Shmacky-McNuts: But no GOG isn't the same. Your logic was to drive to a store that the car ride over is DRM(GOG like). Steam is client enforced that you are required to use in order to have access to.
My logic never had any car rides to it from what I recall. Do point out said logic if I did post it, my memory isn't what it used to.
Now, let me say it yet another time.
Both GOG and Steam used an authentication based system to provide game files. Steam provide the games in an installed form, GOG provides them either as installers or in an installed form (Galaxy). The installer form GOG provides is also DRM-Free, though DRM'd installers are also possible (they don't exist on GOG, but do exist in other places).
What this thread is interested in is the installed files. Are those DRM'd or DRM-Free? Steam does provide some games with DRM-Free game files, as a comparison between game files provided by GOG and Steam for "Carmageddon: Max Pack" and "Carmageddon 2: Carpocalypse Now" has shown. Do ask if you want the comparisons again.
So, Steam is a DRM'd delivery system that can provide both DRM'd and DRM-Free game files. GOG is a DRM'd delivery system that provides DRM-Free installers that install DRM-Free game files, as well as a DRM'd delivery system that provides DRM-Free game files.
All 8 combinations are possible for software, and whether a software is considered DRM-Free or not depends on how many steps you require to be DRM-Free. Delivery, Installation, Execution. For this thread, we only check the last stage, Execution. Need of a client or not for delivery is irrelevant.
Edit: Found a gun analogy I had used, but not a car one. Still looking for it.