This section lists places you can go right now to get PC games that cost nothing, require no payment card, and are fully legal. Every game here is free either because the publisher gave it away, because the maker released it for free, or because it is a free-to-play title. You will need an account for some services, but no service listed here asks for a credit card to access its free offerings. The destinations are ranked by how useful they are for someone who wants a game immediately, with no strings attached beyond a free sign-up.
Epic Games Store
The Epic Games Store is the most useful single destination for ordinary readers because it combines recurring publisher giveaways with a free-to-play catalog, and claimed giveaway games stay in the library after the promotion ends. Each week, Epic offers at least one new free game. You claim it during the promotion window, and it remains yours permanently. The store also carries a selection of free-to-play titles that you can install and play at any time without paying.
What the free version includes: The weekly giveaway games are the full standard edition of the title, not a demo or a trial. Free-to-play games are the base game as released by the rights holder; optional in-game purchases may exist, but you never need to buy anything to play.
Account and payment card: A free Epic Games account is required to claim giveaway games and to install free-to-play titles. The retrieved source does not document a payment card requirement for accessing free content. You can sign up with an email address and a password only.
Where it works: The Epic Games Store is available in most countries except where prohibited by U.S. law, such as North Korea and Iran. iPhone and iPad availability is separately limited to the European Union.
Why it is free: Publishers and the store itself fund the giveaways as promotions. Free-to-play releases are chosen by the rights holders, who make money through optional in-game purchases rather than an upfront price.
Steam
Steam is the broadest general-purpose destination for free-to-play PC games, but the free status comes from the game maker's own decision rather than a store giveaway. Steam carries a very large free-to-play catalog, and it also runs free weekend and play-for-free promotions where a normally paid game becomes temporarily free to install and play.
What the free version includes: Games labeled "Free to Play" on Steam can be installed and played without any upfront purchase. Promotional free-play events let you try a paid game for a limited time, usually a weekend. When the event ends, you lose access unless you buy the game.
Account and payment card: The retrieved source does not document this directly. In practice, a free Steam account is required to install and play any game on the platform. No payment card is needed to access free-to-play titles or free weekend promotions.
Where it works: The retrieved source does not document country coverage. Steam is available in most countries worldwide, though some games may be region-locked by the publisher.
Why it is free: The game maker has released the base game as free-to-play, choosing to monetize through optional purchases, or has temporarily opened the game for a free play event to attract new players.
How to Choose Between Them
If you want a game that is yours to keep forever and you do not mind checking a store once a week, start with the Epic Games Store. The weekly giveaways are full games that remain in your library after the promotion ends, and you never need a payment card. If you want to browse a huge catalog of free-to-play games right now and play immediately, start with Steam. Steam has many more free-to-play titles than Epic, but none of them are yours permanently in the same way as a claimed giveaway, they are free to play as long as the publisher keeps them that way. Neither service is better than the other; they serve different needs. Epic is best for getting a new free game each week. Steam is best for finding a free-to-play game to play today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a credit card to get free games on Epic Games Store or Steam?
No. The retrieved sources do not document a payment card requirement for accessing free content on either service. You can sign up for a free account using only an email address and a password, then claim or install free games without entering any payment information.
If I claim a free game on Epic Games Store, can I play it after the giveaway ends?
Yes. A claimed giveaway remains in your library permanently after the promotion ends. You can download and play it at any time, just as if you had purchased it.
Are free weekend games on Steam mine to keep?
No. Free weekend and play-for-free promotions on Steam let you try a normally paid game for a limited time, usually a few days. When the event ends, you lose access unless you purchase the game. Free-to-play games on Steam, however, remain playable indefinitely without any purchase.
Can I get free PC games legally without creating any account at all?
No service listed here offers free games without an account. Both Epic Games Store and Steam require a free account to claim, install, or play games. No payment card is needed, and the account itself costs nothing, but you must register with an email address.
Are the free games on these stores demos or trials?
No. The weekly giveaways on Epic Games Store are the full standard edition of the game. Free-to-play titles on both stores are the complete base game as released by the rights holder. Free weekend promotions on Steam are the full game temporarily unlocked, but they are time-limited trials rather than permanent free copies.
The guides in this section
- Where to Get Free PC Games Legally
- How the Weekly Free Game Giveaways Actually Work
- Free-to-Play Games That Are Actually Free to Play
- Abandonware: What You Can Legally Download
Back up a level: Where to Download Files Safely: Software, Apps, Games and Books.
