The age of multiple video game clients continues to persist. From Steam to Epic to the EA App, it doesn’t take long for a gamer’s PC to become absolutely bloated with different game clients. These are essentially apps that let players browse, shop, buy, and launch video games comfortably from one place, where they can build their very own digital video game library.
That said, not all PC game clients are created equally. There are a few clients out there that mostly feature games of a specific studio, while others carry a wide variety of titles. Considering that less is more, and that no one wants to have a dozen different clients, which ones bring the most bang for buck when it comes to PC gaming? The list will consider game variety, user-friendliness and performance, sales, rewards, and pricing, as well as social features.
Itch.io App
The Best Place for Indie and Browser Games
Anyone who calls themselves an indie game lover should have Itch.io’s game client installed on their PC. The platform is absolutely bursting with cool and quirky games, many of them incredibly cheap, and some of them completely free. It’s the perfect place for gamers who are on a budget, but still want to enjoy gaming and aren’t afraid of discovering brand-new games. There won’t be any triple-A title here, but the abundance of indie potential makes up for it.
One of the nicest features of Itch.io’s game client is syncing browser games into the client itself. This allows players to conveniently access them even when they’re offline. Bonus points for the fact that it doesn’t discriminate against Linux users.
Xbox App
Easy Access to Game Pass Titles on PC
The Xbox App on PC is a must-have for those who own an Xbox Game Pass subscription plan. Despite the recent price hike to Game Pass’ Ultimate tier, the Essential and Premium tiers still come with a decent variety of games. The benefit of those plans is also the fact that players can switch between playing on their PCs and their Xbox X/S consoles seamlessly.
Even without a console, the benefits of the Xbox App and the Game Pass are there thanks to the PC only Game Pass, which gets the benefit of day-one releases, too. In sum, anyone looking to access a bunch of games for a monthly price tag will find the most bang for their buck here.
Epic Games Launcher
Must-Have for Its Free Giveaways
Epic Games Launcher is another great option for players who are on a budget. Its main advantage comes from the weekly free game drop. Every Thursday, Epic offers a game free of charge for users, both on PC and mobile platforms. This giveaway doesn’t just concern small indie titles either, but double-A and even triple-A titles that would otherwise cost a pretty penny.
The list of free games released in the past on Epic Games alone is impressive enough to warrant making an account for this client, and between 2024 and 2025, players have been able to snag great titles like Control, Vampire Survivors, Ghostrunner 2, Dredge, and Dead Island 2. Even if players do end up spending on Epic Games, each purchase accumulates Epic Rewards, which can be used in future purchases. While the total library of Epic doesn’t quite match up to Steam’s massive variety, it’s hard to argue against the power of free game drops and a reward program for anyone eager to build a library on a budget.
GOG Galaxy
Best for Older and DRM-Free Games
CD Projekt is the company behind GOG Galaxy, a name The Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077 fans will be well-acquainted with. Their PC game client presents a truly solid alternative to competitors like Epic Games and even Steam. What makes it stand out from the others is its impressive selection of older games that manage to put other PC game clients to shame. For example, Silent Hill franchise fans will be delighted to find that the fourth installment of the series is available on GOG Galaxy (but not on Steam).
The fact that GOG Galaxy’s core value is DRM-free is also a bonus, even if some DRM-free games exist on other PC game clients. Having access to games offline is valuable, and knowing that GOG Galaxy considers itself just a tool instead of a requirement to own and enjoy a game is a refreshing stance in the modern, digitalized era.
Steam
The Most Complete PC Game Client
Steam has been at the top of PC gaming clients for many years now, thanks to its user-first approach and lack of profit chasing. There’s a reason Steam’s customer service has been the subject of many positive memes throughout the years; they are well-known to be prompt when it comes to dealing with issues, refunds, and hacked accounts.
Steam’s second trump card is its variety: it has everything from triple-A titles to indie releases to free-to-play titles. Thanks to seasonal sales and mid-week deals, there are plenty of opportunities for players to get their hands on their favorite titles affordably. The client hasn’t changed much in terms of appearance over the years, which goes to show just how functional it is. It simply just works, and often browsing through games is much faster than on other PC game clients.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Steam’s social and community features are top-notch, from Workshops to game guides to built-in voice chat. Being able to access Steam games on Linux thanks to Proton is also just a massive victory for Valve, and that accessibility alone deserves to crown it as the king of PC game clients.
