Steam vs. Epic Games Store vs. GOG: Differences and Reviews 2025

What are the best gaming platforms?

Here are some of the best - known and highly regarded gaming platforms worldwide:

• Steam

• Epic Games Store

• GOG (Good Old Games)

But which one is truly the best? Let's embark on a comprehensive exploration, delving into user reviews, pricing strategies, and a detailed comparison of features.

User Reviews: A Glimpse into the Gamers' Experiences

As to which of these popular gaming platforms is better, let’s first see what netizens and users have to say.

#1. Steam

https://store.steampowered.com/

Review 1: 

Steam has been my go - to gaming platform for years, and it's easy to see why. First and foremost, the game library is simply massive. I mean, where else can you find a game like "The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt" with its immersive open - world, complex storylines, and stunning visuals, right alongside indie darlings like "Among Us" that took the world by storm? The variety is truly unbeatable.

The community features are top - notch. The Steam Workshop for "Team Fortress 2" has been a goldmine for new maps, weapons, and cosmetic items. It's amazing to see the creativity of the community and how it breathes new life into the game. The forums are also a great place to discuss strategies, share fan theories, and even find new gaming buddies.

However, the sheer size of the game library can be a double - edged sword. Sometimes, it's a bit overwhelming to find that hidden gem among the thousands of titles. And during major sales events like the Summer Sale, the servers can get a bit overloaded, leading to slower download speeds. But overall, these are minor inconveniences compared to the wealth of gaming experiences Steam offers. I'd rate it 4.5 out of 5.

Review 2: 

Steam is hands - down one of the best gaming platforms out there. The frequent sales are a gamer's dream. During the Winter Sale, I picked up "Grand Theft Auto V" at a discounted price that was too good to resist. It's a great way to build up your game collection without breaking the bank.

The integration of social features is seamless. I can easily see what my friends are playing, join them in multiplayer sessions, and even compete with them on leaderboards. For example, in "Counter - Strike: Global Offensive," it's a breeze to team up with friends and take on other players around the world.

But there are a few cons. The regional pricing can be a bit of a headache. Sometimes, games seem to be priced higher in my region compared to others. And the automatic updates can be a nuisance at times, especially when you're in the middle of something and the game you want to play starts updating. Despite these issues, Steam remains my favorite platform. I'd give it 4 out of 5.

Review 3: 

Steam's biggest strength is undoubtedly its diverse game library. Whether you're into simulation games like "Cities: Skylines," where you can build and manage your own metropolis, or action - packed shooters like "Overwatch," there's something for everyone.

The cloud save feature is a game - changer. I can start playing "Stardew Valley" on my desktop at home and then continue my farming adventure on my laptop when I'm on the go. It's so convenient and ensures that I never lose my progress.

However, the discovery system could use some work. With so many new games being added daily, it's hard to find new and interesting titles that aren't already hyped up. Also, the customer support can be a bit hit - or - miss. When I had an issue with a game not launching correctly, it took a while to get a satisfactory response. But overall, Steam is still the best platform for gaming. I'd rate it 4 out of 5.

Review 4: 

I've been using Steam for ages, and it offers an incredible gaming experience. The ability to connect with a global community of gamers is amazing. In "Dota 2," I've made friends from all over the world, and we regularly team up to compete in matches.

The regular updates and improvements to the platform are also commendable. They're always adding new features and optimizing the performance. And the fact that most games on Steam are DRM - free (at least in terms of Steam's own DRM) gives you a sense of ownership.

But there are some drawbacks. The Steam client can be a bit resource - intensive at times, causing my computer to run a bit slower. And the refund policy, while better than some platforms, still has its limitations. Sometimes, it's a hassle to get a refund if you're not within the strict time limits. Despite these issues, Steam is still my number one choice for gaming. I'd give it 3.5 out of 5.

#2. Epic Games Store

https://store.epicgames.com/

Review 1: 

I've been using the Epic Games Store for a while now, and it's a bit of a mixed bag. The best part has to be the amazing deals. During the Epic Mega Sale, I managed to grab "Borderlands 3" at a whopping 75% discount. It was an absolute steal! And let's not forget the weekly free games. I got "Hades" for free, and it ended up becoming one of my favorite roguelikes.

The store interface is clean and easy to navigate. Finding new releases or browsing through different genres is a breeze. However, the community aspect is really lacking. I remember trying to find a group to play "Fortnite" with. While the game has a huge player base, the Epic Games Store itself doesn't offer great tools for finding like - minded players. The forums are pretty quiet compared to other platforms, and there's no real sense of community engagement. If they could improve the social features, it would be a game - changer. Overall, I'd rate it 3 out of 5.

