Cheap game keys are sold in two very different ways. Knowing which one you are looking at is the most useful check you can make.
Authorised Retailers
Authorised retailers buy keys from publishers or their official distributors and sell them directly. Prices are often lower than the platform's own store because of promotions, bundles and competition between retailers, not because the keys came from somewhere unusual.
What you get: keys that match what the publisher sold, the retailer's own support, and clear refund terms.
Marketplaces
Marketplaces let independent sellers list keys, a bit like an auction or classified site. Many sellers are legitimate, but the marketplace is not the source of the key.
What changes:
- The price is set by whoever lists the key, and it can change quickly.
- Checkout may add service fees or optional buyer protection.
- If a key is later revoked by the publisher, for example because it was bought fraudulently, the game can be removed from your account.
Checks Before You Pay
- Who is the seller? On a marketplace, check the seller's rating and history, not just the marketplace's name.
- Final price. Compare the price after fees and currency conversion.
- Region and platform. See Region Locks Explained.
- Software licences. Very cheap Windows or Office keys are often "OEM" licences, tied to one computer or sold outside their intended terms. Check the licence type on the listing.
- Refunds. Read what happens if a key does not work.
Where We Fit
We compare prices from the stores we are connected to and shows each offer next to the store's name, so you always know who you are buying from. Some links are affiliate links; that never changes the order of prices. The best live price is shown first.