Steam alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Steam: most games are tied to the Steam client by DRM, and the client is heavy and keeps background services running. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Steam, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. GOG Galaxy currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#	App	Pricing	Open source	Platforms	Verified facts	Score
1	Heroic Games Launcher	Open source	Yes	Linux, Windows, macOS	5 of 5	62.6
2	Lutris	Open source	Yes	Linux	4 of 4	59.6

1. Heroic Games LauncherTop pick
Best for: Linux and Steam Deck players with Epic, GOG or Amazon games who want one native launcher
Open sourceLinux, Windows, macOS
62.6
score / 100
Why switch from Steam
Open-source launcher for your Epic, GOG and Amazon games, popular 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 ×0.387
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 Steam 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)
2. Lutris
Best for: Linux gamers with a mixed library of store, retro and hard-to-run Windows games
Open sourceLinux
59.6
score / 100
Why switch from Steam
Linux game manager that pulls Steam, Epic, GOG and Humble libraries in alongside emulators.
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 ×0.377
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 Lutris a good Steam 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 Steam alternative for…

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

Best Steam alternative for most people

GOG Galaxy

Sells DRM-free games you can download and keep, and its optional client can show your Steam library too.

Best Steam alternative for a free option

Heroic Games Launcher

Open-source launcher for your Epic, GOG and Amazon games, popular on Linux and the Steam Deck.

Best Steam alternative for open source

Lutris

Linux game manager that pulls Steam, Epic, GOG and Humble libraries in alongside emulators.

Best Steam alternative for Mac

itch.io

DRM-free store packed with indie games, pay-what-you-want pricing and an open-source desktop app.

Best Steam alternative for Windows

Playnite

Keeps your Steam games in one library alongside Epic, GOG and emulated games, free and open source on Windows.

Best Steam alternative for Linux

Heroic Games Launcher

Open-source launcher for your Epic, GOG and Amazon games, popular on Linux and the Steam Deck.

Best Steam alternative for working in the browser

itch.io

DRM-free store packed with indie games, pay-what-you-want pricing and an open-source desktop app.

Steam alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Steam?

GOG Galaxy ranks first right now. Sells DRM-free games you can download and keep, and its optional client can show your Steam library too. Heroic Games Launcher and Lutris follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Steam?

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

Is there an open-source alternative to Steam?

Yes: Heroic Games Launcher, Lutris and Playnite.

Which Steam alternatives work on Linux?

Heroic Games Launcher, Lutris and itch.io run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Steam?

The complaints we hear most: 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.

How is this list ranked?

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