Is the new Epic launcher faster than Steam?

Epic says its October 2026 preview starts in about 5.5 seconds versus about 10 for Steam, in a test it commissioned. Critics pointed out the test used a Steam build from before Valve's own update, and no independent benchmark has confirmed it yet.

Does the new Epic launcher replace the old one?

It shipped as an opt-in public preview on 14 October 2026. Reports differ on whether installing it replaces the old client, so check Epic's preview notes and keep your install folders backed up.

Can I run Epic games on Linux?

Yes. The preview has native builds for Ubuntu 22.04+, Fedora 43+ and Debian 12+. Before that, the community Heroic Games Launcher was the usual route, and it still is on Steam Deck. Games with kernel anti-cheat may not run.

Which client uses less RAM and CPU in the background?

Both use a Chromium-based interface and sit in the tray; Steam's idle footprint is usually larger because of its overlay, community web views and download services. Close either client fully when you need every megabyte.

Can I use a controller in the Epic launcher?

Games handle controllers themselves, but Epic has no equivalent of Steam Input for remapping or a TV-style interface like Big Picture. Many players launch Epic games through Steam to use Steam Input.

How do I add an Epic game to my Steam library?

In Steam, choose Add a Game, then Add a Non-Steam Game, and pick the game's executable or the Epic launch shortcut. You get Steam Input and the overlay, but not Steam achievements or cloud saves.

Can I move an installed game to another drive?

Steam can move installs between library folders from the game's properties. Epic needs a reinstall to a new path, or a manual move followed by Verify, so keep backups.

Do both clients work offline?

Yes, after an online sign-in on that PC. Read offline mode compared for the caveats.

Steam client vs Epic Launcher (2026): features, Linux

The store is where you buy; the client is where you spend every evening. For years this was Steam's easiest win: Epic's launcher was slow, thin on features and criticized even by Epic's own store head. In October 2026 Epic released a rebuilt launcher as a public preview, so the gap is narrowing. Here is where each client stands.

Main comparison: Steam vs Epic Games Store.

Feature table

	Steam client	Epic Games Launcher
Library organization	Collections, dynamic filters, hide games	Favorites and filters; more planned in the rebuild
Install management	Multiple library folders, move installs, storage manager	One default path, reinstall to move
Downloads	Scheduling, bandwidth limit, update rules per game	Bandwidth limit, queue
Controller	Steam Input remapping for any controller, Big Picture	Per-game controller support only
Overlay	Chat, browser, guides, screenshots, recording, notes	Friends and notifications
Social	Profiles, groups, chat, voice, Remote Play Together	Profiles, DMs and voice in the new preview
Streaming	Remote Play, Steam Link app	None
Linux	Native client, Proton	Native client in preview (Oct 2026)
macOS	Yes	Yes

The new Epic launcher

In February 2026 Epic store head Steve Allison said the launcher "sucks" and announced a rebuild. The public preview arrived on 14 October 2026 for Windows, macOS and, for the first time, Linux. Its headline promises:

Faster startup. Epic claims about 5.5 seconds to open versus about 10 for Steam, from a test Epic paid a third party to run. Treat it as a marketing figure until independent tests appear.
Social features. Player profiles, direct messages and voice chat, which until now required Fortnite or Discord.
Native Linux. Ubuntu 22.04+, Fedora 43+ and Debian 12+. Fortnite on Linux waits for an updated Easy Anti-Cheat.
Planned next. A cross-platform library spanning PC and mobile, and regional storefronts, from Epic's 2026 roadmap.

Since it is a preview, expect missing features and bugs. Keep the old launcher until your games run fine in the new one.

Library and install management

Steam is ahead on housekeeping. You can keep several library folders across drives, move a game between them from its properties, verify files, choose beta branches, set launch options and see per-game disk use in the storage manager. Collections can be manual or dynamic (for example "Deck Verified + unplayed").

