Fanatical Free Games
Free games on Fanatical: current giveaways, how to claim them, and how to get the best deals on one of PC gaming's top authorized key sellers.
▸Free on Fanatical Right Now
No free games on Fanatical right now.
Fanatical runs giveaways during sales events and special promotions. Check back during their next major sale, or browse all free games this week from other platforms.
1.What Is Fanatical?
Fanatical (formerly BundleStars) is an authorized digital game retailer based in the UK. Unlike gray-market key resellers, Fanatical sources all keys directly from publishers, making it a trusted and legitimate place to buy PC games.
Fanatical is best known for three things: deeply discounted game bundles, daily Star Deals with massive markdowns, and occasional free game giveaways during promotional events.
Games purchased or claimed on Fanatical are delivered as activation keys — most commonly Steam keys. You redeem the key on the target platform (Steam, Epic, etc.) and the game is permanently added to your library.
2.How to Claim Free Games on Fanatical
Create a Fanatical Account
Go to fanatical.com and sign up for a free account. You can register with email or link your Steam account directly. No payment information is needed to claim free games.
Find the Free Game
Free games appear on the Fanatical homepage during promotions, or in their email newsletter. You can also check the TroveGG Fanatical tracker which monitors all active giveaways automatically.
Add to Cart & "Purchase"
Free games go through the normal checkout flow but at $0.00. Add the game to your cart, proceed to checkout, and complete the order. No credit card is required for free items.
Activate Your Key
After checkout, your key appears in your Fanatical library. Copy the key and activate it on Steam (or whichever platform is specified). Once activated, the game is permanently in your Steam library.
Tip: Activate your key as soon as you receive it. Free game promotions sometimes have limited key quantities, and unactivated keys may expire. Once the key is activated on Steam, the game is yours permanently.
3.Types of Fanatical Deals
Free Game Giveaways
Completely free games, usually offered during major sales events or as promotional incentives. You get a Steam key at no cost. These are the best value but happen irregularly — tracking them via TroveGG ensures you never miss one.
Star Deals
Fanatical's flagship promotion: one game per day at an extreme discount (typically 70-90% off). Not free, but often the lowest price available anywhere for that game. New Star Deals rotate every 24 hours.
Game Bundles
Curated packs of 3-10+ games at steep discounts, often starting at $1-5. Fanatical bundles are tiered: pay more to unlock more games. Steam keys for each title. One of the best values in PC gaming for building your library cheaply.
Build Your Own Bundle
Pick any games from a curated selection and the price drops with each one you add. For example, pick 3 games for $4.99 or 5 games for $7.99. Great for choosing only the titles you actually want to play.
4.Tips for Getting the Best Deals on Fanatical
Sign Up for the Newsletter
Fanatical sends email alerts for free game giveaways, new bundles, and exclusive discounts. This is often the fastest way to hear about free games, especially limited-quantity giveaways that sell out quickly.
Check the Star Deal Daily
The Star Deal rotates every 24 hours and features AAA and popular indie games at historical low prices. If you have a wishlist, checking the Star Deal takes 10 seconds and could save you 80%+ on a game you wanted.
Wait for Major Sale Events
Fanatical runs major sales (summer, winter, anniversary) where discounts are deepest and free game giveaways are most likely. These events typically run for 1-2 weeks and feature hundreds of deals plus promotional freebies.
Compare Prices Before Buying
While Fanatical often beats Steam prices, it is worth checking IsThereAnyDeal.com to compare across all authorized stores. Fanatical's Star Deals and bundles are frequently the cheapest option, but not always.
Stack with Free Game Platforms
Use Fanatical alongside free game sources like Epic's weekly giveaways, IndieGala freebies, and Prime Gaming to maximize your library. Fanatical fills the gap between free giveaways with near-free bundles and deals. See our complete guide to free PC games for the full strategy.
