The Best Places to Buy and Rent PC Games Online in 2024 (2024)

If you're shopping for video games this holiday season, there's no need to trek to your local game shop. Online connections are speedier than ever, which makes it incredibly easy and convenient to buy or rent games from an online video game marketplace. Just as Whole Foods and 7-Eleven satisfy different food needs, the various game stores we've reviewed cater to numerous gaming interests. Below, you'll find everything that you need to know to start shopping for the best PC games.

Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks

Buying Guide: The Best Places to Buy and Rent PC Games Online in 2024

Where Can You Buy PC Games Online?

The stores listed above primarily offer computer games (Linux, macOS, and Windows) to digitally download. Occasionally, you’ll find books, movies, software, and other kinds of entertainment, but those are not the focus. That's not to say you can't also download console or mobile games; Xbox’s PC app sells Microsoft Flight Simulator, while Humble Bundle just added Nintendo Switch codes to its catalog.

Unfortunately, some third-party publishers force you to download games from their own online stores, such as Blizzard’s Battle.net, EA's Origin, Rockstar's Games Launcher, and Ubisoft's Uplay. However, many of those same publishers have recently relaxed those restrictions and spread their titles across multiple storefronts. Between Apple Arcade, GameClub, and Xbox Game Pass (available on console and PC), many platform holders also want video game subscription services to be the next way they sell titles on their devices. Even places you wouldn’t expect, such as Discord or Twitch, sell video games or include free games as part of a subscription.

As for GameFly and Green Man Gaming, those stores have removed major features since we last looked at them. Green Man Gaming's gimmick is selling discounted keys to other game stores, a legitimate, but sometimes controversial practice that Direct2Drive and the much sketchier G2A also employ. Despite being one of the last bastions for game rentals, GameFly’s delivery was painfully slow in our tests. Green Man Gaming also shut down its Playfire social network, while GameFly shut down its game streaming service (an ambitious feature even Google failed to get right with Stadia, which has since shut down).

Which PC Game Store Has the Best Library and Features?

The biggest thing you should pay attention to when choosing an online game store is the library. Don't waste your time browsing a store that doesn't have the games you want. The stores we've covered have surprisingly diverse libraries.

Editors' Choice pick Steam offers nearly every PC game under the sun, new or old, indie or AAA, awash with post-release content or early access titles. Steam is also the easiest way to buy and play games for your Steam Deck, with the Verified program letting you know which games run best on the high-powered handheld. Enterprising users can run other stores on Steam Deck, but the Linux-based device is built for Steam.

While they all have limitations, the Epic Games Store, Humble, Bundle, and Xbox also aim for mass appeal similar to Steam. Other stores target more niche markets. GOG.com specializes in older, classic PC games, while itch.io highlights more independent, artistic work.

Other factors may also influence your shopping experiences, such as digital rights management (DRM), customer service, refund policies, and development tools for aspiring game creators. Humble Bundle may not feature a library as robust as its competitors, but the store offers many enticing discounts for great charity causes.

Different sites also offer different search options. If you don't know exactly what you want that's okay. But on, say, itch.io, you can set up the storefront to only display "colorblind friendly Windows games under $10 that last a few hours and include virtual reality support." Many stores even include social features, so you can interact with fellow gamers and creators, read user reviews, and participate in community events. All of these social and recommendation features make it easier to find your next purchase. Follow PCMag’s Steam Curator page for recommendations.

Where to Get the Best PC Game Deals

These stores would love it if you exclusively bought games on their services, but don't forget you have choices as a consumer. Nothing is stopping you from buying the Resident Evil 4 remake from Steam and Maneater from the Epic Games Store. Some stores even lean into this fact. The GOG Galaxy client syncs your accounts from rival platforms to create a unified gaming hub. Likewise, you can access itch.io from within the Epic Games store. Even Valve's own Steam Deck portable PC works with non-Steam marketplaces. So, do what's best for you. Compare prices on CheapShark. Claim free games where you can find them. Be a smart shopper and brush up on the best online video game marketplaces before making your next purchase.