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Gaming · head to head

Battle.net vs Epic Games Store

Battle.net logo

Battle.net

Gaming

Blizzard game launcher and store, now owned by Microsoft, for a small first party catalogue

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Epic Games Store logo

Epic Games Store

Gaming

PC game storefront with a lower revenue cut for developers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Battle.net purchases are licences tied to one account in one region, so there is no resale, no transfer and no offline installer if the service or the account goes away.; Epic Games Store far fewer community features than Steam: no workshop, limited forums and a weaker review system
  • They diverge on capability: Battle.net covers Game installation and patching, Epic Games Store covers 12% revenue share.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Battle.net and Epic Games Store actually diverge.

Attributes where Battle.net and Epic Games Store differ
AttributeBattle.netEpic Games Store
Pricing modelOne-time purchaseFree to use; individual games purchased separately
PlatformsWindows, macOSWindows, macOS, Web

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Gaming).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Battle.net

  • Game installation and patching
  • Account services
  • Social layer
  • In game shops
  • Subscription management
  • Parental controls

Only in Epic Games Store

  • 12% revenue share
  • Unreal Engine royalty waiver
  • Weekly free games
  • Cross-platform services

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Battle.net

  • Playing any current Blizzard title, since the launcher is mandatory whether or not you bought through Steamnot Epic Games Store
  • Running a World of Warcraft subscription and paying for it with in game gold through tokens instead of cashnot Epic Games Store
  • Keeping Call of Duty installs and updates managed on PC without going through the Xbox appnot Epic Games Store
  • Households that need play time and purchase limits applied to a child account by a parentnot Epic Games Store

Epic Games Store

  • Buying PC games, often at lower prices than competing storesnot Battle.net
  • Claiming the weekly free gamenot Battle.net
  • Developers wanting a better revenue share than the 30% standardnot Battle.net

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Battle.net

  • Purchases are licences tied to one account in one region, so there is no resale, no transfer and no offline installer if the service or the account goes away.
  • Battle.net Balance and account region are locked, which blocks the common tactic of buying in a cheaper territory and removes any pricing flexibility for players who move country.
  • The store carries only Microsoft owned publishers, so it is an additional launcher and background updater running for a handful of games.
  • There is no family or library sharing comparable to Steam Families, so a household with two players buys two copies of every title.
  • A ban or a lost authenticator removes access to everything on the account at once, and Blizzard support decisions on account actions are slow and rarely reversed.

Epic Games Store

  • Far fewer community features than Steam: no workshop, limited forums and a weaker review system
  • A smaller catalogue, and its exclusivity deals have been unpopular with players
  • The client has a longstanding reputation for being slower and less capable than competitors
  • A smaller audience means developers trade reach for the better revenue split

Pricing, plan by plan

Battle.net

Free
  • Battle.net clientFree
    • Free client and account
    • Free to play titles including Hearthstone and Overwatch 2
    • Games and expansions bought individually
  • World of Warcraft subscription$14.99/month
    • Monthly recurring subscription with cheaper three and six month terms
    • Includes access to the current retail and classic realms
    • Can be paid with in game tokens bought from other players

Epic Games Store

Free
  • Epic Games StoreFree
    • Free account
    • Weekly free games
    • Game purchases billed individually

Which should you pick?

Choose Battle.net if

  • You need game installation and patching.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS.
  • You also want account services.
Battle.net review

Choose Epic Games Store if

  • You need 12% revenue share.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Web.
  • You also want unreal engine royalty waiver.
Epic Games Store review

Questions people ask

Is Battle.net or Epic Games Store better?
Neither clearly leads. Battle.net starts at Free and Epic Games Store at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Battle.net or Epic Games Store?
Battle.net starts at Free and Epic Games Store at Free.
Does Battle.net or Epic Games Store run on more platforms?
Battle.net runs on Windows, macOS. Epic Games Store runs on Windows, macOS, Web.
Can I use Battle.net for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Battle.net best used for?
Battle.net is most often used for playing any current blizzard title, since the launcher is mandatory whether or not you bought through steam, running a world of warcraft subscription and paying for it with in game gold through tokens instead of cash, keeping call of duty installs and updates managed on pc without going through the xbox app, households that need play time and purchase limits applied to a child account by a parent. Of those, playing any current blizzard title, since the launcher is mandatory whether or not you bought through steam and running a world of warcraft subscription and paying for it with in game gold through tokens instead of cash are not what Epic Games Store is typically brought in for.
What can Battle.net do that Epic Games Store cannot?
Battle.net covers Game installation and patching, Account services, Social layer, In game shops. Epic Games Store covers 12% revenue share, Unreal Engine royalty waiver, Weekly free games, Cross-platform services.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Battle.net: Do I still need Battle.net if I buy a Blizzard game on Steam?

Yes. Steam versions launch through Battle.net and require a linked Blizzard account, so you run both clients.

Epic Games Store: Is the Epic Games Store free?

Yes, the store and account are free. Games are purchased individually, and one is given away free each week.

Battle.net: Can I get a refund?

Blizzard offers refunds within a narrow window and playtime limit, decided case by case. It is significantly less generous than the Steam two hour policy.

Epic Games Store: Why do developers use it?

A 12% revenue share against the 30% platform standard, plus waived Unreal Engine royalties on sales through the store.

Battle.net: What happened to Battle.net after Microsoft bought Activision Blizzard?

It continues to operate as the launcher for Blizzard titles, but Microsoft has also returned those games to Steam, so it is no longer the only purchase route.

Epic Games Store: How does it compare with Steam?

Steam has a much larger catalogue and far richer community features. Epic competes on price, developer revenue share and free games.

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