Epic's launcher handles the basics: install, verify, uninstall, launch options and cloud save sync where supported. Moving a game usually means reinstalling to the new location or copying files and running Verify. Before any move, back up saves; the save path backup finder shows where each game keeps them, and cloud saves compared explains what each store syncs.

Controllers, TV and handhelds

Steam Input lets you remap any controller per game, add gyro aiming, map keyboard-only games to a gamepad and share layouts with the community. Big Picture is a full TV and controller interface, and the same interface runs on Steam Deck and SteamOS devices such as Valve's Steam Machine.

Epic has no system-level remapping or TV mode. A common workaround is to add Epic games to Steam as non-Steam games and launch them through Big Picture to use Steam Input.

Linux and Steam Deck

On Linux, Steam ships a native client with Proton built in, plus a Deck Verified rating for each game. That is why the Steam Deck plays most of the Steam catalog without tinkering. See Proton and Steam Deck.

For Epic on Deck, the community Heroic Games Launcher is still the practical choice: it installs from Desktop Mode, signs in to Epic (and GOG, Amazon), and can add games to Steam's Game Mode. On desktop Linux, Epic's own preview is now an option. Either way, games with kernel-level anti-cheat may refuse to run, regardless of store.

Overlay, screenshots and recording

Steam's overlay (Shift+Tab by default) holds chat, a web browser, guides, notes, achievements and the screenshot manager, and Steam has built-in game recording with instant replay. Epic's overlay covers friends, invites and notifications. For capture on Epic games, use your GPU's recorder or OBS.

Performance and background use

Both clients render their interface with web technology and keep services running in the tray. In everyday use the difference that players notice is startup time and store-page responsiveness, which is exactly what Epic's rebuild targets. To reduce impact while gaming, turn off the store's start-up with Windows, disable "allow downloads during gameplay" in Steam, and close whichever launcher a game does not need. Check whether your PC fits a game before buying with the system requirements checker.

One library for both stores

Steam as hub. Add Epic games as non-Steam shortcuts; you keep Steam Input, Big Picture and the overlay.
Heroic on Linux and Deck manages Epic, GOG and Amazon games together.
Playnite on Windows merges libraries from many stores into one interface.

None of these transfer licenses, achievements or cloud saves between stores; they only launch games from one place.

FAQ

Is the new Epic launcher faster than Steam?: Epic says its October 2026 preview starts in about 5.5 seconds versus about 10 for Steam, in a test it commissioned. Critics pointed out the test used a Steam build from before Valve's own update, and no independent benchmark has confirmed it yet.
Does the new Epic launcher replace the old one?: It shipped as an opt-in public preview on 14 October 2026. Reports differ on whether installing it replaces the old client, so check Epic's preview notes and keep your install folders backed up.
Can I run Epic games on Linux?: Yes. The preview has native builds for Ubuntu 22.04+, Fedora 43+ and Debian 12+. Before that, the community Heroic Games Launcher was the usual route, and it still is on Steam Deck. Games with kernel anti-cheat may not run.
Which client uses less RAM and CPU in the background?: Both use a Chromium-based interface and sit in the tray; Steam's idle footprint is usually larger because of its overlay, community web views and download services. Close either client fully when you need every megabyte.
Can I use a controller in the Epic launcher?: Games handle controllers themselves, but Epic has no equivalent of Steam Input for remapping or a TV-style interface like Big Picture. Many players launch Epic games through Steam to use Steam Input.
How do I add an Epic game to my Steam library?: In Steam, choose Add a Game, then Add a Non-Steam Game, and pick the game's executable or the Epic launch shortcut. You get Steam Input and the overlay, but not Steam achievements or cloud saves.
Can I move an installed game to another drive?: Steam can move installs between library folders from the game's properties. Epic needs a reinstall to a new path, or a manual move followed by Verify, so keep backups.
Do both clients work offline?: Yes, after an online sign-in on that PC. Read offline mode compared for the caveats.