The world of Android gaming has undergone a revolution in recent years.No longer limited to simple games or adaptations with touch controls, but increasingly, major digital distribution platforms for PC are looking to have a presence on mobile devices. Steam and Epic Games, two of the titans of the sector, have opted to offer applications and services on Android.
Many users wonder which of these two options is more complete and convenient for use on their smartphone.If you've ever used their desktop versions, you'll notice that their mobile apps and Android integration have important similarities and differences. In this in-depth review, we break down their features, advantages, limitations, and specific features to help you choose the best option for your needs.
Current panorama: Steam and Epic Games on Android
The entertainment offering on Android has grown to become one of the main businesses for the gaming sector.Titles of all kinds, from major franchises to indie games, appear on Google's operating system, both paid and free.
Despite the huge variety offered by Google Play, Players are looking to Steam and Epic Games for a more PC-like experience.Both platforms have brought their apps to Android, albeit with different approaches and features, and neither exactly replicates the desktop experience.
While competition is fierce, each of these digital stores has embraced its own unique approach to attracting mobile users. Steam is focusing on advanced account management, library information, and certain streaming features.While Epic Games has prioritized the download and promotion of quality free mobile games..
Epic Games for Android: Direct Download, Free Games, and Alternative Store
Epic Games landed on Android with a differentiating strategy: It cannot be installed from Google Play; instead, it can be downloaded directly from the official website. This is due to Google Play's policies and Epic Games' desire to remain independent and control the user experience.
Downloading is safe as long as you download it from the official website, a plus for those wary of installing APKs from dubious sources. Once installed, you'll need to log in with your Epic Games account to access all the platform's features.
The Epic Games app on Android focuses primarily on promoting and downloading free and paid mobile video games.. Its main features include:
- Easy access to promotional gamesEvery so often, Epic Games releases paid games that are now available for free for a limited time, both on desktop and mobile. This allows users to access premium titles at no cost.
- It's not possible to manage the library created on a PC from Android, nor to view games purchased from there.
- There is a link between the mobile and PC accounts, allowing for synchronizing records of downloaded games or promotions, but the integration is limited.
- Many of the promoted games are also available on Google Play, but the advantage of using Epic Games is getting first access to exclusive offers.
Fortnite, one of its biggest draws, stands out among the offerings for AndroidIt was a pioneer in breaking the exclusivity of official stores and maintaining a huge player base on mobile devices, constantly updating and expanding.
Another of Epic Games' strengths on Android is its commitment to giving visibility to independent studios and small developers, who find in the platform a different showcase than the saturated Google Play. Its policy of facilitating certain cross-play or cross-play on some titles also distinguishes it from other stores.
Steam App for Android: Management, Purchases, and Streaming
Steam, Valve's long-standing platform, offers a radically different experience on Android than the one found on Epic Games. Its application prioritizes the management of the user's game library on PC, access to title information and social functions..
The main features of Steam on Android are:
- Detailed access to the Steam library: You can check your titles, achievements, progress, badges, and all other relevant information associated with your account.
- Browse the store, with the option to purchase games so they're ready to install when you turn on your PC.
- View guides, tutorials, and community feedback for any game on the platform.
- Authenticator functionality for secure PC login via QR code.
Steam does not allow the direct download and execution of Android games from its app.However, there is an additional option called Steam Link, which connects your phone to your computer (within the same Wi-Fi network), allowing you to view and control what's happening on your desktop. So, with a wireless controller, you can play titles from your PC library from your phone, although the experience varies depending on the quality of your network.
This ability to local streaming It is unique within the segment and makes Steam an interesting option for those who want to bring their PC games to the mobile screen without purchasing a specific Android version.
Key differences between Steam and Epic Games on Android
The comparison between both platforms on Android leaves us with relevant differences. Each one focuses on different aspects and its convenience depends on the user profile.. Below, we analyze their main differences:
- Library managementSteam focuses on detailed management, allowing you to browse and organize your entire PC game collection and access achievements and badges. Epic Games, on the other hand, is much more limited in this regard.
- Exclusive content and free gamesEpic Games has positioned itself as the king of promotions, regularly offering paid titles for free. Steam offers deals and discounts, but rarely gives away games.
