Steam Alternatives for Windows

There are many alternatives to Steam for Windows if you are looking for a replacement. The best Windows alternative is GOG.com, which is free. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to Steam and many of them are available for Windows so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Windows alternatives to Steam are itch.io, Ubisoft Connect, Playnite and Epic Games Store.

filter to find the best alternatives

Steam alternatives are mainly Game Stores, but if you're looking for Game Library Managers or Software Installers you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Linux, Windows, Free, Open Source, App Store, Mac and Game Library Manager. 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.
More about Steam
Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard
Steam alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. GOG.com icon

    GOG.com

     706 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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.

    50 GOG.com alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    GOG.com screenshot 1
     
    |
    13
    253
    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
    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.

    DL300
    Positive
    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
    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.

    Show more comments
    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

    itch.io

     275 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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.

    42 itch.io alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • Epic Games Store
    itch.io screenshot 1
     
    |
    5
    82
    Comments about itch.io as an Alternative to Steam
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    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.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    RemovedUser
    Positive
    0

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

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    thebenmix11
    Positive
    1

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

    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
  4. Ubisoft Connect icon

    Ubisoft Connect

     64 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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.

    31 Ubisoft Connect alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Ubisoft Connect screenshot 1
    Ubisoft Connect screenshot 2
    Ubisoft Connect screenshot 3
     
    |
    3
    40
    Comments about Ubisoft Connect as an Alternative to Steam
    DL300
    Positive
    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
    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
    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. Ad
    Screenshot
    GOG.com icon
    GOG.com

    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...

    https://gog.com
    Learn More
  6. Playnite icon

    Playnite

     228 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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.

    45 Playnite alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Playnite screenshot 1
     
    |
    1
    22
    Comments about Playnite as an Alternative to Steam
    DL300
    Positive
    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
  7. Epic Games Store icon

    Epic Games Store

     117 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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?

    34 Epic Games Store alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    Epic Games Store screenshot 1
     
    |
    5
    53
    Comments about Epic Games Store as an Alternative to Steam
    Top Positive Comment
    Anipe
    1

    different games and encourages competition in the industry, its good

    Top Negative Comment
    braky
    6

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

    Alan Maccormak
    Positive
    0

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

    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 Free and ProprietarySteam is also Free and Proprietary
  8. Heroic Games Launcher icon

    Heroic Games Launcher

     84 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Heroic is an Open Source Game Launcher for Linux, Windows and macOS (10.15+, won't work properly on High sierra and older versions). Right now it supports launching games from the .

    32 Heroic Games Launcher alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • AppImageHub
    • Flathub
    Heroic Games Launcher screenshot 1
     
    |
    7
  10. GOG GALAXY icon

    GOG GALAXY

     195 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Combine all your gaming platforms in one app; keep games and friends together, track achievements and playtime, all for free with a GOG account. Enjoy a seamless, customizable experience across console and PC libraries.

    37 GOG GALAXY alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    GOG GALAXY screenshot 1
     
  11. Battle.net icon

    Battle.net

     54 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Battle.net is an Internet-based online game, social networking service, digital distribution, and digital rights management platform developed by Blizzard Entertainment.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    Battle.net screenshot 1
     
    |
    26
  12. Game Jolt icon

    Game Jolt

     63 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Experience a vibrant community for gamers and creators, offering challenges, rewards, and a shop for collectibles. Share and sell personal creations, explore anime and fan art, connect in a global cosplay realm, and more.

    24 Game Jolt alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Game Jolt screenshot 1
    Game Jolt screenshot 2
    Game Jolt screenshot 3
     
    |
    1
    20
    Comments about Game Jolt as an Alternative to Steam
    Sparky dev
    Positive
    0

    Most of indie titles are born here before going to steam

    Steam Icon
    Game Jolt icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Game Jolt is a great Steam alternative.

    • Game Jolt is Freemium and Open SourceSteam is Free and Proprietary
  14. Rare Launcher icon

    Rare Launcher

     10 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    GUI for legendary. An Epic Games Launcher open source alternative.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Rare Launcher screenshot 1
     
  15. Pegasus icon

    Pegasus

     28 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Pegasus is a graphical frontend for browsing your game library (especially retro games) and launching them from one place. It's focusing on customizability, cross platform support (including embedded devices) and high performance.

    49 Pegasus alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Raspberry Pi
    Pegasus screenshot 1
     
12 of 31 Steam alternatives