Steam is the better main launcher for most PC gamers because it has the larger catalog, deeper features such as the Workshop, Steam Input and Remote Play, and the strongest support for handheld PCs. The Epic Games Store is worth installing alongside it because it hands out free games on a regular schedule and takes a smaller cut from developers. You do not have to pick one, since both are free to install and can run on the same PC.
This guide compares the two on the points that affect daily use: library features, free games, pricing and sales behavior, controller and mod support, and what happens to your purchases over time. Platform features change often, so confirm anything that matters to you on each store’s own help pages before you spend money.
The Short Answer: Which One Should You Use?
Use Steam as your home base if you want the widest selection, community tools and long-term feature depth. Use Epic as a second launcher if you want free games, certain exclusive or timed releases, or you play titles from Epic’s own catalog. If a game appears on both stores at the same time, the deciding factors are usually features, friends list and which library you already keep your games in.
Some publishers also sell the same game through their own launcher, which adds a third account to manage. Keeping the number of launchers small makes it easier to track what you own.
Features Compared
Community and Social Tools
Steam has a mature friends list, groups, user reviews, discussion forums, screenshots and guides built into every game page. Epic has a friends system and a cleaner storefront but fewer community features per game, and user reviews are handled differently. If you value reading other players’ impressions before buying, Steam gives you more material.
Mods and Workshop Support
The Steam Workshop lets players subscribe to mods with one click, and the client keeps them updated. Epic does not have an equivalent platform-wide mod system, so mods generally come from third-party sites or in-game tools, depending on the title. Mod-heavy games are a strong reason to favor Steam.
Controllers, Streaming and Handhelds
Steam Input lets you remap almost any controller and share layouts, and Remote Play and Steam Link let you stream games to other devices in your home. Steam also underpins the Steam Deck and many Windows handhelds with a controller-friendly interface. Epic supports controllers on a per-game basis, and its handheld-focused features are narrower.
Cloud Saves and Achievements
Both stores offer cloud saves for supported games. Steam has had achievements and detailed profile stats for much longer. Epic supports achievements in many titles but not in every game, so check the store page if you care about completion tracking.
Refunds
Both stores have refund windows with playtime limits. Steam’s published policy covers a request within 14 days of purchase and under two hours of play, and Epic publishes similar terms. Because policies can be updated, read the current version before relying on it.
Free Games and Sales
Epic is well known for giving away at least one game most weeks, and you keep the title in your library when you claim it during the offer window. The selection ranges from small indie titles to large releases, and there are special promotions during major sale seasons. Steam does not run a weekly giveaway, though it has free-to-play games, free weekends, demos and a major seasonal sale calendar.
Treat free games as a bonus rather than a savings plan. Claiming dozens of titles you never install can bury the games you actually want to play, so be selective and use wishlists instead of claiming everything.
Both stores also offer coupons or discounts at different times, so compare the final cost at checkout in your region before choosing one. Regional pricing can differ between them.
Library, Downloads and PC Impact
Library Organization
Steam lets you build collections, apply custom categories, hide games and filter by playtime, which matters once a library grows past a few hundred titles. Epic’s library view is simpler and easier to scan when you own fewer games, but it offers fewer sorting tools. If you collect a lot of games, Steam’s organization features save real time.
Downloads, Updates and Storage
Both launchers let you choose install locations and pause downloads. Steam supports multiple library folders across drives and lets you schedule or limit bandwidth for updates. Epic has fewer bandwidth controls, so if your internet connection is slow or capped, review the settings before queuing a large game. Running both launchers adds some background memory use, so close the one you are not using if your PC is short on RAM.
Overlays and Background Services
Steam’s overlay offers chat, screenshots and a web browser in game, while Epic’s overlay is lighter. Overlays can occasionally conflict with other recording or monitoring tools, so turn them off per game if you see stutter or crashes.
Accounts, Security and Long-Term Access
Your purchases are tied to your account rather than your PC, so a strong password and two-factor authentication matter on both stores. Steam offers a mobile authenticator and a family sharing option that lets approved family members borrow eligible games, with some limits on who can play at once. Epic has its own account system shared with its other services, which makes security settings worth checking in one place.
Digital libraries depend on the store continuing to operate and on each publisher keeping the game listed, so neither platform guarantees access forever. For that reason, avoid putting all of your purchases behind one account you have not secured, and keep the recovery email current.
Comparison Table
| Area | Steam | Epic Games Store |
|---|---|---|
| Catalog size | Largest on PC | Smaller but growing |
| Free games | Free-to-play, demos, free weekends | Regular free game giveaways |
| Mod support | Steam Workshop | No platform-wide equivalent |
| Controller layer | Steam Input, Remote Play | Per-game support |
| Community tools | Reviews, forums, guides, groups | Lighter social features |
| Developer revenue share | Higher standard cut with tiers at larger revenue | Lower stated cut for developers |
Which Store Fits Which Player
The Player With a Big Backlog
Stay on Steam for the library tools, categories, collections and playtime tracking, and claim Epic free games only when they match your tastes.
The Budget Hunter
Install both. Use Epic for free titles and occasional coupons, and Steam for seasonal sales, bundles and wishlist alerts. Before buying, compare the full checkout price in your region, since a headline discount on one store may be matched on the other.
The Handheld or Couch Player
Steam is the safer choice because of its controller-first interface, Remote Play and the Deck ecosystem, though you should verify any specific game’s handheld status in its store page.
The Mod Enthusiast
Choose the Steam version whenever both exist, unless the modding community for that title clearly favors another platform. Check the game’s community pages first, because mod managers and file hosting sites often list which store version they support.
Before You Choose Checklist
- Check whether the game you want is sold on both stores and compare the final price in your region.
- Look at the store page for controller support, cloud saves and achievements.
- Confirm whether the game needs a separate publisher account or launcher.
- Decide whether you want your friends and library in one place.
- Read the current refund policy of the store you plan to use.
Common Mistakes
- Splitting a library across three or four launchers without a way to track what you own.
- Assuming a free game claimed today will be easy to find in a year without a note or wishlist.
- Buying on the store with the slightly lower price and losing Workshop or controller features you would have used.
- Ignoring the install location and filling the system drive with several launchers’ downloads.
- Forgetting that two-factor protection and account security matter on every store.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Steam and Epic at the same time?
Yes. They are separate programs with separate libraries, and both can be installed on one PC. Some people keep Epic only for the free games.
Do free Epic games stay mine forever?
Games you claim during the offer window are added to your account library. Store rules can change, so read the current terms if long-term access is important.
Which store is better for older PCs?
Both launchers run fine on modest hardware, but Steam offers more settings to limit background activity and lets you disable the overlay per game. Game performance depends on the title, not the store, so the same game should run about the same on either one.
Can I move a game from one store to the other?
Not directly. A purchase is tied to the store where you bought it, so you would need to buy the other version separately. Some publishers offer cross-store perks or account linking for online features, so check the game’s support page.
