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The best alternatives to Steam depend on what you want: Epic Games Store is the strongest general-purpose option for free games and major releases, GOG is best for DRM-free downloads, PC Game Pass is best for subscription access, and itch.io leads for indie and experimental games. Battle.net, EA app, and Ubisoft Connect are specialist publisher launchers.
Steam remains the most complete all-purpose PC gaming platform, but it is not the only way to buy, download, or access PC games. The right alternative depends on whether you want permanent purchases, a rotating subscription catalogue, fewer DRM restrictions, experimental indie games, or access to a specific publisher’s library.
Key takeaways
- Epic Games Store is the best general Steam alternative for free games, major releases, frequent promotions, and selected regional pricing.
- GOG is the strongest choice for DRM-free games, optional-client access, offline installers, and classic PC-game preservation.
- Xbox PC Game Pass provides subscription access rather than ownership, and access ends when the subscription ends or a game leaves the catalogue.
- itch.io is best for independent, experimental, browser-based, free, and pay-what-you-want games, but quality and support vary by project.
- Battle.net, EA app, and Ubisoft Connect are publisher ecosystems, not broad replacements for Steam’s catalogue and community features.
- Playnite can unify existing libraries from several stores, but it does not replace the underlying stores, accounts, or DRM.
Top 7 alternatives to Steam at a glance
These seven platforms are not identical products. Epic and GOG are conventional storefronts, PC Game Pass is primarily a subscription library, itch.io is a creator marketplace, and the final three are publisher-specific ecosystems.
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epic Games Store | Free games and major releases | Storefront and launcher | Permanent purchases and free-to-play games | Primarily Windows PC gaming | Less mature community functionality and occasional extra launchers |
| GOG | DRM-free games and classics | Storefront with optional client | Permanent purchases; supported games commonly include offline installers | Windows, macOS, and Linux support varies by title | Smaller catalogue and inconsistent multiplayer features |
| Xbox PC Game Pass | Subscription value and trying games | Subscription library and store | Access while subscribed and while games remain included | Requires supported Windows 10 or Windows 11 | No permanent ownership and rotating catalogue |
| itch.io | Indie and experimental discovery | Creator marketplace | Free, pay-what-you-want, and paid titles | Support depends on each game | Uneven quality, installation, and support |
| Battle.net | Blizzard games | Publisher storefront and launcher | Title-dependent purchases and services | Check each game’s requirements | Not a broad general-purpose store |
| EA app | EA games and EA Play | Publisher storefront and launcher | Purchases and subscription access | Windows 10/11 64-bit; macOS Catalina or newer, according to EA | May be required even for EA games bought through Steam or Epic |
| Ubisoft Connect | Ubisoft games and Ubisoft+ | Publisher ecosystem and launcher | Purchases, subscriptions, rewards, and supported services | Check each game and region | Limited mainly to Ubisoft content |
Which Steam alternative is best overall?
Epic Games Store is the best overall alternative for most Windows PC players who want another broad storefront, recurring free games, major releases, and regular promotions. Epic is not a complete replacement for every Steam feature: Steam generally offers a more established community, review, discussion, mod, and library ecosystem.
#1 Best Overall
GOG is a better overall choice for readers who define “best” as DRM-free access and offline installers. PC Game Pass is better for players who regularly try many games and do not require permanent ownership. itch.io is better for people who want unusual independent games rather than the largest AAA catalogue.
The ranking is therefore use-case based, not a claim that one launcher is universally superior. A reader who wants to avoid multiple launchers may also find that publisher-specific stores create more fragmentation rather than less.
1. Epic Games Store: best for free games and major releases
Epic Games Store is the closest broad storefront competitor to Steam in this list. The store carries major new releases, free-to-play games, Epic-published titles, promotions, and recurring free-game giveaways. Visit the official Epic Games Store to check current availability, prices, regional currency, and promotions.
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Epic is especially useful as a second store. A reader may keep Steam for an existing library while using Epic when a game is free there, cheaper during a particular promotion, or unavailable on Steam. Regional availability, currency, taxes, editions, and promotional terms can differ, so a price displayed in one country or during one sale is not a permanent advantage.
