Steam vs EA App
type: WebPage
description: 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.
language: en-US
is accessible for free: true
conditions of access: Free
is part of: website
date published: 2026-05-11T11:56:46.139Z
date created: 2026-05-11T11:56:46.139Z
date modified: 2026-08-04T09:00:37.252Z
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    item: Home
  item list element: Compare
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    item: Compare
  item list element: Steam vs EA App
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    item: Steam vs EA App
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caption: Steam vs EA App — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B

Home
type: WebPage

Compare
type: WebPage

Steam vs EA App
type: Article
type: TechArticle
abstract: 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.
description: 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.
language: en-US
main entity of page: Steam vs EA App
content reference time: 2026-08-04T09:00:37.252Z
author: A Versus B
publisher: A Versus B
date published: 2026-05-11T11:56:46.139Z
date created: 2026-05-11T11:56:46.139Z
date modified: 2026-08-04T09:00:37.252Z
text: 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.
genre: Software
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potential action: Compare Steam vs EA App
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  target: Steam vs EA App
  object: Steam
  object: EA App
about: Steam
about: EA App
mentions: Game Library Size
mentions: Refund Policy Window
mentions: Cross-Game Integration
mentions: Stability with Third-Party Purchases
mentions: Community Features
mentions: Performance Monitoring
mentions: User Satisfaction Rating
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citation: Steam — Wikipedia
citation: EA App — Wikipedia
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/entity/steam
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/alternatives/steam
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/entity/ea-app
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/alternatives/ea-app
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/api/answer/steam-vs-ea-app
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/api/knowledge-graph/steam-vs-ea-app

A Versus B
type: Organization

Steam
type: CreativeWork
description: Valve's PC gaming platform with the world's largest game library and frequent sales.
language: en-US
image: ImageObject
  caption: Steam
subject of: Steam vs EA App

EA App
type: SoftwareApplication
description: Electronic Arts' dedicated launcher and digital storefront for EA game titles
alternate name: EA
alternate name: Ea App
language: en-US
subject of: Steam vs EA App

Steam vs EA App — Comparison Data
type: Dataset
description: Structured comparison data for Steam vs EA App with 54 attributes.
language: en-US
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
creator: A Versus B
distribution: Schema.org JSON-LD (pure)
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/ld+json
distribution: JSON-LD knowledge graph
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  encoding format: application/ld+json
distribution: Raw comparison JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: AI Answer API (citation-ready)
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  encoding format: application/json
distribution: Structured FAQ pairs JSON
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  encoding format: application/json
distribution: Related comparisons JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
variable measured: Available Games
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Library
variable measured: Monthly Peak Concurrent Users
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Community
variable measured: Developer Revenue Share
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Economics
variable measured: Platform Fee Percentage
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Economics
variable measured: Free Games Per Month
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Value
variable measured: Application Memory Usage
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Performance
variable measured: Community Features
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Cross-Platform Library Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Total Game Library Size
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Content
variable measured: Digital PC Market Share
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Market Position
variable measured: DRM-Free Game Percentage
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Digital Rights
variable measured: Account Requirement for Play
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Access Model
variable measured: Developer Revenue Cut
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Economics
variable measured: Classic/Retro Game Specialization
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Content Focus
variable measured: New AAA Title Availability
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Content Freshness
variable measured: Client Size on Disk
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: System Requirements
variable measured: Base Subscription Cost
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Premium Tier Cost
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Available Games
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Content Library
variable measured: Monthly Curated Games
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Content Library
variable measured: Game Ownership Model
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Access & Ownership
variable measured: Online Multiplayer Cost
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Cloud Save Storage
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Background CPU Usage
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Performance
variable measured: Monthly Active Users
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: User Base
variable measured: Installation Storage Flexibility
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: User Control
variable measured: Cross-Platform Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Compatibility
variable measured: Game Performance Optimization Level
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Optimization
variable measured: Launcher Requirement
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Convenience
variable measured: Content Update Frequency
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Development
variable measured: Total Available Games
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Library Size
variable measured: Refund Window
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Consumer Protection
variable measured: Playtime Allowance for Refund
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Consumer Protection
variable measured: Active Monthly Users
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Adoption
variable measured: Cross-Game Integration
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Average Launch Stability Score
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Reliability
variable measured: Community Discussion Posts (Annual)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Community
variable measured: EA Play Subscription Catalog
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Value
variable measured: Monthly Subscription Cost (PC)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Game Library Size
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Content
variable measured: Game Ownership Duration
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Access
variable measured: Day-One AAA Access
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Content
variable measured: Mod Workshop Community
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Community
variable measured: Average Game Launch Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Annual Cost for 10 Games
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Value
variable measured: Game Removal Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Stability
variable measured: Game Library Size
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Content
variable measured: Entry-Level Cost
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Price
variable measured: Average Game Price Discount
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Price
variable measured: Online Multiplayer Subscription
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Services
variable measured: Native Performance (Standard Mode)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Performance
variable measured: Setup Time
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Usability
variable measured: Exclusive AAA Franchises
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Content
variable measured: Cross-Platform Play Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features

