HTML5 Portal Exclusivity Compared: Poki, CrazyGames, GameDistribution & More
Exclusivity decides which portals you can combine for one game, and in what order. This page paraphrases what major HTML5 portals publish about exclusivity. It is not legal advice; the contract you sign overrides anything here. For a deeper eight-portal treatment we complement rather than replace, see Portal Ready
Quick comparison
| Portal | Default | Exclusive option | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poki | Web-exclusive (indicative ~5 years) | Non-exclusive flat fee possible if the game is already on other web platforms | Portal Ready summarizing Poki deal types |
| CrazyGames | Non-exclusive | Opt-in 2 months after Full Launch for +50% compensation | CrazyGames FAQ; Portal Ready |
| GameDistribution | Non-exclusive licence (worldwide, sublicensable) | Exclusive deals exist on request (details not fully published) | GD developer terms §2.1 |
| GamePix | Non-exclusive; you keep rights and can publish elsewhere | Not published as a default requirement | GamePix developers |
| itch.io | Non-exclusive self-publish | None published | Portal Ready / itch.io terms |
Poki: decide first
Poki's preferred deal is web exclusivity: on the open web the game lives on Poki. Discord and YouTube Playables count as web because they run HTML5 in a browser; Steam, mobile app stores and consoles stay outside that deal (Portal Ready). If the game is already on other web platforms, Poki may offer a one-time flat licence fee instead of a revenue share, without the exclusive deal's marketing investment.
Practical takeaway: choose whether you want a Poki exclusive path before uploading widely to other web portals. See also How to publish on Poki and Poki alternatives.
CrazyGames: non-exclusive, with a paid window
CrazyGames is non-exclusive by default and says you keep 100% ownership; games already live elsewhere are welcome if you hold the rights (FAQ). You can opt in to exclusivity for two months after Full Launch for higher compensation (+50%); that window is among browser game websites, not Steam or app stores (Portal Ready citing CrazyGames terms). Ads stay off during Basic Launch, so exclusivity decisions usually sit after Full Launch — see Publishing on CrazyGames.
GameDistribution: non-exclusive, but syndicated
GameDistribution's developer terms grant a worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive licence with the right to sublicense, so the game can appear on many partner sites (developer terms §2.1, last updated 19 June 2025). The same terms require the SDK before publish, a 33% developer share of net revenue, and a EUR 100 payout threshold (§2.6.3, §3.1, §3.3). Plan for syndication: deactivating on GD removes it from GD's site and GD notifies partners; it does not guarantee removal everywhere (Portal Ready citing GD FAQ).
What this means for one build, many portals
- Poki first or not at all for a web-exclusive revenue-share deal — otherwise expect the flat-fee path or skip Poki.
- CrazyGames + syndication networks (GameDistribution, GameMonetize, GamePix) generally stack when deals are non-exclusive.
- Keep builds in step where a portal requires feature parity with other releases (GD §2.6.4). See One HTML5 build, many portals.
- Non-web stores stay open under the published Poki and CrazyGames exclusivity scopes (Steam / app stores excluded).
Ask in writing before you sign
Portals often leave exclusive-option details unpublished. Ask for scope (own site, Discord, YouTube Playables, aggregators), term length, and what happens on termination. Browse non-exclusive listings and the comparison table.
Related: Poki vs CrazyGames vs GameDistribution · How much publishers take.
FAQ
Can I put the same game on Poki and CrazyGames?
Not under Poki's default web-exclusive deal. Poki may offer a non-exclusive flat fee for games already on other web platforms. CrazyGames is non-exclusive unless you opt into its two-month window.
Does YouTube Playables count as web for Poki exclusivity?
Portal Ready reports that Poki lists Discord and YouTube Playables inside web exclusivity because both run HTML5 in a browser. Confirm in your Poki agreement.
Is GameDistribution exclusive?
No by default. Its developer terms grant a worldwide non-exclusive licence. Exclusive deals may exist on request; ask GameDistribution for those terms.
Sources checked 2026-10-15. Terms you sign override this page. Spot an error? Report a correction.