Minus Games is an open-source home-server game and save-file distribution suite. Learn how it works, its features, and free self-hosted pricing.
Category
Gaming & Game Servers
Pricing
Open Source, from Free
Verified
Not yet
Last updated
July 18, 2026
Open SourceSelf-Hosted
Overview
Minus Games is an open-source suite for distributing games and save files from a self-hosted server to client devices, built for home-server and homelab environments rather than as a commercial product.
The project is maintained on GitHub by the account Accessory, with documentation available as a user guide. It targets users who want Steam-like remote game installation and save synchronization for their own DRM-free or non-Steam game libraries.
Key Features
The suite is made up of five components: a server that hosts the library, a client and GUI for downloading and launching games, a finder that scans for installed games (including Unity-engine titles), and an updater that keeps files current.
Its standout feature is save-file synchronization alongside game-file syncing, letting players continue their progress seamlessly when switching between devices connected to the same Minus Games server.
Pricing
Minus Games is free, open-source software with no commercial pricing tiers; users only incur the cost of running their own home server hardware.
The GUI client is also distributed via Flathub for straightforward installation on Linux systems.
Key Features
Self-hosted game server — Host your own game library on a home server that client devices connect to for downloads.
Client and GUI apps — Download, install, and launch games from the server through a command-line client or graphical interface.
Save file synchronization — Syncs save files across devices in addition to game files, enabling seamless cross-device play.
Game finder/scanner — Automatically scans a designated server folder to detect installed games, including Unity-engine titles.
Automatic updates — An updater component keeps client game installations current with the latest server-side files.
REST API endpoints — Server operations like triggering a library scan are exposed via REST endpoints.
Linux packaging via Flathub — The GUI client is available as a Flatpak for easy installation on Linux.
Free and open source — Fully open-source with no licensing cost, source available on GitHub.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Completely free and open source
Enables Steam-like remote install/play for non-Steam and DRM-free games
Unique save-file sync feature across devices
Lightweight, purpose-built for home-server environments
Available on Flathub for easy Linux installation
Cons
Very limited public documentation and company/creator information
Small community and userbase compared to mainstream launchers like Playnite
Requires self-hosting and technical setup, not plug-and-play
No commercial support or SLA
Narrow feature scope compared to full library aggregators
Pricing
Open Source (Self-Hosted) Free N/A
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Minus Games free?
Yes, Minus Games is completely free and open source.
What does Minus Games do?
It distributes, installs, and syncs games and save files from a self-hosted server to client devices, similar to a personal Steam-like system.
Does Minus Games sync save files?
Yes, syncing save files across devices is one of its core features, alongside syncing game installation files.
Where can I install Minus Games?
The GUI client is available via Flathub for Linux, with server and client components available on GitHub.
Who created Minus Games?
The project is maintained on GitHub under the account Accessory; detailed public information about the creator is limited.
Does Minus Games require Steam?
No, it is designed for distributing non-Steam or DRM-free games from your own server.