The Two Giants of PC Game Distribution
For PC gamers, Steam and the Epic Games Store are the two dominant platforms for buying, downloading, and playing games. They've taken very different approaches to building their platforms, and the right choice depends heavily on what you value most as a gamer. Here's an honest breakdown.
Library Size and Game Selection
Steam has been operating since 2003 and has built an enormous library — tens of thousands of titles spanning every conceivable genre, including a huge selection of indie games. The sheer depth and variety is unmatched.
The Epic Games Store launched in 2018 and has a much smaller catalog. However, Epic has signed exclusivity deals with major publishers, meaning some high-profile titles are only available on Epic for a period of time before appearing elsewhere.
Winner: Steam — for breadth of selection, especially for indie and niche titles.
Free Games
Epic's most compelling ongoing feature is its free game program. Epic regularly offers games at no cost — users simply claim them and keep them permanently. The quality varies, but some well-regarded titles have been offered over the years.
Steam does not offer a comparable free game rotation, though it does have a robust free-to-play section.
Winner: Epic — the free weekly games are a genuine, ongoing benefit.
Pricing and Sales
Steam's seasonal sales (Summer Sale, Winter Sale) are legendary — massive discounts across the entire catalog simultaneously. The platform also allows regional pricing and has a large marketplace for user-traded items.
Epic runs sales too, often with coupon codes that provide a flat discount, which can make it competitive on new releases. However, Epic's sales catalog is smaller.
Winner: Steam — more consistent and deeper discount opportunities over time.
Features and User Experience
| Feature | Steam | Epic Games Store |
|---|---|---|
| User Reviews | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Community Forums | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Workshop (Mods) | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Cloud Saves | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Achievement System | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Family Sharing | ✅ Yes | Limited |
| In-Home Streaming | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Revenue Split (Developer) | 70–88% | 88% |
Developer Perspective
Epic's 88% revenue split for developers (compared to Steam's tiered model starting at 70%) has attracted some developers and publishers. A more favorable revenue model can mean developers recoup costs faster and have more resources to invest in games. That said, Steam's discoverability tools and massive user base often make the lower cut worthwhile.
Privacy and Account Security
Both platforms offer two-factor authentication — use it on both. Steam has a dedicated mobile authenticator called Steam Guard. Epic uses email-based 2FA or authenticator apps. Neither platform has had a major, widely publicized data breach, but as with any online platform, strong unique passwords and 2FA are essential.
The Verdict: Do You Need to Choose?
You don't. Both platforms are free to install and maintain, and most PC gamers use both. A practical approach: use Epic to claim free games regularly (it costs nothing) and use Steam as your primary store for purchases, sales, and community features. Install a game wherever it's cheaper or only available on one platform.