The PC gaming landscape has dramatically shifted since Epic Games Store launched in 2018. What began as a two-horse race between Steam and Origin has evolved into a complex ecosystem where multiple platforms compete for gamers' attention, wallets, and loyalty.
In 2025, the choice between Steam and Epic Games Store isn't just about where to buy games—it's about which ecosystem provides the best overall gaming experience. Let's examine how these platforms stack up across the features that matter most to PC gamers.
Platform Overview
Steam
Launched: 2003
Games: 50,000+
Users: 1.3+ billion accounts
Strengths: Mature ecosystem, community features, mod support, extensive library
Epic Games Store
Launched: 2018
Games: 1,000+
Users: 230+ million accounts
Strengths: Free weekly games, better developer revenue split, exclusive titles
Game Library and Exclusives
Steam's Massive Catalog
Steam's overwhelming advantage lies in its massive game library. With over 50,000 titles spanning every genre and era of PC gaming, Steam offers unparalleled selection. From AAA blockbusters to obscure indie experiments, if a game exists on PC, it's probably on Steam.
Steam exclusives and strong presence:
- Vast indie game selection
- Early access and experimental titles
- Classic PC games and remasters
- VR game catalog
- Valve's own titles (Half-Life, Portal, Counter-Strike)
Epic's Curated Approach
Epic Games Store takes a more curated approach, focusing on quality over quantity. While the library is significantly smaller, Epic has secured several high-profile exclusives and continues to add major titles regularly.
Epic exclusives and notable titles:
- Fortnite (exclusive to Epic)
- Rocket League (free-to-play)
- Timed exclusives like Metro Exodus, Borderlands 3
- Epic's own Unreal Engine showcases
- Weekly free games (over 200 given away so far)
Pricing and Value Proposition
| Feature | Steam | Epic Games Store |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Sales | Seasonal sales, daily deals, weekend sales | Mega Sales, seasonal events |
| Free Games | Rare promotional freebies | Weekly free games (permanent) |
| Coupons | None | $10 off coupons during sales |
| Refund Policy | 2 hours playtime, 14 days ownership | 2 hours playtime, 14 days ownership |
| Regional Pricing | Extensive regional support | Growing regional pricing |
Epic's Free Games Strategy
Epic's weekly free games program has been a game-changer. Since launch, Epic has given away over 200 games worth thousands of dollars, including major titles like Grand Theft Auto V, Civilization VI, and Control. This aggressive strategy has built substantial user loyalty and library value.
Steam's Sales Ecosystem
Steam's sales events are legendary in the gaming community. The Summer and Winter sales, along with frequent publisher-specific sales, create a vibrant economy where patient gamers can build massive libraries affordably. Steam's wishlist system and price tracking make it easy to monitor deals.
Platform Features and User Experience
Steam Advantages
- Robust community features
- Steam Workshop mod support
- Comprehensive review system
- Steam Cloud saves
- Big Picture mode for TV gaming
- Steam Deck integration
- Achievement system
- Screenshot and video capture
- Friends and social features
- Steam Link remote play
Steam Disadvantages
- Cluttered interface
- Slow to load with large libraries
- 30% revenue cut (affects game prices)
- Overwhelming amount of low-quality games
- Limited customer support
- No significant exclusive AAA titles
Epic Advantages
- Clean, modern interface
- Fast loading and performance
- Weekly free games
- Better revenue split for developers
- High-profile exclusive games
- Generous coupon system
- Cross-platform progression
- Unreal Engine integration
Epic Disadvantages
- Limited social features
- No mod support
- Basic review system
- Smaller game library
- No user-generated content
- Limited community features
- No achievements (launched in 2021)
- Cloud saves still improving
Developer Perspective
Revenue Sharing Models
Epic's 12% revenue cut compared to Steam's 30% has been a major talking point. This difference means developers keep significantly more money from each sale on Epic, which can translate to better prices for consumers or more resources for game development.
Impact on the industry:
- Several developers have moved to Epic for better revenue terms
- Steam has adjusted its revenue sharing for high-earning games
- Competition has led to better terms across the industry
- Some developers use Epic's better terms to offer lower prices
Performance and Technical Aspects
Launcher Performance
Epic Games Store generally launches faster and uses fewer system resources than Steam. Steam's feature-rich interface comes at the cost of performance, especially for users with large game libraries.
Download and Installation
Both platforms offer reliable download systems, but there are differences:
- Steam: More download options, bandwidth limiting, scheduled downloads
- Epic: Faster default download speeds, simpler interface, fewer customization options
Community and Social Features
Steam's Community Ecosystem
Steam's community features are unmatched in the PC gaming space:
- Steam Workshop: Easy mod installation and sharing
- User Reviews: Comprehensive review system with helpful/funny ratings
- Community Hub: Screenshots, guides, discussions for each game
- Friends System: Rich social features, activity tracking, game invites
- Steam Groups: Communities around games, genres, or interests
Epic's Focused Approach
Epic has deliberately kept social features minimal, focusing on core gaming functionality. Recent additions include basic friends lists and achievements, but the platform remains primarily focused on game purchasing and launching.
Mobile and Cross-Platform Features
Mobile Apps
Both platforms offer mobile apps, but with different focuses:
- Steam Mobile: Chat, community features, remote downloading, Steam Guard authentication
- Epic Mobile: Basic account management, free game claiming, simple social features
Cross-Platform Integration
Epic has stronger cross-platform integration due to its focus on games that span multiple platforms. Many Epic titles offer cross-progression between PC, consoles, and mobile.
Future Outlook
Steam's Evolution
Steam continues to innovate with hardware (Steam Deck), enhanced features, and better developer tools. The platform's maturity and user base make it likely to remain dominant, but increased competition is pushing improvements.
Epic's Growth Strategy
Epic's aggressive expansion includes:
- Continued free games program
- More exclusive partnerships
- Enhanced platform features
- Integration with Epic's Unreal Engine ecosystem
- Expansion into new markets and regions
Which Platform Should You Choose?
Choose Steam If:
- You value community features and mod support
- You want the largest possible game selection
- You use Steam Deck or plan to stream games
- You enjoy discovering new indie games
- You want comprehensive social and sharing features
Choose Epic If:
- You want free weekly games
- You prefer a clean, fast interface
- You primarily play AAA titles
- You want to support better developer revenue sharing
- You enjoy Epic's exclusive games
The Multi-Platform Reality
Most PC gamers in 2025 don't choose just one platform. The reality is that a multi-platform approach maximizes value:
- Use Epic for free weekly games and exclusives
- Use Steam for community features and indie games
- Shop around for the best prices on major releases
- Consider tools like Gamick to manage multiple libraries efficiently
Conclusion
The competition between Steam and Epic Games Store has been beneficial for PC gamers. Epic's aggressive pricing strategy and free games program have forced the industry to provide better value, while Steam's feature-rich ecosystem continues to set the standard for platform capabilities.
Rather than viewing this as an either-or choice, smart gamers leverage both platforms' strengths. Epic's free games program alone justifies having an account, while Steam's unmatched library and community features make it essential for serious PC gaming.
The future likely holds continued competition and innovation from both platforms. Epic will keep pushing boundaries with free games and exclusives, while Steam will continue refining its massive ecosystem. For gamers, this competition means better prices, more features, and an overall improved gaming experience across both platforms.
Ultimately, the "best" platform depends on your individual gaming preferences, but in 2025, there's no reason not to take advantage of what both Steam and Epic Games Store have to offer.