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itch.io alternatives: 4 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave itch.io: few big-budget titles, and lightly curated, so quality varies a lot. We ranked 4 alternatives by how directly each one replaces itch.io, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Steam currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Steam logoSteamFreeNoWindows, macOS, Linux +25 of 566.5
2Heroic Games Launcher logoHeroic Games LauncherOpen sourceYesLinux, Windows, macOS5 of 559.6
3Lutris logoLutrisOpen sourceYesLinux4 of 457.2
  1. Steam logo

    1. SteamTop pick

    Best for: PC gamers who want the widest catalogue, frequent sales and their friends in one place

    FreeWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from itch.io

    The biggest PC store, with far more big releases plus reviews, workshops and friends lists.

    Pros

    • Largest PC game catalogue, with frequent deep sales
    • Proton lets many Windows games run on Linux and Steam Deck
    • Workshop makes installing mods for supported games easy
    • Cloud saves, achievements and friends built in

    Cons

    • Most games are tied to the Steam client by DRM
    • The client is heavy and keeps background services running
    • You buy licences, not DRM-free copies like on GOG
    Visit Steam Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Steam a good itch.io alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Mobile app
    iOS and Android
    Checked Oct 25, 2026store.steampowered.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Mods
    Steam Workshop, ~1,000 supported games
    Checked Oct 25, 2026store.steampowered.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Chat
    Text and voice
    Checked Oct 25, 2026store.steampowered.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Payment options
    100+ methods, 35+ currencies
    Checked Oct 25, 2026store.steampowered.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Languages
    28
    Checked Oct 25, 2026store.steampowered.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Heroic Games Launcher logo

    2. Heroic Games Launcher

    Best for: Linux and Steam Deck players with Epic, GOG or Amazon games who want one native launcher

    Open sourceLinux, Windows, macOS

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from itch.io

    Open-source launcher for Epic, GOG and Amazon libraries, handy on Linux and the Steam Deck.

    Pros

    • One library for Epic, GOG and Amazon games, even on Linux
    • Downloads and manages Wine and Proton builds for Windows games
    • Console mode works well on the Steam Deck and TVs
    • Free, open source and ad-free

    Cons

    • Relies on unofficial store integrations that can break when stores change
    • Doesn't cover Steam, Ubisoft or EA libraries
    • Some store services, like Epic achievements or online features, may not work
    Visit Heroic Games Launcher Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Heroic Games Launcher a good itch.io alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Stores
    Epic, GOG, Amazon Prime Gaming
    Checked Oct 25, 2026heroicgameslauncher.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Linux, Windows, macOS, Steam Deck
    Checked Oct 25, 2026heroicgameslauncher.com(opens source in a new tab)
    License
    GPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Wine manager
    Built in
    Checked Oct 25, 2026heroicgameslauncher.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Analytics
    Anonymous, off by default
    Checked Oct 25, 2026heroicgameslauncher.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Lutris logo

    3. Lutris

    Best for: Linux gamers with a mixed library of store, retro and hard-to-run Windows games

    Open sourceLinux

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from itch.io

    Linux game manager that can install and run games from several stores and emulators in one place.

    Pros

    • Community install scripts handle many tricky Windows and retro games
    • One library across Steam, GOG, Epic, Humble and emulators
    • Per-game control over Wine, DXVK and other runners
    • Free and open source

    Cons

    • Linux only
    • Install scripts vary in quality and can go stale
    • Interface feels dated and has more settings than casual players need
    Visit Lutris Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Lutris a good itch.io alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    GPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Store libraries
    Steam, Epic, GOG, Humble Bundle
    Checked Oct 25, 2026lutris.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Runners
    Emulators, Wine, engine re-implementations
    Checked Oct 25, 2026lutris.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Open source
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026lutris.net(opens source in a new tab)

The best itch.io alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Steam logo

Best itch.io alternative for most people

Steam

The biggest PC store, with far more big releases plus reviews, workshops and friends lists.

GOG Galaxy logo

Best itch.io alternative for a free option

GOG Galaxy

Also DRM-free, but with a curated catalogue of classic and mainstream games.

Heroic Games Launcher logo

Best itch.io alternative for open source

Heroic Games Launcher

Open-source launcher for Epic, GOG and Amazon libraries, handy on Linux and the Steam Deck.

Steam logo

Best itch.io alternative for Mac

Steam

The biggest PC store, with far more big releases plus reviews, workshops and friends lists.

Steam logo

Best itch.io alternative for Windows

Steam

The biggest PC store, with far more big releases plus reviews, workshops and friends lists.

Lutris logo

Best itch.io alternative for Linux

Lutris

Linux game manager that can install and run games from several stores and emulators in one place.

Steam logo

Best itch.io alternative for iPhone and Android

Steam

The biggest PC store, with far more big releases plus reviews, workshops and friends lists.

itch.io alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to itch.io?

Steam ranks first right now. The biggest PC store, with far more big releases plus reviews, workshops and friends lists. GOG Galaxy and Heroic Games Launcher follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to itch.io?

Yes. Steam (free), GOG Galaxy (free), Heroic Games Launcher (open source) and Lutris (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to itch.io?

Yes: Heroic Games Launcher and Lutris.

Which itch.io alternatives work on Linux?

Steam, Heroic Games Launcher and Lutris run on Linux.

Why do people switch from itch.io?

The complaints we hear most: few big-budget titles; lightly curated, so quality varies a lot; fewer social and library features than Steam.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces itch.io, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.