Playnite

A Windows game library manager that pulls Steam, Epic, GOG, Battle.net, Ubisoft and emulated games into one interface.

FreeOpen sourceWindows
Official websiteplaynite.linkDownload pageplaynite.linkSource codegithub.comDocumentationapi.playnite.link

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Other download sites

MajorGeeksmajorgeeks.com

Run by third parties, not by Josef Nemec. Prefer the official page above when it works.

Package managers

About Playnite

Playnite links games from Steam, Epic, EA App, GOG, Battle.net, Ubisoft Connect and other services into a single library, including titles that are not installed. It also handles a wide range of console emulators, so a retro collection sits beside the modern one.

It has a fullscreen mode with full controller support, a playtime counter that covers emulated games too, themes that range from colour tweaks to complete layout redesigns, and a plugin and script extension system. It is portable, MIT licensed, and the developer states that no feature is behind a paywall.

Strengths

  • Links Steam, Epic, EA App, GOG, Battle.net and Ubisoft Connect libraries, installed or not
  • Console emulator support, so retro and modern games share one library
  • Fullscreen mode with full controller support for a living-room PC
  • Themes and plugin extensions, from colour changes to complete redesigns
  • Runs portably, and no feature is locked behind a paywall
  • Library data stays on your PC; the project stores nothing on remote servers

Limitations

  • Windows 10 or 11 only
  • Metadata comes from IGDB, so obscure titles may need manual editing
  • Linking a store account uses that store’s login flow and stores its session token

Details

Pricing
FreeFree and open source under the MIT licence, with no paid features.
License
MIT
Developer
Josef Nemec
Platforms
Windows
How it runs
Downloadable app
Account
Not required
Works offline
Yes
Best suited for
Bringing every storefront and emulator on a Windows PC into one library
Categories
Gaming tools
Last verified
Added
Provenance
Selected from the TechWalrus downloads catalog (Gaming); facts checked against the developer's own pages, 6 sources on file.

Alternatives to Playnite

Compare all

Software that can replace Playnite for an important use case, and what changes if you switch.

  • LaunchBox

    Windows game launcher and database with a couch-friendly Big Box mode.

    FreemiumProprietaryWindows

    LaunchBox brings a large metadata database and Big Box controller mode, but it is closed source and Big Box needs a paid premium licence, still on Windows only.

  • GOG Galaxy

    DRM-free games store and unified library that also pulls in other platforms.

    FreeProprietaryWindowsmacOS

    GOG Galaxy unifies libraries from multiple platforms and adds a DRM-free store and macOS support, but it is closed source and its connectors are unofficial.

  • Lutris

    A Linux gaming platform that installs the right emulator, Wine build or engine for each game and launches them from one place.

    FreeOpen sourceLinux

    Lutris brings Steam, Epic, GOG and Humble libraries plus emulators into one GPL-3.0 client, but it runs on Linux instead of Windows.

  • Heroic Games Launcher

    An open-source launcher for Epic, GOG and Amazon Prime games, on Linux, Windows, macOS and the Steam Deck.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    Heroic Games Launcher runs on Windows, macOS and Linux under GPL-3.0, but only covers Epic, GOG and Amazon Prime, without Steam or emulator support.

  • Pegasus Frontend

    Lightweight, fully themeable launcher for emulators and game collections.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroid

    Pegasus Frontend is a lightweight, cross-platform GPL-3.0 launcher with QML themes focused on emulators, configured through text files and without store account linking.

  • ES-DE

    Emulator front end with 150 systems preconfigured and a built-in scraper.

    FreemiumOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroid

    ES-DE is an open source, cross-platform emulator front end with 150 preconfigured systems and a scraper, but it does not link PC storefront libraries.

Playnite as an alternative

Listings that name Playnite as an alternative.

  • HyperSpin

    Animated arcade front end with spinning wheel menus and video previews.

    FreeProprietaryWindows

    Playnite is free and MIT licensed, with a controller-friendly fullscreen mode and emulator support, and it also links Steam, Epic, GOG and other store libraries.

  • itch

    The desktop app for itch.io, which installs, updates and launches the indie games you bought or downloaded free.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    Playnite unifies many store and emulator libraries in one MIT-licensed interface, but it runs only on Windows 10 or 11 rather than macOS and Linux.

  • RomM

    Self-hosted web ROM library with in-browser play.

    FreeOpen sourceWebSelf-hosted

    Playnite is a Windows 10 or 11 library that combines emulated games with store libraries, keeping data on your PC instead of on a self-hosted web server.

Similar software

Related functionality, not necessarily a direct replacement.

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