Gog vs Steam: Which Store Should You Use?

GOG and Steam are the two biggest PC game stores, but they serve different priorities: GOG sells DRM-free games you fully own, while Steam offers a massive library, social features, and frequent sales. The right choice depends on whether you value ownership and offline play (GOG) or convenience, community, and game selection (Steam). This article breaks down the key differences so you can decide where to spend your money.

Background: What Each Store Is

Steam launched in 2003 by Valve and became the dominant PC gaming platform, with over 50,000 games and an estimated 120 million monthly active users. It acts as a store, a game launcher, a social network (friends, chat, groups), and a cloud-save service. Almost every major PC game releases on Steam.

GOG (originally Good Old Games) started in 2008 as a store for classic titles, run by CD Projekt (the makers of The Witcher series). Its core promise is DRM-free: every game you buy can be downloaded as an offline installer and played without any client, internet connection, or activation check. GOG also curates its catalog, focusing on games that work on modern systems, and it has a smaller but growing library of about 5,000 titles.

DRM & Ownership: The Core Difference

The single biggest distinction is digital rights management (DRM). Steam uses its own DRM (the Steam client) for most games, though some games are “Steam DRM-free� and can be run without the client. GOG explicitly bans DRM on all its games.

• GOG: You get offline installer files (Windows, macOS, Linux) that you can back up to a hard drive, USB stick, or cloud storage. You can install the game on any PC, even one that has never touched the internet. If GOG ever shut down, your downloaded files still work.
• Steam: Most games require the Steam client to launch, and some require an online check. If Valve closed tomorrow (extremely unlikely), you would lose access to most of your library unless you had used third-party tools to strip DRM, which is often against the terms of service.

In practice, Steam is a safe bet because Valve is a huge company, but GOG offers a genuine ownership guarantee that no other major store matches. For preservation-minded players, GOG is the clear winner.

Game Library & New Releases

Steam’s catalog is vastly larger and includes nearly every AAA and indie release. GOG gets many new games too, but often later, and some publishers skip it entirely. For example, many multiplayer live-service games (like Fortnite or Call of Duty) are not on GOG because their business model relies on always-online DRM.

GOG’s strength is its curated back catalog. It has thousands of classic titles (e.g., Planescape: Torment, System Shock 2, Baldur’s Gate) that are pre-configured to run on modern Windows, often with community patches. Steam also sells these, but GOG’s versions are usually more reliable for older games.

If you mainly play new AAA games, Steam is the obvious choice. If you love retro gaming or want to own your games forever, GOG is better.

Features: Social, Cloud Saves, Mods, and More

Steam is a full-featured platform, not just a store. It includes:

• Friends and chat – built-in voice and text messaging.
• Steam Workshop – one-click mod installation for thousands of games.
• Steam Cloud – automatic save sync.
• Steam Remote Play – stream games to other devices.
• Refunds – automatic refunds within 14 days if you’ve played under 2 hours.
• Steam Deck – Valve’s handheld console integrates seamlessly with your library.

GOG has a much lighter client (GOG Galaxy) that offers cloud saves, cross-platform play, and optional integration with other stores (you can import your Steam library into Galaxy). But it lacks the social ecosystem, Workshop, and Remote Play. GOG’s refund policy is also more restrictive: 30 days, but only if the game is unplayed or you have a technical issue they can’t fix.

Pricing & Sales

Both stores run frequent sales with deep discounts. Steam’s seasonal sales (Summer, Winter) are legendary, and its daily deals and flash sales can offer 50–90% off. GOG also has major sales (Summer, Winter, and its own “GOG Sale� events) with comparable discounts, especially on older titles.

One pricing advantage for GOG: because there’s no DRM, you can shop around. GOG games are often cheaper on other stores (like Fanatical or Humble Bundle) and still activate on GOG. Steam keys are also sold elsewhere, but they always require Steam. GOG also has a “GOG Connect� feature (now discontinued) that let you link Steam games you owned to get them DRM-free on GOG – that service ended in 2022, but you can still buy games on GOG and get them on Steam if the publisher supports it.

Common Problems & Misconceptions

“GOG is only for old games.� Not true. GOG has many modern titles, including Cyberpunk 2077, Baldur’s Gate 3, and Disco Elysium. The selection is smaller, but it’s not just retro.

“Steam games are all DRM-locked.� Some are, some aren’t. Many indie games on Steam can be run directly from the game folder without Steam running. But you can’t easily tell which ones are DRM-free, and GOG guarantees it for every title.

“GOG Galaxy is required to play GOG games.� No. GOG Galaxy is optional. You can download offline installers and never install the client. This is a major advantage for people who dislike launchers.

“Steam is a monopoly.� Steam is dominant, but GOG, Epic Games Store, and others offer alternatives. Steam’s market share is around 75% of PC game sales, but GOG survives by catering to a niche audience that values ownership.

How to Choose: A Practical Guide

Ask yourself these questions:

• Do you care about owning your games forever? If yes, buy on GOG when possible.
• Do you play multiplayer or mod-heavy games? Steam is usually better because of Workshop and the larger player base.
• Do you like collecting achievements and trading cards? Steam has a robust system; GOG has achievements but no trading cards.
• Do you want a single library for everything? Steam is the default; GOG Galaxy can import Steam games, but not vice versa.
• Do you play on Linux? Both support Linux, but GOG’s offline installers work with Proton and native Linux ports; Steam’s Proton makes Windows games playable on Linux.

In many cases, the best strategy is to use both: buy new AAA games on Steam for convenience, and buy classics or games you truly love on GOG to own them forever. Also check GOG first for any game you care about – if it’s there, you get the DRM-free version.

Safety & Account Security

Both stores have solid security with two-factor authentication (2FA). Steam Guard is well-known; GOG Galaxy also supports 2FA. The main risk is phishing – fake emails or sites pretending to be Steam or GOG. Always check the URL before logging in.

One safety advantage for GOG: since games are DRM-free, you don’t need to keep your account active to play them. If your account is hacked or banned, you still have your offline installers. On Steam, a ban or hack can lock you out of your entire library.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is GOG better than Steam?

It depends on your priorities. GOG is better for ownership and offline play; Steam is better for library size, social features, and mod support. Most players use both.

Can I play GOG games without the GOG client?

Yes. Every GOG game comes with offline installers that work without GOG Galaxy. You can download them from your GOG library and store them permanently.

Are Steam games DRM-free?

Some are, but most require Steam to launch. You can check a game’s DRM status on Steam by looking at the “DRM� section in the store page, but it’s not always listed. GOG guarantees DRM-free for all its games.

Which store has better sales?

Both have deep discounts. Steam’s sales are bigger in volume, but GOG often has better prices on older titles. It’s worth comparing prices on both before buying.

Can I transfer my Steam games to GOG?

No. There is no official way to transfer purchases between stores. GOG had a “GOG Connect� feature that let you link some Steam games to get them on GOG, but it was discontinued in 2022.

Is GOG safe to buy from?

Yes. GOG is owned by CD Projekt, a major game company, and has been operating since 2008. It’s a legitimate store with a good reputation for customer service.

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