Head-to-head · 2026

GOG vs Steam

GOG is a European alternative to Steam — same content & media use case, built under EU data-protection law.

By the EU Alternatives team Last updated

European alternative
GOG
Poland

Digital game distribution platform offering carefully selected PC games without DRM restrictions. Features classic titles, new releases, optional client, and 30-day money-back guarantee.

Jurisdiction
EU / EEA
GDPR by default
Yes
US CLOUD Act exposure
No
Open source
No
Free tier
No
See full GOG profile
Non-EU
Steam logo
Steam
Steam · US

A curated collection of the best European alternatives to Steam.

Jurisdiction
US
GDPR by default
Requires DPA + TIA
US CLOUD Act exposure
Yes
All European alternatives to Steam

Why choose GOG over Steam?

The decisive argument is data jurisdiction. Steam is headquartered in US, which means personal data processed through it can be subject to non-EU legal regimes — the US CLOUD Act, FISA 702, or similar laws depending on the provider. After the 2020 Schrems II ruling, EU organisations must carry out a transfer impact assessment for every such data flow.

GOG removes that overhead. As a Poland-based provider, it operates natively under GDPR, and data stays inside the EU/EEA by default. For regulated sectors — health, public administration, finance — that's not a nice-to-have but a requirement. For everyone else, it's concentration-risk insurance: you avoid depending on a single non-EU jurisdiction that can change the rules without warning.

Frequently asked questions

Is GOG a good alternative to Steam?
Yes — GOG is one of the top-ranked European alternatives to Steam in our directory, covering the same content & media use case. It is headquartered in Poland, keeping your data under EU law by default.
What's the main difference between GOG and Steam?
The biggest difference is jurisdiction: GOG is based in Poland and operates under GDPR and EU data-protection law, while Steam is headquartered in US and may transfer data outside the EU. For regulated industries or organisations following Schrems II guidance, this difference is decisive.
Is GOG GDPR-compliant?
GOG is a European company based in Poland, so GDPR compliance is the default operating model — not a bolt-on. No transfer impact assessment is required for EU customers, unlike when using Steam.
How do I migrate from Steam to GOG?
Start by exporting your data from Steam (most providers offer an export in their settings). Then import into GOG using its native import tool or migration guide. Running both in parallel for a week catches any feature or workflow gaps before you fully switch.

Other European alternatives to Steam

GamersGate
vs Steam
Gamesplanet
vs Steam
Green Man Gaming
vs Steam