Your best bet right now is the Epic Games Store, which gives away one free PC game every week. You keep the game permanently as long as you claim it during the giveaway window. If you want more than one game at a time, GOG is a solid second stop, because some free games from Prime Gaming get delivered there.
The Weekly Freebie: Epic Games Store
Epic Games Store runs a single, simple promotion: one free game per week. You do not pay anything, and you do not need a card. You do need to create an account, but that is free and takes about a minute. The catch is the time limit, you have to click "Get" on the game page before the weekly refresh rolls over, usually on Thursday. Once you claim it, the game sits in your library forever, even if you never install it. This is the most reliable, no-strings free game source on PC right now.
Who it suits: anyone who wants a steady drip of new titles without spending a cent, and who does not mind that the pick is chosen for them. You will not find the latest AAA release every week, but you will get a mix of indies and older big-budget games.
The Membership Perk: Prime Gaming
Prime Gaming is a benefit that comes with an Amazon Prime membership. You sign in with your Prime credentials, and you get a rotating set of free PC games and in-game loot. Some of those games are claimed directly through the Amazon Games app, while others are claimed through partner stores like Epic Games Store, GOG, or Legacy Games. You might need to install the Amazon Games app to download and play the ones claimed through Amazon itself.
The key point: this is not a free service on its own. It is a perk tied to a paid membership. If you already pay for Prime for the shipping or the video, then the games are effectively free. If you do not have Prime, this is not a way to get free games without paying anything. The games you claim are yours to keep as long as your Prime membership stays active, if you cancel, you lose access to the games you claimed through Prime Gaming.
Who it suits: existing Amazon Prime members who want a larger library of free games without extra cost. It is not worth signing up for Prime just for the games, but it is a great bonus if you already have it.
The Thing People Get Wrong: "Free" Does Not Mean "No Account"
The most common mistake is assuming "free" means "no sign-up." Every service that gives away games legally requires an account. Epic needs an account to track your library. Prime Gaming needs your Amazon login. GOG needs an account to hold your games. That is not a scam, that is how the store knows what you own. If a site offers you a free game without asking for any account, that is a red flag for piracy or malware, not a legal giveaway.
Another mistake: confusing "free to keep" with "free to play." A free-to-play game like Fortnite is free forever, but you do not own it, you are just playing it. A "free to keep" game from Epic is yours permanently, like a purchase that cost zero dollars. You can uninstall it, reinstall it, and play it offline. That is the difference.
What to Check Before You Commit
Before you spend time on any free game, check three things:
- What is the claim window? Epic's weekly game is only free for seven days. If you miss the window, it is gone (unless it comes back months later). Set a reminder if you care.
- Where does the game actually live? Some Prime Gaming games are claimed on GOG, some on Epic, some on the Amazon app. If you claim a game on GOG, you need a GOG account. If you claim it on Epic, you need an Epic account. Do not assume one account works everywhere.
- Is it a game you will play? A free game that sits in your library forever is not a bargain, it is a hoarder's habit. Check the store page, read the description, and watch a minute of gameplay before you click "Get." You are not saving money if you would not have bought it anyway.
One more thing: do not trust third-party "free game" aggregator sites that list giveaways from unknown stores. Stick to the official pages, Epic's free games page, GOG's main page, and the Amazon Games app. Those are the only places where the giveaways are real and the files are safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a credit card to claim a free game on Epic?
No. The weekly free game on Epic does not require a card at any point. You only need an email address and a password to create an account. The same applies to GOG, no card is needed for a free game claim.
If I claim a free game on Epic, do I keep it forever?
Yes, as long as you claim it during the giveaway window. The game is added to your library permanently, and you can download and play it anytime. There is no subscription and no expiry date on the game itself.
Can I get free games on GOG without using Prime Gaming?
GOG does not have a standing weekly free game program like Epic. However, GOG occasionally runs limited-time giveaways of its own, and it is also the delivery service for some Prime Gaming free games. If you want a free game from GOG, your best bet is to check the GOG homepage directly or wait for a promotional event.
What happens to my Prime Gaming games if I cancel Prime?
You lose access to the games you claimed through Prime Gaming. They are tied to your Prime membership, not to you as a person. If you cancel Prime and later resubscribe, your games come back. This is different from Epic, where the games are yours permanently.
Is there a catch with these free games?
The only catch is that you have to claim them during the giveaway window. There is no hidden fee, no malware, and no trick. The stores give away games to attract you to their platform, hoping you will buy other games later. That is the business model, you are the product, but the game is genuinely free.
More on pc games
This is one of the guides in Where to Get Free PC Games Legally. The others:
