The European Parliament just sent the Stop Killing Games petition back for further review, and the message under that fight is the same one DRM-free buyers have been making for years: a copy that needs a phone-home check eventually becomes a paperweight. When a publisher pulls the plug, players with a downloaded installer keep playing. Players who only had a Steam license do not. This is the practical case for buying DRM-free, and the best apps for DRM-free game stores on desktop are the ones that hand you an offline installer the moment you check out.
We looked at seven stores still actively selling DRM-free PC games to Windows, macOS, and Linux buyers, judged on catalogue breadth, installer quality, refund policy, and how transparently they label DRM status.
What makes a DRM-free game store actually useful
A “DRM-free” label is only half the picture. Before paying, check that the store:
- Provides offline installers you can archive on your own drive, not a wrapped downloader that needs a login on first launch.
- Labels DRM status per title. Some “DRM-free” stores still resell Steam keys alongside, and those keys carry Steam DRM.
- Supports Linux natively or via a Wine/Proton-friendly format. Native installers age better than launcher-bound binaries.
- Has a refund window long enough to test that the installer actually runs on your hardware.
- Publishes installers for the version you bought, not a delta patch dependent on a server you cannot reach.
The seven stores below all clear those bars to varying degrees.
Quick comparison
| Store | Best for | Platforms | Native installers | DRM-free guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GOG | Largest curated DRM-free catalogue | Windows, macOS, Linux | Yes | Every title |
| Itch.io | Indies and experimental games | Windows, macOS, Linux | Yes | Per-title (labelled) |
| Humble Store | Bundle deals with DRM-free filter | Windows, macOS, Linux | Mixed | Per-title (labelled) |
| Zoom Platform | Classic and retro PC games | Windows (Wine on Mac/Linux) | Yes | Every title |
| GamersGate | DRM-free section among Steam keys | Windows, macOS, Linux | Per-title | Per-title (labelled) |
| IndieGala | Bundles and DRM-free showcase | Windows, macOS, Linux | Mixed | Per-title (labelled) |
| Internet Archive | Abandonware and shareware preservation | Browser-playable + downloads | Yes | Public domain / shareware |
The stores worth buying from
1. GOG — Best for the largest curated DRM-free catalogue
GOG is the default answer for anyone who wants a copy that survives the publisher. The store sells every title as a standalone offline installer, and the GOG Galaxy client is optional, not required, to download or play.
The catalogue covers everything from CD Projekt’s own releases (the Witcher trilogy, Cyberpunk 2077) to thousands of classic PC titles GOG re-engineered for modern Windows. Linux support is patchy at the publisher’s discretion, but macOS coverage is steady.
Where it falls short: Some recent AAA releases never come to GOG because publishers want Steam exclusivity for the launch window. The store also rejects games that require always-online checks, so multiplayer-first titles are rare.
Pricing: Free to use. Game prices match Steam more often than not, with regular weekly sales and a generous 30-day refund window even on tested games.
Download: GOG | GOG Galaxy client
Bottom line: If a game is on GOG, buy it on GOG. The offline installer is yours to archive forever.
2. Itch.io — Best for indies and experimental work
Itch.io is where independent developers publish first. Most pages let you download the build directly without going through a launcher, and Itch labels DRM presence clearly on each title page.
The store hosts everything from polished indies (Celeste DLC, A Short Hike) to free experimental jam games. Many developers ship Linux and macOS builds alongside Windows, because Itch has no platform gatekeeping.
Where it falls short: Quality varies wildly. The same store hosts game-of-the-year contenders and one-day jam prototypes, so finding the good stuff takes effort. Refunds are at the developer’s discretion.
Pricing: Free to browse. Most games range from free to about $20, with pay-what-you-want bundles common during charity drives.
Download: Itch.io | Itch desktop app
Bottom line: Indispensable for indie buyers and anyone who archives game jams.
3. Humble Store — Best for DRM-free bundles
Humble Store sells a mix of Steam keys and DRM-free downloads, with a filter on the search page to show only the DRM-free titles. The bundle deals are the real draw, often discounting DRM-free indies 80% or more.
