GOG offers DRM-free games and a reputation for respecting gamers. But is it worth splitting your library between GOG and Steam? Here's everything you need to know.

What is GOG?

GOG (originally “Good Old Games”) is a digital game store owned by CD Projekt, the company behind The Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077.

Key differences from Steam:

  • DRM-free — All games, no exceptions
  • Offline installers — Download standalone installers
  • GOG Galaxy — Optional launcher (not required)
  • Smaller library — ~6,000 games vs Steam’s 70,000+

The Case for GOG

1. True Ownership

When you buy on GOG, you own the game files. You can:

  • Copy games to any computer
  • Play offline indefinitely
  • Archive games forever
  • Run games without any launcher

If GOG shut down tomorrow, your games still work.

2. No DRM Hassles

No DRM means:

  • No online check-ins
  • No activation limits
  • No launcher requirements
  • No “this game is not available in your region”

3. Great for Classic Games

GOG specializes in making old games work on modern systems:

  • DOSBox configurations included
  • Compatibility patches applied
  • Manuals and extras included
  • Working out of the box

4. Pro-Consumer Policies

GOG has a 30-day refund policy (vs Steam’s 2-hour/14-day) and offers:

  • Price matching during sales
  • Bonus games with purchases
  • Transparent regional pricing

The Case for Steam

1. Larger Library

Steam has 10x more games. If a game exists on PC, it’s almost certainly on Steam.

2. Better Features

Steam offers:

  • Steam Workshop (mods)
  • Remote Play Together
  • Proton (Linux gaming)
  • Steam Deck optimization
  • Achievement tracking
  • Trading cards

3. Social Network

Your friends are probably on Steam. Better for:

  • Multiplayer matchmaking
  • Shared libraries
  • Game gifting
  • Community discussions

4. Better Sales Infrastructure

Steam sales are legendary, and the wishlist/notification system is superior.

When to Buy on GOG

Choose GOG when:

  • Preserving games matters — Buy classics on GOG
  • Offline play is critical — Laptop gaming without internet
  • Supporting DRM-free — Vote with your wallet
  • Same price or cheaper — No reason not to
  • GOG exclusives — Some indies are GOG-only

When to Buy on Steam

Choose Steam when:

  • Workshop mods — Essential for games like Skyrim
  • Multiplayer focus — Friends are on Steam
  • Steam Deck — Verified games work perfectly
  • Early access — Most EA games launch on Steam
  • Price difference — Steam sales sometimes beat GOG

Managing Both Libraries

The real answer? Buy on both when appropriate. Use a unified launcher to manage them:

  1. Download Kolektor
  2. Games from both platforms appear together
  3. Launch any game with one click
  4. No more “which store was this on?”

GOG Galaxy 2.0: The Universal Launcher?

GOG tried to solve this with GOG Galaxy 2.0’s integration feature. However:

  • Integrations frequently break
  • Relies on community plugins
  • Development has slowed
  • Not as reliable as dedicated solutions

Kolektor offers more reliable multi-platform detection without plugin hassles.

Our Recommendation

Don’t choose — use both strategically:

  1. Buy on GOG: Classics, RPGs, single-player games
  2. Buy on Steam: Multiplayer, Workshop-dependent games
  3. Unify with Kolektor: See everything in one library

The DRM-free principle is worth supporting, but practicality matters too. A mixed approach gives you the best of both worlds.

Try Kolektor Free — Unify your GOG and Steam libraries.