Review 2: 

Epic has some real gems in its exclusive lineup. "Control" was a mind - blowing experience, and I'm glad I got to play it first on the Epic Games Store. The game's unique gameplay mechanics and surreal atmosphere were top - notch. Also, the discounts on exclusive titles are often very attractive.

The download and installation process is smooth. I've never had issues with corrupted files or long - drawn - out downloads. But the store's game library is still relatively small compared to its competitors. I wanted to play "Stardew Valley," and it wasn't available on Epic. I had to go to another platform. This lack of variety can be a deal - breaker for some gamers. If Epic continues to add more games, especially popular indie and mainstream titles, it would be much more appealing. For now, I'd give it 3.5 out of 5.

Review 3: 

The weekly free games on Epic are a great incentive to keep checking the store. I got "The Witness" for free, and it was a challenging and thought - provoking puzzle game. The platform also has a sleek and modern design, which makes it pleasant to use.

However, the customer support could be better. I once had an issue with a game refund, and it took way too long to get a response. Also, the discovery of new games is a bit hit - or - miss. There aren't enough personalized recommendations. For example, I'm into survival games, but it's hard to find new and upcoming survival titles on Epic without doing a lot of manual searching. If they improve these areas, it would be a much more user - friendly platform. I'd rate it 2.5 out of 5.

Review 4: 

Epic's sales are really something. I bought "Assassin's Creed Odyssey" at a great price during one of their promotions. The store also has a decent selection of indie games. I found a hidden gem called "A Short Hike" that I thoroughly enjoyed.

But the community features are almost non - existent. It's difficult to connect with other players, and there's no real community - driven content like mods. The game library, although growing, still lacks many popular titles. I wanted to play "Dark Souls III" and had to look elsewhere. If Epic wants to be a top - tier gaming platform, they need to focus on expanding the library and building a stronger community. For now, I'd rate it 3 out of 5.

#3. GOG (Good Old Games)

https://www.gog.com/en/

Review 1: 

As a die - hard fan of classic games, GOG has become my digital sanctuary. The moment I discovered I could relive my childhood adventures with games like "King's Quest" and "Space Quest," I was hooked. These Sierra - developed point - and - click adventures were the highlights of my early gaming days, and GOG made it possible to play them on modern systems without a hitch.

The DRM - free aspect is a huge plus. I can install these gems on multiple devices, from my desktop to my laptop, and even share them with friends who have a penchant for retro gaming. The prices are also reasonable, especially during their frequent sales. I remember grabbing a bundle of old - school RPGs, including "Ultima VII," at a fraction of their original cost.

However, the lack of new releases is a bit disappointing. If I'm in the mood for the latest indie darlings or triple - A blockbusters, I have to look elsewhere. But for those of us who cherish the golden age of gaming, GOG is an absolute must - have. I'd rate it 4 out of 5.

Review 2: 

GOG's commitment to DRM - free gaming is something I truly appreciate. It gives me a sense of ownership over my digital game collection that I don't get on other platforms. I've been able to enjoy timeless classics like "Doom" and "Duke Nukem 3D" without any digital restrictions.

The platform's user - friendly interface makes it easy to navigate through their library of classic games. And the GOG Galaxy client, with its cloud save feature, ensures that I can pick up my game progress on different devices. I was pleasantly surprised when I continued my "System Shock" playthrough on my laptop after starting it on my PC.

But the limited selection of new games is a significant drawback. It's hard to rely on GOG as my primary gaming platform. Also, the community, while passionate, is relatively small compared to other platforms. There aren't as many active discussions or community - driven events. Despite these cons, I still give GOG 3.5 out of 5 for its unique offering of classic, DRM - free games.

Review 3: 

GOG is a treasure trove for anyone who wants to revisit the glory days of PC gaming. I've spent hours getting lost in the world of "Baldur's Gate," a game that defined the RPG genre in the 90s. The fact that GOG has painstakingly made these old games compatible with modern operating systems is truly remarkable.

Customer support on GOG has been great in my experience. When I had a minor issue with the installation of "Quest for Glory," they responded promptly and helped me resolve it. And the DRM - free model means I can backup my games and play them whenever I want, without any online verification hassles.

However, the lack of new and upcoming games means I often find myself switching to other platforms. Also, the discovery process for new games (even classic ones I might not know about) could be better. The search and recommendation algorithms seem a bit off.

