Lutris
Lutris is a not-for-profit, open-source gaming platform for Linux that unifies libraries from Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, Humble Bundle, Battle.net, EA App, and Ubisoft Connect, and uses emulators, Wine, and Vulkan to run 344,000+ games for Linux desktop gamers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Lutris does
Lutris is a Los Angeles-based, not-for-profit open-source gaming platform founded in 2004 that serves Linux desktop gamers by providing a single unified client interface for installing, managing, and launching video games from all eras and most gaming systems. The platform's core product is the Lutris client, which connects to existing digital storefronts—Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, Humble Bundle, Battle.net, EA App, and Ubisoft Connect—to surface users' libraries in one place, and uses "runners" (emulators such as MAME, Dolphin, RetroArch, ScummVM; compatibility layers such as Wine; and game engine re-implementations) to actually execute the games on Linux and Vulkan. Lutris's database catalogues over 344,410 games across hundreds of platforms, and community-contributed installer scripts automate game installation and configuration, with the platform also marketed as a foundation for building custom open-source PC-based game consoles.
The business model is community-led and donation-funded: the software is free, with no premium tiers or commercial products, and operating costs are covered through voluntary contributions via Patreon (recurring monthly tiers), LiberaPay (recurring), and PayPal (one-time), augmented by episodic grants from corporate sponsors. Notable financial supporters include Epic Games (an Epic Megagrant awarded in November 2019 to fund Epic Games Store Linux compatibility), Valve (which provided a Steam Deck development unit), Hit Save (which covered 2024 hosting costs), and Canonical (which invited Lutris to the Ubuntu Summit in 2022 and 2023). The project has no venture capital or private equity backing and operates with 11-50 employees/maintainers. Go-to-market is entirely community-driven—Discord, GitHub, forums.lutris.net, and conference presence at events such as SCaLE and Ubuntu Summit—and the project self-describes as focused on video game preservation and cross-platform compatibility for the Linux ecosystem.
Lutris firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Lutris
- Website
- https://lutris.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Lutris is a not-for-profit, open-source gaming platform for Linux that unifies libraries from Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, Humble Bundle, Battle.net, EA App, and Ubisoft Connect, and uses emulators, Wine, and Vulkan to run 344,000+ games for Linux desktop gamers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Lutris industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Linux Gaming Software
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (5132), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Game Aggregation, Content Distribution & RGS (Remote Game Servers) (MPAEAKAG)
Keywords
Where Lutris is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Angeles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Lutris business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Community Donations: Lutris is a not-for-profit project that relies on community donations to cover expenses. Donations are accepted through Patreon (recurring monthly), LiberaPay (recurring), and PayPal (one-time).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free Open Source Platform |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Lutris product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Lutris is an open-source gaming platform for Linux that provides a unified client interface to install, manage, and launch video games from multiple digital storefronts (Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, Humble Bundle) and across eras and platforms via emulators, compatibility layers (Wine), and game engine re-implementations. It enables Linux desktop users to run both modern Windows games and retro or legacy games from hundreds of platforms through a single, free, community-maintained application.
Product overview
Lutris is a single unified product—an open gaming platform for Linux. The platform provides a central client interface for installing, managing, and launching video games from multiple storefronts (Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, Humble Bundle) and running them through various runners (emulators, compatibility layers like Wine, and game engine re-implementations). Users can also connect their gaming accounts to access their libraries seamlessly from one location. The platform is built entirely using open source technology and leverages Linux and Vulkan.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Lutris Client An open gaming platform for Linux that helps users install and play video games from all eras and most gaming systems by leveraging emulators, engine re-implementations, and compatibility layers. Provides a central interface to launch games from connected Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, and Humble Bundle libraries, with automated installation modifiable through user-made scripts.
Companies that use Lutris
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Lutris technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration9 records
Feature4 records
Lutris partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- CanonicalminorCanonical invited Lutris to the Ubuntu Summit in 2022 and 2023.
- SCaLE (Southern California Linux Expo)minorSCaLE has provided Lutris with a booth in their expo hall since 2018.
- Wine ProjectcoreWine is used as a compatibility layer to run Windows applications and games on Linux. Lutris recommends installing Wine from package managers.
- MAMEcoreMAME arcade emulator integrated as a runner for running arcade games.
- DolphincoreGameCube and Wii emulator integrated as a runner for Nintendo games.
- RetroArchcoreMulti-platform emulator suite integrated as a runner for retro games.
- ScummVMcoreAdventure game engine re-implementation for running classic point-and-click games.
- SteamcoreSteam library integration allowing users to access and launch Steam games through Lutris.
- Epic Games StorecoreEpic Games Store integration supported via Epic Megagrant-funded development.
- GOG (Good Old Games)coreGOG library integration allowing users to access DRM-free games through Lutris.
- Humble BundlecoreHumble Bundle library integration allowing users to access purchased games through Lutris.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Lutris competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Heroic Games Launcher:
- GOG Galaxy: GOG Galaxy is a multi-storefront game library client that aggregates owned games from various platforms into one interface. It is the closest functional analog to Lutris in unifying game libraries, though it is Windows-first and commercial.
Broad incumbents
- Steam (Valve): Steam is the dominant PC gaming storefront and client, offering native Linux support plus Proton compatibility for Windows games. Lutris complements Steam by aggregating non-Steam storefronts and offering emulators, but Steam's scale and built-in Proton layer make it the broadest incumbent peer.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Lutris social profiles
Digital presenceLutris financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Lutris leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Lutris funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Lutris M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Lutris
What does Lutris do?
Lutris is an open-source gaming platform for Linux that provides a unified client interface to install, manage, and launch video games from multiple digital storefronts (Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, Humble Bundle) and across eras and platforms via emulators, compatibility layers (Wine), and game engine re-implementations. It enables Linux desktop users to run both modern Windows games and retro or legacy games from hundreds of platforms through a single, free, community-maintained application.
Is Lutris a public or private company?
Lutris is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Lutris founded?
Lutris was founded in 2004. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Lutris based?
Lutris is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, in the North America region.
How does Lutris make money?
One revenue line is on record: community Donations.
Who are Lutris's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Heroic Games Launcher and GOG Galaxy. Steam (Valve) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Lutris have an API?
No public API is recorded for Lutris.
What industry is Lutris in?
Lutris's product category is Linux Gaming Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAEAKAG, Game Aggregation, Content Distribution & RGS (Remote Game Servers). Its NAICS code is 5132 and its SIC code is 7371.