I need one hosted page this afternoon
Start with itch.io. It can accept and host the HTML5 files directly.
Vibe Arcade vs itch.io
Use itch.io for hosting, a complete indie project page, community, and payments. Use Vibe Arcade for an additional GitHub-backed listing and player signals.
Last verified
The short verdict
For many creators, use both
itch.io and Vibe currently solve different jobs. itch.io can host and commercialize a release. Vibe adds a moderated arcade listing around an existing public repository and hosted build.
Choose Vibe Arcade when
- You already have a public GitHub repository and hosting.
- You want a separate player-first listing, likes, charts, and return signals.
- You value moderation and visible build-health reports.
Choose itch.io when
- You need HTML5 asset hosting or downloadable releases.
- You need donations, selling tools, a community surface, or game jams.
- You do not want public source or a GitHub requirement.
Verified comparison
No fake scores and no invented winner. Pick the platform whose actual job matches the release.
- Game hosting
- Vibe ArcadeDoes not host files. Links a public GitHub repository and optional external build.
- itch.ioHosts uploaded HTML, JavaScript, CSS, and assets from a ZIP or self-contained HTML file.
- Repository
- Vibe ArcadeRequires a public GitHub repository that the signed-in creator can push to.
- itch.ioDoes not require GitHub or public source. Creators can upload files directly.
- Discovery
- Vibe ArcadeApproved live builds enter a playable catalog and can rank through likes, starts, and returns.
- itch.ioUses Search, Browse, tags, followers, collections, devlogs, and external promotion. Publishing and indexing are separate.
- Money
- Vibe ArcadeNo payments, advertising, sales, or revenue-share system.
- itch.ioSupports donations and broader marketplace tools. Browser-playable HTML5 projects accept donations; paid access uses the Downloadable project type.
- Community
- Vibe ArcadePlayer likes and creator credit, without comments, forums, followers, or game jams.
- itch.ioComments or discussion boards, followers, ratings, devlogs, collections, and game jams.
- Creator signals
- Vibe ArcadeLikes, launch taps, approximate recent starts and returns, chart positions, and build reports.
- itch.ioDocuments page views, downloads, purchases, earnings, and other project analytics.
- Publication
- Vibe ArcadeEvery submission starts pending and stays private until a Vibe moderator approves it.
- itch.ioA creator can publish a public page, while Search and Browse indexing may be separate or reviewed.
- Best use
- Vibe ArcadeAn additional curated listing and feedback surface for a GitHub-backed game.
- itch.ioHosting, a complete indie project page, community tools, downloads, donations, and sales workflows.
Concrete choices
My game already runs on my own domain or GitHub Pages
Add Vibe if the repository is public and you want another moderated discovery surface.
I want donations plus another play-first listing
Use itch.io for the commercial and project-page layer, then list the same externally hosted game on Vibe when the URL qualifies.
I need private source, comments, and game jams
Use itch.io. Those needs fall outside Vibe's current product and public-repository contract.
Vibe Arcade limitations
Vibe does not host builds, sell games, run ads, provide comments or follows, accept private repositories, guarantee traffic, or promise a moderation time. A live URL creates eligibility for play-first discovery; it does not guarantee a chart position.
Official sources
Verified 16 July 2026- itch.io HTML5 publishing guide
Hosting, ZIP requirements, embed behavior, mobile flag, and HTML5 payment limits.
- itch.io Search and Browse guide
Publishing versus indexing, discovery eligibility, tags, and review conditions.
Questions, answered
Is Vibe Arcade an itch.io replacement?
No. Vibe is not a file host, storefront, or full community platform. It is an additional discovery and player-signal layer for a public GitHub-backed game.
Can I use Vibe Arcade and itch.io together?
Technically, yes. Vibe accepts a qualifying external HTTP(S) build URL and does not copy the project. Creators should still review the current terms of every platform they use.
Which platform hosts the game files?
itch.io can host uploaded HTML5 assets. Vibe does not host them; it references the GitHub repository and the external live URL supplied by the creator.
Does either platform require GitHub?
Vibe requires a public GitHub repository that the signed-in creator can push to. itch.io accepts direct uploads and does not require GitHub or public source.
Which platform supports payments?
itch.io supports donations and broader marketplace workflows. Its browser-playable HTML5 projects accept donations, while selling access uses the Downloadable project type. Vibe has no payment system.
Does publishing make a game immediately discoverable?
Not necessarily. itch.io separates a public page from Search and Browse indexing. Vibe keeps a new submission private until a moderator approves it.
How do their creator metrics differ?
itch.io documents views, downloads, purchases, and earnings. Vibe reports likes, launch taps, approximate recent starts and returns, chart positions, and broken-build reports. These measures are not interchangeable.
Which platform should a browser-game creator choose?
Choose itch.io for hosting, selling, downloads, community, or jams. Choose Vibe for an extra curated GitHub-backed listing and player signals. Use both when those jobs overlap.
Choose your next step
Browse the current arcade as a player, or add a GitHub-backed game to your publishing mix after you confirm the listing requirements.