GTA 5 PC Price and Where to Buy

Grand Theft Auto V for PC costs $19.99 on most platforms as of 2024. You can buy it through Rockstar Games' official launcher, Steam, the Epic Games Store, or physical retailers that still stock PC games. The price is the same across all legitimate sellers—the variation comes in where you shop and what bonuses or sales might be running at the time you purchase.

Rockstar Games occasionally discounts GTA 5 during seasonal sales. Steam and Epic Games Store both run sales events several times a year where the price may drop 10 to 50 percent. If you are not in a hurry, checking these platforms during holiday sales (Black Friday, summer sales, winter sales) can save you money. Physical copies at retailers like Best Buy or Walmart sometimes go on sale as well, though they are less common now than digital versions.

Key Takeaways

  • GTA 5 for PC is priced at $19.99 on Steam, Epic Games Store, and Rockstar's official launcher.
  • The game requires a 64-bit Windows system and at least 65 GB of free hard drive space, so check your computer before buying.
  • Seasonal sales on Steam and Epic Games Store can reduce the price by 10 to 50 percent, so waiting for a sale event may be worth it.
  • Once you buy the game, you own it permanently and can read and play it as many times as you want on that account.

System Requirements and Storage Space

Before you buy, make sure your PC meets the minimum requirements. GTA 5 needs Windows 10 or Windows 11 (64-bit only), at least 4 GB of RAM, and a graphics card that supports DirectX 10. The game takes up 65 to 86 GB of hard drive space depending on which version you install, so you will need that much free space available before you read it.

If your computer is older or built for light use, the game may run slowly or not start at all. Rockstar Games publishes the full system requirements on their website, and you can compare your computer's specs there. Many players use free tools like CPU-Z or GPU-Z to check their graphics card and processor before spending money on a game their machine cannot handle.

Buying Through Steam

Steam is the largest PC gaming platform and usually has GTA 5 in stock. The game costs $19.99 on Steam, and you can purchase it with a credit card, debit card, or Steam Wallet balance. Once you buy it, the game is tied to your Steam account permanently—you can read it, uninstall it, and read it again whenever you want without paying again.

Steam also tracks your playtime and lets you see what friends are playing. The platform runs major sales events in November (Black Friday), June (summer sale), and December (winter sale), and GTA 5 often goes on sale during these periods. You can add the game to your wishlist on Steam to get a notification if the price drops.

Buying Through Epic Games Store

Epic Games Store is another major digital platform where GTA 5 costs $19.99. Epic frequently offers discounts on games, and GTA 5 has been discounted there during past sales. You will need an Epic Games account to buy and play the game. Like Steam, once you own it on Epic, you can read and play it as many times as you want.

Epic Games Store sometimes gives away free games each week, though GTA 5 is not usually one of them. However, if you already have an Epic account from playing other games, buying GTA 5 there keeps everything in one place. The read and installation process is similar to Steam—the game files go into your Epic Games folder on your hard drive.

Buying Directly from Rockstar Games

Rockstar Games sells GTA 5 directly through its own launcher, also called the Rockstar Games Launcher. The price is $19.99, the same as other platforms. You create a Rockstar account, buy the game, and read it through their launcher. This version is not tied to Steam or Epic—it runs independently on your computer.

Some players prefer buying directly from Rockstar because it cuts out the middleman, though there is no price advantage. The launcher also tracks your GTA Online progress if you play the multiplayer mode. Rockstar occasionally runs sales on their own platform, so it is worth checking if you are already a Rockstar Games customer.

Physical Copies and Older Retailers

Physical copies of GTA 5 for PC still exist but are harder to find than they were years ago. Retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, and GameStop may stock them, though availability varies by location and changes frequently. A physical copy usually costs around $19.99 as well, though older stock is sometimes discounted.

If you buy a physical copy, it comes with a product key or code that you enter into one of the platforms above (usually Steam or Rockstar Games Launcher) to read and play the game. The disc itself is just a convenience—you still need to read the full game files to your hard drive, which takes several hours depending on your internet speed. Physical copies are useful mainly if your internet is slow and you want to install from a disc instead of downloading 65+ GB.

What You Get When You Buy GTA 5

When you buy GTA 5, you get the single-player campaign—the story mode where you play as three main characters and complete missions across the fictional city of Los Santos. The game is yours to keep and play forever on that account. You also get access to GTA Online, the multiplayer mode where you create a character and play with other people online.

GTA Online is free to play once you own GTA 5, but it includes optional purchases like in-game currency and cosmetic items. You do not have to spend extra money to play GTA Online, but many players do buy in-game cash to speed up progress. The single-player campaign has no additional costs—everything is included in the $19.99 purchase price.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play GTA 5 on Mac or Linux?

No. GTA 5 is only available for Windows PC (64-bit), PlayStation, and Xbox. Rockstar Games has not released a Mac or Linux version. If you use a Mac, you cannot play GTA 5 natively, though some players use workarounds like virtual machines or compatibility layers—these are complicated and not officially supported.

Is GTA 5 ever free on PC?

GTA 5 was given away free on Epic Games Store in May 2020, but that was a one-time promotion. It is not regularly free. You can watch for sales on Steam and Epic Games Store, but the standard price is $19.99. Free-to-play games exist, but GTA 5 is not one of them.

Do I need to buy GTA Online separately?

No. GTA Online is included with your purchase of GTA 5. You do not pay extra to access the multiplayer mode. However, GTA Online has optional in-game purchases for currency and cosmetics, which are separate from the base game price.

What happens if I buy GTA 5 on sale and the price drops again later?

Steam and most platforms do not refund the difference if a game goes on sale after you buy it. However, Steam allows you to request a refund within 14 days of purchase if you have played less than 2 hours. After that window, the price you paid is final.

Can I share my GTA 5 account with someone else?

You can let someone else use your computer to play GTA 5, but you cannot transfer ownership of the game to another person. The game is tied to your account on Steam, Epic, or Rockstar Games. Sharing login credentials violates the terms of service for all platforms.