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Apollo alternatives: 3 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Apollo: windows-only host, and smaller project than Sunshine. We ranked 3 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Apollo, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Sunshine currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Sunshine logoSunshineOpen sourceYesWindows, Linux, macOS5 of 566.5
  1. Sunshine logo

    1. SunshineTop pick

    Best for: PC gamers who want to stream their own library to other devices with low latency and no fees

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWindows, Linux, macOS

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Apollo

    The upstream project, with Linux and macOS support and a larger maintainer team.

    Pros

    • Free and open source, no subscription
    • Hardware encoding on AMD, Intel and NVIDIA GPUs
    • Works with Moonlight clients on almost any device
    • Emulates common controllers on the host

    Cons

    • More setup than Steam Remote Play or Parsec
    • Needs a good home network for smooth play
    • macOS host support is limited
    Visit Sunshine Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Sunshine a good Apollo alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    License
    GPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Client
    Moonlight
    Checked Oct 25, 2026app.lizardbyte.dev(opens source in a new tab)
    Hardware encoding
    AMD, Intel, NVIDIA
    Checked Oct 25, 2026app.lizardbyte.dev(opens source in a new tab)
    Cost
    No monthly fees
    Checked Oct 25, 2026app.lizardbyte.dev(opens source in a new tab)
    Minimum OS
    Windows 11+, macOS 14.2+
    Checked Oct 25, 2026docs.lizardbyte.dev(opens source in a new tab)

The best Apollo alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Sunshine logo

Best Apollo alternative for most people

Sunshine

The upstream project, with Linux and macOS support and a larger maintainer team.

Steam logo

Best Apollo alternative for a free option

Steam

Steam Remote Play needs almost no configuration for games in your Steam library.

Parsec logo

Best Apollo alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Parsec

Simpler setup with its own clients and built-in remote co-op.

Sunshine logo

Best Apollo alternative for open source

Sunshine

The upstream project, with Linux and macOS support and a larger maintainer team.

Sunshine logo

Best Apollo alternative for self-hosting

Sunshine

The upstream project, with Linux and macOS support and a larger maintainer team.

Sunshine logo

Best Apollo alternative for Mac

Sunshine

The upstream project, with Linux and macOS support and a larger maintainer team.

Sunshine logo

Best Apollo alternative for Windows

Sunshine

The upstream project, with Linux and macOS support and a larger maintainer team.

Sunshine logo

Best Apollo alternative for Linux

Sunshine

The upstream project, with Linux and macOS support and a larger maintainer team.

Steam logo

Best Apollo alternative for iPhone and Android

Steam

Steam Remote Play needs almost no configuration for games in your Steam library.

Parsec logo

Best Apollo alternative for working in the browser

Parsec

Simpler setup with its own clients and built-in remote co-op.

Apollo alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Apollo?

Sunshine ranks first right now. The upstream project, with Linux and macOS support and a larger maintainer team. Parsec and Steam follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Apollo?

Yes. Sunshine (open source), Parsec (free plan + paid) and Steam (free) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Apollo?

Yes: Sunshine. Sunshine can also be self-hosted.

Which Apollo alternatives work on Linux?

Sunshine, Parsec and Steam run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Apollo?

The complaints we hear most: windows-only host; smaller project than Sunshine; some features need the Artemis client.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Apollo, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.