AppBreakup
Submit an app

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
2Parsec logoParsecFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS, Linux +25 of 552.2
3Steam logoSteamFreeNoWindows, macOS, Linux +25 of 550.3
  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)
  2. Parsec logo

    2. Parsec

    Best for: Gamers and creative teams who need smooth, high-frame-rate remote sessions

    Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Linux, Android, Web

    52.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Apollo

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

    Pros

    • Very low latency and high frame rates
    • Free personal tier works well for remote gaming
    • Drawing-tablet and multi-monitor support on paid plans

    Cons

    • Hosting requires Windows or macOS, not Linux
    • Needs a decent GPU and connection on the host
    • Team plans cost more than general remote access tools
    Visit Parsec Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.352
    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 Parsec a good Apollo alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Free plan
    Personal use
    Checked Oct 25, 2026parsec.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Warp (individual) price
    $8.33 per user/month, paid annually
    Checked Oct 25, 2026parsec.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Teams price
    $30 per user/month, paid annually
    Checked Oct 25, 2026parsec.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Host OS
    Windows 10+ or macOS 10.15+
    Checked Oct 25, 2026parsec.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Frame rate
    Up to 240 FPS (60 FPS at 4K)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026parsec.app(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Steam logo

    3. Steam

    Best for: PC gamers who want the widest catalogue, frequent sales and their friends in one place

    FreeWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    50.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Apollo

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

    Pros

    • Largest PC game catalogue, with frequent deep sales
    • Proton lets many Windows games run on Linux and Steam Deck
    • Workshop makes installing mods for supported games easy
    • Cloud saves, achievements and friends built in

    Cons

    • Most games are tied to the Steam client by DRM
    • The client is heavy and keeps background services running
    • You buy licences, not DRM-free copies like on GOG
    Visit Steam Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.346
    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 Steam a good Apollo alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Mobile app
    iOS and Android
    Checked Oct 25, 2026store.steampowered.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Mods
    Steam Workshop, ~1,000 supported games
    Checked Oct 25, 2026store.steampowered.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Chat
    Text and voice
    Checked Oct 25, 2026store.steampowered.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Payment options
    100+ methods, 35+ currencies
    Checked Oct 25, 2026store.steampowered.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Languages
    28
    Checked Oct 25, 2026store.steampowered.com(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.