLinux users combining stores and emulators
A flexible Linux launcher for multi-store libraries, emulators, and compatibility layers.
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Lutris -
Best forEA and connected-platform players
A free EA launcher with library tools, offline mode, and optional EA Play access.
- Third-party game import
- Subscription catalog
- Offline mode
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit EA app -
Best forUbisoft game subscribers
A useful Ubisoft hub with a free launcher and optional game subscriptions.
- Subscription catalog
- Cloud saves
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Ubisoft -
Best forPlayers of games and software from itch.io
A free, open-source desktop app for managing itch.io downloads across three operating systems.
- Offline mode
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit itch.io -
Best forBlizzard and free-to-play game libraries
A free Blizzard launcher with strong social tools and a focused game library.
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Battle.net -
Best forParadox strategy-game players
A free launcher for managing Paradox games, DLC, achievements, and mod playsets.
- Mod integration
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Paradox -
Best forPlaying supported mobile games on Windows
A free Windows launcher for supported mobile games, with PC controls and synced progress.
- Subscription catalog
- Cloud saves
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit Google Play -
Best forPlayers of supported Nexon games
A free Windows and macOS launcher focused on managing and playing Nexon games.
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit Nexon -
Best forRuneScape players on Windows or macOS
A free Windows and macOS launcher for RuneScape, Old School RuneScape, and RuneLite.
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit Jagex Launcher -
Best forPlayers managing Wargaming games on Windows or macOS
A free launcher for managing Wargaming game installs, updates, and accounts.
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit Wargaming -
Best forMY.GAMES players on Windows
A free Windows hub for MY.GAMES titles, library organization, updates, and social features.
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit MY.GAMES -
Best forAlbion Online players on desktop
A free desktop launcher for Albion Online, with game updates, news and account access.
6.7/10★★★☆☆Visit Albion Online -
Best forGameforge account holders
A free Windows launcher for installing Gameforge games and managing their accounts.
6.6/10★★★☆☆Visit Gameforge -
Best forWarframe players on Windows
A free Windows launcher for Warframe, with diagnostics and cross-platform account saves.
- Cloud saves
6.3/10★★★☆☆Visit Warframe -
Best forPlayers of Innova and other supported publisher games
A free Windows launcher for installing and managing games supported by Inn.games.
6.1/10★★★☆☆Visit Inn.games -
Best forBlack Desert buyers on Windows
A focused Windows client for installing and starting Black Desert Online, with paid game access.
5.9/10★★★☆☆Visit Pearl Abyss
No tools match those filters.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steam | Yes | Free | 9.4 |
| 2 | GOG Galaxy | Yes | Free | 9.1 |
| 3 | Xbox app for PC | Yes | $13.99/mo | 8.9 |
| 4 | Epic Games Store | Yes | 8.7 | |
| 5 | LaunchBox | Yes | $30 one-time | 8.5 |
| 6 | Lutris | Yes | Free | 8.4 |
| 7 | EA app | Yes | $39.99/yr | 8.2 |
| 8 | Ubisoft Connect | Yes | $7.99/mo | 8.0 |
| 9 | itch app | Yes | Free | 7.9 |
| 10 | Battle.net | Yes | Free | 7.8 |
| 11 | Paradox Launcher | Yes | Free | 7.7 |
| 12 | Google Play Games on PC | Yes | Free | 7.5 |
| 13 | Nexon Launcher | Yes | Free | 7.4 |
| 14 | Jagex Launcher | Yes | Free | 7.3 |
| 15 | Wargaming.net Game Center | Yes | Free | 7.1 |
| 16 | MY.GAMES Launcher | Yes | Free | 6.9 |
| 17 | Albion Online Launcher | Yes | 6.7 | |
| 18 | Gameforge Client | Yes | Free | 6.6 |
| 19 | Warframe Launcher | Yes | Free | 6.3 |
| 20 | Inn.games | Yes | Free | 6.1 |
| 21 | Black Desert Launcher | No | $10 one-time | 5.9 |
Head-to-head All 27 comparisons →
- Steam vs GOG Galaxy
- Steam vs Xbox app for PC
- Steam vs Epic Games Store
- Steam vs LaunchBox
- Steam vs Lutris
- Steam vs EA app
- Steam vs Ubisoft Connect
- GOG Galaxy vs Xbox app for PC
- GOG Galaxy vs Epic Games Store
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How we rank PC game launchers
Every tool on this page was researched by iTechGuides Editors from its official website — pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. We rank on how well each one does this category's core job, what the free or entry plan includes, and where it falls short. Where we have enough verified facts, the score out of 10 is a rubric — job fit, value and how much we could verify — shown with its breakdown on every tool's page; a tool we have not verified enough to score yet shows its rank without a number. Scores are re-checked when a product changes its plans. Read the full editorial policy, or submit a tool we missed.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update