Can I Buy Games Online Without Creating an Account?

Looking to play the latest game but don’t want to create yet another online account? Perhaps you prefer direct purchases and offline play, don’t want to be tied to a platform, or want to avoid unnecessary data collection — or all of the above?

With the rise of digital game distribution and subscription services, account creation has become mandatory in order to purchase or play many games. While it is still possible to play and buy games anonymously, options are rather limited — involving purchasing physical copies or only using storefronts that offer guest checkout. You can also limit the information you share when buying a game, by using prepaid gaming cards from MobileTopUp.

Explore your alternatives – discover the pros and cons of each option and find the way to enjoy gaming on your own terms.

Which Game Stores Require an Account To Buy and Play Games?

All the major platforms, like Steam, PlayStation Store, Xbox, and Nintendo eShop, require users to create an account to buy and manage digital games. This allows them to provide access to downloads, and manage your library. It also means they can track your purchases, your gaming habits and more.

Can I Buy Games From Steam Without an Account?

Do you need a Steam account to play games? The short answer is yes — you need to have a Steam account to purchase and download games from the platform. Most of the platform’s games require you to log in through your Steam account to install, update, and launch them.

Is a Steam Account Free?
Yes — creating a Steam account is free, but you’ll need to pay for games or other paid content. In addition, the $5 dollar rule on Steam is a restriction for new accounts: until you spend at least the equivalent in GBP of $5 USD, you can’t access certain community features like adding friends or sending messages.

But is it safe to buy Steam accounts for games? No, it isn’t. In fact, it’s against Steam’s Terms of Service and can lead to the account being permanently banned. And if you want to use someone else’s Steam account to play games? You can do this via Steam Family Sharing, though not all games are eligible.

Is Steam the Only Place to Buy Games?
No — you can buy many games on other platforms — think Epic Games Store, GOG and Humble Bundle — or you can purchase directly from publishers.

Once you've bought from the platform, do you legally own the games on Steam? Well, not exactly — you purchase a license to use the game, not full ownership. Steam can revoke access under certain conditions (as outlined in their Terms of Service). The good news is that Steam keeps a record of your purchases, so if you try to buy a Steam game you already own, the company usually prevents the purchase. You can also send a game as a gift, either by using your friends list, or — if you want to buy someone a game on Steam without being friends — by entering the recipient’s email address.

Why Do Game Stores Require an Account?

Platforms ask you to create an account partly to improve the experience they offer. They’ll track and analyse your gaming habits, noting what captures your attention, where you get stuck, and more, to help them fix bugs and develop future games. They also use your information to tailor advertising to you – from email marketing to in-game sales.
To learn exactly why they do this and how, read: What Information Does Your Game Store Really Collect?

Is It Possible To Buy Games As a Guest?

It is possible – many retailers do allow guest checkout (buying games without an account login) for physical purchases. So you can buy a gift or a physical copy of a game - no account required.
If you want to avoid creating accounts, it is possible:

• Look for DRM-free games, which don’t require a login to play.
• Use platforms like GOG.com, Kongregate, or CrazyGames.
• Buy physical copies of single-player games to play offline.
• Avoid games labeled as ‘live service’ or ‘online-only’.

But if you’re buying a digital game? You’ll almost always need to create an account first.

Do Any Game Stores Offer Guest Checkout?

You can purchase physical games without registration. But, to directly download games with no account isn’t usually possible. If a site is claiming you can, it’s important to be wary. Only download games from verified and trusted sites. If unsure, ask yourself:

1. Is it the official site domain? Check the address starts with ‘https://’ and doesn’t have any typos.
2. Is it a trusted website? Look up recent reviews on Trustpilot to see what other users are saying.
3. Have you been sent a link by an unknown party? Don’t click on links if you don’t know who they’re from. It could be malware or a scam.

And, if it seems too good to be true? It probably is.

What Are The Pros and Cons Of Creating a Game Account?

Creating a game account — whether for a PC, console, or mobile — has both advantages and potential downsides. Before deciding whether it’s worth creating an account to play games, consider the benefits and drawbacks:

Pros of creating a game account:

1. Cross-platform play – cloud syncing enables your game progress, achievements, and items to be saved online. This means you can even switch devices and continue where you left off.
2. Multiplayer – connect and play with friends, plus gain access to online multiplayer modes, leaderboards, and clans/guilds.
3. Rewards – some games offer free in-game rewards (think skins, currency, etc.) for account holders.
4. Recovery – if you lose your device or delete the game, your account allows you to recover your data.
5. Social features – profile customisation, avatars, and friend lists often require an account.

Cons of creating a game account:

1. Privacy – some accounts will require your email, phone number, or even real name. Check the privacy policy too, as they may use your data for targeted ads or share it with third parties. Some companies will send marketing emails or notifications, too.
2. Security – if the platform experiences a data breach or your account gets hacked, you can lose access to games you’ve downloaded and your progress.
3. Overwhelm – if you have multiple online accounts already, it can feel like too much to set up and manage another one.
4. Time – setting up an account isn’t always quick, so if you’re short on time it can feel like a hassle.
5. Temptation to spend – many account-based games offer microtransactions, which if you're not vigilant can lead to overspending. To help avoid this, consider using prepaid gaming cards from sites like MobileTopUp, so you can only spend what you intend to.

So, while buying without an account might be quicker initially and mean you give away less personal information, you'll likely miss out on features like multiplayer, customisation and rewards, plus the ability to save and transfer your progress.

How Can I Buy Games Anonymously?

The safest way to buy both physical and digital games without giving out personal information? Well, for digital games at least, it’s still recommended to buy your games from trusted platforms like Steam, PlayStation Store, Xbox, and Nintendo eShop. For this, you will have to create an account. But there are steps you can take to ensure you’re giving essential data only:

• Use a separate email address for gaming – this keeps your gaming identity separate from the rest of your digital life. It protects you should any platforms suffer data breaches, or hackers gain your password. Read: Why You Should Use a Separate Email for Gaming to learn more.
• Pay using a prepaid game card – this means you don’t need to share your debit or credit card information with multiple gaming platforms. Instead you can buy cards for all the major platforms – Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo – from verified retailers like MobileTopUp. This reduces the risk of scammers getting hold of your payment details.

Which Games Can You Play Without an Account?

There are some options if you want to find games you can play without creating an account, especially if you're looking for offline, single-player, or instant access experiences. Here's a breakdown by type and platform:

PC & console – there are offline, single-player games that don't usually require an account, unless you're installing from a platform like Steam or PlayStation:

• Minecraft (Java Edition – offline mode)
• Stardew Valley
• The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (if installed via disc or DRM-free)
• Celeste
• Hollow Knight
• Undertale
• Cuphead
• Dead Cells

Mobile – for fully offline or local save games, you may be asked to connect an account, but it's usually optional:

• Alto’s Odyssey/Alto's Adventure
• Crossy Road
• Monument Valley
• 2048
• Plague Inc. (offline mode)
• Limbo
• Mini Metro
• Shadow Fight 2
• Pixel Dungeon

Browser – you can play games instantly in your browser:

• Slither.io
• A Dark Room
• Celeste Classic
• Line Rider
• World’s Biggest Pac-Man
• Quick, Draw!
• Tetris.com

Should You Create a Game Account?

Ask yourself:

1. Do I care about saving progress or playing online?
2. Am I okay sharing some personal information?
3. Will I play the game long-term?

If your answers to most of these is yes, it’s usually worth it. Just make sure to use a strong password, enable two-factor authentication, and review privacy settings. And, buy your games using prepaid game cards from trusted sites like MobileTopUp to avoid overspending.