Hi. I am kinda new to GOG. I have downloaded both Galaxy and the GOG downloader. I was wondering what the difference were between the two? Is there any difference in download speed for example?


Thanks in advance.

GOG Galaxy is a Steam-like client (minus the "mandatory to run your games" part). It's still in its BETA phase.
GOG Downloader is just this: A Downloader. You download installers of your games with it. It's no longer supported by GOG.

edit: To clarify "no longer supported" -> It still works, but GOG won't fix the downloader if something stops working because of a site update (or because of any other reason).

GOG Downloader is discontinued, the functionality was built into the Galaxy Client. Galaxy is client software you install on your machine and through that you can download your games, keep achievements, play multiplayer. Personally I am totally against client software so I would also point out that browser download is also available, just goto the website, got into your library and download each of the files for a game. You can keep these files on external drives and use them where ever and whenever you want which is a big plus.

You can still download directly from the site.

Easy: One of them works. :P

No. You can still download the games directly from the website. Or you can use Galaxy as a downloader. Or you can download and install your games with Galaxy and start them with the exe that doesn't start Galaxy.

The downloader downloads the compressed installers while Galaxy downloads uncompressed data afaik. So if you're connection is slow/metered then maybe the downloader is the better option.

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Galaxy is an optional client with possible achievements that u can unlock (like in Steam) whereas GOG Downloader is just a simple program to make it easier for u to download files from GOG. Other than that the main difference is Galaxy downloads uncompressed files & installs ur game directly while u need to manually install the game aft u downloaded from GOG Downloader. As for speedwise, GOG Downloader may be a little faster since the files are compressed. Personally I dun use Galaxy so I can't tell how much faster for sure. Hope the info helps.

You are aware that you can also download the compressed installers through Galaxy, right?

But only then game data is compressed in Galaxy, otherwise not?

The old downloader as long as it works is a bit more convenient for just downloading the installers in my eyes (less clicks, directly starting from browser).

What I hope is that some day before 2020 Galaxy will as good as gogrepo.py, with keeping installer archives up to date and everything.

Nope. Without downloading the game first?

Galaxy offers you the choice of downloading the (currently uncompressed) game data and/or downloading the compressed installers, for any OS you are interested in. So yes, you can download an installer without downloading the game first.
There are plans to add compression to the game files, but I think the logistics of it are a bit harder than we think, especially since Galaxy should be able to verify the existing files then send only the ones in need of repair, so it will have to compress an arbitrary number of files on the fly. Possible to do so, but can be a huge pain to do so.

I personally don't consider the need to use the browser in tandem with the legacy GOG Downloader as a benefit. You have to log in twice (through the web browser, and the Downloader client), and it just isn't very intuitive that you have to initiate the downloads on a different application where they actually will be downloaded. So in that sense I consider Galaxy as a simpler method to download the installers, you need to use only one application for it, not two.

Ok GOG Downloader did have one definite advantage though, you didn't have to click all the files individually, but just one metalink which would add all the relevant files to the download queue.

Realistically speaking, I am not expecting that to happen for two reasons. First, GOG probably prefers that people download stuff only on need to use basis, not that they routinely download everything they've purchased, several times (whenever the installers are updated).

Second, their main development efforts are on the Galaxy side of things anyway, and the offline installers (how easy it is to download them etc.) is the second priority probably.

I'm fine with that though, as long as they don't try to actively block third party utilities like gogrepo from working, and that they keep the ability to download and install the games without Galaxy possible. Most users probably rather download only when they intend to play, I guess.