The Best Free Steam AlternativesTop Game & App Stores like Steam

The best free alternative to Steam is GOG.com. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to Steam and loads of them is free so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free alternatives to Steam are itch.io, Lutris, Ubisoft Connect and Playnite.

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Steam alternatives are mainly Game Stores, but if you're looking for Game Library Managers or App Stores you can filter on that. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Steam.
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Steam is a digital distribution, digital rights management, multiplayer and communications platform developed by Valve Corporation. It is used to distribute a wide range of games and related media entirely over the...

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Steam alternatives page was last updated Apr 27, 2025
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  1. GOG.com icon
     680 likes
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    Digital platform for DRM-free PC games featuring both classics and modern releases, fully downloadable and playable without a launcher, curated selection, 30-day returns, compatibility updates, extra content like soundtracks, and support for multiple platforms.

    47 GOG.com alternatives

    License model

    • FreeProprietary

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • PL flagPoland
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

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

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  Gaming-focused

    Features

    1.  DRM Free
    2.  Optional launcher/overlay
    3.  European data privacy
    4. Steam icon  Import from Steam
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  Achievements Supported
    7.  Giveaways
    8.  Community-based
    9.  Two-factor Authentication
    10.  Cloud Sync
    11.  Integrated Chat

    GOG.com VS 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.
    Top Positive Comment
    Atoshi
    Dec 7, 2016
    10

    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.

    Most Recent Comment
    DL300
    Positive Sep 28, 2022
    0

    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.

    student twenty
    Positive Dec 24, 2020
    0

    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.

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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
     255 likes
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    Indie game marketplace and community platform providing customizable pricing, pay-what-you-want options, game file hosting, stats tracking, and an app managing downloads and updates across Windows, macOS, and Linux, plus support for non-game digital content.

    40 itch.io alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    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 VS Steam

     
    Comments about itch.io as an Alternative to Steam
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    Oct 20, 2016
    16

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

    Most Recent Comment
    bonepyramid
    Positive Jun 11, 2022
    0

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

    thebenmix11
    Positive Sep 7, 2020
    1

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

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    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
     214 likes
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    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.

    53 Lutris alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Country of Origin

    • FR flagFrance
    • European Union flagEU

    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 VS Steam

     
    Comments about Lutris as an Alternative to Steam
    Conner Vieira
    Positive Jan 20, 2022
    5

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

    ab1
    Negative Dec 21, 2020
    -2

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

    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. Ubisoft Connect icon
     62 likes
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    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.

    29 Ubisoft Connect alternatives

    License model

    • FreeProprietary

    Country of Origin

    • FR flagFrance
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad

    Ubisoft Connect Features

    1.  Two-factor Authentication
    2.  Cloud Sync
    3.  Game Launcher

    Ubisoft Connect VS Steam

     
    Comments about Ubisoft Connect as an Alternative to Steam
    Most Recent Comment
    DL300
    Positive Sep 28, 2022
    2

    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.

    somegirlfromit
    Positive Sep 29, 2019
    2

    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.

    Kualdir
    Positive Apr 27, 2025
    0

    While the launcher isn't great, by buying your games here you don't give 30% of a cut to platforms like Steam, thereby Ubisoft gets more money from your purchase.

    Steam Icon
    Ubisoft Connect icon
    • Most users think Ubisoft Connect is a great Steam alternative.

    • Ubisoft Connect is the most popular iPhone & iPad alternative to Steam.

    • Ubisoft Connect is Free and ProprietarySteam is also Free and Proprietary
  5. Playnite icon
     210 likes
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    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.

    40 Playnite alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • CZ flagCzechia
    • European Union flagEU

    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. GOG.com icon  Import from GoG
    12.  Controller Support

    Playnite VS Steam

     
    Comments about Playnite as an Alternative to Steam
    DL300
    Positive Sep 28, 2022
    2

    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.

    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
  6. Epic Games Store icon
     110 likes
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    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?

    31 Epic Games Store alternatives

    License model

    • FreeProprietary

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    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 VS Steam

     
    Comments about Epic Games Store as an Alternative to Steam
    Top Positive Comment
    student twenty
    Dec 24, 2020
    2

    While it has a ways to go UI and UX-wise, the Epic store has a good game selection, is significantly more picky than Steam's We'll Take Anything attitude that leads to boatloads of crapware, and does a better job of supporting developers. Sure, it's a front for aa huge corporation, but it's not like Steam is much better.

    Top Negative Comment
    braky
    Aug 21, 2019
    6

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

    Most Recent Comment
    Anipe
    Positive May 10, 2022
    1

    different games and encourages competition in the industry, its good

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    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 Free and ProprietarySteam is also Free and Proprietary
  7. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Google's official Android marketplace offers a diverse range of apps, games, books, and movies. Accessible via Android devices and web browsers, it features user reviews, secure transactions with Play Protect, personalized recommendations, and integrates with Google services.

    93 Google Play Store alternatives

    License model

    • FreeProprietary

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet

    Google Play Store Features

    1.  Auto Update
    2.  Google Apps integration
    3.  Android tv
    4.  Cloud Sync
    5.  Categories
    6.  Update Notifier
    7.  Notifications
    8.  Support for Hotkeys

    Google Play Store VS Steam

     
    Comments about Google Play Store as an Alternative to Steam
    Top Positive Comment
    ab1
    Sep 1, 2021
    3

    Very decent and no need to install it for most phones

    Top Negative Comment
    Anipe
    May 10, 2022
    1

    Only for mobile and isnt game orianted, also lacks everything besides buying apps

    Most Recent Comment
    Kualdir
    Negative Apr 27, 2025
    0

    This is only for mobile games, steam is for PC.

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    3 of 5 comments
    Steam Icon
    Google Play Store icon
    • Most users think Google Play Store is a great Steam alternative.

    • Google Play Store is Free and ProprietarySteam is also Free and Proprietary
7 of 58 Steam alternatives