Indie Game Marketplaces: The 2025 Guide Every Developer Needs

TL;DR

There are more indie game marketplaces in 2025 than ever—lots of ways to get paid.
Big names: Itch.io, Epic Games Store, Steam, and Xbox Game Pass.
Getting noticed (and not drowned out) is still tough.
Knowing the rules on each marketplace can mean the difference between success and obscurity.

Key Takeaway

If you’re making indie games in 2025, you’re spoiled for choice. Itch.io, Epic Games Store, Steam, and Xbox Game Pass each offer their own mix of revenue options and audiences. The trick? Pick your platforms wisely—and don’t skimp on marketing if you want your game to actually sell.

The Ever-Changing World of Indie Game Marketplaces

Let’s face it: indie gaming is having a moment. As of 2022, indies made up about 11% of the global video game market. That’s wild—and it’s thanks to easier dev tools, plus a stack of digital stores popping up everywhere (wifitalents.com). Opportunity’s out there, sure, but here’s the catch: Where should you sell your game? Who’s actually going to find it? Let’s break down your options—and how to get noticed in a sea of pixel art and roguelites.

Top Indie Game Marketplaces in 2025

1. Itch.io: Freedom to Do Your Thing

If you love control and hate middlemen, Itch.io is probably already on your radar. Set your own price? Check. Decide how much of a cut the platform takes (even 0% if you handle downloads yourself)? Yep. The typical cut with their payment system is just 10%. No wonder Itch.io attracts so many experimental and story-heavy games—it’s the home of “weird, but interesting” (alibaba.com).

Honestly, if you want to make what you want—without corporate suits breathing down your neck—this is the place.

2. Epic Games Store: More Money In Your Pocket

The numbers don’t lie. Epic takes just 12%, and developers keep 88% of sales. But here’s what’ll really make you sit up: In 2025, your first $1 million in sales per game? Fee-free. That’s huge for a small studio. They’ve even got Web Shops and let you add in-game payment stuff, so you’re not forced into their checkout (pcgamer.com).

So if your game’s poised to go big—or you’re just sick of huge cuts—Epic’s got your back.

3. Steam: Giant Audience, Even Bigger Competition

Love it or hate it, Steam’s still king for PC. Nearly 13,000 new games dropped on Steam in 2025, most of them indie. Sounds awesome, right? Except…over 5,000 didn’t even make back the $100 submission fee. Ouch. If you’re planning to just throw your game on Steam and walk away, think again. You’ll need relentless marketing, a smart community plan, and maybe a little luck to rise above the noise (gamesradar.com).

There’s an upside, though. Make it work—and you’ll find yourself in front of more players than anywhere else.

4. Xbox Game Pass: The Sub Club

Game Pass isn’t just for shiny AAA shooters. In 2025, over 150 indie teams inked deals to get their games on Xbox’s all-you-can-play menu. If you land a spot, you get access to millions of gamers (including folks who’d never buy your game outright). Plenty of studios have used Game Pass deals as a springboard for ongoing partnerships—and as a lifeline for cash flow (windowscentral.com).

Worried about getting buried? On Game Pass, there’s always someone looking for something new.

What’s Trending in the Indie Game Scene?

Let’s talk numbers. The indie market’s on the rise: from $4.85 billion in 2025 to an expected $5.54 billion in 2026. By 2031? We’re talking $10.83 billion (mordorintelligence.com). That’s not pocket change.

Mobile is absolutely dominating, making up over half (51.42%) of indie game cash in 2025. Add in the rise of subscription models (think Netflix, but with games), and you’ve got a totally different world compared to a decade ago.

Why Is It So Hard for Indies to Stand Out in 2025?

Let’s not sugarcoat it: market saturation is brutal. Over 5,000 games on Steam last year didn’t even break even on their fees (gamesradar.com). That’s a lot of dreams dashed. If you’re thinking, “I’ll just build it and they’ll come,” reality’s got a rude awakening for you.

Want to stand out? Get scrappy with your marketing. Run a dev blog, hit up game jams (no, really, they work!), cozy up with streamers, and make some noise online. Games without communities are games that disappear.

Frequently Asked

“Where should I sell my indie game in 2025?”

There’s no perfect answer—it depends. Want control and niche fans? Go with Itch.io. Chasing big payouts and better cuts? Epic’s got you. Want the biggest audience (and the biggest headache)? Steam. Each one has its tradeoffs (alibaba.com; gamesradar.com).

“How do I actually get players to notice my game?”

Get out there! Talk to your audience on social media, show off work-in-progress screenshots, join communities, drop regular updates (people love dev logs!). You might even jump into contests or hook up with a streamer for a little extra love.

“Are Game Pass and other subs a good deal for indies?”

On Game Pass, you’re seen by tons of players (not all will buy, but plenty will talk). You’ll likely need a bit of flexibility—sometimes, a bit of exclusivity. But if you want steady cash and exposure? It can be a lifesaver (windowscentral.com).

“What’s the revenue cut on these stores these days?”

Itch.io: You pick the split! Go as low as 0% fee if you manage sales yourself; Itch’s standard cut is 10%.
Epic Games Store: 88% for you, 12% for Epic. First $1M per game per year? Yours, fee-free.
Steam: Classic 70/30 split to the dev/Valve—but the deal can change if you start raking in big money (alibaba.com; pcgamer.com).

“What’s changing in the indie world this year?”

Growth, growth, and more growth. Mobile’s eating the world. Subscription services keep gaining ground. Revenue options are getting more creative (and friendlier to indies) every year (mordorintelligence.com).

Wrapping Up

Look, if you’re an indie developer in 2025, there’s never been a better (or busier!) time to jump in. You’ve got so many ways to put your game out there and, honestly, just as many ways to fall through the cracks. The secret sauce? Learn each marketplace, then get loud about your game. Build a community before you even launch. Hustle, pivot, experiment, repeat.

It’s a wild, crowded world—but if you play your cards right, you’ll find your crowd and (maybe) change your life. Good luck out there!