The Best Steam AlternativesTop Game & App Stores like Steam

Steam is described as 'Digital distribution, digital rights management, multiplayer and communications platform developed by Valve Corporation' and is a leading Game Store in the gaming software category. There are more than 50 alternatives to Steam for a variety of platforms, including Web-based, Windows, Mac, Android and Linux apps. The best Steam alternative is GOG.com, which is free. Other great apps like Steam are itch.io, Lutris, Humble Bundle and Epic Games Store.

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Steam alternatives are mainly Game Stores but may also be Game Library Managers or App Stores.  Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Steam.
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Steam is a digital distribution, digital rights management, multiplayer and communications platform developed by Valve Corporation.

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Steam alternatives page was last updated Sep 29, 2024
  1. GOG.com icon
     665 likes

    GOG.com, or Good Old Games, is a digital platform selling PC games. It offers a wide variety of classic and new titles, all free from Digital Rights Management (DRM) and updated to be compatible with current operating systems.

    48 GOG.com alternatives
    GOG.com screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeProprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  DRM Free
    2.  Optional launcher/overlay
    3. Steam icon  Import from Steam
    4.  European data privacy
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  Achievements Supported
    7.  Giveaways
    8.  Community-based
    9.  Integrated Chat
    GOG.com iconSteam Icon

    GOG.com VS Steam

    Is GOG.com a good alternative to Steam?
     
    Comments about GOG.com as an Alternative to Steam
     
       
    Comment summary: GOG.com is frequently praised for being DRM-free, allowing true ownership of games compared to Steam's model. Users appreciate GOG's consumer-friendly practices and support for older games on modern OSes. Comments highlight the quality curation of games, less clutter than Steam, and the flexible GOG Galaxy 2.0 launcher. Some criticism includes bundled mystery software. GOG's offline capabilities and data privacy are valued, making it a strong alternative to Steam.
    Atoshi

    Lack of DRMs, no requirements to stay online during playing, offline installers that you can keep forever, and they let you specify any target location for game files. You are legally allowed to redownload and install all games on unlimited number of computers in your household. Optional Steam-like client is available.

    Top positive commentDec 7, 2016
    10
    DL300

    Better than Steam in every way except player counts. If you aren't going to be playing multiplayer, GoG is objectively superior in every way.

    Positive commentSep 28, 2022
    0
    student twenty

    The curated content means that there's significantly less absolute crap than you'll find on Steam. DRM free means no DRM treating you like a pirate when you're just trying to play the game you bought. I love GoG Galaxy 2.0 as a launcher, since it can also add in games from other services, although I am sad that there's no native Linux client yet. Overall, just great stuff.

    Positive commentDec 24, 2020
    0
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    3 of 13 comments
    Steam Icon
    GOG.com icon
    • Almost everyone thinks GOG.com is a great Steam alternative.

    • GOG.com is the most popular Web-based, Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to Steam.

    • GOG.com is the most popular free alternative to Steam.

    • GOG.com is Free and ProprietarySteam is also Free and Proprietary
    • GOG.com is Privacy focused and LightweightSteam is not according to our users
  2. itch.io icon
     235 likes

    An online game marketplace and community. Also an app which manages downloading and updating of games acquired through the website.

    40 itch.io alternatives
    itch.io screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • Epic Games Store

    itch.io Features

    1.  DRM Free
    2.  Games library
    3.  Content Discovery
    4.  Browser-based
    5.  Distribution
    6.  Open Revenue Sharing
    7.  Electron based
    8.  Two-factor Authentication
    9.  Ad-free
    itch.io iconSteam Icon

    itch.io VS Steam

    Is itch.io a good alternative to Steam?
     
    Comments about itch.io as an Alternative to Steam
     
       
    Guest

    Quite possibly the best place available to lose an afternoon digging through both free and paid indie games ever since Desura kicked the bucket.

    Top positive commentOct 20, 2016
    15
    bonepyramid

    Live life, breathe air. I know somehow we're gonna get there, and it'll be so wonderful.

    Positive commentJun 11, 2022
    0
    thebenmix11

    In my experience, it's one of the few that are both user-friendly and developer-friendly at the same time.

    Positive commentSep 7, 2020
    0
    Show more comments
    3 of 5 comments
    Steam Icon
    itch.io icon
    • Almost everyone thinks itch.io is a great Steam alternative.

    • itch.io is the most popular Android & Android Tablet alternative to Steam.

    • itch.io is the most popular Open Source alternative to Steam.

    • itch.io is Free and Open SourceSteam is Free and Proprietary
  3. Lutris icon
     203 likes

    Lutris is an open source gaming platform for GNU/Linux. It allows you to gather and manage (install, configure and launch) all your games acquired from any source, in a single interface.

    50 Lutris alternatives
    Lutris screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Online
    • Flathub

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Game Launcher
    2.  Custom Scripts
    3.  Multi System Emulator
    4.  Compatibility Layer
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  Dark Mode
    7.  Two-factor Authentication
    Lutris iconSteam Icon

    Lutris VS Steam

    Is Lutris a good alternative to Steam?
     
    Comments about Lutris as an Alternative to Steam
     
    Conner Vieira

    Lutris isn't exactly a store, the way Steam is, but it's great for managing large game libraries, and even supports seamless emulation.

    Positive commentJan 20, 2022
    3
    ab1

    Many Installers are broken and users are welcomed to guess which and how... Mix of minefield and junkyard in practice. Just save your time.

    Negative commentDec 21, 2020
    -1
    Steam Icon
    Lutris icon
    • Most users think Lutris is a great Steam alternative.