- Social and community functionsSteam excels in this area by offering groups, guides, forums, and a long-established social system, in addition to features like its own voice chat. Epic Games is still developing this.
- Downloading and running gamesEpic Games allows you to install mobile games directly on Android, while Steam requires the use of Steam Link to enjoy your PC games on mobile.
- Offers and promotionsBoth stores offer recurring discounts, but Epic Games stands out for its level of generosity in giving away indie and, occasionally, AAA titles.
In terms of market share, Steam has a much larger and more established community, with millions of active accounts and a huge selection of classic PC titles. Epic Games, although younger, has gained followers thanks to its dynamism and appeal to players looking for free games, especially on mobile devices.
Which Android platform is best for your needs?
The choice between one platform or another depends largely on what you are looking for as a user:
- If your priority is Manage your library, access title information, and enjoy streaming from your PCSteam is probably the best choice. Its environment is ideal for veteran users, collectors, and those who want to maintain control over their account while making the most of the Steam universe, even on a mobile device.
- If, on the other hand, you value Access free games, exclusive promotions, or experience new releases from independent studios. Without complications, Epic Games offers an unbeatable proposition in terms of direct downloads and ease of use on Android.
- Fans of Fortnite and other flagship Epic Games titles will find the app to be a solid experience, although the connection to the PC library remains very limited.
In both cases, the experience will never be an exact reflection of the desktop app, but they continue to evolve and add features. Epic Games, for example, is increasingly emphasizing cross-play, allowing users to share experiences with friends across platforms, while Steam focuses on community and connectivity with the PC environment.
Offers, prices and benefits for the user
One of the great attractions for users of both platforms are the offers and pricesEpic Games has revolutionized the landscape by giving away titles weekly, primarily indie titles, but also launching promotions with AAA titles. Steam, although much more conservative, remains the go-to store for collectors, with deep discounts, seasonal events, and a secure and robust shopping experience.
It's worth noting, however, that when a game is newly released, its price is usually identical on both stores, as this depends on agreements with the developers. The biggest differences arise in promoted titles or during sales events, where Steam can offer discounts of up to 80% in some cases, while Epic Games compensates with its weekly giveaways.
Variety of catalogs and exclusives
Steam and Epic Games share the common trait of having exclusive titles. Steam has one of the most extensive and long-standing collections, with gems like Counter-Strike or historical sagas that have influenced generations of PC gamers. Epic Games, despite being around less time, has consolidated its own franchises—such as Fortnite— and incentivizes independent studios with attractive offers to publish in its store.
This means that, depending on the type of games you want, you may need to install both apps on your phone. This is especially useful for gamers looking for variety, switching from PC classics to new releases and free games promoted by Epic Games.
Steam maintains a very high quality standard in its releases and demands requirements from developers., while Epic Games has opted for a more flexible publishing policy, facilitating access to titles from new developers in exchange for a small fee and compliance with certain conditions, such as cross-play compatibility in many cases.
Community, additional services and the future of mobile
The social and community aspect is one of the areas where Steam excels. After more than two decades on the market, it has built a true ecosystem of groups, forums, interaction tools, and guides that make life easier for players, even in the Android app. Epic Games is still catching up in this regard, but is making progress with new social features and events within its own games, such as Fortnite.
Both platforms have expressed their intention to further develop their mobile apps, adding features and improving integration with PCs. It wouldn't be unusual to see both include cloud streaming options or new ways to enjoy gaming regardless of the device in the coming years.
This gives users a broader offering than ever before and allows them to choose where they want to invest their time, money, and attention. Ideally, you should explore both options and decide which best fits your player profile, your habits, and your available equipment.
The arrival of these giants on Android has diversified the mobile gaming experience, offering everything from free games and promotions to the ability to take titles from your PC library to your pocket, opening up a range of possibilities that seemed unthinkable a few years ago.
Both Steam and Epic Games have brought a fresh new lease on life to the mobile landscape, albeit with different nuances and approaches. Analyzing their strengths and weaknesses makes it easier to choose which one to choose, or to take advantage of the benefits of both depending on the situation. Competition has raised the bar and benefited users looking for the best possible experience on Android.