If you want to play classic games on a modern PC, two stores do most of the heavy lifting: Steam and GOG. Both sell old games, both have huge back catalogues, and the same title is often available on both. So which one should you actually buy from?
The honest answer is that it depends on what you care about most — owning your games outright, or the convenience of everything living in one place. Here’s how they compare for retro gaming specifically.
The Short Version
| GOG | Steam | |
|---|---|---|
| DRM | DRM-free, every game | Varies by game; many need Steam running |
| Offline installers | Yes — download and keep them forever | No standalone installers |
| Client required? | No — GOG Galaxy is optional | Yes |
| Classic game support | GOG Preservation Program keeps selected classics working | Depends on the publisher |
| Refunds | Within 30 days, even if you’ve played it | Within 14 days and under 2 hours played |
| Controller support | Depends on the game | Steam Input can remap almost any controller |
| Playing with friends | Depends on the game | Remote Play Together for local co-op |
| Steam Deck | Works, with some setup | Built in |
Why GOG Is the Retro Specialist
GOG started life as Good Old Games, and classic PC games are still where it’s strongest. Three things set it apart.
Everything is DRM-free. Every game on GOG can be downloaded as a standalone offline installer. Back it up to a drive, and you can install it in ten years’ time without GOG, an account or an internet connection. For anyone who cares about actually owning old games — rather than renting access to them — that’s the deciding factor.
The GOG Preservation Program. Launched in late 2024, this is GOG’s commitment to keep selected classic games running on current versions of Windows and modern hardware, fixing compatibility problems and adding conveniences like cloud saves without changing the games themselves. It covered around 250 titles by late 2025. Look for the Preservation Program badge on a game’s store page.
Old games are set up properly. DOS games on GOG usually come with DOSBox already configured, so they just work when you click play. Some recent re-releases go further and drop emulation entirely — the restored Blaster!, for example, runs natively on Windows on GOG rather than through DOSBox.
One thing worth knowing: GOG is no longer owned by CD Projekt. At the end of 2025 it was sold to Michał Kiciński, one of its original co-founders, and GOG said its DRM-free approach and players’ libraries, including offline installers, are unaffected.
Why Steam Is Hard to Beat for Convenience
Steam’s strengths have less to do with the games themselves and more to do with everything built around them.
Controller support. Steam Input lets you use almost any controller with almost any game, remapping buttons per game. For older PC games that were designed for keyboard and mouse, that can make the difference between playable and frustrating. Our guide to the best retro gaming controllers covers the hardware side.
Playing with friends. Steam’s Remote Play Together lets you play local-only co-op games online with friends who don’t own the game — perfect for old two-player beat-’em-ups. Our Remote Play Together guide explains how it works.
The big retro collections. Many publishers’ official retro collections — compilations of arcade and console classics — are sold on Steam, and not all of them appear on GOG.
Steam Deck. If you play on a Steam Deck, Steam games simply appear in your library. GOG games can be played on the Deck too, but you’ll need a third-party launcher to set them up.
The trade-off is ownership. Most Steam games need Steam to run, and if a game is removed from sale or a publisher’s DRM stops working, you’re relying on Steam and that publisher to keep things going.
Refunds: GOG Is More Generous
This matters more for retro games than you might think, because old games can be unpredictable on modern hardware. GOG lets you request a refund within 30 days of purchase, even if you’ve played the game. Steam allows refunds within 14 days, as long as you’ve played for under two hours. If you’re unsure whether a 30-year-old game will run properly on your PC, GOG gives you more room to find out.
Which Should You Buy From?
- Buy from GOG if you want to own your games outright, keep offline backups, or you’re buying classic PC games — especially anything in the Preservation Program.
- Buy from Steam if you play on a Steam Deck, want to play co-op with friends using Remote Play Together, rely on controller remapping, or want a retro collection that’s only sold there.
- Check both before buying. The same game often costs the same on each, and sales on one store don’t always match the other.
For classic PC games, our default advice is GOG: DRM-free installers are the closest thing digital gaming has to owning a boxed copy. For console and arcade collections, multiplayer and the Steam Deck, Steam usually wins. Plenty of retro fans use both, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
Not sure what to play first? Start with our picks of the best retro games to play on PC.
FAQs
Is GOG really DRM-free?
Yes. Every game sold on GOG can be downloaded as an offline installer and played without the GOG Galaxy client or an internet connection.
Can I play GOG games on a Steam Deck?
Yes, though it takes some setup. Most people use a free third-party launcher to install GOG games in the Deck’s desktop mode, after which they can be added to the Steam library.
Do I need GOG Galaxy?
No. GOG Galaxy is an optional launcher that handles updates and cloud saves. You can download and run the offline installers without it.
Which store has better prices for retro games?
Neither is consistently cheaper. Base prices are often the same, and both run frequent sales, so it’s worth checking both before buying.
Is GOG still owned by CD Projekt?
No. CD Projekt sold GOG to co-founder Michał Kiciński at the end of 2025. GOG says its DRM-free policy and existing libraries are unaffected.