    • Lutris is Free and Open SourceSteam is Free and Proprietary
    • Lutris is LightweightSteam is not according to our users
  4. Humble Bundle icon
     319 likes

    Buy a bundle of games, you decide the price, and support charity in the process.

    26 Humble Bundle alternatives
    Humble Bundle homepage October 2019

    License model

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • Android Tablet

    Humble Bundle Features

    1.  Charity
    2.  DRM Free
    3.  Two-factor Authentication
    4.  Games library
    5.  Loot subscription
    Humble Bundle iconSteam Icon

    Humble Bundle VS Steam

    Is Humble Bundle a good alternative to Steam?
     
    Comments about Humble Bundle as an Alternative to Steam
     
       
    somegirlfromit

    Be careful when purchasing - vendors can choose to either sell DRM-free copies (most common), Steam keys (also common), or keys for other less common platforms (uPlay, Origin, Battle.net, and proprietary vendor launchers among them).

    Top positive commentSep 29, 2019
    3
    tvgoing1

    humble bundle requires steam and other stores websites, i do not think its an alternative to steam or other platforms that sell games/software.

    Top negative commentFeb 15, 2021
    4
    Hiki Hollow

    Not only is there sales for games, but also books and software. And if you keep an eye out, you can get a lot of games for dirt-cheap. Usually upon buying games, you get key for them. There are exceptions, where you have to download, or can download additional content.

    You can also freely choose how much of the money goes to the charity, devs etc.

    Positive commentOct 24, 2019
    0
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    3 of 6 comments
    Steam Icon
    Humble Bundle icon
    • Most users think Humble Bundle is a great Steam alternative.

    • Humble Bundle is the most popular commercial alternative to Steam.

    • Humble Bundle is Paid and ProprietarySteam is Free and Proprietary
  5. Epic Games Store icon
     108 likes

    The Epic Games Store is a digital platform for computer games that champions developer success by offering an 88% revenue share. With the "Epic First Run" program, developers enjoy 100% revenue for the first six months for exclusive titles, transitioning to the standard split thereafter?

    30 Epic Games Store alternatives
    Epic Games Store screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeProprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Android
    • Android Tablet

    Epic Games Store Features

    1.  Games library
    2.  Game Launcher
    3.  Giveaways
    4.  Achievements Supported
    Epic Games Store iconSteam Icon

    Epic Games Store VS Steam

    Is Epic Games Store a good alternative to Steam?
     
    Comments about Epic Games Store as an Alternative to Steam
     
       
    Anipe

    different games and encourages competition in the industry, its good

    Top positive commentMay 10, 2022
    1
    braky

    Epic Games forces games (not all) who were announced to release on other distribution platforms to release exclusively on their storefront.

    Top negative commentAug 21, 2019
    7
    Alan Maccormak

    Whatever you said Steam is just more easy to use and more widespread than Epic Games, but EGS itself is quite good

    Positive commentMar 3, 2022
    0
    Show more comments
    3 of 5 comments
    Steam Icon
    Epic Games Store icon
    • Most users think Epic Games Store is a great Steam alternative.

    • Epic Games Store is the most popular iPhone & iPad alternative to Steam.

    • Epic Games Store is Free and ProprietarySteam is also Free and Proprietary
  6. Ubisoft Connect icon
     60 likes

    Multiplatform ecosystem uniting gamers with cross-progression and cross-play features. Enjoy news, rewards, and social benefits across devices, accessible via desktop and mobile apps.

    27 Ubisoft Connect alternatives
    Ubisoft Connect screenshot 1
    Ubisoft Connect screenshot 2
    +1
    Ubisoft Connect screenshot 3

    License model

    • FreeProprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad

    Ubisoft Connect Features

    1.  Two-factor Authentication
    2.  Cloud Sync
    3.  Game Launcher
    Ubisoft Connect iconSteam Icon

    Ubisoft Connect VS Steam

    Is Ubisoft Connect a good alternative to Steam?
     
    Comments about Ubisoft Connect as an Alternative to Steam
     
    somegirlfromit

    Almost purely used for the Ubisoft catalog (Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, etc.) but a much tighter offering than it was when it launched in 2009.

    Positive commentSep 29, 2019
    2
    DL300

    Garbage. Constant nagging, terrible UI, awful prices, very buggy and slow. Literally not one single positive. Also rammed down your throat on Steam so double DRM, also for no reason.

    Positive commentSep 28, 2022
    1
    Steam Icon
    Ubisoft Connect icon
    • Most users think Ubisoft Connect is a great Steam alternative.

    • Ubisoft Connect is Free and ProprietarySteam is also Free and Proprietary
  7. Playnite icon
     197 likes

    Video game library manager and launcher with support for 3rd party libraries like Steam, GOG, Origin and Uplay, providing one unified interface for your games.

    35 Playnite alternatives
    Playnite screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows

    Properties

    1.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Games library
    2.  Game Launcher
    3.  Multiple Account support
    4.  Import from Epic Games
    5.  Front End Emulation
    6.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    7. Steam icon  Import from Steam
    8.  Search metadata
    9.  Launcher
    10.  API Integration
    11.  Controller Support
    12.  Auto Update
    Playnite iconSteam Icon

    Playnite VS Steam

    Is Playnite a good alternative to Steam?
     
    Comments about Playnite as an Alternative to Steam
     
    DL300

    Way, way better than Steam in every single way. Even has exotic console features like quick-resume. Steam is an absolute first-year-coder joke compared to this. Playnite's devs work hard and are talented.

    Positive commentSep 28, 2022
    2
    Steam Icon
    Playnite icon
    • Most users think Playnite is a great Steam alternative.

    • Playnite is Free and Open SourceSteam is Free and Proprietary
    • Playnite is CustomizableSteam is not according to our users
7 of 68 Steam alternatives