Best PC Game Launchers in 2026
Updated
In short: Xbox Cloud Gaming is ranked #1 of 21 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Steam and itch app. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Steam. The lowest first paid tier on this page is EA app at $3.33/mo.
PC game launchers bring storefronts, game libraries, and related features into one desktop routine. Compared on cloud saves, free-plan availability, mod integration, offline mode, paid-from pricing, subscription catalogs, supported operating systems, and third-party game import, the ranking gives you several ways to weigh access and fit. Xbox Cloud Gaming, EA app, and Steam appear first, with itch app, LaunchBox, and Epic Games Store also among the entries shown. If you move between stores, check import support; if you play without a connection, consider offline mode. Cloud saves, mods, OS support, subscription access, and pricing can each shape which launcher suits your setup.
21 PC game launchers ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
#1 Xbox Cloud Gaming Top pick · 7.2 
#2 Steam Runner-up · 7.1 Free plan · Free
#3 itch app Also great · 7.0 Free plan · Free
- Free trial AndroidiOSmacOSWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- 13.99 /mo
- Supported OS
- windows
- Cloud saves
- Yes
- Offline mode
- Yes
- Subscription catalog
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan AndroidiOSLinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported OS
- windows
- Cloud saves
- Yes
- Offline mode
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan LinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Offline mode
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan AndroidWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan AndroidWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported OS
- windows
- Cloud saves
- Yes
- Subscription catalog
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan AndroidiOSmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan macOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Cloud saves
- Yes
- Offline mode
- Yes
- Subscription catalog
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - macOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- 5.99 /mo
- Cloud saves
- Yes
- Offline mode
- Yes
- Subscription catalog
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms$3.33/mofirst paid tier About EA appVisit site - Free plan Linux
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - AndroidiOSmacOSWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Cloud saves
- Yes
- Offline mode
- Yes
- Subscription catalog
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - LinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - WindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Offline mode
- No
- Subscription catalog
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Windows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- 7.99 /mo
- Supported OS
- windows
- Cloud saves
- Yes
- Subscription catalog
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Windows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported OS
- windows
- Cloud saves
- Yes
- Offline mode
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - WindowsmacOS
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported OS
- windows
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Windows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported OS
- windows
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Windows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported OS
- windows
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Windows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported OS
- windows
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - WindowsmacOS
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - WindowsmacOS
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Windows
- Free plan
- No
- Supported OS
- windows
- Subscription catalog
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms
Is your platform on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which PC game launcher is ranked first on The Geeks Club?
Xbox Cloud Gaming is ranked #1 of 21 with a score of 7.2. Steam is second and itch app third.
How many of these have a free plan?
7 of the 21 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, EA app has the lowest first paid tier we found: $3.33/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked on how quickly a newcomer can get going: documentation depth, a free tier or trial, and the platforms it runs on. Paid placements never change a rank.