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Heroic Games Launcher vs Steam

Heroic Games Launcher logo

Heroic Games Launcher

Gaming

Open source client for Epic, GOG and Amazon libraries on Linux, Windows and macOS

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Steam logo

Steam

Gaming

The ultimate destination for playing, discussing, and creating games

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Heroic Games Launcher has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Heroic Games Launcher it depends on reverse-engineered backends for each store, so an authentication change at Epic or Amazon breaks logins until unpaid maintainers respond.; Steam not a subscription-based platform; operates as a digital game store with per-title pricing
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Heroic Games Launcher and Steam actually diverge.

Attributes where Heroic Games Launcher and Steam differ
AttributeHeroic Games LauncherSteam
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelOpen source, no licence feesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsLinux, Windows, macOSWeb

Identical on both: 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 Heroic Games Launcher

  • Epic, GOG and Amazon libraries
  • Cross-platform
  • Wine and Proton management
  • Steam Deck packaging
  • Cloud saves
  • Add to Steam

Only in Steam

Nothing recorded that Heroic Games Launcher does not also cover.

What people use each for

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

Heroic Games Launcher

  • A Steam Deck owner who wants to play Epic or Amazon titles they already ownnot Steam
  • A Linux desktop user with a GOG library and no interest in configuring Wine by handnot Steam
  • A macOS user wanting access to a GOG library without a Windows machinenot Steam
  • Someone consolidating three storefront clients into one interface on Windowsnot Steam

Steam

  • PC game distribution and purchasenot Heroic Games Launcher
  • Digital game library managementnot Heroic Games Launcher
  • Multiplayer gaming platformnot Heroic Games Launcher

Where each one falls short

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

Heroic Games Launcher

  • It depends on reverse-engineered backends for each store, so an authentication change at Epic or Amazon breaks logins until unpaid maintainers respond.
  • It does not handle Steam, so anyone with a mixed library still runs two clients and the consolidation is partial.
  • Cloud save support varies by store and by game, and finding out that a title does not sync usually happens after losing progress.
  • It is an Electron application, so memory use is high for what is fundamentally a list of games, which matters on a handheld with limited resources.
  • Games protected by kernel-level anti-cheat still do not run on Linux, and the launcher cannot change a publisher decision.

Steam

  • Not a subscription-based platform; operates as a digital game store with per-title pricing
  • No service tiers or platform access fees; users access the platform free

Pricing, plan by plan

Heroic Games Launcher

Free
  • Heroic Games LauncherFree
    • Full functionality
    • No paid tier
    • Store accounts used directly

Steam

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Steam review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Heroic Games Launcher if

  • You need epic, gog and amazon libraries.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Windows, macOS.
  • You also want cross-platform.
Heroic Games Launcher review

Choose Steam if

Nothing in the data separates Steam from Heroic Games Launcher on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Steam review

Questions people ask

Is Heroic Games Launcher or Steam better?
Neither clearly leads. Heroic Games Launcher starts at Free and Steam at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Heroic Games Launcher or Steam?
Heroic Games Launcher has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Heroic Games Launcher and On request for Steam.
Does Heroic Games Launcher or Steam run on more platforms?
Heroic Games Launcher runs on Linux, Windows, macOS. Steam runs on Web.
Can I use Heroic Games Launcher for free?
Yes. Heroic Games Launcher has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Steam starts at On request.
What is Heroic Games Launcher best used for?
Heroic Games Launcher is most often used for a steam deck owner who wants to play epic or amazon titles they already own, a linux desktop user with a gog library and no interest in configuring wine by hand, a macos user wanting access to a gog library without a windows machine, someone consolidating three storefront clients into one interface on windows. Of those, a steam deck owner who wants to play epic or amazon titles they already own and a linux desktop user with a gog library and no interest in configuring wine by hand are not what Steam is typically brought in for.
What can Heroic Games Launcher do that Steam cannot?
Heroic Games Launcher covers Epic, GOG and Amazon libraries, Cross-platform, Wine and Proton management, Steam Deck packaging.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Heroic Games Launcher: Why does this exist when Epic has its own launcher?

Epic publishes no Linux client. Heroic fills that gap and then extended to GOG, Amazon, Windows and macOS.

Steam: Is there a cost to create a Steam account and download games?

No, creating a Steam account and accessing the platform is completely free. Individual games are sold at varying prices, and many titles are free-to-play. There is no platform subscription or membership fee required to use Steam.

Source
Heroic Games Launcher: Is it safe to log into my store accounts?

It is open source and widely used, and it authenticates against the real store endpoints. As with any third-party client, you are trusting the maintainers and the build you installed.

Steam: Are free-to-play games truly available on Steam at no cost?

Yes, Steam hosts numerous free-to-play titles including Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, Apex Legends, and PUBG: Battlegrounds. Players can download and play these games without any payment, though in-game cosmetics and passes may be available for purchase.

Source
Heroic Games Launcher: Does it work in Steam Deck game mode?

Yes, generally by adding titles to Steam as non-Steam shortcuts, which is a documented part of the normal workflow.

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