Epic’s main weakness is the surrounding ecosystem. Community features, user reviews, discussions, and some library-management functions are less comprehensive or mature than Steam’s. A game purchased through Epic may also require a separate publisher account or launcher. That means choosing Epic does not automatically reduce the number of accounts installed on a PC.
| Epic advantage | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| Recurring free-game programme | Useful for building a library without buying every title, subject to the current promotion and claiming requirements. |
| Major releases | Some games and pre-orders appear on Epic before Steam, or may be unavailable on Steam, depending on publisher arrangements. |
| Frequent promotions | Good for deal hunters, but discounts and coupons must be checked at the time of purchase. |
| Broad storefront role | More suitable than a publisher launcher for readers seeking games from many developers. |
| Less complete community layer | Readers who depend on Steam discussions, reviews, Workshop content, or a mature social ecosystem may miss those tools. |
Choose Epic if: free games, a specific major release, or a promotion matters more than having Steam’s most established community and mod ecosystem.
2. GOG: best for DRM-free games and classic PC preservation
GOG is the best Steam alternative for readers who prioritize DRM-free downloads, offline installers, classic games, and reduced dependence on a store client. GOG describes itself as a curated digital distribution platform focused on user freedom, and GOG Galaxy is optional rather than the only way to access supported purchases. The GOG storefront identifies available games and platform support, while the GOG support hub provides title-specific help.
GOG’s ownership proposition needs careful wording. A DRM-free installer generally gives a buyer more independence from the launcher than a conventional account-bound installation, but DRM-free does not guarantee that every online service will work forever or that a game will remain compatible with every future operating system and hardware configuration. Multiplayer, cloud saves, achievements, mod tools, and third-party accounts vary by game.
GOG is particularly strong for older PC games because the store often packages classic releases for current systems. The catalogue is smaller than Steam’s, and some new AAA releases never appear on GOG. Linux support also varies by individual title even though GOG exposes Linux-compatible games and platform filters.
| GOG feature | What to verify before buying |
|---|---|
| DRM-free downloads | Check the individual product page and whether the specific edition includes offline installers. |
| Optional GOG Galaxy client | Confirm whether the features you want, such as cloud saves or achievements, require Galaxy for that game. |
| Classic-game catalogue | Check modern Windows, macOS, or Linux compatibility for the specific release. |
| Offline play | Confirm whether multiplayer, anti-cheat, online progression, or third-party account services impose additional requirements. |
| Smaller selection | Search GOG before assuming a new release or a particular multiplayer title is available. |
Choose GOG if: you want the strongest available alternative to client-dependent PC gaming and are willing to trade catalogue size and some community features for DRM-free access.
3. Xbox PC Game Pass: best subscription alternative
Xbox PC Game Pass is the best Steam alternative for players who want to access many games for a recurring fee rather than buy every game permanently. Microsoft states on the official PC Game Pass page that access depends on an active subscription and on a game remaining in the catalogue.
PC Game Pass is attractive when a player tries several included games each month, wants access to Microsoft and Xbox first-party PC releases, or wants to sample a title before deciding whether to buy it. Selected games may also carry a member discount, but the discount and eligible products must be checked on the relevant product page.
PC Game Pass is not ownership. If the subscription ends, or if a game leaves the catalogue, the player loses subscription access unless the player purchases the game separately. Saves and downloadable content can also behave differently depending on the title and the version used, so readers should verify the game’s specific policies before cancelling.
Microsoft’s current requirements state that PC Game Pass requires Windows 10 or Windows 11 version 22H2 or higher. Catalogue availability, plan terms, pricing, features, and supported regions can change. Microsoft also says recurring billing is enabled by default unless the subscriber turns it off, making cancellation and billing settings worth checking immediately after signup.
| PC Game Pass suits you when… | Consider buying instead when… |
|---|---|
| You play several included games regularly. | You play only one or two games over a long period. |
| You want to try games before committing to a purchase. | You need permanent access to a specific game. |
| You are comfortable with a rotating catalogue. | You do not want a game to disappear from your library if it leaves the service. |
| You use a supported Windows PC. | You primarily use Linux or macOS, or depend on unrestricted file access and modding. |
| You accept recurring billing. | You prefer a one-time purchase with no subscription to manage. |
Choose PC Game Pass if: the number of included games you expect to play justifies recurring access. Do not choose it solely because the monthly price appears lower than buying a game you intend to keep for years.
