How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Steam is the default PC platform in Australia for catalogue size, sales and community features, and it costs nothing to join.
- PlayStation and Xbox suit living room play, with PS5 and Xbox Series consoles, subscription libraries and cloud options that differ in how they handle new releases.
- Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 suit families and portable play, with exclusive franchises that do not appear on other platforms.
- GOG suits players who want DRM free games they can keep and install without a client, including many classics.
- EA App and Ubisoft Connect matter most if you play those publishers games a lot, since both gate extras, trials and subscriptions behind their own launchers.
Choosing a gaming platform in Australia is really choosing where your game library will live. A game bought on one store rarely moves to another, and subscriptions, save files, friends lists and achievements all sit inside the platform you pick. That lock in makes the first choice worth more thought than the price of any single game.
This guide covers video game platforms only, meaning the stores, consoles and launchers where Australians buy and play games. It does not cover betting or casino sites, which are a different category entirely. Each platform below was checked against its official homepage, and where a current Australian subscription price could not be verified from the vendor own pages at the time of writing, the guide says See website rather than repeating a third party figure.
The right answer depends on your hardware. PC players will weigh Steam against GOG and publisher launchers. Console players will weigh PlayStation against Xbox and Nintendo. Many Australians end up with two platforms, such as a PC store plus one console, and that combination often beats trying to force everything into one place.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Steam | Biggest PC game catalogue | See website | Yes |
 PlayStation | PS5 exclusives and console play | See website | No |
 Xbox | Game Pass library across console and PC | See website | No |
 Nintendo | Family and portable exclusive games | See website | No |
 GOG | DRM free games and classics | See website | Yes |
 EA App | EA sports and franchise games on PC | See website | Yes |
 Ubisoft Connect | Ubisoft games and cross progression | See website | Yes |
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
Steam, run by Valve, is the store most Australian PC gamers start with, and for good reason. Its catalogue runs from major releases to small indie titles, with user reviews, forums, guides and Workshop mods built in. The client is free, individual games are bought outright, and seasonal sales regularly cut prices, which makes building a library cheaper over time than it first looks.
Practical features help Steam keep its lead. Cloud saves move progress between computers, Remote Play lets you stream games to other devices in your home, and Family Sharing lets household members play from a shared library under set rules. Australian pricing is shown in Australian dollars on the local store, and refunds follow Steam published policy for games played under set limits.
The gaps are worth knowing. Steam has no all you can play subscription to match Game Pass, so heavy players pay per game. Some publisher titles bought on Steam still launch through the EA App or Ubisoft Connect, which means a second account and launcher. And Steam is PC focused, so console only players will get more from PlayStation, Xbox or Nintendo.
What we like- Largest PC catalogue
- Frequent sales
- Cloud saves, Workshop mods and community reviews
Watch out for- No subscription library to rival Game Pass
- Some EA and Ubisoft games still need a second launcher
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
PlayStation remains the console of choice for many Australian households, built around the PS5 and the PlayStation Store. Its exclusive series, including God of War, Marvel Spider Man, Horizon and Gran Turismo, do not appear on Xbox or Nintendo, and many PS5 games also arrive as physical discs, which suits players who like to trade or resell games.
PlayStation Plus is the subscription layer, offered in tiers that add a game catalogue, classic titles and, at the top tier, cloud streaming. Online multiplayer on PS4 and PS5 generally needs a Plus membership, so factor that cost into any console budget. The PS5 also plays the overwhelming majority of PS4 games, which protects an existing collection when upgrading.
The trade offs are price and flexibility. Digital PlayStation games often cost more than the same title on PC, and discounts follow Sony schedule rather than Steam style deep sales. PlayStation also has no PC storefront of its own, so a household that plays on both console and PC will still need a second platform.
What we like- Strong exclusive games
- PS5 backwards compatibility with most PS4 games
- PlayStation Plus game catalogue
Watch out for- Online multiplayer needs a Plus subscription
- Digital prices are often higher than PC sales
#3
Xbox
Best for: Game Pass library across console and PC
Visit xbox.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Xbox, from Microsoft, is best understood as a subscription platform with a console attached. Game Pass gives access to hundreds of console and PC games for a monthly fee, with tiers covering console only, PC only and Ultimate, which combines both plus cloud gaming. Higher tiers also include EA Play, adding a library of EA titles at no extra cost.
That model suits players who try many games rather than buying a few favourites. New games join the library over time, cloud gaming lets you play on a phone, tablet or TV without a console, and Xbox backwards compatibility covers a large set of older Xbox titles.
