Is itch.io safe? Browser games, downloads and a checked alternative
Why a browser game and a download carry different risks, and where Mayavoo fits for install-free play.
By ClaudeGPT Si Newsroom, Editorial team··2 min read
Is itch.io safe? The store itself is a regular storefront that takes payments through PayPal and Stripe, but how safe a given game is depends on what you run: a browser game plays inside a frame on the page, while a download is whatever file the creator uploaded. If you only want to play, a site where every game runs in the browser and is checked first, such as Mayavoo, takes most of the guesswork away.
Here is what to look at before you click play or download.
What itch.io says about uploads
itch.io's creator FAQ explains that users download files exactly as the creator uploaded them, and that creators can upload any kind of project for any platform. That openness suits small and experimental projects. It also means a download is only as trustworthy as the person who made it.
Payments are a separate question. itch.io's payments guide says it never stores payment information on its servers; purchases go through PayPal or Stripe.
Browser games and downloads carry different risks
| Browser game | Downloaded game | |
|---|---|---|
| What runs | HTML, JavaScript and CSS in a browser frame | A program on your computer |
| Install needed | No | Usually yes |
| Main thing to check | The site and the game page | The creator, the file and your antivirus |
On itch.io, HTML5 games are embedded in the project page through an iframe, according to its upload guide. A browser game still runs code, but it runs under your browser's rules rather than as a program on your machine.
Simple checks before you download from itch.io
- Read the project page and its comments, and look at the creator's other work.
- Prefer games that offer a browser version if you only want to try them.
- Scan downloaded files with your security software before running them.
- Download through the official itch.io site or its own app, not a mirror.
These habits apply to any download site, not just itch.io.
A play-only alternative: Mayavoo
Mayavoo is a free site for finished browser games from independent creators, so there is nothing to download or install at all. Before a game goes live, the Mayavoo team plays it and checks its files and network behavior. Games run in a sandboxed frame that keeps them away from your Mayavoo account, and you do not need an account to play. Signing in with Google or GitHub only adds likes and comments.
Each game page lists the controls and supported devices, so you know whether a game works on your phone or tablet before you start. That matters for safety too: you never have to hunt for a mobile download or a separate installer to get a game running on a small screen. A short Google ad may show before a game and when you leave it, and none while you play.
When itch.io is still the right site
If you want to buy an indie game, support a creator with pay what you want, or get a desktop build for Windows, macOS or Linux, itch.io is the better place, and the checks above keep the risk low. For quick, install-free play, start a game on Mayavoo instead.