Our verdict: Heroic is a lighter open-source alternative to the official Epic Games and Amazon Games launchers, and it also handles GOG. It puts all three libraries in one window with a shared download queue. It does not handle Steam, so most players will still keep another launcher installed.
About Heroic Games Launcher
Heroic Games Launcher is an open-source project under the GNU GPL v3. It uses Legendary for the Epic Games Store, its own gogdl tool for GOG and Nile for Amazon Games to download, update and launch games you own.
You log in with your existing store accounts, and Heroic shows your libraries together. It can also add games and apps from other sources. On Linux and macOS it runs Windows games through Wine or Proton, while on Windows games run natively.
What it does well
- Three stores in one app. Log in with Epic Games, GOG and Amazon accounts and manage all purchases in one library.
- Store pages built in. Browse the Epic, GOG and Amazon stores directly from Heroic.
- Sync with Epic installs. Imports games already installed by the official Epic Games Launcher.
- Cloud saves and download queue. Syncs saves with the store cloud and queues several game downloads.
- Other games. Add games and applications from outside the three stores to the same library.
Who it is for
Good fit
Players with Epic, GOG or Amazon libraries who want one lightweight launcher instead of several.
Look elsewhere
People who mainly use Steam, or who need every feature of the official store apps.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Epic, GOG and Amazon in one launcher
- Lighter than the official Epic launcher
- Open source with no ads
- Imports existing Epic installs
Cons
- No support for Steam libraries
- Unofficial client, so store changes can break features until Heroic updates
- Electron app uses more memory than a native program
How to install Heroic Games Launcher
Run the x64 setup; the installed version updates itself when a new release comes out. Open the Login screen and sign in to Epic Games, GOG or Amazon one by one. Set a default install folder in Settings before downloading large games, and enable cloud save sync per game if you play on several PCs.
Questions about Heroic Games Launcher
Is Heroic Games Launcher free?
Yes. Heroic is open source under the GNU GPL v3 and has no paid version.
Do I need the Epic Games Launcher if I use Heroic?
No. Heroic downloads, updates and launches Epic games itself, and it can import games the official launcher already installed.
Does Heroic support Steam games?
No. Heroic supports Epic Games, GOG and Amazon Games; you can add other games manually, but Steam libraries are not imported.
