Steam, GOG Galaxy, Xbox app, itch.io, and Ubisoft Connect are the best apps like Epic Games Store if you want more ways to find, buy, and download PC games. Epic’s store is huge, with 295 million PC users reported in 2024 [source: Epic Games], but it is far from your only option. Each rival has a different strength, from massive sales to DRM-free downloads and indie experiments.
TLDR: If you want the safest all-round choice, install Steam first. If you care about owning games without strict copy protection, try GOG Galaxy. For example, a player with a $10 monthly budget may get more short-term value from PC Game Pass through the Xbox app than from buying one full-price game. Most players will be fine with two or three launchers, not five, unless they chase free games, exclusives, or publisher-specific deals.
1. Steam: The Obvious First Pick
Steam is the biggest Epic Games Store alternative for most PC players. It has a huge catalog, frequent discounts, user reviews, forums, cloud saves, Remote Play, workshops, wishlists, and controller support. It is not just a shop. It feels like a full PC gaming hub.
The best part is discovery. Steam’s recommendation tools are not perfect, but they are useful. You can browse by tags like cozy, soulslike, survival, or deckbuilder. User reviews also help a lot. A game with 40,000 “Very Positive” reviews tells you something fast.
Best for: players who want the widest selection and strong community features.
Annoyance: some store pages are messy. Expect to waste time scrolling past trailers, DLC blocks, bundles, and review charts before finding what you need.
2. GOG Galaxy: Best for DRM-Free Games
GOG Galaxy is ideal if you hate strict launchers. Many games on GOG are DRM-free, which means you can download offline installers and keep them without needing the app running every time. That is a big deal for players who want more control over their library.
GOG is also great for older PC games. Classics like Fallout, Heroes of Might and Magic, and System Shock often run better through GOG versions because they are patched for modern systems.
- Strong point: DRM-free downloads and classic games.
- Weak point: fewer new AAA releases than Steam or Epic.
- Good fit: collectors, retro players, and offline gamers.
3. Xbox App for PC: Great If You Like Subscriptions
The Xbox app is worth installing if you use PC Game Pass. Instead of buying every game, you pay a monthly fee and get access to a rotating library. This can be a smart choice if you finish games quickly or like trying new titles without committing to a $60 purchase.
It is especially good for Microsoft-published games. Many first-party titles arrive on Game Pass at launch. That includes big series such as Forza, Halo, and Age of Empires.
Honestly, it feels like the app still has weird rough edges. Downloads can pause for no clear reason. Error messages are not always helpful. When it works, the value is excellent. When it breaks, it can make a simple install feel harder than it should.
4. itch.io: Best for Indie and Experimental Games
itch.io is not trying to be Steam. That is the point. It is the best place to find small, strange, personal, and wildly creative PC games. Many are free. Many are cheap. Some are made in a weekend. Others are early versions of ideas that later grow into bigger commercial releases.
If you like horror shorts, visual novels, game jam projects, pixel art adventures, or odd little simulation games, itch.io is a goldmine. You can also support creators more directly, since many developers set their own prices or use pay-what-you-want models.
Best for: curious players who want games that do not feel designed by a committee.
Annoyance: quality varies a lot. You may find something brilliant, then download three broken prototypes in a row. That is part of the deal.
5. Ubisoft Connect: Useful for Ubisoft Fans
Ubisoft Connect is not the best general game store, but it makes sense if you play Ubisoft games often. It handles titles like Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, Rainbow Six Siege, and The Division. Even if you buy some of these games on Steam or Epic, you may still need Ubisoft Connect to launch them.
The app includes rewards, cloud saves, friend features, and sales. It also has subscription access through Ubisoft+. For players who only want one or two Ubisoft games, buying during a sale is usually better. For players who burn through long open-world games, the subscription may be worth checking for one month.
- Strong point: best access to Ubisoft’s own catalog.
- Weak point: not very useful outside Ubisoft titles.
- Good fit: fans of open-world action games and live-service shooters.
Which One Should You Install First?
Start with Steam if you want the broadest store and the best social features. Add GOG Galaxy if you want DRM-free games or classics. Try the Xbox app if a Game Pass subscription sounds better than buying one game at a time.
Use itch.io when you want fresh indie ideas. Keep Ubisoft Connect only if you play Ubisoft titles. That setup covers most PC gaming needs without turning your desktop into a launcher junk drawer.
The smart move is simple: use each app for what it does best. Steam for range. GOG for ownership. Xbox for value. itch.io for discovery. Ubisoft Connect for Ubisoft games. Epic still earns its place, especially with free weekly games, but it should not be your only stop.
