itch.io

What it is

itch.io is an open storefront for independent games and other digital creations. It is free to create pages and upload content, according to its creator FAQ. You can publish a game as a download for Windows, macOS, Linux or Android, or as an HTML5 browser game that people play on the page. Games can be free, paid, or "name your own price".

It is also where most online game jams are hosted, listed at itch.io/jams.

How payment works (as of 2026-09)

itch.io uses open revenue sharing: you choose what percentage of each sale goes to itch.io. The default is 10%, and you can change it in account settings, per itch.io's payments documentation. Payment processor fees are charged on top. There are two payout models: direct to your own PayPal or Stripe account, or collected by itch.io and paid out later, in which case itch.io handles EU VAT for you.

Before payouts, you complete a tax interview. Without a valid tax identification number, US tax withholding can apply at the default 30% rate, which may be reduced under a tax treaty with your country. Check the payments and tax pages for details.

Is it worth using?

Yes, especially for your first releases. Reasons:

• No fee to publish and no review queue, so you can ship a jam game in minutes.
• Browser builds get far more plays than downloads.
• Jam entries receive ratings and comments from other developers.
• Your profile doubles as a portfolio of finished games.

It is not a replacement for Steam if you want significant sales of a commercial PC game, but many developers use both: itch.io for jams, demos and early builds, Steam for the full release.

Tips

• Add screenshots, a short description, controls and a cover image. Pages without them get few plays.
• Make browser builds fit the embed size and test them in several browsers.
• Use devlogs on your page to post updates.

Common questions

Can I publish a game made with a free engine? Yes, any engine.

Can I sell assets or tools? Yes, itch.io also hosts asset packs and tools.