Moonlight
Free, open-source game streaming client that pairs with the Sunshine host for low-latency remote play.
- Verified facts
- 4 of 4
- Alternatives ranked
- 4
- Approved reviews
- 0
- Visits sent from here
- 0
About Moonlight
Moonlight is an open-source client for streaming games and desktops from a PC with very little lag. It began as an implementation of NVIDIA's GameStream protocol, and since NVIDIA retired GameStream most people pair it with Sunshine, an open-source host for Windows, Linux and macOS that works with NVIDIA, AMD and Intel GPUs. Streams can run at up to 4K with HDR and high frame rates, with controller, keyboard and mouse support, and the client runs on an unusually wide range of devices: Windows, macOS, Linux, Steam Link, Raspberry Pi, iOS and Apple TV, Android, ChromeOS, Xbox and more. It is free with no account and works peer-to-peer on your home network, or over the internet with port forwarding or a mesh VPN. It is built for gaming rather than office work: there is no file transfer, multi-user management or attended support mode.
Best for: Gamers who want free, low-latency streaming from their own PC to any screen.
Pros and cons
What works
- Free and open-source with no account
- Very low latency, 4K and HDR support
- Clients for TVs, consoles, phones and Raspberry Pi
Why people leave
- Needs a separate host such as Sunshine
- Internet play requires port forwarding or a VPN
- No file transfer or admin features
Top Moonlight alternatives
See all 4- 1
Parsec66.5Easier setup with internet connections handled for you, free for personal use.
- 2
Jump Desktop62.6High-frame-rate streaming that also covers everyday remote work.
- 3
Chrome Remote Desktop59.6Simple free remote desktop when you need work access rather than gaming.
- 4
NoMachine57.2Fast remote desktop for general use, including Linux hosts.
Why people left Moonlight
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Reviews
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Moonlight: common questions
Is Moonlight free?
Yes. Moonlight is free, open-source software that you can host yourself.
Is Moonlight open source?
Yes. The source code is on GitHub at moonlight-stream/moonlight-qt. You can also run it on your own server.
What platforms does Moonlight run on?
Moonlight is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android.
What are the best alternatives to Moonlight?
The highest-ranked Moonlight alternatives right now are Parsec, Jump Desktop and Chrome Remote Desktop. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.