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GameVault

gamevau.lt

From €4.16/mo WebWindowsmacOSLinuxAPISelf-hosted
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Spec score 8.8 #1 of 24 in Game Launcher Software

What it is

GameVault is a self-hostable platform for browsing and playing DRM-free games stored on a file server. Its server indexes game files and adds metadata, while clients let users organize, download, install and launch games. The client records playtime and game progress, including offline. Server features include multi-user authentication, role-based access, parental controls, backups and OAuth2 authentication. Users can choose a browser-based Web UI, a legacy Windows app or an early-access desktop client for Windows, Linux and macOS. The browser-only session cannot install or launch games on the user's computer; the full download manager is available in desktop clients. GameVault+ includes Playnite, Steam and Discord integrations, alongside a documented REST API for clients, integrations and library automation. Cloud saves and controller support are listed, while remote play and mod support are not. The maker says it uses encryption and follows GDPR rules. Plans include €4.99/month or €49.90/year for personal subscriptions and €8.99/month for a plan shareable with up to five others. GameVault+ is currently available in the legacy Windows app; cross-platform support is described as coming soon.

Spec sheet

What it does
GameVault is a self-hosted platform for managing, distributing and launching legally owned DRM-free PC games.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gamevau.lt
Purpose
GameVault is a self-hostable platform for browsing and playing DRM-free games stored on your file server.Read 29 Sep 2026 · gamevau.lt
Intended users
The maker describes the Family & Friends plan as shareable with up to five other people in a family or friend circle.Read 29 Sep 2026 · gamevau.lt
API
The backend provides a documented REST API for building clients, third-party integrations, and library automation.Read 29 Sep 2026 · gamevau.lt
Integrations
GameVault+ includes Playnite, Steam, and Discord integrations, plus client APIs for integrations.Read 29 Sep 2026 · gamevau.lt
Support
For subscription support, the maker directs users to contact the developers through Discord or email at [email protected].Read 29 Sep 2026 · gamevau.lt
License
The main project uses Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0, with different licensing possible for extensions and plugins.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gamevau.lt
Headquarters
GermanyRead 28 Sep 2026 · gamevau.lt
Built-in web interface
A running server serves its Web UI at port 8080 by default and the interface can be disabled with WEB_UI_ENABLED.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gamevau.lt
Client API
GameVault+ exposes CLI, URI and named-pipe client interfaces for integrations.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gamevau.lt
Clients
GameVault provides a browser-based Web UI, a legacy Windows app, and an early-access desktop client for Windows, Linux, and macOS.Read 29 Sep 2026 · gamevau.lt
Cloud saves
Cloud save synchronization is listed as a GameVault+ feature and can be disabled by a server administrator.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gamevau.lt
Discord integration
GameVault+ can publish the current game through Discord Rich Presence.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gamevau.lt
Game distribution
The system lets users browse and download game files from their private server for local play.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gamevau.lt
GameVault 1 status
The maker says the existing Windows client is feature-complete and will receive maintenance, critical bug fixes and security updates rather than new features.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gamevau.lt
GameVault 2 scope
The early-access client supports search, filtering, versioned downloads, archive extraction, launch parameters, playtime tracking, offline play and multiple game roots.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gamevau.lt
Library management
The server indexes game files, adds metadata, and lets users organize, download, install, and launch games.Read 29 Sep 2026 · gamevau.lt
Limit: extra files
A Reddit user requested support for downloading updates, ZIP files and executables associated with a game; a maintainer said the request was on the roadmap.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Limit: native Linux client history
Reddit users reported that earlier releases required Wine on Linux and that native Linux support was missing or unreliable.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Limit: no streaming
A Reddit commenter clarified that GameVault organizes and distributes files rather than providing Plex-style remote game streaming.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Limit: setup complexity
One Reddit user reported spending four days troubleshooting a Linux/Docker setup before switching to another product that worked in about 20 minutes.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Limit: source-available concerns
An independent Gameyfin developer criticized GameVault's source-available licensing and paid-tier model from a free-software perspective.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Limit: subscription objection
A Reddit self-hosting discussion says the GameVault+ subscription for cloud saves was a reason to reject GameVault and asks for a one-time purchase option.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Maker headquarters
Phalcode lists Steigerwaldstr. 15, 90409 Nürnberg, Germany.Read 15 Oct 2026 · phalco.de
Maker legal name
The privacy policy identifies the data controller as Alkan Alper, Schäfer Philip GbR, trading as Phalcode.Read 15 Oct 2026 · phalco.de
Metadata enrichment
GameVault can automatically retrieve cover art, descriptions and other game metadata.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gamevau.lt
