Shopping for video games no longer involves making the trek to your local game shop. Online connections are speedier than ever, which makes it incredibly easy and convenient to buy or rent games from an online video game marketplace. Just as Whole Foods and 7-Eleven satisfy different food needs, the various game stores we’ve reviewed cater to numerous gaming interests. Below, you’ll find everything that you need to know to start shopping for PC games.
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Steam
Best for Avid PC Gamers
Why We Picked It
Steam is by far the biggest and most important PC gaming marketplace—the store is virtually synonymous with PC gaming. Its massive library and innovative features make gaming on your computer more approachable and appealing than ever.
Who It’s For
Steam is for everyone. It has the hottest AAA releases, creative indies, and classics at discount prices. Its interface scales for playing on your desktop as well as your TV. And thanks to the Steam Deck, Steam is also an excellent marketplace for high-powered handheld gaming.
PROS
- Huge game library
- Useful Big Picture mode
- Numerous game recommendation tools
- Powers Steam Deck handheld PC
- Remote play and remote downloads
- Video streaming
- Select film and software content
- Integrated screenshot tool
CONS
- Poor customer service
- Lacks built-in video-capture tools
- Busy interface
GOG.com
Best for Retro PC Gamers
Why We Picked It
PC gaming is one of the only (legal) ways of preserving old games that get left behind as new consoles emerge. GOG.com (short for Good Old Games) does vital work by offering classic titles reconfigured to run on current PCs. With GOG, you can turn PC gaming’s entire history into the ultimate backlog.
Who It’s For
As the company’s title states, GOG is for people who want good old games. Its modern game library isn’t quite as robust, but that’s not the point. GOG connects with other game stores, so it can supplement, say, your Steam library rather than replace it.
PROS
- Lots of classic PC games configured to run on modern PCs
- No DRM
- Some games are bundled with terrific extras
- 30-day refund window
- GOG Galaxy connects with other game stores
CONS
- Not many new games
- Few online multiplayer titles
- Must download the separate GOG Galaxy desktop client for chat features
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Humble Bundle
Best for Value and Charity Work
Why We Picked It
Humble Bundle helps you purchase great PC games from the other marketplaces on this list, as well as the digital versions of console games. It even sells other kinds of entertainment, such as comic books and novels. The twist is that when you buy from Humble Bundle, you also support worthwhile charities.
Who It’s For
Humble Bundle is for people who want to help their fellow humans while buying a good game. You can stick to the featured games, or take a look at the charity-driven bundles for deep deals. These packages are a superb value, bundling together awesome games at a shockingly low price.
(Editors’ Note: Humble Bundle is owned by Ziff Davis, PCMag’s parent company.)
PROS
- Publishes original games
- Bundle deals for games and other entertainment
- One purchase works across multiple platforms
- Some proceeds go to charity
- Sells console game codes
- Gaming subscription service
CONS
- No community features
- Most purchases require a separate launcher
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itch.io
Best for Adventurous Indie Gamers
Why We Picked It
Itch.io is the indie PC gaming marketplace. It’s the place you go to find experimental games completely divorced from the boring mainstream releases. Fortunately, excellent search options and a welcoming community guide you through these uncharted waters.
Who It’s For
Itch.io is for people who want under-the-radar releases, not just what big publishers pump out. Games are typically cheap or free, so feel free to take risks.
PROS
- Exciting library of obscure, artistic indie games
- Lots of browsing options
- Tools for game creators
- Welcoming community
- Useful desktop app
CONS
- Library caters to a very narrow audience
- Some purchases require a separate launcher
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GameFly
Best for Mail Rental
Why We Picked It
With rental stores like Blockbuster all but eliminated, GameFly is basically the only way to physically rent video games. Instead of paying full price to own a disc, you subscribe and receive games in the mail. Once you’re finished, mail it back and get the next game from your queue.
Who It’s For
Anyone who’d rather rent games than purchase them; after all, some new, next-gen titles cost $70. No other service provides what GameFly does, so if you want physical rentals this is your only option. However, GameFly’s service has become less and less impressive over the years, with increasingly long wait times for new releases.
PROS
- Lets you rent video games through the mail.
- Wide library of recent and classic console games.
- Stream PC games.
- Nifty mobile app.
- 30-day free trial.
CONS
- Limited availability.
- Streaming limited to select devices.
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Xbox
Best for Microsoft Gamers
Why We Picked It
Although Xbox is indeed the name of Microsoft’s home console, it’s also the brand Microsoft uses for its PC gaming store. The app comes preinstalled with Windows 11 and has useful features like voice chat and video recording.
Who It’s For
Xbox on PC is for Xbox fans who don’t want to stay locked to a console. The library isn’t quite as broad as what you’ll see on an Xbox Series X/S, but it has many recognizable titles, such as Halo and MLB The Show 23. It even integrates with Xbox Game Pass.
PROS
- Lets you purchase select Xbox games on PC
- Xbox Game Pass integration
- Attractive, easy-to-navigate interface
- Game Bar supports voice chat and messaging
- Game DVR lets you capture video footage
- No charge for multiplayer gaming
- Cloud saves
CONS
- Missing games that are in the console-based Xbox Store
- No Xbox 360 games
- Confusing overlap with other Microsoft gaming apps
Epic Games Store
Best for Fortnite Fans
Why We Picked It
Epic Games used its hoard of Fortnite money to create its own PC gaming marketplace. The Epic Games Store strives to rival Steam and become the first place you go when you want to game on PC. It’s not quite there yet, but the platform’s selection of timed exclusives has made it a major part of the conversation.