Another downside is the lack of support for some newer gaming peripherals. When I got a new high - end gaming controller, I had trouble getting it to work seamlessly with some of the older games. Overall, I like GOG for its DRM - free games and classic library, but there's definitely room for improvement. I'd give it 3 out of 5.

Review 4: 

I love GOG's DRM - free policy. It's refreshing to know that I truly own the games I purchase, like the classic strategy game "Civilization II." I can play it on my Steam Deck with a bit of tinkering, and it's a great way to pass the time during my commute.

The platform's library of classic games is extensive, and I've discovered some lesser - known titles that I might have missed otherwise. But the absence of new game releases is a deal - breaker for some. I'm an avid gamer who likes to stay on top of the latest trends, and GOG just doesn't offer that.

Another issue is the social aspect. The community on GOG is not as active as I'd like. There aren't many user - generated content, like mods for classic games, and it's hard to find a group of players to play multiplayer classic games with. Despite these drawbacks, I still use GOG for its unique collection of classic games. I'd give it 2.5 out of 5.

Pricing: Which Platform Offers the Best Value?

#1. Regular Pricing

►    Steam: For new triple - A releases, expect to pay around $59.99 - $69.99, in line with the industry norm. "Cyberpunk 2077" was priced at $59.99 upon its Steam launch. Indie games have a more flexible pricing structure, with some smaller titles available for as low as $4.99 - $19.99, like "Stardew Valley" at $14.99.

►    Epic Games Store: Follows a similar pattern for new triple - A games, with prices in the $59.99 - $69.99 range. "Control" was sold at this standard price on the platform. Indie game pricing is competitive with Steam, but exclusive deals can influence the availability and price of certain titles.

►    GOG: Classic titles on GOG are priced between $9.99 - $29.99. The "Baldur's Gate" series, a classic RPG staple, is reasonably priced considering its age and fan value. Newer games, though fewer, are priced comparably to other platforms.

#2. Discounts and Sales

►    Steam: Renowned for its epic sales events like the Summer and Winter Sales, where discounts can reach up to 90%. "The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt" has been discounted to as low as $9.99 during these sales. Steam also offers mid - week madness, daily deals, and flash sales, along with the Steam Points system for additional discounts.

►    Epic Games Store: Regularly offers games at reduced prices, with significant savings during its Mega Sale. "Borderlands 3" has seen discounts of 75% or more. The weekly free game is a unique selling point, offering a 100% discount on that particular title.

►    GOG: Holds its own sales events throughout the year, such as the GOG Winter and Summer Sales. Classic games can be discounted by 50% or more during these times. GOG Galaxy Rewards offer loyalty - based discounts for future purchases.

#3. Special Offers and Promotions

►    Steam: Runs promotions tied to game releases, like pre - order discounts, and offers discounted game bundles.

►    Epic Games Store: Offers coupon codes during sales events for additional discounts and has exclusive deals with developers and publishers.

►    GOG: Sometimes offers platform - wide discounts for specific genres, like all classic RPGs, and has a referral program for rewards towards game purchases.

#4. Verdict on Pricing

Determining the cheapest platform isn't straightforward. Steam's frequent and deep - discounted sales make it a strong choice for patient gamers. Epic Games Store's weekly free games and coupon - based discounts offer unique savings, especially for those interested in exclusive titles. GOG is the best bet for classic - game collectors, with reasonable regular prices and great discounts on its classic library.

#5. Third - Party Platforms for Buying Game Keys

While the official platforms have their own discounts, third - party platforms can sometimes offer better prices. For example:

►    G2A: A globally renowned digital goods trading platform with over 19 million customers and 400,000 third - party sellers. It offers a vast number of game keys for Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG, known for its discounted prices. You can also get a G2A cashback of up to 5% on extrabux.com.

►    CDKeys: A well - known game code distributor for over a decade. It offers affordable game keys for popular games on major platforms, with frequent discount activities, such as daily deals and seasonal sales with discounts of up to 98%. Through extrabux.com, you can get a rebate of up to 5% on CDKeys.

►    Humble Bundle: A special platform that sells games and supports charitable donations. It offers monthly game bundles with Steam keys and some games for Epic Games Store and GOG at favorable prices, with part of the proceeds going to charity.

►    Fanatical: A global digital game sales platform with a rich game library. It cooperates with developers and publishers to provide game products for various platforms. It holds many promotional activities, and through extrabux.com, you can get up to 10% cashback.

