Steam vs GOG: The Privacy and Security Showdown
Discover how GOG from the EU offers enhanced data privacy compared to US-based Steam, and why it might be the safer choice for your gaming needs.
Should You Switch to GOG (Good Old games?
Gain DRM-free games, full GDPR protection, and a 30-day refund policy.
Potential loss of features and community engagement found on Steam.
Switch to GOG if privacy and DRM-free gaming are priorities; otherwise, stay with Steam.
At a Glance
US data laws
GDPR protected
Steam
Contact
GOG (Good Old games
paid
Migration info not available
Privacy & Compliance Comparison
Critical data sovereignty factors at a glance
| Criteria | Steam | GOG (Good Old games |
|---|---|---|
Server Location | US (Valve Corporation data centers), EU (optional) | EU (CD Projekt data centers) |
GDPR Compliance | Partial (SCCs) | Full |
Open Source | ||
E2E Encryption | ||
Data Portability | Limited | Limited |
CLOUD Act Notice
Steam is a US company and must comply with CLOUD Act data requests, even for data stored in EU data centers. GOG (Good Old games is not subject to US jurisdiction.
Steam
🇺🇸Steam
GOG (Good Old games
🇪🇺GOG (Good Old games
US Data Storage
Data subject to US CLOUD Act and may be accessed by US authorities
EU Data Protection
Data protected under GDPR with EU-only data residency
Certifications & Compliance
No certifications listed
No certifications listed
Reasons to Switch
- ✓GOG offers DRM-free games, allowing unlimited downloads and sharing.
- ✓GOG provides a 30-day money-back guarantee on all purchases.
- ✓GOG includes free goodies like soundtracks and art books with many games.
- ✓GOG supports Windows, Mac, and Linux, catering to diverse users.
Things to Consider
- !Steam's community features, like achievements and friends lists, are missing.
- !Migrating your library from Steam to GOG can be time-consuming.
- !GOG's game selection may lack some popular titles available on Steam.
Ready to make the switch?
Start using GOG (Good Old games today and take control of your data privacy.