Drop OSS is an open-source, self-hosted alternative to Steam for managing your own DRM-free game library. See features, setup, and how it compares.
Category
Gaming & Game Servers
Pricing
Open Source, from Free
Verified
Not yet
Last updated
July 18, 2026
Free PlanWindowsWeb AppOpen SourceSelf-HostedMac
Overview
Drop (Drop OSS) is a free, open-source, self-hosted game distribution platform that gives users a Steam-like store and library experience for their own collection of DRM-free games, running entirely on hardware the user controls.
The project is maintained by the Drop OSS open-source community, released under the AGPLv3 license, with development coordinated publicly on GitHub and support available via Discord and GitHub Discussions.
Key Features
Drop automatically imports cover art and game details from IGDB, GiantBomb, and PCGamingWiki, and includes a built-in store view for browsing, filtering, and organizing a game collection, alongside a cross-platform desktop client for downloading and launching games.
The platform supports both simple account authentication and SSO for organizations, full Markdown and image editing for custom game listings, and a news system for publishing updates visible in-browser and in the desktop client.
Pricing
Drop is entirely free and open source under the AGPLv3 license, with no paid tiers, subscriptions, or commercial editions. The only cost is the server or cloud hardware a user chooses to self-host it on.
Deployment is typically handled via Docker or Docker Compose, with the project's documentation describing a quickstart setup that takes roughly ten minutes for a basic instance.
Key Features
Self-hosted game library — Run the entire platform on your own hardware, keeping full ownership of your game data and library.
Automatic metadata imports — Pulls cover art and game details automatically from IGDB, GiantBomb, and PCGamingWiki.
Built-in storefront view — Browse, filter, and curate a personal game collection through a commercial-store-like interface.
Cross-platform desktop client — A native client handles downloading, installing, and launching games across platforms.
Flexible authentication — Supports both simple username/password accounts and SSO integration for teams and organizations.
Rich metadata editing — Full Markdown and image support for customizing individual game listings.
News and update system — Administrators can publish news and updates visible both in-browser and inside the desktop client.
Docker-based deployment — Installs via Docker or Docker Compose, with a documented quickstart for setup in around ten minutes.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Completely free and open source with no subscription or licensing cost
Full data ownership since everything runs on the user's own hardware
Automatic metadata enrichment removes most manual cataloging work
Familiar, commercial-storefront-style interface makes it approachable for non-technical users
Cons
Requires self-hosting knowledge and infrastructure, unlike a plug-and-play commercial storefront
Only supports DRM-free games, so it cannot be used with DRM-protected titles from commercial stores
As a volunteer-maintained project, support relies on community channels rather than dedicated staff
Smaller game database integrations compared to the catalog depth of major commercial platforms
Pricing
Self-Hosted Free Free (open source)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Drop OSS?
Drop OSS is a free, open-source, self-hosted game distribution platform that gives users a Steam-like store and library experience for their own DRM-free games.
Is Drop free to use?
Yes, Drop is entirely free and open source under the AGPLv3 license. The only cost is the hardware or hosting used to run it.
How do I install Drop?
Drop is typically installed via Docker or Docker Compose, with the project documenting a quickstart setup that takes roughly ten minutes.
Can Drop be used with DRM-protected games?
No, Drop is designed for DRM-free game distribution and is not built to bypass copy protection on commercially DRM-locked titles.
Who maintains Drop OSS?
Drop is maintained by the Drop OSS open-source community, with development coordinated on GitHub and support through Discord and GitHub Discussions.
What license does Drop use?
Drop is released under the AGPLv3 license, a strong copyleft open-source license.