Best Online Game Stores in 2023

Online gaming is a huge industry that attracts millions of players every year. Whether you like PC, console, or mobile games, you can find a wide variety of titles and genres to fit your preferences and budget. But where can you buy or rent these games online? What are the benefits and drawbacks of different online game stores? In this article, we will review some of the best online game stores in 2023, based on their selection, prices, features, and customer service.

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Steam

Steam is the most famous and popular online game store for PC gamers. It has a huge library of games, from AAA hits to indie wonders, as well as software, movies, and live streaming services. Steam also has many features that improve the gaming experience, such as cloud saves, achievements, trading cards, workshops, forums, and reviews. Steam also powers the Steam Deck, a handheld PC gaming device that lets you play your Steam games anywhere.

Some of the advantages of Steam are:

• Huge game library
• Frequent sales and discounts
• Useful game recommendation tools
• Big Picture mode for TV gaming
• Remote play and remote downloads
• Integrated screenshot and video capture tools

Some of the disadvantages of Steam are:

• Poor customer service
• Busy and cluttered interface
• In-house DRM and third-party DRM
• Low-quality games and curation issues
• 30% cut of sales for developers

Steam is a great choice for avid PC gamers who want access to a vast and diverse catalog of games and features. However, it may not be the best option for gamers who care about supporting developers directly or avoiding DRM issues.

GOG.com

GOG.com (short for Good Old Games) is an online game store that specializes in classic and retro PC games. It has a curated selection of old games that have been reconfigured to run on modern PCs, as well as new games that are DRM-free. GOG.com also has its own game launcher called GOG Galaxy, which lets you manage your GOG games as well as games from other platforms.

Some of the advantages of GOG.com are:

• Classic and retro PC games
• DRM-free games
• Curated selection of quality games
• GOG Galaxy launcher
• Frequent sales and discounts

Some of the disadvantages of GOG.com are:

• Smaller game library than Steam
• Less features than Steam
• No refunds for downloaded games
• No live streaming or video capture tools

GOG.com is a great choice for retro PC gamers who want to play old games without DRM or compatibility issues. It is also a good option for gamers who prefer quality over quantity and want to support DRM-free gaming.

Humble Bundle

Humble Bundle is an online game store that offers bundles of games at pay-what-you-want prices. You can choose how much you want to pay for a bundle, and how to split your payment between the developers, charities, and Humble Bundle itself. Humble Bundle also has a subscription service called Humble Choice, which gives you access to a monthly selection of games that you can keep forever. Humble Bundle also sells individual games, ebooks, comics, software, and more.

Some of the advantages of Humble Bundle are:

• Bundles of games at low prices
• Support for charities and developers
• Humble Choice subscription service
• Variety of content besides games
• Steam keys for most games

Some of the disadvantages of Humble Bundle are:

• Limited time availability of bundles
• Variable quality of bundles
• No refunds for bundles or subscriptions
• No game launcher or features

Humble Bundle is a great choice for value-conscious gamers who want to get a lot of games for a low price while supporting good causes. It is also a good option for gamers who want to discover new and indie titles that they may not find elsewhere.

itch.io

itch.io is an online game store that focuses on indie and experimental games. It offers a platform for independent developers to sell or distribute their games directly to players, without any fees or restrictions. itch.io also has a pay-what-you-want model, which lets you decide how much you want to pay for a game or support a developer. itch.io also has its own game launcher called itch.io app, which lets you browse, download, and update your itch.io games.

Some of the advantages of itch.io are:

• Indie and experimental games
• Pay-what-you-want model
• Support for independent developers
• itch.io app launcher
• Free and open source games

Some of the disadvantages of itch.io are:

• Niche and obscure games
• Variable quality of games
• No refunds or customer service
• No game features or reviews

itch.io is a great choice for adventurous and curious gamers who want to explore the indie and experimental side of gaming. It is also a good option for gamers who want to support independent developers and creative projects.

GameFly

GameFly is an online game store that offers a mail rental service for console and PC games. You can choose from a catalog of over 9,000 games, and get them delivered to your door. You can keep the games as long as you want, and return them when you are done. You can also buy the games you rent at discounted prices. GameFly also has a streaming service that lets you play games on your smart TV, Amazon Fire TV, or LG webOS TV.

