When comparing itch.io vs Green Man Gaming, the Slant community recommends Green Man Gaming for most people. In the question“What are the best online stores to purchase PC games cheaply?” Green Man Gaming is ranked 4th while itch.io is ranked 6th. The most important reason people chose Green Man Gaming is:
GMG pushes an account with Playfire, which is a game tracking and community service. By signing up with Playfire GMG users can earn discounts on games sold through GMG.
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Everyone can release a game on itch.io
Everyone is free to use itch.io for the distrubution of their game, free or paid.
Pro No accounts required for buyers
It allows linking an itch.io page where the customer can just click to buy.
Pro Allows sellers to set their own revenue share
Makes it one of the best places to support your favorite creators as there is no limit as to what you want to set for the platform fee since it can be set all the way down to 0% or set as high as 100%. It is up to the developer to pick what they would like.
Pro Pay-what-you-want model with optional enforced minimums
Users can pay any amount they want to for a game, down to a minimum specified by the uploader. The minimum can be zero. A user can go back and pay more later if they want.
Pro Mostly self-service
Change prices or the design of your page at will. No need to give lead time if you want to offer a sale.
Pro Best discoverability out there
It's where unknown indies find and buy games from other unknown indies.
Pro Cross-platform desktop client
Desktop client available for downloading games and auto-updating.
Pro Offer preorders
You can start selling your game before it's finished.
Pro Connection and discounts with Playfire
GMG pushes an account with Playfire, which is a game tracking and community service. By signing up with Playfire GMG users can earn discounts on games sold through GMG.
Pro Discount codes on new releases or pre-release
GMG often offers discount codes on newly released games or pre-release games. For those looking to get a new release GMG is a good place to look as users can often find a discount of 15-20% off the game instead of purchasing at full price.
Cons
Con No DRM Service and itch customers can just share your games and apps
They say they do, but you actually need a server to achieve it. They make things over complicated on purpose, because they hate DRM in nature. That's why they cannot be a popular game platform. They don't protect indie developer's game at all.
Con Very very indie
If production values and braod appeal are a thing you cherish, pass your way. Curation standards aren't mainstream at all there.
Con No quality control
You can upload and release almost anything in any state on itch.io
Con No refunds on keys to other stores
GMG does not offer refunds on Steam, UPlay, Origin or MMO titles. Basically if you purchase a code to a different store GMG will not refund your money if there are issues which means one will have to deal with the keys origin store for help.