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.
filter to find the best alternatives
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.- Game Store
- Free • Proprietary
47 GOG.com alternativesDigital 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.
License model
- Free • Proprietary
Application type
Country of Origin
Poland
EU
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
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 CommentMost Recent CommentDL300Better 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 twentyThe 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.
40 itch.io alternativesIndie 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.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
Country of Origin
United States
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- Android Tablet
- Epic Games Store
itch.io Features
itch.io VS Steam
Comments about itch.io as an Alternative to Steam
Top Positive CommentQuite 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 CommentbonepyramidLive life, breathe air. I know somehow we're gonna get there, and it'll be so wonderful.
thebenmix11In my experience, it's one of the few that are both user-friendly and developer-friendly at the same time.
53 Lutris alternativesLutris 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.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Country of Origin
France- EU
Platforms
- Linux
- Online
- Flathub
Lutris VS Steam
Comments about Lutris as an Alternative to Steam
Conner VieiraLutris isn't exactly a store, the way Steam is, but it's great for managing large game libraries, and even supports seamless emulation.
ab1Many Installers are broken and users are welcomed to guess which and how... Mix of minefield and junkyard in practice. Just save your time.
29 Ubisoft Connect alternativesMultiplatform ecosystem uniting gamers with cross-progression and cross-play features. Enjoy news, rewards, and social benefits across devices, accessible via desktop and mobile apps.
License model
- Free • Proprietary
Application types
Country of Origin
- France
- EU
Platforms
- Windows
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
Ubisoft Connect Features
Ubisoft Connect VS Steam
Comments about Ubisoft Connect as an Alternative to Steam
Most Recent CommentDL300Garbage. 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.
somegirlfromitAlmost 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.
KualdirWhile 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.
40 Playnite alternativesVideo game library manager and launcher with support for 3rd party libraries like Steam, GOG, Origin and Uplay, providing one unified interface for your games.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
Country of Origin
Czechia- EU
Platforms
- Windows
Playnite VS Steam
Comments about Playnite as an Alternative to Steam
DL300Way, 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.
31 Epic Games Store alternativesThe 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?
License model
- Free • Proprietary
Application types
Country of Origin
- United States
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Online
- iPhone
- iPad
- Android
- Android Tablet
Epic Games Store Features
Epic Games Store VS Steam
Comments about Epic Games Store as an Alternative to Steam
Top Positive Commentstudent twentyWhile 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 CommentbrakyEpic Games forces games (not all) who were announced to release on other distribution platforms to release exclusively on their storefront.
Most Recent CommentAnipedifferent games and encourages competition in the industry, its good
93 Google Play Store alternativesGoogle'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.
License model
- Free • Proprietary
Application types
Country of Origin
- United States
Platforms
- Online
- Android
- Chrome OS
- Android Tablet
Google Play Store Features
Google Play Store VS Steam
Comments about Google Play Store as an Alternative to Steam
Top Positive Commentab1Very decent and no need to install it for most phones
Top Negative CommentAnipeOnly for mobile and isnt game orianted, also lacks everything besides buying apps
Most Recent CommentKualdirThis is only for mobile games, steam is for PC.
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.