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4. itch.io: best for indie, experimental, and free games
itch.io is the best Steam alternative for discovering independent, experimental, short-form, browser-based, and game-jam projects. itch.io is a creator-led marketplace rather than a polished AAA replacement. The itch.io storefront includes free games, demos, browser-playable projects, pay-what-you-want releases, and paid games from small developers.
itch.io’s variety is its defining advantage. Readers can find prototypes, unusual genres, experimental interfaces, small narrative games, and projects that would be difficult to discover in a conventional blockbuster-focused store. Buying directly from a creator can also make itch.io a more personal way to support independent development.
The same flexibility produces more variation in quality and support. A game may be a finished commercial release, a prototype, a demo, a downloadable archive, or a browser title. Installation instructions, update frequency, controller support, cloud saves, achievements, operating-system compatibility, and customer support are not standardized across the marketplace. Check the individual game page and developer documentation before downloading.
Choose itch.io if: discovery and originality matter more than a uniform installation experience, a large AAA catalogue, or Steam-style social features. Use the itch.io app when its supported library-management features are useful, but do not assume every itch.io project uses the app in the same way.
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5. Battle.net: best for Blizzard games
Battle.net is the practical alternative for players focused on Blizzard’s catalogue, not a general replacement for Steam. Blizzard’s Battle.net desktop app handles access, installation, updates, accounts, and social functions for the publisher’s PC ecosystem.
Battle.net makes sense when the desired game or franchise is distributed through Blizzard’s platform. The separate ecosystem can provide direct publisher support and account integration, but its catalogue is much narrower than Steam’s. Players should check the current title listing, regional availability, account requirements, and online-service status for the specific game.
Battle.net is therefore best classified as a publisher storefront and launcher. It is not the right recommendation for a reader who wants one broad store containing games from many unrelated publishers.
6. EA app: best for EA games and EA Play
EA app is the best route to EA’s PC catalogue and EA Play, but it is not a broad Steam substitute. EA says the EA app replaced Origin, supports 64-bit Windows 10 and Windows 11 PCs, and supports macOS Catalina or newer on Mac. The current requirements and download information are on the official EA app page.
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EA app is useful for direct EA purchases, EA account management, updates, and EA Play access. It is a poor choice for someone looking for a large cross-publisher catalogue or trying to reduce launcher clutter. Check the individual EA game’s account, online-authentication, modding, and cross-platform requirements before buying.
Choose EA app if: the EA catalogue or EA Play is the reason you are shopping outside Steam. Do not choose it expecting an independent all-purpose store.
7. Ubisoft Connect: best for Ubisoft games and Ubisoft+
Ubisoft Connect is the practical alternative for Ubisoft-focused players, with access to Ubisoft games, account services, rewards, supported cross-progression, and Ubisoft+. Ubisoft describes Connect as a free account-based ecosystem on its official Ubisoft Connect page.
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Ubisoft’s current Connect information says that 100 Units can be redeemed for 20% off an eligible Ubisoft Store purchase, with exclusions including subscriptions, virtual currency, in-game purchases, and some other products. Rewards and discounts can change, so verify the current terms before relying on them.
Choose Ubisoft Connect if: you mainly want Ubisoft’s catalogue or Ubisoft+ access. Ubisoft Connect is not a strong general-purpose replacement for Steam’s selection of unrelated publishers.
What is the difference between a storefront, subscription, publisher launcher, and library manager?
