GOG Galaxy Linux support is finally on the way, with GOG confirming a complete overhaul of its Galaxy launcher that adds native Linux compatibility alongside a redesigned interface and faster performance. The rebuilt client is slated for a 2027 launch, and beta registrations are open now through GOG’s own Galaxy page for anyone keen to try it early.
Key takeaways
- ✓GOG Galaxy is getting native Linux support for the first time, targeted for a 2027 launch.
- ✓The overhaul also rebuilds the client on Windows and macOS with a faster, redesigned interface.
- ✓Beta registrations for the new Galaxy client are open now, well ahead of the 2027 release.
- ✓GOG Galaxy will stay entirely optional, with DRM-free offline installers still available.
- ✓Native Linux support removes the need for third-party tools long relied on by Steam Deck owners.
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GOG Galaxy Linux support ends years of workarounds
Linux players have been asking for this for a long time. Until now, anyone running GOG games on Linux, including on devices like the Steam Deck, has had to lean on third-party tools such as Heroic Games Launcher or Lutris to download, update and manage their libraries. Those tools work well, but they sit outside GOG’s own ecosystem and depend on community maintenance rather than official support.
The move to native GOG Galaxy Linux support changes that equation. Once the new client lands, Linux users will be able to run Galaxy directly, the same way Windows and macOS players already do, without routing everything through a translation layer or a separate app built by volunteers. GOG hasn’t detailed which distributions will be supported at launch, so Linux users keen on day-one compatibility should keep an eye on beta updates before assuming full support across every setup.
A broader redesign across every platform
Linux compatibility is the headline, but it’s only one piece of a much larger refresh. GOG is rebuilding Galaxy from the ground up across Windows, macOS and Linux, with a cleaner interface, quicker load times and expanded filtering tools designed to make sprawling game libraries easier to search and sort. Anyone who has scrolled through hundreds of owned titles looking for one specific game will likely appreciate the extra organisation.
GOG has also reiterated that Galaxy remains entirely optional. The storefront’s long-standing DRM-free philosophy isn’t changing, and offline installers will keep working exactly as they do now for players who would rather skip a launcher altogether. That stands in contrast to platforms that increasingly tie game access to a persistent client, and it’s part of why GOG has built a loyal following among players who want to actually own their copies.
How GOG Galaxy compares with Steam and Epic
Native Linux support puts Galaxy in different company. Valve’s Steam client has supported Linux for well over a decade and underpins the entire Steam Deck, while the Epic Games Store has never shipped an official Linux build. The table below gives a quick snapshot of where each storefront currently stands.
| Platform | Windows | macOS | Native Linux client |
|---|---|---|---|
| GOG Galaxy (current) | Yes | Yes | No, third-party tools only |
| GOG Galaxy (2027) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Steam | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Epic Games Store | Yes | Yes | No |
That gap matters because Linux’s share of PC gaming has grown steadily since the Steam Deck arrived, and GOG risked looking like it was falling behind rivals that already cater to that crowd. Closing it brings Galaxy roughly in line with Steam on compatibility, even if GOG’s catalogue and store features remain smaller and more curated by comparison.
What the 2027 overhaul means for players
For existing GOG customers, the practical upside is straightforward: less fiddling with third-party software just to keep a library updated, and a faster, tidier client on every platform in the meantime. For the Linux and Steam Deck community specifically, official support also means GOG itself is responsible for fixing bugs and keeping pace with distro updates, rather than leaving that work to unpaid maintainers.
GOG hasn’t locked in an exact release date beyond the 2027 window, so anyone hoping for a firm month should treat that detail as unconfirmed for now. The open beta is the clearest way to track progress, and given how long Linux support has been requested, the registration numbers alone should offer a decent read on how much demand is really out there.
Frequently asked questions
When is the new GOG Galaxy Linux client launching?
GOG has only confirmed a 2027 target window so far, with no specific release month announced. Beta registrations are open now ahead of that launch.
Will GOG Galaxy still be optional once the Linux version arrives?
Yes. GOG has confirmed Galaxy will remain optional on every platform, and DRM-free offline installers will continue to work for players who prefer not to use a launcher at all.
Does this replace tools like Heroic Games Launcher or Lutris?
It doesn’t force anyone to stop using them, but native GOG Galaxy Linux support means those third-party tools are no longer the only way to officially manage a GOG library on Linux.
Which Linux distributions will the new Galaxy client support?
GOG hasn’t published a list of supported distributions yet. Details are expected to become clearer as the beta progresses toward the 2027 release.
