Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Direct2Drive VS itch.io

Compare Direct2Drive VS itch.io and see what are their differences

Direct2Drive logo Direct2Drive

Get Full Version PC Game Downloads - Why drive to the store or wait for shipping when you can...

itch.io logo itch.io

An online game marketplace and community.
Not present
  • itch.io Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-07-22

Direct2Drive features and specs

  • Digital Distribution
    Direct2Drive allows users to purchase and download games directly to their computers without the need for physical media, offering convenience and immediate access to games.
  • Broad Selection
    The platform offers a wide variety of game titles across different genres, making it easy for users to find and access games that suit their interests.
  • Frequent Discounts
    Direct2Drive often provides sales and discounts on popular game titles, allowing users to purchase games at lower prices.
  • No Subscription Required
    Users can buy games individually without needing a subscription, which can be more cost-effective for those who purchase games infrequently.

Possible disadvantages of Direct2Drive

  • Limited Community Features
    Unlike some other platforms, Direct2Drive lacks robust community features such as forums, user reviews, and social networking capabilities.
  • Smaller User Base
    Direct2Drive has a smaller user base compared to giants like Steam, which can result in less peer support and fewer multiplayer opportunities.
  • Digital Rights Management (DRM)
    Some games purchased from Direct2Drive may come with DRM restrictions, which can limit the ways users manage and play their games.
  • Customer Support
    Some users have reported that customer support responses can be slow or less effective compared to other leading digital distribution platforms.

itch.io features and specs

  • Indie Focus
    Itch.io is heavily focused on indie games, providing a platform for lesser-known developers to showcase their projects without being overshadowed by big studios.
  • Revenue Split
    Developers can set their own revenue split with itch.io. The default is 10%, which is much lower than the industry standard of 30%.
  • Customization
    Developers have a high degree of control over their game's page, including design and layout, which allows for better branding and differentiation.
  • Community Features
    The platform includes forums, comment sections, and devlogs that encourage community interaction and feedback.
  • Alternative Payment Options
    Itch.io supports pay-what-you-want pricing models, bundles, and donations, giving developers and consumers flexible transactional options.
  • Open Publishing
    Anyone can publish their games without going through any approval process, making it easy and quick to get products to market.

Possible disadvantages of itch.io

  • Limited Visibility
    Since the platform is popular among indie developers, it can be challenging for individual games to gain visibility without additional marketing efforts.
  • Lesser Known
    Compared to platforms like Steam, itch.io has a smaller user base, which can limit the potential audience for games.
  • Quality Control
    The open publishing model means there is less quality control, which can result in a marketplace cluttered with lower-quality games.
  • Feature Set
    Itch.io may lack some of the advanced features and tools that bigger platforms offer, such as more robust analytics, achievements, or broader multiplayer support.
  • Payment Processing
    Developers are responsible for handling their own payment processing, which can be a hassle compared to other platforms that handle this aspect for you.

Direct2Drive videos

No Direct2Drive videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Add video

itch.io videos

What is… ITCH.IO & GAMEJOLT?! - Softlocked

More videos:

  • Review - Top 10 FREE Games on Itch.io
  • Review - ITCH.IO FREE Games Jampack Review!!! [23 reviews]

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Direct2Drive and itch.io)
Games
2 2%
98% 98
Online Games
5 5%
95% 95
Torrents
100 100%
0% 0
Comparison
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using Direct2Drive and itch.io. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Direct2Drive and itch.io

Direct2Drive Reviews

10 Alternatives to Steam for Buying Cheap PC Games
Direc2Drive is actually the ancestor of IGN’s old game store, now gobbled up by a holding company and run as an independent business. The core idea remains the same as it ever was: pay for games and download them right away. Most of the titles on the store still offer direct downloads through the web interface, though the company also sells major games with DRM activation...

itch.io Reviews

The best Steam alternatives for PC gamers
The independent PC gaming platform, equivalent to the eccentric bric-a-brac shop selling obscurities from stuffed animals to crystal skulls. Itch.io is exclusively committed to indie games, and there’s a good chance that some of your favourite indie titles on Steam actually started life on Itch.io before growing to become fully-fledged commercial products. This makes it one...
The 7 Best Steam Alternatives
Itch.io has a strange name but a great premise: a place for independent PC game developers to sell their work with a pay-what-you-want model. Some games come with minimum prices, but you can pay more than this amount to help support the creators. Many free games are also available, which you can pay nothing or as much as you want for. Itch.io does offer some indie titles you...
10 Alternatives to Steam for Buying Cheap PC Games
Itch.io is all about the indies. Though most of the games offered on the site and download client are free (thanks to a mobile-style open submission policy), developers can add a price to their games, and many popular independent developers now use Itch.io as a primary distribution platform. There are zero games to be had from major publishers, but anyone who appreciates a...

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, itch.io seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 7502 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Direct2Drive mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Direct2Drive yet. Tracking of Direct2Drive recommendations started around Mar 2021.

itch.io mentions (7502)

  • Proper setup for a MiniScript GitHub repo
    In many of my projects, I also have some local files that I use to pack up and deliver the project to itch.io. I want to ignore most of the tools related to that as well, so my .gitignore will also contain:. - Source: dev.to / 4 days ago
  • Itch.io: "This is not a joke, Funko just called my mom"
    Brandshield has been deleting and rewriting their non-statement deflecting responsibility repeatedly while hiding all the comments calling out their cascade of BS. Here is their current statement blaming iwantmyname and link to the hidden replies: > We want to address recent reports surrounding a website takedown. > BrandShield serves as a trusted partner to many brands. Our AI-driven platform detects potential... - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
  • Itch.io: "This is not a joke, Funko just called my mom"
    Funko's statement: >At Funko, we hold a deep respect and appreciation for indie games, indie gamers, and indie developers. We’re fans of fans, and we love the creativity and passion that define the indie gaming community. >Recently, one of our brand protection partners identified a page on http://itch.io imitating the Funko Fusion development website. A takedown request was issued to address this specific page.... - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
  • Ask HN: Platform for 11 year old to create video games?
    As several people has pointed out here, don't focus on programming. That can kill the urge to make games pretty quick. And an important thing often overlooked, is prototyping. Whatever kind of game you are making, find a way to make a fast mockup using paper or whatever - and test it. That being said, you should take a look at simple game engines like; Twine, GDevelop, TyranoBuilder and PICO-8. Remember; the... - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago
  • Featured Mod of the Month: Phil Ashby
    Publishing on platforms like itch.io are a great way to get feedback (but see comments about comments earlier!) and to see if an idea is worth pursuing. Self-published mini-games are also a good way to scratch that gamedev itch when it isn't your day job too - I should push a couple myself actually! - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Direct2Drive and itch.io, you can also consider the following products

SteamUnlocked - Download Steam Games for free.

GOG.com - DRM-free game store, selling both new and old titles. No clients required.

ARPAY - AR-PAY.com, All-in-one Retail and Payments. You can access your favorite internet services: online games, e-wallets, console games, online shopping cards, and many more!

GOG Unlocked - GOG Unlocked is the go-to source for many enthusiastic gamers to find and download their favorite games free of cost.

Instant Gaming - Instant-Gaming.com - All your favourites games for Steam, Origin, Battle.net, Uplay and Indie games up to 70% off! Digital games, Instant delivery 24/7!

Free GOG PC Games - Freegogpcgames.