Steam vs Epic Games Store in 2024 - A detailed look

When comparing Steam and the Epic Games Store (EGS) from a gamer's perspective, both platforms offer distinct advantages and cater to different preferences. Here's a detailed comparison focusing on key aspects that matter to gamers.

User Interface

Steam and EGS have notably different user interfaces. Steam's UI is comprehensive but can appear cluttered with numerous features, images, and text. It provides detailed game information, user reviews, and various community features directly accessible from the game pages. This is great for gamers who appreciate in-depth information and community interaction.

In contrast, EGS offers a cleaner, more streamlined interface. It emphasizes simplicity and ease of use, with large game icons and a straightforward layout. While this minimalism makes it easier to navigate and find games quickly, it lacks the depth of information that Steam provides​​.

Game Selection

Steam has an extensive library of over 50,000 titles, including a vast array of genres and subgenres. It uses a tagging system that allows for precise game searches, making it easier to find niche titles. However, this breadth sometimes means that lower-quality games can slip through, leading to a mixed bag of quality within its vast catalog.

On the other hand, EGS has a smaller but more curated selection. Epic Games Store focuses on high-quality AAA titles and exclusive releases, often securing timed exclusives that attract gamers looking for the latest popular games. This approach ensures a generally higher quality of games but at the cost of variety​​.

Store Perks and Promotions

Steam is known for its frequent sales, including major seasonal sales that offer significant discounts on a wide range of games. It also has a robust recommendation system that uses an algorithm to suggest games based on user preferences and history. Additionally, Steam offers various community and social features such as user reviews, forums, and game hubs, which enhance the overall gaming experience.

EGS, in contrast, has made a name for itself with regular free game giveaways, which can be a huge draw for budget-conscious gamers. Epic also offers exclusive deals and discounts but does not match the frequency and breadth of Steam's sales events. The lack of a user review system means that gamers rely more on external reviews or recommendations for game quality​.

Social Features

Steam excels in social features, offering extensive community tools such as groups, forums, and a well-integrated friends list. Gamers can share screenshots, write reviews, and participate in community discussions directly on the platform.

EGS, while providing basic social features like friends lists and chat, lacks the depth of community interaction that Steam offers. This can be a limitation for gamers who enjoy engaging with a larger gaming community and participating in user-driven content creation​.

Additional Features

Steam supports various additional features, including mod support through the Steam Workshop, VR support, and family sharing options. These features enhance the platform's versatility and appeal to a broader audience.

EGS is gradually adding more features but currently lacks comprehensive support for mods and VR. However, it does integrate well with Epic's other services, such as Unreal Engine, which can be a plus for gamers who are also developers​.

Which platform is the most popular?

When comparing the popularity of Steam and the Epic Games Store, Steam consistently emerges as the more popular platform among gamers.

Steam's Popularity

Steam, launched by Valve in 2003, has grown to become one of the world's most popular digital game distribution platforms. As of 2024, Steam boasts impressive statistics:

• Nearly 50,361 games available on the platform.
• 132 million monthly active users and 69 million daily active users as of 2021.
• Significant revenue generation, with projections indicating revenues reaching $8.49 billion in 2024 and potentially growing to $9.33 billion by 2027.

Steam's extensive game library, robust community features, frequent sales, and detailed user reviews contribute significantly to its popularity. The platform's comprehensive ecosystem offers gamers a wide variety of titles and in-depth community interactions, enhancing the overall user experience.

Epic Games Store's Popularity

The Epic Games Store, launched in December 2018, has quickly gained traction due to its aggressive strategy of securing exclusive titles and offering regular free game giveaways. Despite its rapid growth, EGS has a smaller but highly curated game library compared to Steam. Key points include:

• Strong focus on high-quality AAA titles and indie games, often securing timed exclusives.
• A more streamlined and user-friendly interface.
• Regular free game promotions which attract a substantial number of users.

However, EGS's user base and game selection are still behind Steam's extensive reach and variety. While EGS is popular, especially among budget-conscious gamers and those seeking exclusive titles, it hasn't yet matched Steam's extensive user engagement and comprehensive feature set.

Conclusion

For gamers who value a vast game library, comprehensive community features, and frequent sales, Steam remains the superior choice. Its extensive ecosystem and additional functionalities provide a rich gaming experience.

On the other hand, gamers who prefer a clean, straightforward interface, exclusive high-quality titles, and regular free game offerings may find the Epic Games Store more appealing. Each platform has its strengths, and the best choice ultimately depends on individual gaming preferences and priorities​​.

Overall, Steam remains the most popular digital game distribution platform, largely due to its extensive library, robust community features, and consistent user engagement. The Epic Games Store, while growing and carving out its niche with exclusive titles and free games, still trails behind Steam in terms of overall user base and game variety​​.

 

This table provides an overview of the key features and differences between Steam and Epic game launchers from the gamers perspective.