Metadata providers
Administrators can connect providers such as IGDB to enrich game records.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gamevau.lt
Multi-user access
Servers can provide accounts and library access to friends and family.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gamevau.lt
No game streaming
GameVault does not stream games; downloaded games run on the user's local hardware.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gamevau.lt
Notable news: GameVault 2
On August 19, 2026, Phalcode announced GameVault 2, a Tauri-based cross-platform client entering early access.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gamevau.lt
Personal game cloud
Users store their DRM-free collection on their own hardware and access it through the Web UI or client.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gamevau.lt
Playnite integration
GameVault+ includes a Playnite integration feature.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gamevau.lt
Playtime tracking
The platform records playtime statistics and progress for games and users.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gamevau.lt
Plugin extensibility
GameVault documents a backend plugin system and publishes an example plugin repository.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gamevau.lt
Praise: UI improvement
Reddit commenters recognized the 1.8 interface redesign as a response to earlier criticism and described the usability changes positively.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Praise: Windows usability
A Reddit commenter described GameVault as the most usable option among comparable self-hosted game libraries when using Windows.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Privacy and compliance
Phalcode says it uses encryption, follows GDPR requirements and stores payment data with PCI-compliant Stripe.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gamevau.lt
Progress tracking
The client tracks playtime and game progress, including while offline.Read 29 Sep 2026 · gamevau.lt
Rating on Apple App Store
1.0 out of 5 from 1 rating.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Remote access
The setup guide recommends an HTTPS reverse proxy and possible firewall changes for access outside the local network.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gamevau.lt
Security and privacy
The maker says it uses encryption to protect user data and follows GDPR rules; Stripe handles billing and payment information and meets PCI compliance standards.Read 29 Sep 2026 · gamevau.lt
Security default
The server runs as non-root user 1000:1000 by default and supports PUID and PGID overrides for mapped-folder permissions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gamevau.lt
Server deployment
Official deployment methods include Docker Compose, CapRover, TrueNAS, UNRAID, Synology Container Manager and a native installation.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gamevau.lt
Server features
The server supports multi-user authentication, role-based access control, parental controls, backups, and OAuth2 authentication.Read 29 Sep 2026 · gamevau.lt
Source status
The maker explicitly classifies GameVault as source-available rather than open-source because commercial use and redistribution are restricted.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gamevau.lt
Steam integration
GameVault+ can synchronize GameVault games to Steam as non-Steam shortcuts.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gamevau.lt
Store compatibility
The product is designed for DRM-free sources such as GOG and Humble Bundle and does not support DRM-dependent Steam or Epic libraries directly.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gamevau.lt
Subscription availability
GameVault+ is currently available in the legacy Windows app, with cross-platform client support described as coming soon.Read 29 Sep 2026 · gamevau.lt
Team size
The GameVault founders describe the project as being built by two developers in their spare time.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gamevau.lt
Troubleshooting support
Documentation covers permissions, authentication, indexing, metadata, passwords, slow downloads and log collection, with GitHub and Discord support channels.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gamevau.lt
Web UI limitation
A browser-only session cannot launch or install games on the user's computer; the full download manager is available in desktop clients.Read 29 Sep 2026 · gamevau.lt

Plans and prices

Flex Plan €4.99 a month €4.99/month Personal subscription · GameVault+ features Read 15 Oct 2026 · gamevau.lt
Family & Friends Plan €8.99 a month €8.99/month Up to five additional people · Six members total · GameVault+ features Read 15 Oct 2026 · gamevau.lt
Smart Saver Plan €49.90 a year €49.90/year Personal subscription · GameVault+ features Read 15 Oct 2026 · gamevau.lt

Every GameVault plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Self-hosted DRM-free game library
  • Tracks playtime and progress while offline
  • Server includes role-based access and parental controls
  • Documented REST API for integrations and automation
  • Cloud saves and controller support

Limits

  • Browser UI cannot install or launch games
  • GameVault+ is currently available only in legacy Windows app
  • Remote play is not available
  • Mod support is not included

Who it suits

GameVault suits people who want to host and manage a DRM-free game library on their own file server. The shareable family and friends plan may fit a small group, while browser-only users should note its launch and installation limit.

Verdict

GameVault combines self-hosted library management with desktop clients, server controls and an API. The browser interface has a meaningful limitation for installation and launching, and GameVault+ cross-platform availability is described as forthcoming.

Where Specifiction places it

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