Who It’s For
The Epic Games Store is missing too many games and basic features for us to wholeheartedly recommend it, but it does have worthwhile aspects. The store has exclusive games that lack annoying digital rights management (DRM), and it frequently gives away free games. Aspiring video game designers should also check out its Unreal Engine resources.
PROS
- Exclusive games
- Free game giveaways
- No DRM
- Resources for Unreal Engine developers
CONS
- Missing major titles
- Basic feature set
- Little sense of community
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Green Man Gaming
Best for Recycled Keys
Why We Picked It
PC gamers love a good bargain, especially when the cost of building a new gaming PC is so steep. For frequent deals on new releases, don’t overlook Green Man Gaming.
Who It’s For
Green Man Gaming is for frugal PC players who want to buy games on the cheap. That said, there has been controversy over how the store offers such low prices(Opens in a new window). Green Man Gaming lacks browsing tools, and it shut down its community features, making it a bare-bones shopping experience.
PROS
- Sells the newest releases.
- Frequent, flexible discounts.
- Playfire community features.
CONS
- Sparse browsing tools.
- Library doesn’t stand out compared with competitors.
- Controversy over source of redemption keys.
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Buying Guide: The Best Places to Buy and Rent PC Games Online in 2023
Where Can You Buy PC Games Online?
The stores listed above primarily offer computer games (Linux, macOS, and Windows) to digitally download. Occasionally, you’ll find books, movies, software, and other kinds of entertainment, but those are not the focus. That’s not to say you can’t also download console or mobile games; Xbox’s PC app sells Microsoft Flight Simulator, while Humble Bundle just added Nintendo Switch codes to its catalog.
Unfortunately, some third-party publishers force you to download games from their own online stores, such as Blizzard’s Battle.net, EA’s Origin, Rockstar’s Games Launcher, and Ubisoft’s Uplay. However, many of those same publishers have recently relaxed those restrictions and spread their titles across multiple storefronts. Between Apple Arcade, GameClub, and Xbox Game Pass (available on console and PC), many platform holders also want video game subscription services to be the next way they sell titles on their devices. Even places you wouldn’t expect, such as Discord or Twitch, sell video games or include free games as part of a subscription.
As for GameFly and Green Man Gaming, those stores have removed major features since we last looked at them. Green Man Gaming’s gimmick is selling discounted keys to other game stores, a legitimate, but sometimes controversial practice that Direct2Drive and the much sketchier G2A also employ. Despite being one of the last bastions for game rentals, GameFly’s delivery was painfully slow in our tests. Green Man Gaming also shut down its Playfire social network, while GameFly shut down its game streaming service (an ambitious feature even Google failed to get right with Stadia, which shut down this year).
Why You Should Game on a PC
Which PC Game Store Has the Best Library and Features?
The biggest thing you should pay attention to when choosing an online game store is the library. Don’t waste your time browsing a store that doesn’t have the games you want. The stores we’ve covered have surprisingly diverse libraries.
Editors’ Choice pick Steam offers nearly every PC game under the sun, new or old, indie or AAA, awash with post-release content or early access titles. Steam is also the easiest way to buy and play games for your Steam Deck, with the Verified program letting you know which games run best on the high-powered handheld. Enterprising users can run other stores on Steam Deck, but the Linux-based device is built for Steam.
While they all have limitations, the Epic Games Store, Humble, Bundle, and Xbox also aim for mass appeal similar to Steam. Other stores target more niche markets. GOG.com specializes in older, classic PC games, while itch.io highlights more independent, artistic work.
Other factors may also influence your shopping experiences, such as digital rights management (DRM), customer service, refund policies, and development tools for aspiring game creators. Humble Bundle may not feature a library as robust as its competitors, but the store offers many enticing discounts for great charity causes.
Recommended by Our Editors
Different sites also offer different search options. If you don’t know exactly what you want that’s okay. But on, say, itch.io, you can set up the storefront to only display “colorblind friendly Windows games under $10 that last a few hours and include virtual reality support.” Many stores even include social features, so you can interact with fellow gamers and creators, read user reviews, and participate in community events. All of these social and recommendation features make it easier to find your next purchase. Follow PCMag’s Steam Curator(Opens in a new window) page for recommendations.
Where to Get the Best PC Game Deals
These stores would love it if you exclusively bought games on their services, but don’t forget you have choices as a consumer. Nothing is stopping you from buying the Resident Evil 4 remake from Steam and Maneater from the Epic Games Store. Some stores even lean into this fact. The GOG Galaxy client syncs your accounts from rival platforms to create a unified gaming hub. Likewise, you can access itch.io from within the Epic Games store. Even Valve’s own Steam Deck portable PC works with non-Steam marketplaces. So, do what’s best for you. Compare prices on CheapShark(Opens in a new window). Claim free games where you can find them. Be a smart shopper and brush up on the best online video game marketplaces before making your next purchase.
Looking for an audience to watch you play your new game? Check out the best ways to live stream your gaming sessions. Worried about your children spending too much time gaming when they should be studying? Here’s how to enable parental controls on every video game platform. And make video games of your own with the best consumer-friendly game development software. Eager to see the new titles on the horizon? Check out the best video games coming out in 2023.
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