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Gaming · head to head

Epic Games Store vs GOG

Epic Games Store logo

Epic Games Store

Gaming

PC game storefront with a lower revenue cut for developers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
GOG logo

GOG

Gaming

DRM-free PC game store with a focus on preservation

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; GOG a much smaller catalogue than Steam, and many new releases never appear
  • They diverge on capability: Epic Games Store covers 12% revenue share, GOG covers DRM-free downloads.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Epic Games Store and GOG differ
AttributeEpic Games StoreGOG
PlatformsWindows, macOS, WebWindows, macOS, Linux

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Free to use; individual games purchased separately), 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 GOG

  • DRM-free downloads
  • Game preservation
  • GOG Galaxy
  • Offline installers

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 GOG
  • Claiming the weekly free gamenot GOG
  • Developers wanting a better revenue share than the 30% standardnot GOG

GOG

  • Buying games that will keep working without a store or clientnot Epic Games Store
  • Playing older titles patched to run on current hardwarenot Epic Games Store
  • Archiving a game library independently of any platformnot 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

GOG

  • A much smaller catalogue than Steam, and many new releases never appear
  • DRM-free means fewer multiplayer and anti-cheat systems, so competitive titles are largely absent
  • GOG Galaxy is optional and less capable than the clients it competes with
  • Preservation work is slow, so requested older titles may never arrive

Pricing, plan by plan

Epic Games Store

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

GOG

Free
  • GOGFree
    • Free account
    • DRM-free installers
    • Game purchases billed individually

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 GOG if

  • You need drm-free downloads.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want game preservation.
GOG review

Questions people ask

Is Epic Games Store or GOG better?
Neither clearly leads. Epic Games Store starts at Free and GOG at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Epic Games Store or GOG?
Epic Games Store starts at Free and GOG at Free.
Does Epic Games Store or GOG run on more platforms?
Epic Games Store runs on Windows, macOS, Web. GOG runs on Windows, macOS, Linux.
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 GOG is typically brought in for.
What can Epic Games Store do that GOG cannot?
Epic Games Store covers 12% revenue share, Unreal Engine royalty waiver, Weekly free games, Cross-platform services. GOG covers DRM-free downloads, Game preservation, GOG Galaxy, Offline installers.

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.

GOG: Is GOG free?

The store and account are free; games are bought individually.

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.

GOG: What does DRM-free mean here?

Every purchase is a standalone installer that runs with no client, no account check and no internet connection, so the game keeps working whatever happens to the store.

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.

GOG: Why is the catalogue smaller?

Many publishers require DRM, and GOG will not sell with it. That policy is the reason for both its loyal audience and its narrower selection.

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