What’s the best tool to compare game prices across Steam, Epic, GOG, & console stores?

In the vast and ever-expanding universe of video games, finding your next great adventure often involves navigating a labyrinth of digital storefronts. With PC games spread across platforms like Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, and numerous smaller publishers, and console titles residing in the PlayStation Store, Xbox Marketplace, and Nintendo eShop, comparing prices to snag the best deal can feel like a full-time job. Thankfully, a few dedicated tools have emerged to help gamers cut through the noise and save some cash.

The Fragmented Landscape of Digital Game Stores

The rise of digital distribution has brought unparalleled convenience but also created a fragmented market. PC gamers, in particular, face a dizzying array of options. Beyond the giants like Steam, Epic, and GOG, there are also publishers’ own launchers, independent storefronts, and key resellers, all vying for your attention with exclusive sales and bundles. This competition, while beneficial for consumers in theory, complicates the simple act of checking the lowest price.

Console players face a slightly different, yet equally challenging, scenario. Each major console platform operates its own isolated digital store, with sales cycles and pricing strategies that rarely align. While there isn’t the same level of third-party key selling, tracking price drops directly on the PlayStation Store, Xbox Marketplace, or Nintendo eShop across multiple regions can still be a cumbersome task.

Top Tools for PC Game Price Comparison

When it comes to PC games, two platforms stand out for their comprehensive price tracking and feature sets:

IsThereAnyDeal (ITAD)

IsThereAnyDeal is widely considered the gold standard for PC game price comparison. It meticulously tracks prices from over 100 legitimate storefronts, including Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, Humble Store, Fanatical, and many more. ITAD offers robust features such as:

• Historical Low Prices: See the lowest price a game has ever been sold for.
• Personalized Wishlists: Add games to your wishlist and receive email alerts when they drop below a certain price or hit a new historical low.
• GOG Connect & Epic Games Linking: Integrates with your GOG and Epic accounts to track your library and avoid buying games you already own.
• DRM Information: Clearly indicates the Digital Rights Management (DRM) used by each game.

ITAD’s interface is clean and functional, making it easy to quickly find deals on games you’re eyeing or simply browse for inspiration.

GG.deals

Another excellent contender in the PC space is GG.deals. Similar to ITAD, GG.deals aggregates prices from a vast number of digital stores and key resellers, though it’s important to exercise caution with some third-party key sites. Its strengths include:

• Price History Charts: Detailed graphs showing price fluctuations over time.
• Bundles and Freebies: Actively tracks game bundles (like those from Humble Bundle or Fanatical) and free game giveaways.
• Filtering Options: Extensive filters allow you to sort by DRM, store, user rating, and more.
• User-Friendly Interface: Often praised for its modern and intuitive design.

GG.deals provides a comprehensive overview for PC gamers looking to optimize their spending, offering both retail store prices and insights into bundles.

Navigating Console Game Deals

While PC gamers have robust aggregators, the console ecosystem is more fragmented, requiring platform-specific tools.

DekuDeals (Nintendo Switch)

For Nintendo Switch owners, DekuDeals is an indispensable resource. It tracks both digital eShop prices and physical game prices from major retailers. Key features include:

• Price History: View historical low prices for both digital and physical versions.
• Wishlist & Alerts: Get notifications for price drops on games you’re following.
• Filter by Retailer: Easily see where a game is cheapest, whether digitally or at stores like Amazon, Best Buy, or GameStop.

DekuDeals effectively bridges the gap between digital and physical sales for the Switch, making it a must-have for frugal Nintendo fans.

PSDeals & Xbox-Now (PlayStation & Xbox)

For PlayStation and Xbox gamers, dedicated sites like PSDeals and Xbox-Now (and similar regional sites, e.g., xbox-now.com for global prices) are the go-to. These sites primarily focus on tracking prices within their respective digital storefronts.

• Regional Pricing: Crucial for understanding price differences across various PlayStation Store or Xbox Marketplace regions.
• Historical Data: Show past sales to help determine if a current deal is good.
• Wishlists & Notifications: Basic wishlist functionality to alert you to sales.

While not as broad as PC aggregators, these tools are vital for staying on top of the often-frequent sales on PlayStation and Xbox.

Beyond Aggregators: Browser Extensions & Wishlists

Beyond dedicated price comparison websites, there are other useful tools and strategies to consider. Browser extensions, like the SteamDB browser extension, can integrate price history directly into Steam store pages, providing immediate context for any deal you encounter. While not a cross-platform comparison tool, it enhances the shopping experience on individual stores.

Crucially, making the most of any comparison tool involves utilizing its wishlist features. Setting up alerts for desired games ensures you’re proactively notified when a price drops to your preferred level, preventing missed opportunities and impulse purchases at higher costs.

Choosing the Right Tool for You

There isn’t a single “best” tool that covers every platform perfectly, as each excels in its niche. Your ideal choice depends on your primary gaming platforms:

• For PC Gamers: IsThereAnyDeal is the most comprehensive for legitimate digital storefronts, with GG.deals as a strong alternative, especially if you also track bundles.
• For Nintendo Switch Gamers: DekuDeals is unparalleled for tracking both digital and physical prices.
• For PlayStation & Xbox Gamers: Use platform-specific sites like PSDeals and Xbox-Now, keeping regional pricing in mind.

Many savvy gamers use a combination of these tools to ensure they’re always getting the best possible price, regardless of the platform. Consider setting up wishlists on your chosen sites, and perhaps integrate a browser extension for your most frequented store for an extra layer of deal-finding efficiency.

Conclusion

While the digital storefront landscape can be complex, robust tools exist to empower gamers in their quest for the best deals. By leveraging platforms like IsThereAnyDeal for PC, DekuDeals for Nintendo Switch, and specialized sites for PlayStation and Xbox, you can take control of your gaming budget, ensure you never pay full price unnecessarily, and spend more time playing and less time searching for sales.