Best Game Launcher Software in 2026
Updated
In short: Minecraft Launcher is ranked #1 of 24 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Epic Games Launcher and LaunchBox. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Epic Games Launcher. The lowest first paid tier on this page is EA app at $3.33/mo.
Choosing a game launcher starts with how you want to organize, update and play your PC games. Compare automatic updates and cloud saves, controller support and remote play, along with whether a launcher supports mods or combines libraries from multiple stores. Desktop platforms, free plans and starting prices can help you narrow the options. Entries are ranked, with Steam, LaunchBox and Epic Games Launcher among the names near the top; Minecraft Launcher and Heroic Games Launcher are also included. Check the features that match your collection and preferred way to play, then compare how each option handles them.
24 game launcher software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
Recognised 40% · Phone app 26% · Documented 20% · Free plan 14% of the score
- 1 Minecraft Launcher iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.8Free Automatic updates: Yes
- 2 Epic Games Launcher iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.7Free Desktop platforms: Windows, macOSAutomatic updates: Yes
- 3 LaunchBox Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.7Free
- 4 Steam iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.7Free
- 5 Xbox Cloud Gaming iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.0
- 6 Prism Launcher No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.4Free Automatic updates: Yes
- 7 itch app No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3Free
- 8 GDLauncher No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.2Free Automatic updates: Yes
- 9 GOG Galaxy No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.1Free
- 10 Heroic Games Launcher No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.1Free
- 11 Lutris No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.1Free
- 12 EA app No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.7$3.33/mo
- 13 GameVault No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.6€4.16/mo Desktop platforms: Windows, Linux, macOSMulti-store library: No
- 14 Paradox Launcher No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.6
- 15 Ubisoft Connect No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3$7.99/mo
- 16 Faugus Launcher No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Desktop platforms: LinuxMulti-store library: Yes
- 17 Minigalaxy No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Desktop platforms: LinuxMulti-store library: NoAutomatic updates: Yes
- 18 Gameforge Client No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1
- 19 Nexon Launcher No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1
- 20 Wargaming.net Game Center No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1
- 21 Jagex Launcher No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.0
- 22 Playnite No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.0
- 23 GameHub Backlog No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 4.9
- 24 Infrared No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 4.7
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which game launcher software is ranked first on Samsung Mobile US Press?
Minecraft Launcher is ranked #1 of 24 with a score of 7.8. Epic Games Launcher is second and LaunchBox third.
How many of these have a free plan?
10 of the 24 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, EA app has the lowest first paid tier we found: $3.33/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked mobile-first: a phone app alongside the web or desktop product, a free tier and the depth of its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.