The New Epic Games Launcher Is in Preview, Faster and Now on Linux
Epic's rebuilt launcher is out in preview on Windows, macOS and, for the first time, Linux. Epic says it starts faster than Steam.
A Faster Launcher, in Preview
Epic Games released a preview of its new Epic Games Launcher on October 14. You can try it now from launcher.epicgames.com.
Epic is clearly aiming at Steam: its post says the team vibe coded the launcher to be "faster than the other guy".
The Numbers Epic Shared
In Epic's own chart, the new launcher opens the Store from a cold start in 5.47 seconds, against 10.07 seconds for Steam, which Epic calls 46 percent faster. Coming back from the system tray to the Library takes 0.36 seconds, against 0.42 seconds for Steam.
Epic says the tests were run in October 2026 by Keywords Studios, an independent company it commissioned, on 13 Windows PC configurations. IGN, which tried the preview, reports that the library loads 30 times faster.
Linux Support at Last
The preview runs on Windows and macOS and, for the first time, natively on Linux. Earlier reports said the rebuilt launcher moves from Unreal Engine to the lighter Tauri framework.
Your Favorite Skins, Ready for Thumbnails
Fortnite is one click away in the new launcher. For your thumbnails and edits, download your favorite outfits from FortniteRenders as 4K renders on a transparent background or as rigged 3D Blender models (.blend).
Download them for your thumbnails
4K transparent PNGs and Blender 3D models (.blend), free for your thumbnails and illustrations.