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Parsec alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Parsec: hosting requires Windows or macOS, not Linux, and needs a decent GPU and connection on the host. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Parsec, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Moonlight currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Moonlight logoMoonlightOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +24 of 466.5
2Sunshine logoSunshineOpen sourceYesWindows, Linux, macOS5 of 538.6
  1. Moonlight logo

    1. MoonlightTop pick

    Best for: Gamers who want free, low-latency streaming from their own PC to any screen

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Parsec

    Free open-source game streaming, paired with the Sunshine host, with no account needed.

    Pros

    • Free and open-source with no account
    • Very low latency, 4K and HDR support
    • Clients for TVs, consoles, phones and Raspberry Pi

    Cons

    • Needs a separate host such as Sunshine
    • Internet play requires port forwarding or a VPN
    • No file transfer or admin features
    Visit Moonlight 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 Moonlight a good Parsec alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    GPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Protocol
    Open implementation of NVIDIA GameStream
    Checked Oct 25, 2026moonlight-stream.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Max quality
    4K with HDR
    Checked Oct 25, 2026moonlight-stream.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Client platforms
    Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Apple TV, Android and more
    Checked Oct 25, 2026moonlight-stream.org(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Sunshine logo

    2. Sunshine

    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

    38.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Parsec

    Free, open-source self-hosted streaming host used with Moonlight clients on almost any device.

    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 ×0.37
    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 Parsec 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 Parsec alternative for…

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

Moonlight logo

Best Parsec alternative for most people

Moonlight

Free open-source game streaming, paired with the Sunshine host, with no account needed.

Sunshine logo

Best Parsec alternative for a free option

Sunshine

Free, open-source self-hosted streaming host used with Moonlight clients on almost any device.

Jump Desktop logo

Best Parsec alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Jump Desktop

High-frame-rate Fluid protocol plus RDP and VNC, with a one-time Mac purchase.

Moonlight logo

Best Parsec alternative for open source

Moonlight

Free open-source game streaming, paired with the Sunshine host, with no account needed.

Moonlight logo

Best Parsec alternative for self-hosting

Moonlight

Free open-source game streaming, paired with the Sunshine host, with no account needed.

Splashtop logo

Best Parsec alternative for Mac

Splashtop

Cheaper general remote access that still handles video work reasonably well.

TeamViewer logo

Best Parsec alternative for Windows

TeamViewer

Better for supporting other people's machines rather than streaming your own.

NoMachine logo

Best Parsec alternative for Linux

NoMachine

Fast NX-based remote desktop that can also host from Linux machines.

Moonlight logo

Best Parsec alternative for iPhone and Android

Moonlight

Free open-source game streaming, paired with the Sunshine host, with no account needed.

Jump Desktop logo

Best Parsec alternative for working in the browser

Jump Desktop

High-frame-rate Fluid protocol plus RDP and VNC, with a one-time Mac purchase.

Parsec alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Parsec?

Moonlight ranks first right now. Free open-source game streaming, paired with the Sunshine host, with no account needed. Jump Desktop and Splashtop follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Parsec?

Yes. Moonlight (open source), Jump Desktop (free plan + paid), Splashtop (free plan + paid) and TeamViewer (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Parsec?

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

Which Parsec alternatives work on Linux?

Moonlight, Splashtop, TeamViewer, NoMachine and Sunshine run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Parsec?

The complaints we hear most: 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.

How is this list ranked?

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