►    Green Man Gaming: A digital gaming store with a wide selection of games, exclusive deals, and user reviews. It sells game keys for multiple platforms, and its prices are relatively competitive. You can also get a Green Man Gaming rebate of up to 7% on extrabux.com.

►    Kinguin: Famous for its large selection of game keys and competitive prices, with 24/7 customer support and a loyalty program. It provides game keys for Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG. Ordering through extrabux.com can get you a rebate of up to 10%.

►    Gamivo: A European video game trading platform established in 2017. It has strict requirements for merchants and offers various payment methods. Through extrabux.com, you can get up to 5% cashback.

A Detailed Comparison of Features

#1. Game Library

►    Steam: With over 60,000 games, Steam's library is colossal. It caters to all gaming preferences, from triple - A blockbusters like "Cyberpunk 2077" to indie gems like "Untitled Goose Game." It also serves as a launchpad for emerging developers.

►    Epic Games Store: While growing, its library is smaller than Steam's. It features exclusive titles like "Fortnite" and "Control," along with high - profile releases and indie gems, but quantity remains a point of contention for some.

►    GOG: Specializes in classic games, offering titles from the early days of PC gaming to the late 2000s, such as "The Elder Scrolls" (pre - "Skyrim"), "Baldur's Gate," and "Doom." It focuses on preserving gaming history.

#2. User Experience

►    Steam: Has a well - known, functional, and familiar interface. It's easy to navigate, with an efficient search function and seamless integration with the Steam Workshop for mod creation and sharing.

►    Epic Games Store: Features a clean and modern interface, with a focus on new releases, exclusives, and free weekly games. The download and installation process is quick, but its community forum is less robust than Steam's.

►    GOG: Offers a user - friendly interface, emphasizing its classic game collection. GOG Galaxy, its desktop client, provides features like cloud saves, cross - platform play (for supported games), and social integration.

#3. Technical Performance

►    Steam: Generally reliable, with decent download speeds (depending on internet connection) and a robust game update system. Cloud - based features like cloud saves are available, but server - side issues can occur during peak times or major sales.

►    Epic Games Store: Has made significant improvements in technical performance. The download and installation process is efficient, with a stable server infrastructure. Cloud saves are supported, but occasional connectivity issues have been reported.

►    GOG: Focuses on ensuring classic games run smoothly on modern systems. The GOG Galaxy client is lightweight, and its DRM - free nature reduces potential performance - hindering software layers. Cloud saves are available.

#4. Customer Support

►    Steam: Has accessible customer support through email, community forums, and a help center. Community - driven support can be useful, but email response times can be long during busy periods, and complex issue resolution can be difficult.

►    Epic Games Store: Offers email support and a growing knowledge base. While some users have criticized response times and support quality, Epic is making efforts to improve.

►    GOG: Has a reputation for good customer support. The support team is responsive, and the DRM - free policy simplifies the support process. Community forums are also helpful.

#5. Community and Content Creation

►    Steam: Boasts a vibrant and active community. Its community forums are full of discussions on games, mods, and gaming culture. The Steam Workshop enables the creation and sharing of remarkable user - generated content, and it hosts community - driven events.

►    Epic Games Store: While its community is growing, it's not as large or active as Steam's. Social feature improvements have been made, but it still lacks the depth of community interaction seen on Steam. However, Epic is hosting events and giveaways to boost user engagement.

►    GOG: Has a passionate community among classic - game fans. The community forums are great for discussing gaming history, sharing classic - game tips, and connecting with like - minded gamers. Although it doesn't have a mod - creation ecosystem on the scale of Steam, some classic games have fan - made patches shared within the community.

Conclusion

Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG each have their own unique selling points. Steam offers a vast game library, a thriving community, and great sales. Epic Games Store stands out for its exclusive games, weekly freebies, and competitive pricing. GOG is the go - to for classic - game lovers, with its DRM - free policy and curated collection of gaming history.

Ultimately, the best platform for you depends on your personal gaming preferences. Whether you're after the latest releases, a trip down memory lane, or the best deals, there's a platform out there for you. So, explore each one, weigh the pros and cons, and get ready to embark on your next gaming adventure.

More：

Extrabux is an international cashback shopping site, offering up to 30% cashback from 10,000+ Stores!

Microsoft, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Alienware, Acer, Asus, Samsung, BestBuy, Walmart, Staples, Overstock, QVC, New Egg, Office Depot, eBay, etc.

Join to get $20 welcome bonus now! (How does Welcome Bonus work?)