Steam vs itch app

Steam9.4Visit itch app8.5Visit

Higher score Steam #1 in App Store 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Steam

vs

itch app #6 in App Store 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit itch.io

• Steam fits best

  PC game publishers seeking a broad storefront

• itch app fits best

  Indie players managing itch.io game downloads

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Side by side

Feature	Steam 9.4/10 Visit ↗	itch app 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	8.5
Ranking	#1 in App Store	#6 in App Store
Best for	PC game publishers seeking a broad storefront	Indie players managing itch.io game downloads
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop, Mobile	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	Windows, macOS, Linux
Features Steam 0/5 · itch app 0/5
App review	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
In-app payments	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Subscriptions	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
App analytics	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Web distribution	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Broad storefront and library across Windows, macOS, Linux, and SteamOS Workshop, community hubs, reviews, broadcasting, and discovery tools Cloud saves, offline mode, controller support, and remote library management	Installs and automatically updates supported itch.io downloads Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux, with offline launch after authentication Manages multiple install locations and scans for existing installs
Cons	Individual games and other content may require separate purchases Cloud saves depend on support from each individual game Offline play is available only for supported installed games	Focuses on itch.io rather than serving as a general app storefront Offline launching requires prior authentication Complements the itch.io website rather than replacing it
Our verdict	Steam is Valve’s digital game distribution and PC gaming platform, built around a storefront and library for purchasing, downloading, updating, and launching games. It suits PC game publishers seeking a broad storefront and players who… Read the review →	For players who get games and software through itch.io, itch app is a desktop client for browsing the store, accessing purchases and collections, and downloading, installing, and launching titles. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. The… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Steam — where it wins

  • Broad storefront and library across Windows, macOS, Linux, and SteamOS
  • Workshop, community hubs, reviews, broadcasting, and discovery tools
  • Cloud saves, offline mode, controller support, and remote library management

  Where it doesn't

  • Individual games and other content may require separate purchases
  • Cloud saves depend on support from each individual game
  • Offline play is available only for supported installed games

• itch app — where it wins

  • Installs and automatically updates supported itch.io downloads
  • Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux, with offline launch after authentication
  • Manages multiple install locations and scans for existing installs

  Where it doesn't

  • Focuses on itch.io rather than serving as a general app storefront
  • Offline launching requires prior authentication
  • Complements the itch.io website rather than replacing it

• Steam9.4/10 · Free plan

  A free, broad game storefront with library, community, Workshop, and cloud tools.

  Visit SteamFull verdict →
• itch app8.5/10 · Free plan

  A free desktop client for downloading and managing itch.io games and software.

  Visit itch.ioFull verdict →