Some of the advantages of GameFly are:

• Mail rental service for console and PC games
• Large catalog of games
• No late fees or due dates
• Buy option for rented games
• Streaming service for TV gaming

Some of the disadvantages of GameFly are:

• Monthly subscription fee
• Limited availability of games
• Shipping delays and costs
• No game features or reviews
• Streaming service requires compatible devices and internet connection

GameFly is a great choice for console gamers who want to try out a lot of games without buying them. It is also a good option for PC gamers who prefer physical discs over digital downloads.

Xbox Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass is an online game store that offers games for Xbox consoles and Windows 10 PCs. It also has a subscription service called Xbox Game Pass, which gives you access to hundreds of high-quality games, including new releases from Xbox Game Studios and Bethesda Softworks, as well as EA Play membership. You can play games from the cloud on PCs, phones, tablets, TVs, and consoles, or download them to your device.

Some of the advantages of Xbox Game Pass are:

• Hundreds of high-quality games
• New games added all the time, including day one releases
• EA Play membership included
• Play on PCs, phones, tablets, TVs, and consoles from the cloud
• Xbox Live Gold included

Some of the disadvantages of Xbox Game Pass are:

• Monthly subscription fee
• Games may leave the library at any time
• Requires internet connection for cloud gaming
• No game features or reviews

Xbox Game Pass is a great choice for Microsoft gamers who want to play a huge variety of games on multiple devices. It is also a good option for gamers who want to enjoy new games on day one and EA Play benefits.

Epic Games Store

Epic Games Store is an online game store that offers games for PC and Mac. It also has a platform for developers to create and distribute games, mods, DLC, and more. Epic Games Store also gives away a free game every week, and has exclusive deals with some publishers and developers. Epic Games Store also has its own game launcher called Epic Games Launcher, which lets you manage your Epic Games Store games and access other Epic services.

Some of the advantages of Epic Games Store are:

• Free game every week
• Exclusive deals and games
• Support for developers and creators
• Epic Games Launcher
• Variety of content besides games

Some of the disadvantages of Epic Games Store are:

• Smaller game library than Steam
• Less features than Steam
• No refunds for third-party games
• No game features or reviews
• 12% cut of sales for developers

Epic Games Store is a great choice for PC and Mac gamers who want to get free games every week and enjoy exclusive deals and games. It is also a good option for gamers who want to support developers and creators directly.

PlayStation Store

PlayStation Store is an online game store that offers games for PlayStation consoles and devices. It also has a subscription service called PlayStation Plus, which gives you access to hundreds of PS5, PS4 and classic PlayStation games, online multiplayer, and more benefits. You can buy or pre-order games from PlayStation Store on your console, smartphone, or web browser, and get special bonus content with select titles.

Some of the advantages of PlayStation Store are:

• Exclusive games and deals
• PlayStation Plus subscription service
• Remote play and remote downloads
• Integrated screenshot and video capture tools
• Variety of content besides games

Some of the disadvantages of PlayStation Store are:

• Smaller game library than Steam
• Less features than Steam
• No refunds for digital games
• No game features or reviews
• 30% cut of sales for developers

PlayStation Store is a great choice for Sony gamers who want to play exclusive games and enjoy PlayStation Plus benefits. It is also a good option for gamers who want to buy or pre-order games online and get them ready on their console.

Nintendo eShop

Nintendo eShop is an online game store that offers games for Nintendo Switch and other Nintendo devices. It also has a subscription service called Nintendo Switch Online, which gives you access to online multiplayer, cloud saves, classic NES and SNES games, and more benefits. You can buy or download games from Nintendo eShop on your Nintendo Switch system or on the web, and get special offers and rewards with My Nintendo.

Some of the advantages of Nintendo eShop are:

• Exclusive games and deals
• Nintendo Switch Online subscription service
• My Nintendo rewards and offers
• Free demos and trials
• Variety of content besides games

Some of the disadvantages of Nintendo eShop are:

• Smaller game library than Steam
• Less features than Steam
• No refunds for digital games
• No game features or reviews
• 30% cut of sales for developers

Nintendo eShop is a great choice for Nintendo gamers who want to play exclusive games and enjoy Nintendo Switch Online benefits. It is also a good option for gamers who want to buy or download games online and get rewards with My Nintendo.