Steam, Epic, GOG and itch.io: Which PC Game Store Should You Use?

There is no single best PC game store. Each has strengths, and many players use more than one. This overview explains what makes the four big names different so you can choose where to claim and buy.

Steam

Steam has the largest catalog, a huge user-review system, Workshop mod support for many games and features such as Steam Input and Remote Play. Most big releases appear here. The trade-off is that games are tied to the Steam client and your account. Steam runs frequent sales and regularly features free weekends.

Epic Games Store

Epic is known for giving away free games on a regular schedule, which you keep once claimed. Its catalog is smaller than Steam’s, and it offers fewer community features, but it is a good place to build a free library. Some games are exclusive to Epic for a period.

GOG

GOG sells games that are DRM-free, meaning you can install them without a launcher check and keep the installers. It is popular for classic games and for players who want long-term ownership. GOG Galaxy is optional. Read more in our guide to DRM-free games.

itch.io

itch.io is an open marketplace for indie games, jams, prototypes and creator-set pricing, including “pay what you want”. Quality varies widely, but it is where you find experimental games and large charity or community bundles. Most downloads are DRM-free.

How to choose

Keep your library tidy

Using several stores means several launchers and passwords. Use a unique password and two-factor authentication on each account. Our guide to buying PC games safely covers the basics.

Prices differ between stores for the same game, so compare before you buy. See today’s best deals across stores.