A storefront sells or licenses games, a subscription provides temporary catalogue access, a publisher launcher manages one company’s games, and a library manager organizes games bought elsewhere. Confusing these roles is the reason many “Steam alternatives” lists give misleading recommendations.
| Type | Examples | What the service does | What it does not do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broad storefront | Epic Games Store, GOG | Sells or licenses games from multiple publishers. | It does not guarantee every game is available or free of third-party accounts. |
| Subscription library | Xbox PC Game Pass | Provides access to a changing catalogue during an active subscription. | It does not provide permanent ownership of every included game. |
| Indie marketplace | itch.io | Connects players with independent, experimental, and creator-led projects. | It does not standardize quality, support, updates, or installation. |
| Publisher launcher | Battle.net, EA app, Ubisoft Connect | Provides access to one publisher’s games, accounts, updates, and services. | It is not normally a broad replacement for a multi-publisher store. |
| Key retailer | Humble, Fanatical, Green Man Gaming | Sells discounts, bundles, or activation keys. | The delivered key may still activate on Steam or another platform. |
| Library manager | Playnite, Heroic Games Launcher | Provides a unified interface for games from multiple services. | It does not remove the original account, launcher, DRM, or store requirement. |
What does “buying a game” mean outside Steam?
A purchase outside Steam usually grants an account-bound licence, while a DRM-free download reduces client dependence and a subscription grants temporary access. The word “own” is too imprecise for comparing PC game platforms.
- Account-bound purchase: The game is associated with an account on Epic, EA, Ubisoft, Battle.net, or another service and may require that service to authenticate or launch it.
- DRM-free download: A supported GOG purchase may include offline installers that can be stored and run without the GOG Galaxy client, subject to the game’s own technical and online requirements.
- Subscription entitlement: PC Game Pass access lasts only while the subscription is active and the title remains included.
- Third-party key: A key purchased from Humble, Fanatical, or another retailer may simply be redeemed on Steam or another platform, so the retailer does not necessarily provide an independent library.
- Online-service dependency: Multiplayer, anti-cheat, cloud progression, live-service features, and publisher accounts may remain necessary even when game files are locally installed.
Before buying, check the product page for DRM, client requirements, third-party accounts, offline mode, operating-system support, multiplayer, cloud saves, and refund conditions. The GOG Galaxy support information is useful for understanding how optional-client features vary, while Microsoft documents the conditional nature of Game Pass access on its PC Game Pass FAQ and product page.
Will an alternative store reduce the number of launchers?
Not necessarily. Buying from another store can add a launcher or publisher account instead of replacing Steam with one simpler application. EA explicitly says its app is required for EA PC games even when the games are launched through Steam or Epic. Ubisoft and other publishers can impose similar title-specific requirements.
Launcher count also affects friends lists, cloud saves, achievements, updates, controller support, mod installation, and troubleshooting. A reader should ask four questions before buying:
- Does the game install and launch directly from the chosen store?
- Does the game require a separate publisher account?
- Does the game open another launcher every time?
- Are cloud saves, mods, multiplayer, and achievements supported in the chosen version?
For readers whose real complaint is interface clutter rather than Steam ownership, Playnite is a free, open-source library manager that can import libraries from Steam, Epic, EA, GOG, Battle.net, Ubisoft Connect, and other services. Playnite organizes the underlying libraries; it does not bypass their accounts or DRM.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What about Humble, Fanatical, Green Man Gaming, and Heroic?
Humble, Fanatical, and Green Man Gaming are mainly key retailers, while Heroic is a launcher interface; none is a complete like-for-like Steam replacement.
| Service | Best use | Why it may not replace Steam |
|---|---|---|
| Humble | Bundles, discounts, and charity-linked purchases | Many products provide keys for Steam or another platform. |
| Fanatical | Bundles, discounted games, and deal hunting | Many listings are Steam or other platform keys; the activation platform must be checked. |
| Green Man Gaming | Discounted PC game keys | It is a retailer rather than a complete game-library ecosystem. |
| Heroic Games Launcher | Managing Epic and GOG libraries, especially on Linux and Steam Deck | It does not replace the underlying Epic or GOG account, store, or DRM model. |
These services can be excellent supplements. They are not the right answer when the goal is to avoid Steam activation entirely. Always read the activation-platform label before purchasing a key.
Which Steam alternative is best for Windows, macOS, Linux, or Steam Deck?
Operating-system support is determined by the individual game as well as the store, and Steam Deck compatibility requires separate verification. A store may sell a Linux-native game while its launcher lacks a Linux version, or a Windows game may work through a compatibility layer without official support.
- Windows: All seven options are primarily relevant here, but Game Pass has explicit Windows requirements and publisher launchers can impose their own requirements.
