Alternatives to Xbox app
Microsoft's Windows app for installing and launching PC Game Pass and Xbox games on PC. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Xbox app
Microsoft's Windows app for installing and launching PC Game Pass and Xbox games on PC.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Xbox app.
Steam
Valve's PC gaming platform and client for buying, installing and playing games, with community features.
Steam runs on Windows, macOS, Linux and mobile with a large store, Workshop and community features, but has no PC Game Pass subscription library.
Epic Games Store
Epic's game storefront known for weekly free games and exclusive titles.
Epic Games Store works on Windows and macOS and offers weekly free games and exclusive titles instead of a PC Game Pass subscription catalog.
GOG Galaxy
DRM-free games store and unified library that also pulls in other platforms.
GOG Galaxy adds macOS support and DRM-free games, and can pull other platforms into one library through unofficial connectors that can break.
EA app
EA's official game launcher and library, replacing Origin on Windows and macOS.
EA app covers only EA's own catalog on Windows and macOS, replacing the Xbox app's Game Pass and Microsoft Store library.
Ubisoft Connect
Ubisoft's official launcher and player services hub for its game catalog.
Ubisoft Connect is Windows only like the Xbox app but limited to Ubisoft's catalog, with cross-progression and rewards across owned Ubisoft games.
Battle.net
Blizzard's launcher for World of Warcraft, Overwatch, Diablo, and other titles.
Battle.net runs on Windows and macOS and serves only Blizzard titles such as World of Warcraft, Overwatch and Diablo.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
Playnite
A Windows game library manager that pulls Steam, Epic, GOG, Battle.net, Ubisoft and emulated games into one interface.
GeForce NOW
NVIDIA's cloud gaming service that streams your existing game library to weaker hardware.
Heroic Games Launcher
An open-source launcher for Epic, GOG and Amazon Prime games, on Linux, Windows, macOS and the Steam Deck.
Rockstar Games Launcher
Rockstar Games' official Windows launcher for installing and running its PC games.