Humble’s Trove (the rotating free-game library) is bundled with the Humble Choice subscription, but most DRM-free titles can be bought outright without a subscription.
Where it falls short: The store leads with Steam keys by default. You have to remember to filter, otherwise you’ll buy a Steam-locked copy by accident. Charity allocation tweaks have also annoyed long-time customers.
Pricing: Free to browse. Bundles start at about $10. Humble Choice subscription is $11.99/month.
Download: Humble Store DRM-free filter
Bottom line: Worth checking weekly for indie bundles you’d otherwise miss.
4. Zoom Platform — Best for classic and retro PC games
Zoom Platform specializes in older PC games that GOG hasn’t picked up. The catalogue runs from late-90s shareware to early-2000s licensed games that struggle elsewhere.
Installers are straightforward Windows executables, packaged with DOSBox or ScummVM where needed. Linux and macOS players run them through Wine.
Where it falls short: The catalogue is much smaller than GOG, and the storefront looks like it predates modern web design. Search is limited.
Pricing: Free to browse. Most titles fall between $3 and $10.
Download: Zoom Platform
Bottom line: Worth a look if you’re chasing a specific classic GOG doesn’t sell.
5. GamersGate — Best for DRM-free legacy catalogue
GamersGate has been selling PC games since 2006 and maintains a labelled DRM-free section alongside its Steam-key catalogue. The DRM-free titles ship with direct download links, no launcher required.
Where it falls short: Most modern releases come as Steam keys, not DRM-free downloads. You’re shopping the back catalogue here, not the new-release shelf.
Pricing: Free to browse. Sales run constantly, with DRM-free titles often under $5.
Download: GamersGate DRM-free section
Bottom line: A useful supplementary store for filling out a DRM-free library.
6. IndieGala — Best for low-cost indie bundles
IndieGala runs frequent indie-game bundles, with a clear DRM-free showcase section. The standalone DRM-free purchases ship as direct downloads.
Where it falls short: Like Humble, IndieGala leads with Steam keys. The DRM-free section is smaller and you have to navigate to it deliberately.
Pricing: Free to browse. Bundles start at $1.
Download: IndieGala DRM-free showcase
Bottom line: Bundle hunters who want offline installers will find a handful per month here.
7. Internet Archive — Best for abandonware and shareware preservation
The Internet Archive Software Library is not a store, but for games that have been formally abandoned or released as shareware, it’s the most reliable place to find a working copy. Many titles run in the browser via the EM-DOSBOX emulator, and others can be downloaded as raw disk images.
Where it falls short: This is not a store and not a substitute for one. You will not find anything sold commercially in the past decade. Coverage skews to DOS, Windows 3.1, and early Mac.
Pricing: Free.
Download: Internet Archive Software Library
Bottom line: The fallback for games no publisher is selling anywhere else.
How to pick the right one
- For modern PC games you want to keep forever: GOG. Buy here first, fall back to Steam only when GOG doesn’t have the title.
- For indies and experimental work: Itch.io. Direct downloads, transparent DRM labelling, developers who care.
- For deal hunting: Humble Store with the DRM-free filter on, plus IndieGala bundles.
- For classics GOG doesn’t sell: Zoom Platform first, GamersGate second.
- For lost games: Internet Archive Software Library.
- Stay on Steam only when a multiplayer-first game has no DRM-free alternative.
FAQ
What is the best DRM-free game store?
GOG. The catalogue is the largest, every title ships as an offline installer, and the 30-day refund policy works.
Are games on Itch.io always DRM-free?
No. Itch.io labels DRM status per title. Most are DRM-free, but a small minority require a Steam key activation, and the page tells you which is which before you buy.
Can I buy DRM-free games on Steam?
Officially no, Steam itself runs DRM checks. A handful of developers have stripped DRM from their Steam builds, but you’re relying on their goodwill, not the platform.
Does GOG support Linux?
Yes, when the publisher provides a Linux build. Coverage is partial, but most CD Projekt and major indie titles ship native Linux installers on GOG.
What happens to my games if a DRM-free store closes?
The installer you already downloaded keeps working. That is the point. We recommend archiving GOG installers to a personal drive after purchase, just as you would with any other backup.