5.Fanatical vs Other Free Game Platforms
| Feature | Fanatical | Epic | IndieGala | GOG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Games | Occasional | Weekly | Multiple/week | During sales |
| Cheap Bundles | Excellent | No | Good | No |
| Daily Deals | Star Deal | No | Flash deals | No |
| Key Type | Steam keys | Epic launcher | Varies | DRM-free |
| Game Quality | AAA + Indie | AAA + Indie | Mostly indie | Classic + Indie |
| Authorized Seller | Yes | Yes (1st party) | Yes | Yes (1st party) |
The Bottom Line
Fanatical is not primarily a free game platform — it is a discount game store that occasionally gives away free games. Its real value is in bundles and Star Deals that get you games for pennies on the dollar. Pair it with Epic's weekly freebies and IndieGala giveaways for the best combination of free and nearly-free PC games. For the complete breakdown, see our platform comparison guide.
6.Fanatical Bundles: Near-Free Gaming
If you are looking for the cheapest way to build a game library beyond free giveaways, Fanatical bundles are hard to beat. Here is what makes them unique:
- •Tiered pricing — bundles start at $1-3 for a few games, with more unlocking at higher tiers ($5, $8, $10). You only pay for the tier you want.
- •Steam keys included — each game in the bundle comes with its own Steam key. Already own one game? Give the key to a friend.
- •Build Your Own — pick-and-choose bundles let you select specific games from a curated list. Prices drop as you add more titles. No filler games you do not want.
- •Quality control — unlike some bundle sites, Fanatical curates its selections and includes well-reviewed titles. Many bundle games have "Very Positive" or "Overwhelmingly Positive" Steam reviews.
Pro tip: If you are already visiting Fanatical for free games, take 30 seconds to check the current bundles. At $1-5 for multiple games, bundles bridge the gap between free giveaways and full-price purchases. Combined with free games from all platforms, you can build a massive library for almost nothing.
4 Games Are Free Right Now
Across all platforms — Epic, Steam, Fanatical, IndieGala, GOG, Prime Gaming, and more. Do not miss them.
View All Free Games This Week▸Related Guides
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Fanatical give away free games?
Yes, Fanatical occasionally gives away free games as promotions, though it is less frequent than Epic Games Store or IndieGala. Free games are typically offered during major sales events, special promotions, or as incentives for newsletter subscribers. The best way to catch them is to check TroveGG regularly or subscribe to Fanatical's email list.
Are Fanatical game keys legitimate?
Yes. Fanatical is an authorized key reseller that works directly with publishers and developers. All keys sold or given away on Fanatical are legitimate and sourced directly from the publisher. Fanatical is one of the few third-party key sellers that is officially recognized by major publishers alongside sites like Humble Bundle and Green Man Gaming.
How do I redeem a Fanatical game key on Steam?
Open Steam, click "Games" in the top menu, then "Activate a Product on Steam." Enter the key from your Fanatical library. Alternatively, click the "+ Add a Game" button in the bottom-left corner of the Steam client. Once activated, the game is permanently in your Steam library — identical to buying it directly on Steam.
What is the Fanatical Star Deal?
The Star Deal is Fanatical's flagship daily promotion featuring one game at a steep discount, often 70-90% off. While not free, Star Deals are some of the lowest prices you will find for PC games anywhere. A new Star Deal appears every 24 hours, so it is worth checking daily if you are looking for cheap games.
Is Fanatical better than other key sites?
Fanatical stands out for its bundles and Star Deals. For free games, Epic Games Store and IndieGala are more consistent. For deep discounts on paid games, Fanatical competes with Humble Bundle and is often cheaper than Steam sale prices. The best strategy is to use Fanatical alongside other platforms rather than choosing one exclusively.
Do Fanatical bundles include Steam keys?
Most Fanatical bundles include Steam keys, though some may include keys for other platforms like Epic Games Store or GOG. The product page always specifies which platform the key is for before you purchase. Steam keys are the most common by far.
How often does Fanatical have free game giveaways?
Fanatical runs free game giveaways irregularly — roughly a few times per month during active promotion periods, and less frequently during quiet periods. Major sale events (summer sale, winter sale, anniversary sales) are the most likely times for free game offers. Signing up for email notifications ensures you do not miss them.