Steam

Best Self Hosted Alternatives to Steam

A curated collection of the 5 best self hosted alternatives to Steam.

Valve's Steam is a digital distribution platform for PC/Mac/Linux games offering an online storefront, game library management, automatic updates and downloads, cloud saves, multiplayer matchmaking, community hubs, forums and mod/workshop support.

Alternatives List

#1
Gameyfin

Gameyfin

Gameyfin organizes your video game collection into a searchable web library with automatic scanning, metadata fetching, downloads, sharing, and optional SSO integration.

Gameyfin screenshot

Gameyfin is an open source, web-based application for organizing and browsing a video game collection. It scans your game folders, enriches entries with metadata and cover art, and presents everything in a fast, easy-to-navigate library you can access from any modern browser.

Key Features

  • Automatically scans and indexes game libraries from configured folders
  • Fetches metadata and cover images to enrich your catalog
  • Web UI for browsing your collection and downloading game files
  • Library sharing for friends and family
  • LAN-friendly caching to keep browsing fast on local networks (videos may still be fetched remotely)
  • Theme support, including colorblind-friendly options
  • Plugin system for extending functionality
  • Optional SSO integration via OAuth2 / OpenID Connect

Use Cases

  • Create a centralized catalog for a large local ROM/game archive
  • Share a curated game library with family or a small community
  • Run a lightweight, browser-accessible game library for a homelab

Limitations and Considerations

  • Metadata quality and matching depend on external metadata sources and file naming consistency
  • Persistence is based on an embedded H2 database by default, which may be less suitable for very large deployments

Gameyfin is a good fit for users who want a Jellyfin-like experience for game collections, with a clean UI, automatic library organization, and extensibility. It can run in a container or on any JVM-capable system and is designed to be simple and fast.

919stars
32forks
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#2
RetroAssembly

RetroAssembly

A web application that organizes and runs retro game ROMs in the browser with cloud saves, automatic box art, controller support and multi-platform emulation.

RetroAssembly is a browser-first application that combines a retro game library frontend with in-browser emulation. It presents a cabinet-like interface to browse, launch and play ROMs across many classic platforms directly in a web tab.

Key Features

  • Browser-based gameplay: play supported retro consoles (NES, SNES, Genesis, Game Boy, GBA, arcade, Atari and more) without installing local emulators.
  • Multi-emulator support: uses a JS emulation layer to select appropriate engines per platform and run games in the browser.
  • Cloud sync and save states: save progress and synchronize states across devices so you can resume play elsewhere.
  • Automatic box art retrieval: scans uploaded ROMs and fetches cover/box art to present an organized visual library.
  • Gamepad and keyboard-first navigation: spatial navigation and full gamepad controls plus an on-screen virtual controller for devices without physical pads.
  • Rewind and state features: some emulators expose rewind and instant save/restore controls for improved playability.
  • Hosted demo and official hosted option: live demo library of free/retrobrew titles for evaluation and an official hosted service for quick onboarding.
  • Account sign-in (Google OAuth) for personal libraries and synchronization.

Use Cases

  • Keep a personal, searchable catalog of legitimately owned retro ROMs and access them from any device via the browser.
  • Rapidly demo and try homebrew/retrobrew titles at events, streams or when testing emulator configurations.
  • Provide an accessible front-end for enthusiasts who want a visually rich, gamepad-friendly way to browse and play classics without desktop installs.

Limitations and Considerations

  • Legal responsibility for ROM ownership rests with users; the project provides emulation and library tooling but does not supply commercial ROMs.
  • Browser-based emulation performance and compatibility vary by platform and device; some systems or large ROMs may be less performant on low-power clients.
  • Hosted synchronization depends on the official service or a user-run instance; offline play is supported but cloud features require an account.

RetroAssembly is focused on ease of access, visual presentation and cross-device continuity for retro game collections. It balances multiple emulator engines with a unified, gamepad-friendly interface to make classic games easy to browse and play from the browser.

734stars
35forks
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#3
GameVault

GameVault

Self-hosted ecosystem to organize, share, and download your legally owned DRM-free PC games from your own server, with a web UI and Windows client.

GameVault screenshot

GameVault is a self-hosted gaming platform for organizing and distributing legally owned DRM-free game files from your own server. It helps you and your friends browse a shared library, track activity, and download games to play locally.

