Our verdict: Playnite is the best free way to see all your PC and emulated games in one place. It imports libraries from the major launchers, tracks play time and has a controller-friendly fullscreen mode. It does not replace those launchers: games still start through them.
About Playnite
Playnite is an open-source project under the MIT License, created by Josef Nemec. No features are behind a paywall, and the project states that your library data is stored only locally on your PC, not on remote servers.
Library integrations import games from Steam, Epic, GOG, Battle.net, Ubisoft Connect, EA and other services, including games you own but have not installed. Playnite also scans folders for emulated games and downloads covers and descriptions from IGDB.
What it does well
- Unified library. Imports installed and uninstalled games from the major PC launchers.
- Emulation support. Configures emulators and imports ROM folders as games.
- Fullscreen mode. TV-friendly interface with full controller support.
- Play time tracking. Counts time played for every game, including emulated ones.
- Themes and extensions. Change the look completely and add features with plugins and scripts.
Who it is for
Good fit
Players with games spread over several launchers and emulators who want one library.
Look elsewhere
People who use only one launcher, or Mac and Linux users.
Pros and cons
Pros
- All launchers and emulators in one library
- Controller-friendly fullscreen mode
- Fully free, open source
- Library data stays on your PC
Cons
- Windows only
- Still needs the original launchers installed to run games
- Some integrations and features come from community extensions of varying quality
How to install Playnite
Run the installer, or choose the portable option to keep Playnite on a USB drive. The first-run wizard asks which libraries to import; sign in to each so Playnite can list your games. The original launchers must stay installed, because Playnite starts games through them.
Questions about Playnite
Is Playnite free?
Yes. It is open source under the MIT License and no features are paid.
Does Playnite replace Steam or Epic?
No. It shows your games in one library, but each game still runs through its own launcher.
Can Playnite manage emulators?
Yes. It can set up emulators, import ROM folders and launch emulated games like any other game.
