Steam vs Epic Games Store: Which Is Better for PC Gamers?

One store gives away free games almost every week, while the other probably already has your friends. That tension sits at the center of Steam vs Epic Games Store. Since both launchers are free, money is not the only factor in the choice.

In this guide, the Steam vs Epic Games Store contest is split into library, sales, features, and developer deals. Handheld and cloud play get a look too. By the end, you should know which launcher deserves the top spot on your desktop.

Steam vs Epic Games Store at a Glance

Steam comes from Valve and opened in 2003. Epic Games launched its store in December 2018, so it is the younger rival. Because of that gap, Steam has more years of features and players behind it. Still, Epic has closed some of the distance with a few smart moves.

The table below sums up the Steam vs Epic Games Store matchup in a few lines. Treat it as a quick reference, since prices, sales, and perks change often. Even so, the basic shape of the contest stays the same. When in doubt, check each store page for current details.

Feature	Steam	Epic Games Store
Launched	2003	December 2018
Made by	Valve	Epic Games
Developer cut	30% standard, lower at high sales	12%
Free games	Free-to-play titles and free weekends	Regular free titles
Community tools	Reviews, forums, Workshop	Fewer tools
Desktop support	Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, macOS

Game Library and Discovery

When it comes to size, Steam has the bigger library by a wide margin. You can find blockbuster releases, niche strategy games, and thousands of indie titles. Indie means a game made by a small, independent team. Because the catalog is so large, Steam offers tags, curators, and a daily recommendation queue to help you sort it.

Meanwhile, Epic keeps a smaller catalog that feels more curated. Some games you want may simply be missing, since developers choose where to sell. In certain cases, a game sits on one store only, so you must install the right launcher. That is why many players keep both apps.

Epic still earns points for a cleaner front page, which some people find easier to browse. That alone will not settle Steam vs Epic Games Store for everyone. If you like to hunt for odd little games, though, Steam gives you far more to dig through. As a result, the library round goes to Steam without much debate. Browsing on Epic feels calmer, but the choice is thinner.

Price, Sales, and Free Games

Both stores show prices in your local currency, and both run regular sales. Steam is known for seasonal events that discount thousands of games at once. Likewise, Epic runs big sales of its own, and it has used coupons in the past. So patient shoppers can save money on either store.

In the Steam vs Epic Games Store price fight, timing matters more than the store itself. Both let you wishlist games, so you can wait for a discount. Once a sale starts, compare the two prices side by side. Because the same game rarely appears on both stores at a deal, the saving usually comes from patience.

In Steam vs Epic Games Store comparisons, free games are where Epic pulls ahead. The store gives away titles on a regular schedule, and a free game you claim stays in your library. However, you must grab it during the giveaway window. Steam does offer free-to-play games and free weekends, yet it does not copy Epic’s steady giveaways.

Rewards matter a little too. Epic has offered cashback through Epic Rewards, while Steam runs a points shop for cosmetic items such as profile badges. In my opinion, neither perk should decide where you buy a game. Instead, compare the final price on each store before you pay, because the same game can cost different amounts.

Features and Community Tools

At this point, the Steam vs Epic Games Store gap grows wide. Steam has user reviews, discussion forums, guides, and the Steam Workshop for mods. Mods are fan-made changes that add new content to a game. On top of that, Steam offers Family Sharing, Remote Play, and a controller-friendly Big Picture mode.

Epic covers the basics well, so the Steam vs Epic Games Store gap is not total. You get a friends list, achievements, and cloud saves for many games. Even so, the store has fewer community tools, so you will rely on outside sites for guides and mod help. For many players, that missing community layer is the main reason to prefer Steam.

Steam also supports controllers well through Steam Input, which lets you remap buttons for many games. Epic depends more on each game’s own controller settings. As a result, couch players often lean toward Steam. Still, both stores work fine with a basic gamepad.

Does that matter to you? It depends on how you play. If you jump in, finish a game, and move on, Epic may feel just fine. On the other hand, if you read reviews, install mods, and chat with friends, Steam fits better.

Developer Terms and Exclusives

Developers keep more money on Epic, because the store takes a 12% cut. Steam takes 30% as its standard rate, though it lowers the cut for games that earn very large amounts. Reports also say Epic waives its cut on a developer’s first million dollars in sales. Confirm the latest terms on Epic’s own developer page before you rely on that.

Epic also waived Unreal Engine fees for games sold through its store. That helped it win timed exclusives in its early years. A timed exclusive keeps a game off other stores for a limited period. Many players were annoyed, since they had to install a new launcher just to play.

These deals matter to you for a simple reason. Even a Steam vs Epic Games Store debate about developers ends up on your screen. Better terms can bring more developers to Epic over time. At the same time, exclusives can split your library across apps. So the Steam vs Epic Games Store fight is partly a business story.

Handhelds and Cloud Options

Valve sells the Steam Deck, a handheld gaming PC that runs your Steam library. Epic games can still run on Windows handhelds, but the setup takes more work. If you want a console-like feel, Steam has the more polished route. That edge counts for a lot when you play on the couch.

Cloud gaming adds another path. With it, a faraway computer runs the game and streams video to your device. Services such as GeForce NOW can connect accounts from both stores, so your library can follow you to weaker devices. To learn more, see these cloud gaming services that let you play without downloading.

Which One Should You Pick

For most people, Steam should be the main launcher, because the library is bigger and the community tools are stronger. Handheld support is better too. Epic works well as a second app, mainly for free games. Since this setup costs nothing, you lose very little by trying both.

Start by thinking about your friends. If your group already plays on Steam, joining them is easy. Meanwhile, a game found only on Epic means one more app to install. So the Steam vs Epic Games Store choice often comes down to where your friends and favorite games live.

Pick Steam if you want these things:

• The biggest library
• Reviews, forums, and mods
• Strong handheld support

Pick Epic if these matter more:

• Free games each week
• A cleaner store layout
• A launcher for specific titles

Other stores exist as well, beyond the Steam vs Epic Games Store pair. For wider options, see the best PC game platforms like Steam, Epic Games Store and GOG. You may also wonder why each publisher builds its own app. The answer sits in this explainer on how game launchers work.

Key Takeaways

• Best main launcher: Steam
• Best for free games: Epic Games Store
• Developer cut: 30% standard on Steam, 12% on Epic
• Launch years: Steam in 2003, Epic in December 2018
• Best setup: Steam as the main hub, Epic as a second app

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Steam better than Epic Games Store?
Steam is better for library size and community tools, while Epic is better for free games.

Can I use Steam and Epic Games Store together?
Yes, you can install both launchers on the same PC and keep separate libraries.

Does Epic Games Store give away free games?
Yes, Epic gives away games on a regular schedule, and claimed games stay in your library.

Why does Epic take a lower cut than Steam?
Epic chose a 12% rate to attract developers, while Steam keeps a 30% standard cut.

Which store is better for handheld gaming?
Steam is easier on handhelds because the Steam Deck is built around the Steam library.

Conclusion

So the Steam vs Epic Games Store debate has a simple answer for most players. Steam wins on library, community, and handheld support, while Epic wins on free games. Use Steam as your main hub and add Epic for the weekly giveaways. That way, you get the strengths of both stores without paying extra.