Epic Says New Launcher Preview Boots 46% Faster Than Steam

Epic has released a preview version of its rebuilt Epic Games Launcher, now available for download and focused on faster performance than both its predecessor and Steam, according to Epic's announcements and an interview with IGN.

The launcher was rebuilt from the ground up with a new tech stack. Epic used AI and vibe coding for the rewrite of the shell, download manager, library, store architecture, and product detail pages. The preview includes core panels for the store, library, and social features along with an Unreal-focused developer page, though it remains light on additional features in this early phase.

Speed gains form the main focus of the first phase. The launcher boots from cold in 5.47 seconds, which Epic states is 46 percent faster than Steam. Reopening from the system tray takes 0.36 seconds, 14 percent faster than Steam. The library loads 30 times faster than in the previous launcher, startup is twice as fast, and the app footprint is 300 megabytes.

Platform support expands to Linux for the first time. The preview runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Fortnite will follow on Linux once Epic rebuilds its Easy Anti-Cheat system, with rollout planned after working with a critical mass of distro maintainers.

Quality-of-life changes include improved customization options. Users can reorder tabs on the adjustable top bar and filter the library by various categories. Epic vice president and general manager of Epic Games Store Martin Keely said future work will target more relevant game discovery, merchandising, and easier social recommendations between players.

Epic had earlier outlined plans for five times faster boot times. The preview is positioned as an incremental step while the company continues development.