Top 10 Steam Alternatives to Buy Cheap PC Games
Updated 25/06/2021
Steam may be the best-known store on the web to buy digital PC games, but it’s definitely not the only one out there. This article will show you the 6 most popular digital key retailers, game stores, and alternatives to Steam.
By 
Merc
About Steam
What is Steam ?
Let’s face it, Steam is undoubtedly the biggest digital games distribution platform in the world. Originally launched as Half-Life 2’s distribution platform and has since dominated the online PC games market since its launch in 2003.
Many gamers prefer to buy their games on Steam, which doesn’t come as a surprise because almost all major PC games are being released here. Smaller and even completely unknown developers also use the site to sell their games. But did you know that this doesn’t mean it offers the best prices? In fact, unless there are sales, you will most likely have to buy games on Steam at full price.
Steam is far from being the only specialised site and in fact has a lot of competition from sites like Origin (AAA games), GOG (DRM-free alternatives), Gamesplanet (key-only stores), and Humble Monthly (subscription models).
What are the 10 best Steam alternatives to find games at the best price
Here at AllKeyShop.com, we know that the reason you keep coming back is because we have the best deals on games anywhere on the web. If you’ve been wondering just how we’re able to provide you with all the titles you want at bargain prices, well, our secret is our partner stores.
Each of the stores mentioned differ in terms of games they offer, how they sell and distribute them, and where the money goes. This makes it hard for gamers to figure out which store is right for them, so we have created this list for you and compiled the best Steam alternatives and what makes them stand out.
Top 10 Steam Alternatives
GOG
Website: GOG.com
Formerly known as “Good Old Games”, GOG is the PC gaming platform of developer CD Projekt, which is known for games such as Cyberpunk 2077 and the Witcher series.
It started as a platform where you can buy DRM-free versions of classic PC titles, hence the original name “Good Old Games.” The site presently has a large selection of current games. What has remained the same is that all games and software you purchase from the site still remain free of DRM software and its restrictions. This means you can install the games you purchased on other devices and play them offline if the game allows it. You don’t have to be actively connected to servers if you want to play in single-player.
READ: How to Activate a CD Key on GOG
Not all game publishers support this move, though, as evidenced by only a few AAA titles appearing in GOG. A lot of the major publishers refuse to release PC games without anti-piracy or DRM software. On the other hand, the site has a wide selection of indie titles.
GOG also has a similar functionality with Steam through GOG Galaxy, its downloadable client. This allows you to manage your library, buy and update games, store save points in the cloud, and chat with friends. Unlike Steam, the GOG Galaxy is not mandatory, and games can be downloaded and started even without the client.
The site also offers weekly sales, plus there are also a large selection of games for Mac and Linux.
Epic Games Store
Website: epicgames.com
The Epic Games Store is the youngest among the digital distribution platforms in this list. Officially launched in December 6, 2018, the website aims to become the real alternative to Steam.
The site offers games for PC, Linux, and Mac. It also promises a fair deal with developers in terms of revenue-sharing. Developers who sell their games in the Epic Games Store receive 88 percent revenue — on Steam, developers receive 70 percent. Those who use Epic’s own Unreal Engine to develop their games also get additional revenue.
The first two major exclusive titles you can find in the Epic Games Store include Metro Exodus and The Division 2. The site also offers a free game weekly, most of them are new and quite prominent. This should encourage more gamers to install the Epic Games Launcher.
READ: How to Download and Activate a CD Key on Epic Games Launcher
Green Man Gaming
Website: greenmangaming.com
Green Man Gaming has been in the industry since 2010, and has been well-known and successful in England. The website has since expanded and become localized in recent years. In 2014, the company started its own game publishing and released some smaller titles in its platform.
You can find many big AAA titles in Green Man Gaming, in contrast to GOG. This is mainly due to the fact that game keys from different platforms – first and foremost Steam – are being sold in the site. In most cases, you’ll have to use the provider’s corresponding gaming client to play the game that you bought from here.