Xbox has two honest weaknesses. Its exclusive lineup has been thinner than PlayStation in recent years, and Game Pass tiers, prices and day one release terms have changed more than once, so check the current tier details before subscribing. Players who mainly want one or two games a year may also spend less buying outright than subscribing all year.
What we like- Game Pass library on console, PC and cloud
- EA Play included with higher tiers
- Strong backwards compatibility
Watch out for- Fewer exclusive blockbusters than PlayStation
- Subscription tiers and terms have changed over time
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Nintendo plays a different game from its rivals, and that is its strength. The Switch family, including the newer Switch 2, is built for portable play and living room multiplayer, with exclusive franchises such as Mario, Zelda, Pokemon and Animal Crossing that never appear on PlayStation, Xbox or PC. For families and for players who value local multiplayer, no other platform substitutes.
Nintendo Switch Online is the subscription layer, adding online play, a library of classic games and, at the Expansion Pack tier, more retro catalogues and extras. Switch games also hold their value unusually well, which helps resale but means waiting for a sale takes patience.
The limits are real. Switch hardware is less powerful than a PS5 or Xbox Series console, so some major third party games arrive late, in cut down form or not at all. Online features are simpler than PlayStation Network or Xbox Live, and Nintendo digital prices drop more slowly than Steam prices. Buy Nintendo for its exclusives and portability, not as a general purpose store.
What we like- Exclusive franchises like Mario and Zelda
- Portable play on Switch
- Family friendly local multiplayer
Watch out for- Online service is smaller than rivals
- Digital prices fall slowly
- Hardware is less powerful than PS5 or Xbox
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
GOG, from CD Projekt, takes a different view of ownership. Every game it sells is DRM free, meaning you can download an installer, back it up and play without being tied to a client or an always online check. The optional GOG Galaxy client adds cloud saves and library management, but it is not required to play your games.
That approach suits two kinds of Australian player. Collectors and preservation minded gamers get classic titles, including many older games kept working on modern systems, plus extras such as soundtracks and art. Players who dislike launcher lock in get a store where a purchase stays usable even if they stop using the client. GOG also runs its own sales, and many titles are cheap during promotion periods.
The catalogue is the catch. GOG is smaller than Steam for new releases, and some major publishers do not sell there at all. Multiplayer and social features are thinner, and day one releases are less common. Treat GOG as a second store for games you want to own outright, alongside Steam or a console platform, rather than a full replacement.
What we like- Games are DRM free and yours to keep
- Strong classic catalogue
- Optional Galaxy client
Watch out for- Smaller catalogue of new releases
- Fewer social and multiplayer features than Steam
#6
EA App
Best for: EA sports and franchise games on PC
Visit ea.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
The EA App is Electronic Arts launcher for PC, replacing Origin, which shut down in 2025. It is free to download, and it is where EA sells and manages its PC games, including EA Sports FC, Battlefield, The Sims, Apex Legends and Star Wars titles. If you play EA games on PC, you will use this app even when you buy the game on Steam, since EA titles authenticate through it.
EA Play is the subscription layer, offering a library of EA games, trials of selected new releases and a discount on EA purchases. Note that an EA Play subscription bought on one storefront does not automatically carry to another, so check where you subscribe before paying. EA Play is also included with higher Xbox Game Pass tiers, which can be the cheaper route for players who already subscribe there.
The EA App is narrow by design. It only makes sense if EA games are a large part of your play, and its social features are thinner than Steam. For everyone else it is a utility launcher that runs in the background, not a platform to browse for new games.
What we like- Home of EA Sports FC, Battlefield and The Sims on PC
- EA Play trials and discounts
- Library carried over from Origin
Watch out for- EA games on Steam still need the EA App
- EA Play subscriptions differ between storefronts
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
Ubisoft Connect is Ubisoft service across PC and consoles, combining a launcher, a storefront, friends and rewards. It is free to join, and it underpins Ubisoft games such as Assassin Creed, Far Cry, Rainbow Six Siege and The Crew. Like the EA App, it is required to run Ubisoft games even when they are bought on Steam, so most Ubisoft players will have it installed regardless.
Its distinctive feature is cross progression on supported titles, letting progress, and in some cases saves, follow you between PC and console. Playing also earns Units, which can be redeemed for in game rewards or a discount on the Ubisoft Store, with 100 Units giving 20 percent off a store purchase under the published terms. Ubisoft+ is the subscription option, giving access to a library of Ubisoft games including new releases on day one at the Premium tier.
