Table of Contents
- 1. Key Differences
- 2. Advanced Differences
- 3. Ideal Use Case
- 4. FAQ
What is Heroic Games Launcher?
Heroic Games Launcher is an open-source game launcher that allows you to play games from the Epic Games Store, GOG, and Amazon Games on Linux, Windows, and macOS, with built-in support for Wine and Proton for compatibility on non-Windows platforms.
Heroic Games Launcher key features
- Supports Epic Games, GOG, and Amazon Games login and libraries.
- Compatible with Wine, Proton, and Proton-GE for non-Windows systems.
- Enables cloud save sync for Epic and GOG games (when supported).
- Offers per-game configuration: launch options, env vars, runtime tweaks.
- Includes a built-in download manager for installing and updating games.
- Cross-platform interface works on Linux, Windows, and macOS.
- Allows offline game launching after initial authentication.
- Supports multiple library paths and storage locations.
- Built with Electron/React and GTK for smooth UI experience.
- Open-source under GPL license with active development.
What is Playnite?
Playnite is a free, open-source game launcher and library manager for Windows that unifies games from platforms like Steam, Epic, GOG, Origin, and emulators into a single customizable interface.
Playnite’s key features:
- Aggregates games from Steam, Epic, GOG, Origin, Battle.net, Uplay, and more.
- Supports emulators with custom profiles and auto-configuration.
- Highly customizable UI with themes, fullscreen (theater) mode, and layout tweaks.
- Powerful plugin system using C# and PowerShell for deep extensibility.
- Rich metadata scraping from IGDB and other sources.
- Portable mode and full offline usage support.
- Game tracking, playtime stats, and automatic library updates.
- Controller-friendly interface with Big Picture-style navigation.
- Adds non-library games and custom executables easily.
- Open-source under the MIT license with strong community support.
Heroic Games Launcher is a cross-platform, open-source launcher built primarily for Epic Games, GOG, and Amazon Games, with native Wine/Proton integration—ideal for Linux and macOS users running Windows games.
Playnite is a Windows-only, open-source unified game manager that aggregates libraries from Steam, Epic, GOG, Origin, emulators, and more—designed for users who want centralized control and deep customization of their entire game collection.
#1 Key Differences
1.1 Platform Support
▸ Heroic: Runs natively on Linux, Windows, and macOS, making it ideal for cross-platform gamers.
▸ Playnite: Designed exclusively for Windows, with no native support for Linux or macOS.
➤ If you need a cross-platform launcher, Heroic is the better fit; for Windows-centric setups, Playnite excels.
1.2 Game Store Integration
▸ Heroic: Offers native support for Epic Games, GOG, and Amazon Games, focusing on those ecosystems.
▸ Playnite: Unifies libraries from Steam, Epic, GOG, Origin, Battle.net, Uplay, Xbox, and others via plugin-based integration.
➤ Heroic is specialized and streamlined, while Playnite delivers broader multi-store aggregation for power users.
1.3 Purpose/Design Focus
▸ Heroic: Purpose-built for running Epic and GOG games on Linux/macOS using Wine and Proton, with minimal setup.
▸ Playnite: Acts as a universal launcher to consolidate and manage games from nearly all sources on Windows.
➤ Heroic is optimized for Linux gamers targeting compatibility, while Playnite is ideal for Windows users seeking total library unification.
1.4 User Interface
▸ Heroic: Features a minimalist GTK-based interface focused on function over form, with light customization.
▸ Playnite: Offers a highly customizable UI with themes, layout controls, and a fullscreen theater mode for immersive navigation.
➤ Heroic keeps things simple and clean, while Playnite provides a more polished, flexible, and immersive user experience.
1.5 Emulator Support
▸ Heroic: Does not provide native emulator support; adding ROMs or external emulators requires manual setup without integration features.
▸ Playnite: Offers comprehensive emulator support with built-in profiles, per-platform settings, and automated metadata/art scraping.
➤ Playnite is purpose-ready for retro gaming and emulation, whereas Heroic is focused strictly on native launcher-based titles.
1.6 Cloud Save Support
▸ Heroic: Includes built-in syncing for Epic and GOG cloud saves, with options to manually back up and restore if needed.
▸ Playnite: Has no native cloud save functionality; it relies entirely on the individual launchers' capabilities for syncing progress.
➤ Heroic takes a proactive role in managing cloud saves, while Playnite defers this functionality to external platforms.
#2 Advanced Differences
2.1 Plugin and Scripting System
▸ Heroic: Lacks a plugin architecture or scripting interface—functionality is limited to what’s built into the core launcher.
▸ Playnite: Features a robust plugin and scripting system powered by C# and PowerShell, enabling deep automation, UI customization, integrations, and workflow enhancements.
➤ Playnite is ideal for users who want to extend functionality or automate tasks, while Heroic remains a streamlined, no-frills launcher.
2.2 Metadata & Game Info
▸ Heroic: Displays basic game information sourced directly from Epic or GOG—typically limited to title, playtime, and description.
▸ Playnite: Supports rich metadata scraping from sources like IGDB, including box art, genre, release year, publisher, and more.
➤ Playnite offers a deeper, more visually informative game library, while Heroic provides just the essentials.
2.3 Resource Usage
▸ Heroic: Uses lower memory and CPU, typically lightweight even on older systems, and runs without background services.
▸ Playnite: Consumes moderate RAM (~200–300MB) and can show brief CPU spikes during metadata scraping or background library updates.
➤ Heroic is better suited for minimal systems or efficiency-focused users, while Playnite trades some overhead for extended functionality.
2.4 Controller Support
▸ Heroic: Offers SDL2-based input support, enabling good compatibility with most mainstream controllers but lacks a dedicated controller UI.
▸ Playnite: Features advanced controller navigation, including a Big Picture-style fullscreen mode ideal for couch gaming and living room setups.
➤ Conclusion: Heroic supports controllers functionally, but Playnite delivers a smoother, UI-optimized controller experience.
#3 Ideal Use Case
▸ Heroic
Best suited for Linux/macOS users looking to run Epic, GOG, or Amazon Games with ease.
It comes with built-in Wine/Proton support, requiring no complex configuration.
Ideal for gamers who prioritize compatibility and minimalism across platforms.
▸ Playnite
Perfect for Windows users managing games from multiple stores and emulators in one place.
Offers deep UI customization, plugin scripting, and rich metadata handling.
Designed for gamers who value a unified, automated, and visually polished library.
FAQ
✅ What is the main difference between Heroic and Playnite?
Heroic is a cross-platform launcher tailored for Epic and GOG games, optimized for Wine/Proton use on Linux/macOS. Playnite is a Windows-only launcher designed to unify all your games—including Steam, emulators, and custom titles—under one customizable interface.
✅ Can Playnite manage game updates?
Yes, but only through the original clients (e.g., Steam, Epic). Playnite tracks installation status and playtime, but does not directly update games itself.
✅ Does Heroic support multiple library locations or drives?
Yes. Heroic allows custom install paths and can manage games across external or multiple drives with ease.
✅ Can you launch non-store games with either launcher?
Both allow launching standalone executables. However, Playnite provides better metadata integration and artwork support for non-store games.
✅ Can Heroic be extended with plugins like Playnite?
No. Heroic does not support plugins or scripting. Playnite offers a powerful plugin ecosystem with C# and PowerShell automation.
✅ Is internet required for both launchers?
Both support offline play after initial setup. Heroic and Playnite can launch games without an active connection once authenticated.