Steam vs EA App — Attribute Category Vocabulary
type: DefinedTermSet
language: en-US
description: Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Steam vs EA App.
has defined term: Library
has defined term: Community
has defined term: Economics
has defined term: Value
has defined term: Performance
has defined term: Features
has defined term: Content
has defined term: Market Position
has defined term: Digital Rights
has defined term: Access Model
has defined term: Content Focus
has defined term: Content Freshness
has defined term: System Requirements
has defined term: Pricing
has defined term: Content Library
has defined term: Access & Ownership
has defined term: User Base
has defined term: User Control
has defined term: Compatibility
has defined term: Optimization
has defined term: Convenience
has defined term: Development
has defined term: Library Size
has defined term: Consumer Protection
has defined term: Adoption
has defined term: Reliability
has defined term: Access
has defined term: Stability
has defined term: Price
has defined term: Services
has defined term: Usability

Library
type: DefinedTerm
term code: library
in defined term set: Steam vs EA App — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Community
type: DefinedTerm
term code: community
in defined term set: Steam vs EA App — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Economics
type: DefinedTerm
term code: economics
in defined term set: Steam vs EA App — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Value
type: DefinedTerm
term code: value
in defined term set: Steam vs EA App — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Performance
type: DefinedTerm
term code: performance
in defined term set: Steam vs EA App — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: features
in defined term set: Steam vs EA App — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Content
type: DefinedTerm
term code: content
in defined term set: Steam vs EA App — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Market Position
type: DefinedTerm
term code: market-position
in defined term set: Steam vs EA App — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Digital Rights
type: DefinedTerm
term code: digital-rights
in defined term set: Steam vs EA App — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Access Model
type: DefinedTerm
term code: access-model
in defined term set: Steam vs EA App — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Content Focus
type: DefinedTerm
term code: content-focus
in defined term set: Steam vs EA App — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Content Freshness
type: DefinedTerm
term code: content-freshness
in defined term set: Steam vs EA App — Attribute Category Vocabulary

System Requirements
type: DefinedTerm
term code: system-requirements
in defined term set: Steam vs EA App — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Pricing
type: DefinedTerm
term code: pricing
in defined term set: Steam vs EA App — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Content Library
type: DefinedTerm
term code: content-library
in defined term set: Steam vs EA App — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Access & Ownership
type: DefinedTerm
term code: access-&-ownership
in defined term set: Steam vs EA App — Attribute Category Vocabulary

User Base
type: DefinedTerm
term code: user-base
in defined term set: Steam vs EA App — Attribute Category Vocabulary

User Control
type: DefinedTerm
term code: user-control
in defined term set: Steam vs EA App — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Compatibility
type: DefinedTerm
term code: compatibility
in defined term set: Steam vs EA App — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Optimization
type: DefinedTerm
term code: optimization
in defined term set: Steam vs EA App — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Convenience
type: DefinedTerm
term code: convenience
in defined term set: Steam vs EA App — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Development
type: DefinedTerm
term code: development
in defined term set: Steam vs EA App — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Library Size
type: DefinedTerm
term code: library-size
in defined term set: Steam vs EA App — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Consumer Protection
type: DefinedTerm
term code: consumer-protection
in defined term set: Steam vs EA App — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Adoption
type: DefinedTerm
term code: adoption
in defined term set: Steam vs EA App — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Reliability
type: DefinedTerm
term code: reliability
in defined term set: Steam vs EA App — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Access
type: DefinedTerm
term code: access
in defined term set: Steam vs EA App — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Stability
type: DefinedTerm
term code: stability
in defined term set: Steam vs EA App — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Price
type: DefinedTerm
term code: price
in defined term set: Steam vs EA App — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Services
type: DefinedTerm
term code: services
in defined term set: Steam vs EA App — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Usability
type: DefinedTerm
term code: usability
in defined term set: Steam vs EA App — Attribute Category Vocabulary

faq
type: FAQPage
language: en-US
is accessible for free: true
conditions of access: Free
date modified: 2026-08-04T09:00:37.252Z
author: A Versus B
publisher: A Versus B
is part of: Steam vs EA App
main entity: Do I need EA App if I have Steam?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: 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.
    language: en-US
main entity: Is EA Play worth it?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: 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.
    language: en-US
main entity: Can Steam run without EA App?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: 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.
    language: en-US