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Gaming · head to head

GOG vs itch.io

GOG logo

GOG

Gaming

DRM-free PC game store with a focus on preservation

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
itch.io logo

itch.io

Gaming

Open marketplace for indie games and game assets

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: GOG a much smaller catalogue than Steam, and many new releases never appear; itch.io open publishing means enormous variance in quality and very little curation
  • They diverge on capability: GOG covers DRM-free downloads, itch.io covers Open publishing.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which GOG and itch.io actually diverge.

Attributes where GOG and itch.io differ
AttributeGOGitch.io
Pricing modelFree to use; individual games purchased separatelyFree to publish; creator-set revenue share on sales
PlatformsWindows, macOS, LinuxWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux

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 GOG

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

Only in itch.io

  • Open publishing
  • Creator-set revenue share
  • Game jams
  • Pay what you want

What people use each for

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

GOG

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

itch.io

  • Publishing an independent or experimental game without an approval processnot GOG
  • Running or entering a game jamnot GOG
  • Buying game assets, tools and charity bundlesnot GOG

Where each one falls short

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

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

itch.io

  • Open publishing means enormous variance in quality and very little curation
  • Discovery is difficult: without curation, a new release can go entirely unseen
  • Consumer audience is far smaller than the mainstream storefronts
  • Client and library features are minimal compared with Steam or GOG

Pricing, plan by plan

GOG

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

itch.io

Free
  • itch.ioFree
    • Free publishing
    • Creator-set revenue share
    • Game jam hosting

Which should you pick?

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

Choose itch.io if

  • You need open publishing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want creator-set revenue share.
itch.io review

Questions people ask

Is GOG or itch.io better?
Neither clearly leads. GOG starts at Free and itch.io at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, GOG or itch.io?
GOG starts at Free and itch.io at Free.
Does GOG or itch.io run on more platforms?
GOG runs on Windows, macOS, Linux. itch.io runs on Web, Windows, macOS, Linux.
Can I use GOG for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is GOG best used for?
GOG is most often used for buying games that will keep working without a store or client, playing older titles patched to run on current hardware, archiving a game library independently of any platform. Of those, buying games that will keep working without a store or client and playing older titles patched to run on current hardware are not what itch.io is typically brought in for.
What can GOG do that itch.io cannot?
GOG covers DRM-free downloads, Game preservation, GOG Galaxy, Offline installers. itch.io covers Open publishing, Creator-set revenue share, Game jams, Pay what you want.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

GOG: Is GOG free?

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

itch.io: Is itch.io free?

Yes to publish, and creators set their own revenue share on sales — including zero.

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.

itch.io: Who uses itch.io?

Independent and experimental developers, students, and most major game jams including Ludum Dare submissions.

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.

itch.io: Why is discovery hard there?

Because publishing is open and uncurated. That is what makes it accessible to any creator, and it means new releases can go unseen.

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