So why do you need to buy from Green Man Gaming instead of buying directly from Steam? It’s because in many cases, you can get games at a cheaper price from GMG all year round, instead of you waiting for the next Steam sale. It is worth the shot to compare prices and check if there are better offers here.
Aside from PC and Mac keys, the site also offers console games such as PlayStation and Nintendo.
Should you wish to break out of Steam’s ecosystem, Green Man Gaming is not the right website for you. However, if you wish to save a few Euros, it is definitely worth checking out the prices here.
Gamesplanet
Website: uk.gamesplanet.com
Gamesplanet, an authorized key dealer, has its headquarters in France and a branch office in Düsseldorf. It offers a localized version in German as well. The website lists games from all major publishers, so pretty much every AAA title is here, including various pre-order versions. The store offers keys for Steam, Uplay, Origin, and the Rockstar Social Club, among others. It also lists games for Mac and Linux.
Each game on the site comes with descriptions, screenshots and videos of the games as well as user ratings, metacritic scores, and a comment function, so you pretty much get a good idea about the game before purchasing it.
The website hosts a sale every day, with everything permanently on offer. A lot of times, the prices here are cheaper as compared to buying it on Steam or from the publisher. The site also offers various payment options for your convenience.
GamesRocket
Website: gamesrocket.com
Like Gamesplanet, GamesRocket is also an authorized CD key retailer. In this site, you will find games for PC and Mac, console titles, game cards, and software. GamesRocket has been in the industry since 2010 with its headquarters in Germany.
The website lists all major publishers with AAA titles as well as smaller developers. There is also a listing for DRM-free games. CD keys are available for Steam, Origin, Uplay, GOG, Rockstar Social Club, and more.
GamesRocket has its own Deals section where you can find heavily discounted games. All other titles are also permanently on sale, so you save up to 20% compared to the RRP.
Humble Store / Humble Bundle
Website: humblebundle.com
Humble is best known for its game bundles called “Humble Bundle” which also makes up the website’s name. You can also find a full range of games here as well as eBooks, software, and more at significantly reduced prices. The site also offers a subscription model for PC games called the Humble Monthly.
Humble also has a special feature where a portion of every purchase goes to charity. You can choose which organization to support, and even increase the amount you want to donate.
As for its catalog, Humble has a huge range of games from indie to AAA blockbusters. Like Green Man Gaming, this store has keys for Steam or Uplay. There are also DRM-free versions of minor games. Buying a cross-platform game gives you a version of every available operating system, so you can play on PC, Mac, or Linux.
Origin
Website: Origin
Most big publishers are trying to maximize their profits by offering their own distribution platform for their games. For Electronic Arts (EA), that would be Origin.
Quite a few non-EA games have also been added to their catalog more recently.
Origin is also known for its subscription service that allows you to play full games and sample new releases ahead of launch.
Uplay
Website: Uplay
What Origin is for EA, Uplay is to Ubisoft. But, not only does Uplay contain all their PC offerings, it also sells physical goodies such as officially licensed apparel and collectibles.
They also offer reward system called the Ubisoft Club, which allows you to earn an exclusive currency that can be used to get either a 20% discount on your next purchase or free exclusive DLC for your games.
Battle.net
Website: Battle.net
This platform has been around for quite some time, even before Steam. It started out as the multiplayer component for Blizzard games but has now evolved into the publisher’s very own distribution platform and game launcher.
It helps keep all your games from Blizzard in one neatly organized interface and also helps keep getting their free offerings easy to find as well.
Kinguin
Website: Kinguin.net
Kinguin is very similar to G2A in that it also has a marketplace for users to sell their own game keys.
They also offer a premium guarantee service called Kinguin Buyer Protection. Aside from games, there are also in-game items such as weapon and character skins for various titles on sale.
You can also find packages that feature a random number of Steam games.
My favorite is Kinguin. More simple user friendly and good pricesµ
Top updated to 2020
Thanks for the article, my second favorite platform after steam is GOG, they sell the cheapest games there is, and G2A is my favorite marketplace.