Battle.net vs GOG Galaxy
Battle.net
download.battle.net
GOG Galaxy
gog.comSide by side
| Figure | Battle.net | GOG Galaxy |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 1 |
| Spec score · Game Distribution Platforms | 9.1 (#1) | 8.6 (#4) |
| Spec score · PC Game Launchers | 9.1 (#2) | 8.7 (#4) |
| Spec score · Game launchers | 8.9 (#10) | 8.7 (#14) |
| Founded | 1991 | 2008 |
| Game launcher | The desktop app launches games, connects players with friends, and provides news and updates. | Users can install and launch PC games they own through connected platforms. |
| Support | Blizzard Support provides help with Battle.net account access, authenticators, phone numbers, parental controls, and payments. | GOG directs users to an in-app issue reporter, feedback option, support tickets and community forums. |
| Unified library | The desktop app puts supported games in one place for launching and management. | It imports PC and console games into one master collection, including games that are not installed. |
| What it does | Battle.net launches Blizzard games, connects players with friends and delivers news and updates. | GOG GALAXY combines game libraries and friends from multiple gaming platforms in one desktop application. |
Plans
Battle.net
- Battle.net desktop app and mobile appFree
- Battle.net desktop/mobile appFree
In their own words
Battle.net
Battle.net is a free game launcher and companion app for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. The desktop app gathers games in one library, launches them, and installs games and patches; while running, it can keep them updated automatically. Players can browse the store for games and expansions, send digital gifts, and find free-to-play titles including Overwatch 2 and Call of Duty: Warzone. Games and some in-game purchases may cost extra. Social features include messaging, voice chat, friend connections, and real-time updates. News includes sales, trailers, and patch notes. The mobile app supports shopping, social features, news, and account safety, including chat, friend presence, and friend requests. Users can enable two-factor authentication. Offline mode works only in selected games: downloads and updates need an internet connection, and social features and matchmaking are unavailable offline. World of Warcraft versions and game modes are installed through the desktop app.
GOG Galaxy
GOG Galaxy brings game libraries and friends from different gaming platforms into one app for Windows and macOS. It can collect PC and console games, including titles that are not installed, and track achievements, play time, and owned games across connected services. For PC games, it can install and launch titles owned on different platforms. Library tools include filtering, sorting, tagging, changing game visuals, saving views, and editing metadata. Galaxy combines friends lists, online status, activity, and cross-platform chat. Games can enter the library through official or community-made integrations, or be added manually; community integrations are open source, and GOG provides documentation for creating them. Library changes sync between devices, and offline mode is available. GOG says it does not share imported personal data with third parties and removes it from its servers when a platform is disconnected. GOG-specific features include auto-updates, cloud saves, multiplayer, matchmaking, and rollbacks. Other platforms’ client software is needed for their platform-specific features. The app is free with a GOG account.