Where to Publish a Web Game in 2026: Portals, Indie Platforms, or Self-Hosting

Browser games built with tools like Phaser, Godot, or Three.js output static files that can be published on multiple channels simultaneously, making the choice strategic rather than technical. Game portals such as CrazyGames, Poki, GameDistribution, and Newgrounds offer built-in audiences and ad revenue but retain control over the player relationship and can change terms at any time. Indie platforms like itch.io give developers storefront control and community feedback, while self-hosting on a custom domain provides full ownership of the URL, analytics, and monetization at low cost, though it starts with zero organic audience. Most experienced developers publish across all three channel types at once, since the added effort per channel is minimal and limiting yourself to one leaves potential reach unused. For optimal delivery, developers are advised to use content-hashed filenames for aggressive caching, Brotli compression for smaller bundles, and progressive asset loading to reduce drop-off during initial game load.