- macOS: GOG availability varies by title, and EA states that the EA app for Mac requires macOS Catalina or newer. Check every game’s Mac support rather than assuming that a storefront’s Mac client makes its whole catalogue compatible.
- Linux: GOG lists Linux-compatible games, but individual native support remains title-specific. Epic, publisher launchers, compatibility layers, anti-cheat, and game updates can affect results.
- Steam Deck: Native Linux builds, Wine or Proton compatibility, controller support, anti-cheat, and launcher behavior are separate questions. A game being sold on Epic, GOG, or another store does not automatically make the game Deck-verified.
For Linux and Steam Deck users, Heroic may simplify access to some Epic and GOG libraries, but Heroic is an interface rather than a new storefront. Verify the game itself, current compatibility reports, controller behavior, and whether the publisher launcher works correctly.
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How should you choose a Steam alternative?
Choose by access model first, then compare catalogue, DRM, operating-system support, launcher requirements, multiplayer, and price. The following decision guide is more useful than ranking every platform by catalogue size.
- Want a broad second store? Choose Epic Games Store.
- Want DRM-free installers and classic games? Choose GOG.
- Want to play many games for one recurring fee? Choose Xbox PC Game Pass, provided the catalogue and Windows requirements suit you.
- Want prototypes, game jams, browser games, or unusual indie releases? Choose itch.io.
- Want Blizzard games? Use Battle.net.
- Want EA games or EA Play? Use the EA app, even if another storefront was involved in the purchase.
- Want Ubisoft games or Ubisoft+? Use Ubisoft Connect.
- Want one interface for libraries you already own? Use Playnite, or consider Heroic for selected Epic and GOG libraries on Linux and Steam Deck.
- Want the cheapest key? Check Humble, Fanatical, and Green Man Gaming, but confirm the activation platform before buying.
When comparing two specific games, evaluate catalogue breadth, exclusive access, discount frequency, DRM, launcher quality, operating-system support, cloud saves, mod support, refund rules, subscription value, and the risk of requiring additional launchers. A single numerical score hides the most important differences between these services.
What are the biggest drawbacks of leaving Steam?
The main drawbacks are fragmented libraries, separate accounts, inconsistent cloud saves and achievements, missing community tools, and publisher-specific launchers. Moving to Epic or GOG can change where future purchases live, but it does not transfer an existing Steam library. A Game Pass catalogue can reduce purchases but can also introduce removals and subscription management. Publisher stores can provide a desired game while narrowing the rest of the catalogue.
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Online multiplayer creates another edge case. A DRM-free installer can reduce client dependence without removing server requirements, anti-cheat, publisher authentication, or account-bound progression. A platform change therefore cannot guarantee fewer logins or permanent access to live-service features.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I completely avoid Steam by using another PC game store?
Yes, for games purchased directly from Epic, GOG, itch.io, Battle.net, EA app, or Ubisoft Connect, but not every alternative is independent of other accounts or launchers. Humble and Fanatical often sell keys that still activate on Steam, and some publisher games require a second launcher even when purchased through another store.
Is GOG better than Steam for game ownership?
GOG is better for readers who prioritize DRM-free downloads and offline installers, because GOG Galaxy is optional for supported games. DRM-free access does not guarantee indefinite compatibility, permanent online services, or the continuation of multiplayer features.
Is PC Game Pass cheaper than buying PC games?
PC Game Pass can be better value when a player regularly plays several included games, but PC Game Pass provides subscription access rather than permanent ownership. Access ends when the subscription ends or when a game leaves the catalogue, so buying is preferable for a game the player intends to keep.
Can Playnite replace Steam?
Playnite can replace Steam as a library-management interface, but it cannot replace Steam’s store, account, DRM, or game files. Playnite imports libraries from services such as Steam, Epic, EA, GOG, Battle.net, and Ubisoft Connect and launches games through the underlying services.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: There is no single perfect replacement for Steam. Choose Epic Games Store for free games and major releases, GOG for DRM-free access and classic games, Xbox PC Game Pass for subscription value, and itch.io for independent discovery. Use Battle.net, EA app, or Ubisoft Connect when a publisher’s catalogue makes its separate ecosystem worthwhile. If the real problem is launcher clutter, keep the stores you need and use Playnite to organize them.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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