The limitation is scope. Ubisoft Connect is not a general store to rival Steam, and its value tracks how much you play Ubisoft games. If you only buy one Ubisoft title a year, it is simply the launcher that title needs. If you play several, the rewards and cross progression make it worth signing in properly and linking your accounts.
What we like- Cross progression across PC and console for supported games
- Rewards and discounts
- Ubisoft+ subscription option
Watch out for- Ubisoft games on Steam still need Connect
- Catalogue is limited to Ubisoft and selected third party titles
How we chose
We checked each platform official homepage to confirm the service exists and the site belongs to that platform, then compared catalogue size, exclusives, subscription value, Australian availability and ownership terms. Vendor pages were used for subscription tiers and features, and where a current Australian vendor price could not be verified we wrote See website rather than repeating a third party figure. Community discussion and reviews were used only to sense common complaints, such as launcher friction and price changes, not as proof of any claim.
Start with the games you actually play, not the platform with the longest feature list. List the five games you played most in the last year and check which platforms sell them and whether any are exclusive. If three or more are PlayStation exclusives, that answers the question. If they are all PC titles, Steam plus GOG covers most needs. If your list is dominated by EA or Ubisoft games, factor in their launchers from the start rather than discovering them after purchase.
Subscriptions, ownership and costs
Subscriptions and outright purchases suit different habits. A subscription like Game Pass or PlayStation Plus pays off when you play several included games each month, and it stops paying the moment you stop playing, since access ends when you cancel. Buying outright costs more per game but keeps the game in your library, subject to the store terms, and GOG DRM free purchases go furthest on ownership.
Watch the total cost, not just the headline price. A console plus a subscription plus online play fees can exceed the cost of a PC store habit, while a PC plus several launchers can fragment a library across accounts. Check Australian dollar pricing on the vendor own store before subscribing, since third party articles about Australian prices go out of date quickly, and confirm whether a subscription auto renews and how to cancel it.
Families, kids and shared play
For families, look at parental controls, local multiplayer and age ratings before price. Nintendo Switch suits shared living room play and younger players, with strong controls and games designed for groups. PlayStation and Xbox offer family accounts and content controls too, but their catalogues lean older. On PC, Steam Family Sharing lets household members share a library under rules, though not every game supports sharing and shared games cannot be played by two people at once.
Also check internet needs. Cloud gaming and large downloads demand a stable connection, and Australian download sizes for modern games often exceed 100 GB. If your connection is slow or capped, a console with physical discs or a DRM free installer you can back up may suit better than an all digital, always online setup.
Frequently asked questions
Which gaming platform is best in Australia for PC players?
Steam is the best starting point for most Australian PC players because of its catalogue, sales, reviews and community features. Add GOG for DRM free classics and the EA App and Ubisoft Connect only if you play those publishers games. Most PC players end up with Steam as the main store and one or two extra launchers.
Do I need PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass to play online?
On PlayStation, online multiplayer on PS4 and PS5 generally requires a PlayStation Plus membership. On Xbox, online console multiplayer is included with Game Pass tiers rather than being free. On PC, Steam, GOG and most launchers do not charge for online multiplayer itself, though individual games may have their own requirements.
Is Game Pass worth it in Australia?
Game Pass is worth it if you play several included games each month across console, PC or cloud, and if the current tier includes the games you want. It is less good value if you play only one or two games a year, or if the titles you want most are not in the catalogue. Check the current tier and library on the Xbox site before subscribing, since both change over time.
Can I move my games between platforms?
Generally no. A game bought on Steam does not transfer to PlayStation, Xbox or Nintendo, and console purchases stay on that console family. Some games support cross progression, where your save moves between platforms, but that is different from owning the game twice. Buy on the platform where you will actually play the game.
What is the difference between Steam and GOG?
Steam sells games tied to its client and account system, with strong social features, Workshop mods and cloud saves. GOG sells DRM free games you can download, back up and install without a client, with a stronger focus on classics and ownership. Many players use both, buying new releases on Steam and classics they want to keep on GOG.
Which platform is best for families with kids?
Nintendo Switch is usually the best family pick, thanks to its exclusive family games, local multiplayer and portable play. PlayStation and Xbox also offer family accounts and parental controls, but their strongest games skew older. Check age ratings and parental control settings on any platform before handing it to a child.
Sources we checked (7)
- https://store.steampowered.com
- https://www.playstation.com
- https://www.xbox.com
- https://www.nintendo.com
- https://www.gog.com
- https://www.ea.com
- https://connect.ubisoft.com
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.