Steam vs Lutris

Steam9.4Visit Lutris8.4Visit

Higher score Steam #1 in PC Game Launchers 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Steam

vs

Lutris #6 in PC Game Launchers 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Lutris

• Steam fits best

  PC gamers seeking a free, feature-rich game library

• Lutris fits best

  Linux users combining stores and emulators

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Side by side

Feature	Steam 9.4/10 Visit ↗	Lutris 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	8.4
Ranking	#1 in PC Game Launchers	#6 in PC Game Launchers
Best for	PC gamers seeking a free, feature-rich game library	Linux users combining stores and emulators
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop, Mobile	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	Linux
Features Steam 4/5 · Lutris 0/5
Cloud saves	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Offline mode	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Subscription catalog	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Third-party game import	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Mod integration	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Specs
Supported OS	Windows	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Free client with Windows, macOS, and Linux support Workshop mods, community features, and non-Steam shortcuts Cloud saves and offline play for supported games	Combines libraries from major storefronts in one desktop client Supports emulators, Wine-based runners, and game-engine re-implementations Automates installations with user-created YAML or JSON scripts
Cons	Games and other content may cost extra Cloud saves and offline play depend on the game and its configuration Mobile apps are companions, not listed as desktop game platforms	The desktop client is documented for Linux only Setup depends on user-created installer scripts Steam library synchronization requires a Lutris account
Our verdict	Steam brings a digital game storefront and library together with tools for downloading, updating, and launching games. Its PC client supports Windows, macOS, Linux, and SteamOS, while iOS and Android apps provide mobile companion access.… Read the review →	Lutris is an open-source Linux game library manager and launcher for organizing games from multiple storefronts and gaming systems. It is aimed at Linux desktop users who want one interface for native, Windows, retro, and emulated games.… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Steam — where it wins

  • Free client with Windows, macOS, and Linux support
  • Workshop mods, community features, and non-Steam shortcuts
  • Cloud saves and offline play for supported games

  Where it doesn't

  • Games and other content may cost extra
  • Cloud saves and offline play depend on the game and its configuration
  • Mobile apps are companions, not listed as desktop game platforms

• Lutris — where it wins

  • Combines libraries from major storefronts in one desktop client
  • Supports emulators, Wine-based runners, and game-engine re-implementations
  • Automates installations with user-created YAML or JSON scripts

  Where it doesn't

  • The desktop client is documented for Linux only
  • Setup depends on user-created installer scripts
  • Steam library synchronization requires a Lutris account

• Steam9.4/10 · Free plan

  A free game library and launcher with community tools, mods, cloud saves, and offline play.

  Visit SteamFull verdict →
• Lutris8.4/10 · Free plan

  A flexible Linux launcher for multi-store libraries, emulators, and compatibility layers.

  Visit LutrisFull verdict →