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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

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1GOG Galaxy logoGOG GalaxyFreeNoWindows, macOS4 of 466.5
2Heroic Games Launcher logoHeroic Games LauncherOpen sourceYesLinux, Windows, macOS5 of 562.6
3itch.io logoitch.ioFreeNoWeb, Windows, macOS +14 of 457.2
4Playnite logoPlayniteOpen sourceYesWindows5 of 555.3
  1. GOG Galaxy logo

    1. GOG GalaxyTop pick

    Best for: PC gamers who buy DRM-free games and want one library view across stores

    FreeWindows, macOS

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Steam

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

    Pros

    • GOG games are DRM-free, so the client is optional
    • Rollbacks let you return to an older game version
    • Shows games from Steam, Epic, consoles and more in one library
    • Free

    Cons

    • No Linux version
    • Combined library still needs the other launchers installed
    • Community integrations are unofficial and sometimes break
    Visit GOG Galaxy 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 GOG Galaxy a good Steam alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Price
    Free
    Checked Oct 25, 2026gog.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, Mac
    Checked Oct 25, 2026gog.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Rollbacks
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026gog.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Integrations
    Official and open-source community
    Checked Oct 25, 2026gog.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

    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)
  3. itch.io logo

    3. itch.io

    Best for: Players hunting for indie, experimental and jam games, and small creators who want an easy place to sell

    FreeWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Steam

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

    Pros

    • Huge range of indie and free games, many playable in the browser
    • No DRM: files download exactly as the creator uploaded them
    • Creators choose their price and the store's revenue share
    • Open-source desktop app for Windows, macOS and Linux

    Cons

    • Few big-budget titles
    • Lightly curated, so quality varies a lot
    • Fewer social and library features than Steam
    Visit itch.io 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 itch.io a good Steam alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    DRM
    None
    Checked Oct 25, 2026itch.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Cost for creators
    Free to use
    Checked Oct 25, 2026itch.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Revenue share
    Chosen by the creator
    Checked Oct 25, 2026itch.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Desktop app license
    MIT
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Playnite logo

    4. Playnite

    Best for: Windows PC gamers with games spread across several stores and emulators who want one library

    Open sourceWindows

    55.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Steam

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

    Pros

    • One library for Steam, Epic, GOG, Battle.net, emulators and more
    • Fullscreen mode with full controller support
    • Themes and add-ons change both look and features
    • Free with no paywalled features, MIT licensed

    Cons

    • Windows only
    • Store clients still need to be installed to download and launch games
    • Library integrations rely on add-ons that can break when stores change
    Visit Playnite Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    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 Playnite a good Steam alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    License
    MIT
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Price
    Free, nothing paywalled
    Checked Oct 25, 2026playnite.link(opens source in a new tab)
    Supported libraries
    Steam, Epic, Origin, GOG, Battle.net, Ubisoft Connect and more
    Checked Oct 25, 2026playnite.link(opens source in a new tab)
    Data location
    Stored locally on your PC
    Checked Oct 25, 2026playnite.link(opens source in a new tab)
    Portable
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026playnite.link(opens source in a new tab)

The best Steam alternative for…

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

GOG Galaxy logo

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.

Heroic Games Launcher logo

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.

Lutris logo

Best Steam alternative for open source

Lutris

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

itch.io logo

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.

Playnite logo

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.

Heroic Games Launcher logo

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.

itch.io logo

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.