A comparison of official game stores and third-party keyshops to help you make informed purchasing decisions.
Official Stores
Official stores include Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, Nintendo eShop, GOG, EA App, and Ubisoft Connect.
Pros of Official Stores
- Keys are always legitimate and safe
- Full publisher support and warranties
- Refund policies (e.g., Steam's 2-hour play/14-day window)
- Automatic updates and cloud saves
- No regional activation issues
Cons of Official Stores
- Generally higher prices
- Sales are less frequent (except during major sales events)
- Platform lock-in (e.g., can't move Steam games to Epic)
Keyshops
Keyshops are third-party marketplaces selling game keys, often at lower prices.
Pros of Keyshops
- Lower prices, often significantly
- More frequent deals
- Access to keys from different regions
Cons of Keyshops
- Risk of revoked keys
- No publisher support
- Regional restrictions
- Variable seller reliability
Our Recommendation
For AAA games on release, consider official stores for safety. For older games or during sales, reputable keyshops can offer significant savings. Always check seller ratings and use payment methods with buyer protection.