Feature Description	Steam	Epic
Game Library	Extensive library with a vast selection of games, including AAA, indie, and early access titles.	Growing library with many exclusive titles, focusing on new and popular games.
User Interface	Comprehensive but sometimes cluttered; includes game hubs, community content, and extensive settings.	Simplistic and clean; focuses on ease of use but offers fewer customization options.
Storefront	Detailed product pages with user reviews, recommendations, and sales data.	Product pages are simpler, focusing on visuals and basic descriptions.
Social Features	In-depth community features including groups, forums, user profiles, and activity feeds.	Basic social features; includes friends list and chat, but lacks community forums.
Game Reviews and Ratings	User reviews and ratings prominently featured on game pages; includes detailed breakdowns and review history.	No user reviews; Epic relies on external reviews and ratings from other platforms.
Achievements	Integrated achievements system with badges, trading cards, and rewards.	Recently introduced achievements system, but less extensive and less integrated.
Cloud Saves	Extensive support for cloud saves across most games.	Supports cloud saves for a selection of games, but not as universally implemented.
Offline Mode	Robust offline mode allowing access to most features without an internet connection.	Supports offline mode, but with more limited functionality compared to Steam.
Family Sharing	Allows family members to share games while keeping separate save files and achievements.	Does not currently offer family sharing capabilities.
Refund Policy	Offers refunds for games played for less than 2 hours within 14 days of purchase.	Similar refund policy, allowing refunds within 14 days if the game has been played for less than 2 hours.
Game Mod Support	Extensive support through the Steam Workshop, making it easy to find and install mods.	Limited support for mods; relies on third-party platforms for modding.
Updates and Patches	Automatic updates for all games, with the ability to opt-out of beta updates.	Automatic updates available; fewer options for managing updates compared to Steam.
Free Games and Giveaways	Occasional free weekends and promotional giveaways.	Regularly offers free games and significant discounts on popular titles.
Developer Revenue Share	Standard 70/30 revenue split, with better terms for high-earning titles.	More generous 88/12 revenue split for developers, aimed at attracting more game creators.
Cross-platform Play	Supports cross-platform play on many games, often integrated seamlessly.	Growing support for cross-platform play, especially in popular titles like Fortnite.
VR Support	Extensive VR support with a dedicated section for VR games and hardware integration.	Limited VR support; not a primary focus of the platform.
Customer Support	Comprehensive support with community forums and extensive documentation.	Basic customer support; relies heavily on FAQs and email support.
Digital Rights Management (DRM)	Includes DRM but allows developers to choose the level of DRM enforcement.	Generally avoids DRM; focuses on user-friendly access to games.

 

This table highlights the key features and differences between Steam and Epic game launchers from a developer's perspective.

Feature Description	Steam	Epic
Revenue Share	70/30 split, with 75/25 and 80/20 splits for higher-earning titles (after $10M and $50M revenue).	88/12 split, providing a more favorable revenue share for developers.
Developer Tools	Steamworks SDK offers comprehensive tools for game integration, achievements, multiplayer, and DRM.	Epic Online Services provides a suite of free tools for game services, cross-play, achievements, and more.
Distribution and Publishing	Self-publishing platform with wide distribution options and robust marketing tools.	Self-publishing with emphasis on curated content and support for indie developers.
Analytics and Insights	Detailed sales data, player engagement metrics, and performance reports.	Basic analytics provided; more detailed insights available through Epic Online Services.
Community Management	Extensive tools for managing game communities, including forums, reviews, and user-generated content.	Basic community management tools; focuses on direct engagement through social media and Epic Games Store pages.
Mod Support	Steam Workshop offers integrated support for user-generated content and mods.	Limited integrated support for mods; developers can use third-party platforms.
Early Access Program	Supports early access releases with dedicated tools for feedback and updates.	Also supports early access, promoting new and in-development titles.
Marketing and Visibility	Various promotional tools, featured spots, seasonal sales, and Steam Direct advertising options.	Strong emphasis on featured placements and periodic giveaways; fewer traditional marketing tools.
Pricing and Discounts	Flexible pricing options, regional pricing, and tools for managing discounts and sales events.	Offers flexible pricing, regional pricing, and frequent discounts and giveaways.
Game Updates and Patching	Comprehensive tools for rolling out updates and patches; beta branches supported.	Basic tools for updates and patches; less granular control compared to Steam.
Customer Support for Developers	Extensive documentation, forums, and direct support from Valve.	Access to Epic's support resources, but less extensive documentation and community support.
DRM Options	Multiple DRM options including Steam's own DRM, with flexibility for developers to choose.	Generally DRM-free; developers can implement their own DRM if desired.
Cross-platform Development	Supports cross-platform multiplayer and integration with various platforms.	Strong focus on cross-platform play and services, particularly through Unreal Engine integration.
VR Development	Comprehensive VR support with tools and documentation for VR game development.	Limited VR support; primarily focuses on traditional PC and console development.
Developer Community	Large and active developer community with forums, events, and Steamworks partner groups.	Growing developer community; strong support for Unreal Engine developers.
Epic MegaGrants	Not applicable.	Offers funding through Epic MegaGrants for innovative projects and game development.
Unreal Engine Integration	Basic integration, with more focus on engine-agnostic tools.	Seamless integration with Unreal Engine, offering significant benefits for developers using the engine.
Sales Reporting and Taxes	Comprehensive sales reporting and tax management tools.	Basic sales reporting; developers handle most tax aspects.
Localization Support	Extensive localization tools and support for multiple languages.	Basic localization support; relies on developer resources for extensive localization.