GameVault vs itch app
GameVault
gamevau.lt
itch app
itch.ioSide by side
| Figure | GameVault | itch app |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | €4.16/mo | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 3 | 1 |
| Spec score · Game Launcher Software | 8.8 (#1) | 8.4 (#8) |
| Spec score · Game launchers | 8.3 (#18) | 8.7 (#13) |
| Library management | The server indexes game files, adds metadata, and lets users organize, download, install, and launch games. | Downloads are kept in one place and automatically updated. |
| Purpose | GameVault is a self-hostable platform for browsing and playing DRM-free games stored on your file server. | The app downloads and runs games and software from itch.io, keeps downloads in one place, and automatically updates them. |
| Steam integration | GameVault+ can synchronize GameVault games to Steam as non-Steam shortcuts. | The app can create Steam library shortcuts for games installed through it. |
| Support | For subscription support, the maker directs users to contact the developers through Discord or email at [email protected]. | Users can report app bugs through the Send feedback menu item, which pre-fills an issue with their platform and app version on GitHub. |
Plans
GameVault
- Flex Plan€4.99 a month
- Family & Friends Plan€8.99 a month
- Smart Saver Plan€49.90 a year
In their own words
GameVault
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.
itch app
The itch app is a desktop client for downloading and running games and software from itch.io. Its built-in browser lets users browse creator pages and install titles, while the library keeps downloads together and updates installed games automatically. Users can access collections, bundles, purchases and installed games in the app. Browser-based games can be synced for offline play, and games using itch.io command-line tools can receive delta patches that download only changed data. The client is available for Windows, macOS and Linux, with Windows 7 or newer required, and it is open source and offered in over 20 languages. Creators can provide an app manifest to define launch targets and integrate with the app API. The app registers itch:// and itchio:// links and can create Steam library shortcuts for installed games. Its sandbox limits file access, isolates home directories for Linux games and runs Windows games as less-privileged users. Compatibility problems can still occur, especially on Linux when games do not follow best practices. The listed plan is free.