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Guide · Open source

How to use Playnite: install, add your games and customize

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

Playnite is an open-source video game library manager for Windows. It gathers games from many storefronts and platforms, such as Steam, Epic, GOG, EA App and Battle.net, into one unified library, and it can also handle emulated games. This guide walks through downloading it, what it needs, how the library is stored, and how to extend it, so you can get your games into one place and launch them from there.

PlayniteJosefNemec/Playnite · ★ 14.4k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Check your system. Confirm you are running Windows 10 or Windows 11.
  2. 2Download Playnite. Get the installer or portable package from playnite.link/download.html.
  3. 3Install or extract the program. Run the installer, or extract the portable package, and open Playnite.
  4. 4Connect your store libraries. Add integrations for Steam, Epic, GOG, EA App or Battle.net and sign in through each official login form.
  5. 5Check your unified library. Confirm that games from every connected store appear in one list.
  6. 6Add extensions if you want them. Install themes, plugins or PowerShell scripts using the extensions documentation.

What Playnite needs before you install it

Playnite runs on Windows. The project's README lists Windows 10 or 11 as the requirement, so macOS and Linux are not covered by the source this guide is based on.

Playnite is distributed as a desktop program. You do not need to build it from source to use it.

  • Operating system: Windows 10 or Windows 11
  • Account setup: depends on each library plugin, usually through the store's official login form

Download and install Playnite on Windows

Get the latest installer or portable package from the download page at playnite.link/download.html. Playnite notifies you automatically when a new version is released.

The README notes that the program uses free code signing provided by SignPath.io and the SignPath Foundation.

  • Choose the installer for a standard install, or the portable package if you prefer not to install it.
  • Open the downloaded file and follow the on-screen steps.

Add your games from Steam, Epic, GOG and other libraries

Playnite supports third-party libraries including Steam, Epic, GOG, EA App and Battle.net, and the project lists more add-ons on its website. Connecting a library depends on how its plugin is built. Usually you sign in through the store's official login form, and Playnite stores only the web session cookies or tokens, the same way a web browser does.

Playnite itself does not store your personal information, and you generally do not need to provide any to import installed games. All game library data is stored locally on your PC.

  • Open the library integration for each store you use and sign in when prompted.
  • Check that each store's games appear in the single unified library.

Set up emulated games

Playnite includes game emulation support, so you can keep emulated games in the same interface as your PC games. The source does not give detailed emulator setup steps, so check the user manual at api.playnite.link/docs for the exact configuration.

  • Use Playnite's emulation support alongside your PC game libraries.
  • Refer to the official documentation for configuration details.

Customize Playnite with themes, plugins and scripts

Playnite can be extended in three ways: plugins written in .NET languages, PowerShell scripts, and user interface themes. The extensions portal at api.playnite.link/docs/tutorials/index.html explains how these add-ons are made.

If you find a bug, file an issue on the project's GitHub. For crashes or broken features, attach a diagnostics package, which you can create from the "About Playnite..." submenu.

  • Themes change the look of the launcher.
  • Plugins are written in .NET languages.
  • PowerShell scripts extend behavior.
  • Community help is on the project's Discord and Reddit.

What people use it for

  • Launching Steam, Epic and GOG games from one window
  • Keeping emulated retro games beside PC games
  • Customizing the launcher's appearance with a theme
  • Reporting a bug with a diagnostics package attached to a GitHub issue

Frequently asked questions

Is Playnite free?

Playnite is released under the MIT licence, which the README identifies as the project's licence. The README also invites users who find it useful to support the lead developer on Patreon.

What are the Playnite system requirements?

The README lists Windows 10 or Windows 11 as the requirement. The source does not list other hardware requirements.

Does Playnite work on Mac or Linux?

The README lists only Windows 10 or 11 as a requirement, so this source does not show Playnite supported on macOS or Linux.

Is Playnite safe to use with my store accounts?

Playnite does not store user information itself. Account connections usually use official login web forms, and only web session cookies or tokens are stored, similar to a web browser.

Where is my Playnite library data stored?

All game library data is stored locally on your PC, according to the README's privacy statement.

How does Playnite compare to GOG Galaxy or Launchbox?

The source names GOG Galaxy, Steam, Lutris and Launchbox as comparable projects but does not compare features in detail. Playnite's stated strengths are its unified library, emulation support and extensibility with plugins, scripts and themes.

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Our verdict

Playnite suits Windows users who own games across several stores, run emulated games, or like customizing their launcher, and who want their library data kept on their own PC. If you use macOS or Linux, or you need a fully published roadmap, the source suggests you should look at other options.

Install options & downloads