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Gaming · head to head

Epic Games Store vs Green Man Gaming

Epic Games Store logo

Epic Games Store

Gaming

PC game storefront with a lower revenue cut for developers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Green Man Gaming logo

Green Man Gaming

Gaming

Authorised key reseller with direct publisher agreements and a loyalty discount programme

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; Green Man Gaming you buy a key rather than a store entitlement, so refunds follow Green Man Gaming policy, which is narrower and slower than the Steam two hour no questions guarantee.
  • They diverge on capability: Epic Games Store covers 12% revenue share, Green Man Gaming covers Authorised keys.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Epic Games Store and Green Man Gaming actually diverge.

Attributes where Epic Games Store and Green Man Gaming differ
AttributeEpic Games StoreGreen Man Gaming
Pricing modelFree to use; individual games purchased separatelyOne-time purchase
PlatformsWindows, macOS, WebWeb

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 Green Man Gaming

  • Authorised keys
  • Multi platform keys
  • XP loyalty programme
  • Pre orders
  • Publishing arm
  • Regular sales events

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

Green Man Gaming

  • Buying a full price new release at a discount without accepting the provenance risk of a grey market marketplacenot Epic Games Store
  • Pre ordering a title where the publisher has restricted discounting on the platform store itselfnot Epic Games Store
  • Building a PC library across several launchers from one basket and one payment methodnot Epic Games Store
  • Buying for someone else, since an unredeemed key can be handed over where a platform purchase cannotnot 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

Green Man Gaming

  • You buy a key rather than a store entitlement, so refunds follow Green Man Gaming policy, which is narrower and slower than the Steam two hour no questions guarantee.
  • Some keys carry regional activation restrictions that are disclosed only on the product page, and a key bought in the wrong region cannot be activated or refunded once revealed.
  • Pre order keys are delivered on the publisher schedule, which sometimes means at or slightly after launch while platform buyers are already playing.
  • Catalogue coverage is uneven because major publishers periodically pull authorisation, so the title you want may simply not be stocked at the moment you want it.
  • Customer service is ticket based with no telephone route, and an unresolvable key problem on launch weekend can take days to settle.

Pricing, plan by plan

Epic Games Store

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

Green Man Gaming

Free
  • Store accountFree
    • Free account, you pay per title
    • Prices typically below the platform list price
    • XP loyalty credit earned on purchases

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 Green Man Gaming if

  • You need authorised keys.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want multi platform keys.
Green Man Gaming review

Questions people ask

Is Epic Games Store or Green Man Gaming better?
Neither clearly leads. Epic Games Store starts at Free and Green Man Gaming at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Epic Games Store or Green Man Gaming?
Epic Games Store starts at Free and Green Man Gaming at Free.
Does Epic Games Store or Green Man Gaming run on more platforms?
Epic Games Store runs on Windows, macOS, Web. Green Man Gaming runs on 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 Green Man Gaming is typically brought in for.
What can Epic Games Store do that Green Man Gaming cannot?
Epic Games Store covers 12% revenue share, Unreal Engine royalty waiver, Weekly free games, Cross-platform services. Green Man Gaming covers Authorised keys, Multi platform keys, XP loyalty programme, Pre orders.

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.

Green Man Gaming: Are the keys legitimate?

Yes. Green Man Gaming is an authorised reseller buying from publishers and distributors under contract, not a marketplace listing keys from anonymous sellers.

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.

Green Man Gaming: Can I get a refund?

Only under the store policy, and typically not once a key has been revealed. It is meaningfully weaker than buying directly on Steam.

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.

Green Man Gaming: Will keys work in my country?

Usually, but some titles are region restricted. The restriction is stated on the product page and it is the buyer responsibility to check before purchase.

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