Steam vs Epic Games Store compared for games, mods, DLC, controllers, performance and flight sims, with a clear verdict on installing both.
Use Steam as your default PC game launcher if you value the largest practical library, community reviews, controller tools, Workshop support and Steam Deck integration. Use the Epic Games Store for its free offers or games unavailable elsewhere. Most simmers should install both, but keep each game's DLC in one storefront ecosystem.
Steam vs Epic Games Store at a glance
Steam is the stronger all-round launcher, while Epic is most compelling when a particular game, exclusive release or free offer determines where you obtain it.
| Decision point | Steam | Epic Games Store |
|---|---|---|
| Game catalogue | Broader selection, particularly for simulators, older PC games and independent releases | Smaller catalogue with selected store-specific releases |
| Community features | Detailed user reviews, discussions, guides and community hubs | Lighter community and discovery tools |
| Mods | Steam Workshop for supported games, plus manual mods | Limited integrated mod delivery; manual mods may still work |
| Controllers | Steam Input, controller remapping and per-game profiles | Relies more heavily on each game's native controller support |
| Cloud saves and achievements | Widely available, but still dependent on the individual game | Available for supported games rather than guaranteed globally |
| Steam Deck and Linux | Integrated library and compatibility tools | Commonly requires third-party tooling and per-game checks |
| Offers | Frequent sales across a large catalogue | Known for recurring free-game promotions and selected exclusives |
Which launcher should you choose?
Choose Steam unless Epic offers a specific game or deal that matters more than Steam's extra library, community and controller features.
- Choose Steam for one main PC library, user reviews, Workshop-enabled games, Steam Input, family-library features and Steam Deck use.
- Choose Epic when it has the game you want, a substantially better edition or promotion, or a free title you genuinely intend to play.
- Install both if you do not mind managing two accounts and library folders. There is no technical need to restrict a Windows PC to one launcher.
Compare the complete purchase rather than the base-game price alone. Check the included edition, required DLC, refund eligibility and any publisher account or secondary launcher shown on the store page. A game bought through Steam can still require a separate account and its own content downloader.
Which launcher is better for flight simulators?
Steam is generally more useful for flight simulation, but the simulator's actual availability and add-on licensing matter more than the launcher.
Many major simulators are not sold through Epic at all. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, for example, uses Steam or the Microsoft/Xbox PC ecosystem rather than Epic; our guide explains how the MSFS 2024 edition and storefront affect access.
The real choice may also be Steam versus a developer's direct version. Before buying, compare the practical differences between Steam and direct X-Plane 12 purchases. DCS World has its own account and module rules, covered in our explanation of DCS licensing, purchases and updates on Steam versus standalone.
Manually installed aircraft and scenery are often independent of the store, provided the add-on supports that simulator version. Store DLC, encrypted marketplace products and Steam Workshop subscriptions are different: assume they remain tied to the platform where they were purchased unless the publisher explicitly provides an entitlement transfer.
Common launcher and DLC mistakes
- Buying DLC from the wrong storefront: match the expansion or aircraft to the base game's store edition. Owning the same publisher account does not automatically make licences portable.
- Assuming cloud saves transfer: cloud saving is title-specific, and cross-store synchronisation is not guaranteed. Back up the game's documented save, control-profile and configuration folders before changing editions.
- Pointing both launchers at one installation: Steam and Epic keep separate manifests and verification data. Use the launcher's move or verification function where available, or reinstall cleanly; our simulator SSD migration guidance covers the safe storage choices.
- Confusing Workshop content with manual add-ons: Steam Workshop subscriptions belong to the Steam copy. Manually installed mods may work with another edition, but their folders and compatibility requirements can differ.
Does Steam or Epic give better game performance?
Neither launcher provides a consistent inherent FPS advantage when the same game build, graphics settings and add-ons are used.
Background downloads, overlays, recording features and an additional publisher client can cause stutters or longer startup times on some systems. Pause downloads and disable one overlay at a time when troubleshooting. Storefront builds can also receive patches at different times, so compare matching game versions before blaming the launcher.
Can you use both and transfer games between them?
You can install Steam and Epic Games Store together, but purchased game licences normally cannot be transferred from one account or storefront to the other.
Keep clearly named library folders, such as D:\SteamLibrary and D:\EpicLibrary, and disable automatic startup for whichever launcher you rarely use. Cross-play and cross-progression depend on the game and its publisher account; neither feature is guaranteed merely because both players are on PC.
For most simmers, the sensible arrangement is Steam as the primary library and Epic as a secondary launcher for selected games and promotions. That preserves Steam's stronger management tools without giving up titles that are available more favourably elsewhere.