Steam is a comprehensive gaming platform with 38,000+ games, superior refund policies (14-day window), and better user interface, while EA App is a publisher-specific launcher focused exclusively on Electronic Arts titles with mandatory use for EA games even when purchased through Steam.
Steam vs EA App — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Choose Steam if you want a versatile gaming platform with the largest library, superior user experience, better community tools, and reliability across thousands of titles. Choose EA App only if you exclusively play Electronic Arts games and prefer the longer 60-day refund window—but note that many EA games on Steam still require the EA App to launch anyway, making Steam the more practical choice in most scenarios.
Valve's PC gaming platform with the world's largest game library and frequent sales.
Electronic Arts' dedicated launcher and digital storefront for EA game titles
Structured comparison data for Steam vs EA App with 54 attributes.
Steam vs EA App — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Steam vs EA App.
Yes — if you play EA games on PC (Apex Legends, The Sims 4, Battlefield, EA Sports FC), you will need the EA App installed even if you purchased those games on Steam. Most EA titles launch through the EA App as the required DRM/account system, regardless of where you bought them.
EA Play ($4.99/month) is good value for anyone who plays several EA games — you get 10-hour trials of new releases, 10% discounts on purchases, and access to a vault of 100+ older EA games. EA Play Pro ($14.99/month, PC only) is exceptional value if you're an EA franchise fan — it includes every new EA game at launch including Madden, EA Sports FC, Battlefield, and The Sims expansions.
Steam itself runs independently without EA App. However, EA games purchased on Steam require EA App to launch — you'll be prompted to install it when you first run an EA title. Non-EA games on Steam have no connection to EA App whatsoever.