Steam vs Epic Games: 7 Key Differences You Should Know
Do you love playing games on your computer? You must already be familiar with Steam and Epic Games. These two are like big brothers, always trying to be the best! They both want you to pick their store for your games.
Steam has been around for a long, long time. It’s a huge library with tons and tons of games, and lots of players hang out there and talk about games. It’s really big and has almost every game you can think of!
Then there’s Epic Games. It’s newer, but it’s super cool because it often gives away free games every week. Imagine getting a new game without paying anything. Epic also tries to be very fair to the people who make games.
It can be hard to pick which one to use. Knowing how they are different can help you play games better and save money. We will look at seven important ways they are not the same. This will help you decide which one is best for you. Let’s start!
Why Compare Steam and Epic Games?
Steam and Epic Games Store are the heavyweights of PC gaming, but they cater to different crowds. Steam’s been the default for years, offering everything from AAA hits to niche indies, plus a bustling community.
Epic, the scrappy challenger, lures gamers with freebies and exclusives while keeping things sleek. Knowing their strengths helps you save money, access the best games, and avoid launcher clutter. Here’s the lowdown on their seven biggest differences.
Comparison Table: Steam vs Epic Games
| Feature | Steam | Epic Games Store |
| Game Library | 101,000+ titles | ~2,900 curated titles |
| Pricing | Local currencies, frequent sales | Dollar conversion, free games |
| Revenue Split | 30/70 to 20/80 | 12/88, 100% for first $1M |
| Community | Forums, reviews, workshop | Basic chat, friends list |
| Exclusives | Few (Valve titles) | Timed exclusives (Fortnite) |
| UI/Performance | Feature-rich, optimized | Minimalist, occasional lag |
| Modding/Offline | Workshop, reliable offline | Limited mods, inconsistent |
7 Key Differences Between Steam and Epic Games
1. Game Library: Quantity vs Curated Quality
Steam
Hosts over 101,000 games, from blockbusters like Cyberpunk 2077 to quirky indies like Slay the Spire. Steam Direct’s open publishing means endless variety, but you’ll find some duds. The Discovery Queue tailors recommendations based on your play history.
Epic Games
Offers ~2,900 titles, hand-picked for quality. You get AAA hits like Alan Wake 2 and indies like Hades, but older gems are absent. Its discovery page lacks Steam’s personalization.
2. Pricing and Free Games
Steam
Uses local currencies with market-based pricing, which can vary (e.g., higher in some regions). Epic sales, like Summer and Winter Sales, slash prices, with indies like Hollow Knight dropping to $7.49. There are no regular free games, but bundles offer value.
Epic Games
Applies dollar-based pricing with regional adjustments, often cheaper in markets like India. Weekly free games are a killer perk. 2024 saw GTA V, Hades, and more given away, totaling over 100 titles. Epic Mega Sale discounts hit up to 75% off.
3. Revenue Split for Developers
Steam
Takes a 30% cut, dropping to 20% for games earning over $50 million. These fund Steam’s feature-rich platform, but can pinch small devs.
Epic Games
Offers a 12/88 split (100% for the first $1 million in revenue) and waives Unreal Engine’s 5% royalty for EGS games. This lures developers, fueling exclusives like Metro Exodus and Borderlands 3.
4. Community and Social Features
Steam
A social powerhouse with forums, user reviews, community hubs, and Steam Workshop for mods. Features like trading cards and in-game collectibles keep 69 million daily users engaged. Steam Chat rivals Discord for group hangs.
Epic Games
Sticks to basic chat and cross-platform friends lists (e.g., linking Steam profiles). No forums or user reviews, though Epic’s roadmap promises a community update after summer 2025, per X buzz.
5. Exclusivity and Game Availability
Steam
Rarely locks exclusives, offering Valve titles like Half-Life: Alyx and Counter-Strike 2. Its open platform means most games hit Steam, even after Epic exclusivity ends.
Epic Games
Snags timed exclusives like The Wolf Among Us 2 and Control, frustrating Steam fans. Some titles, like Fortnite, stay Epic-only. X posts show mixed feelings; some love the freebies and others hate launcher fragmentation.
6. User Interface and Performance
Steam
: Packed with features but cluttered, with newsfeeds and menus that can overwhelm newbies. It’s optimized for low system impact and runs smoothly on most PCs. Beta updates streamline the library.
Epic Games
: Sleek and minimalist, with fewer tabs for easy navigation. Some users report lag or slow load times, though patches are improving stability. X feedback notes Epic’s UI is “clean but sluggish” on older rigs.
7. Modding and Offline Play
Steam
Steam Workshop makes modding easy for games like Skyrim or Cities: Skylines. Offline mode works after initial activation, with reliable cloud saves. It also supports non-gaming software like animation tools.
Epic Games
No centralized mod platform, though some titles support mods. Offline play needs a prior online login, and cloud saves are inconsistent across games.
Tips for Choosing Steam vs Epic Games in 2025
- Use Both Platforms: Both are free to install, so grab Epic’s weekly free games while using Steam for its library and mods. No need to pick one exclusively.
- Hunt for Deals: Wait for Steam’s Summer or Winter Sales or Epic’s Mega Sale for discounts. Use a tool to compare prices across platforms.
- Prioritize Mods: Go to Steam for mod-heavy games like Fallout 4 or Stellaris. Epic’s fine for titles like Control that don’t rely on mods.
- Track Exclusives: Check Epic’s store for exclusives like Alan Wake 2. Most return to Steam after 6–12 months, so wait if you hate juggling launchers.
- Test Performance: If Epic’s launcher lags on your PC, stick with Steam’s lighter client. Close unused launchers to free up RAM.
- Join Communities: Dive into Steam’s forums for game guides or mod tips. For Epic games, use X or Discord communities until Epic rolls out forums.
- Check Refund Policies: Steam offers refunds within 2 hours of playtime/14 days of purchase; Epic matches this but processes faster for free games. Know the rules before buying.
Steam vs Epic Games: Pick Your Player
The Steam vs Epic Games rivalry in 2025 boils down to your gaming priorities.
Steam’s unbeatable for its massive library, modding tools, and vibrant community, making it a haven for power users and social gamers. Epic Games Store hooks you with free games, a sleek interface, and exclusives, perfect for budget players and fans of curated titles.
Since both platforms are free, why not use them strategically? Snag Hades for free on Epic and mod Skyrim on Steam.
Which platform’s your vibe? Drop a comment with your go-to launcher or a game you’re loving, and let’s hear if you’re Team Steam or Team Epic. Fire up your PC and game on in 2025!
Questions About Steam vs Epic Games
1. What are Steam and Epic Games?
Steam and Epic Games are big online stores where you can buy and play computer games. They are the two most popular places for PC gamers.
2. Which store has more games?
Steam has way more games! It has over 101,000 games, which is a lot more than Epic Games’ ~2,900 games.
3. Does one of them give away free games?
Yes! Epic Games Store often gives away free games every week, which is a super cool bonus for players.
4. How do these stores help the people who make games?
Epic Games gives more money to the people who make games (88% of what you pay) compared to Steam (which takes 30% first). This makes Epic look good to game creators.
5. Which store is better if I want to talk to other players or use mods?
Steam is much better for that! It has forums where players can talk, and it has a “Workshop” that makes it easy to add special changes (mods) to your games. Epic Games doesn’t have as many of these community tools.
