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Gaming · head to head

Epic Games Store vs Fortnite

Epic Games Store logo

Epic Games Store

Gaming

PC game storefront with a lower revenue cut for developers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Fortnite logo

Fortnite

Gaming

Free to play battle royale and creative platform funded by V-Bucks, skins and a seasonal battle pass

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Epic Games Store far fewer community features than Steam: no workshop, limited forums and a weaker review system; Fortnite the install route differs by region and platform and has changed multiple times since 2020, so a support article that was correct a year ago may no longer describe how to get the app in your country.
  • They diverge on capability: Epic Games Store covers 12% revenue share, Fortnite covers Battle royale.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Epic Games Store and Fortnite differ
AttributeEpic Games StoreFortnite
Pricing modelFree to use; individual games purchased separatelyFree to play with in-app purchases
PlatformsWindows, macOS, WebiOS, Android, 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 Epic Games Store

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

Only in Fortnite

  • Battle royale
  • Battle Pass
  • V-Bucks currency
  • Fortnite Creative and UEFN
  • Cross-play and cross-progression
  • Save the World and spin-off modes

What people use each for

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

Epic Games Store

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

Fortnite

  • A player who wants a competitive shooter with no pay to win advantage and is happy to skip cosmetics entirelynot Epic Games Store
  • A parent deciding whether to allow install, who needs to know V-Bucks purchases require a linked payment method and can be locked down with parental controlsnot Epic Games Store
  • A creator who wants to publish a custom game mode through UEFN and earn a share of engagement payoutsnot Epic Games Store
  • A player in the EU or US who is confused about where to install it after the App Store disputes and needs the current regional routenot Epic Games Store

Where each one falls short

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

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

Fortnite

  • The install route differs by region and platform and has changed multiple times since 2020, so a support article that was correct a year ago may no longer describe how to get the app in your country.
  • Season passes do not carry over, so a player who stops for a season and returns finds unlocked track rewards from a missed pass are gone unless bought retroactively where offered.
  • Cosmetic pricing across skins, bundles and passes can add up to several hundred dollars a year for an engaged player despite each individual purchase looking small.
  • Account security matters more than it first appears, because V-Bucks and purchased cosmetics are tied to the account and have real resale value, making accounts a phishing target.
  • Competitive matchmaking and skill based systems have shifted repeatedly across seasons, and casual players sometimes find late-season lobbies dominated by high skill players chasing pass completion.

Pricing, plan by plan

Epic Games Store

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

Fortnite

Free
  • FortniteFree
    • Full game free, no paywall to compete or finish a match
    • V-Bucks packs from roughly $7.99 for 1,000 up to $79.99 for bulk bundles
    • Battle Pass roughly $9.99 per season, resets each season with no carryover

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Fortnite if

  • You need battle royale.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want battle pass.
Fortnite review

Questions people ask

Is Epic Games Store or Fortnite better?
Neither clearly leads. Epic Games Store starts at Free and Fortnite at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Epic Games Store or Fortnite?
Epic Games Store starts at Free and Fortnite at Free.
Does Epic Games Store or Fortnite run on more platforms?
Epic Games Store runs on Windows, macOS, Web. Fortnite runs on iOS, Android, Web.
Can I use Epic Games Store for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Epic Games Store best used for?
Epic Games Store is most often used for buying pc games, often at lower prices than competing stores, claiming the weekly free game, developers wanting a better revenue share than the 30% standard. Of those, buying pc games, often at lower prices than competing stores and claiming the weekly free game are not what Fortnite is typically brought in for.
What can Epic Games Store do that Fortnite cannot?
Epic Games Store covers 12% revenue share, Unreal Engine royalty waiver, Weekly free games, Cross-platform services. Fortnite covers Battle royale, Battle Pass, V-Bucks currency, Fortnite Creative and UEFN.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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.

Fortnite: Do I need to pay to play Fortnite?

No. Battle royale, the core mode, is free to download and free to play to completion. Payment buys cosmetics and the seasonal Battle Pass, not gameplay advantages.

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.

Fortnite: Why can I not find Fortnite on my app store?

Availability depends on region and platform because of Epic litigation with Apple and Google. Check the current install route for your country on Epic support pages before assuming it is unavailable.

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.

Fortnite: What does the Battle Pass actually buy?

A seasonal track of cosmetic unlocks earned by playing, priced at roughly $9.99. It does not carry over between seasons and does not affect matchmaking or gameplay power.

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