Key Features

  • Organize a DRM-free game library stored on your own file server
  • Web-based UI for browsing your collection and managing your account
  • Native Windows client application for accessing and downloading games
  • User access for sharing a library with friends and family
  • Library metadata and stats tracking for your collection

Use Cases

  • Build a personal "Steam-like" library for DRM-free games from sources such as GOG or Humble Bundle
  • Share a curated game collection with a small group (friends/family) from a private server
  • Maintain an organized catalog of installers/archives for backup and re-download

Limitations and Considerations

  • Designed specifically for DRM-free games; storefronts with proprietary DRM are not supported
  • No game streaming; GameVault focuses on library management and file distribution
  • Native clients are primarily Windows-focused; other platforms rely on the Web UI or community solutions

GameVault is a practical solution for digital ownership: you keep the files, control access, and manage your library in one place. It is best suited for homelabs and small groups who want a private, organized way to distribute DRM-free game installers.

725stars
40forks
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#4
LANCommander

LANCommander

Open-source platform to host, distribute and launch games on local networks with a dedicated launcher, game uploads/downloads, server management and basic chat.

LANCommander screenshot

LANCommander is an open-source digital game platform designed for local networks and LAN parties. It provides a self-hostable server and a dedicated launcher to manage, distribute and launch game archives without relying on internet-hosted assets.

Key Features

  • Centralized game management: upload and organize game archives, metadata, covers and media
  • Built-in distribution: HTTP(S) download endpoints for clients and a dedicated launcher for easy client setup
  • Dedicated server management and basic chat for coordinating play sessions
  • Local "cloud" user saves and user registration/user management features
  • IPX beacon and UDP support for emulator/dosbox-style discovery
  • Lightweight SQLite database backend for simple setup and portability
  • Official Docker image with optional SteamCMD and WINE support for automated server builds
  • LANCommander.SDK (.NET) for integrating or extending client applications

Use Cases

  • Running a LAN party or local gaming event where internet access is restricted or unavailable
  • Hosting a private game library and distributing installers/patches to a closed network of clients
  • Managing dedicated game servers and coordinating players with integrated chat and discovery

Limitations and Considerations

  • The official launcher has been primarily tested on Windows; other OS builds may have varying compatibility
  • The Docker image runs the Linux build and some server/management features may be limited in that environment
  • LANCommander does not include games; administrators must provide portable/DRM-free game archives
  • Uses SQLite by default, which simplifies setup but can limit scalability for very large deployments

LANCommander is focused on reliable local distribution and simple administration for LAN-centric gaming. It is suited to event hosts and small networks that need an offline-capable game distribution and launcher system.

361stars
27forks
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#5
Minus Games

Minus Games

Suite to distribute, download, run and synchronize game files and save data between a home server and clients (CLI and GUI).

Minus Games screenshot

Minus Games is a self-hosted suite for distributing, running and syncing games from a central home server to client devices. It provides server and client components plus helper apps to discover, update and launch games while keeping game files and save data synchronized.

Key Features

  • Modular suite with server, client, GUI, finder and updater components for distribution and orchestration
  • Distribute game files from a central server to multiple clients and launch games locally
  • Sync save files between devices so non-launcher-managed games keep progress across machines
  • Server-side scanning/indexing of designated game folders and endpoints to trigger rescans
  • Client-side download, update and run workflows; includes a GUI for easier management

Use Cases

  • Keep save files synchronized between a handheld (e.g., Steam Deck) and a desktop for non-store-managed games
  • Host a small home-server game library and allow multiple clients to download and run titles locally
  • Automate discovery and updates of game files on clients while preserving user saves

Limitations and Considerations

  • Designed primarily for home/server LAN environments rather than large-scale CDN deployments
  • Project scope is focused on file distribution and sync; advanced access control, multi-tenant features, or large-scale streaming are not core features

Minus Games is a practical tool for hobbyist home-server setups that need reliable distribution and save-file synchronization for games not managed by mainstream launchers. Its modular design supports headless and GUI clients and is suited for personal multi-device workflows.

36stars
2forks
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Why choose an open source alternative?

  • •Data ownership: Keep your data on your own servers
  • •No vendor lock-in: Freedom to switch or modify at any time
  • •Cost savings: Reduce or eliminate subscription fees
  • •Transparency: Audit the code and know exactly what's running