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Parsec

Low-latency remote desktop built for gaming and creative work, free for personal use.

Free plan + paidRemote desktop software
Visit ParsecSee 6 alternatives
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5 of 5
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About Parsec

Parsec started as a way to play PC games remotely and with friends, and its streaming tech now powers remote work for animators, game studios and video editors. It streams at high frame rates with very little lag, supports 4:4:4 colour, multiple and virtual monitors, and pressure-sensitive drawing tablets, so it feels closer to sitting at the machine than most remote tools. Personal use is free and popular for couch co-op and accessing a home gaming rig. Warp, the paid individual tier, adds features like better colour, extra displays and tablet support, while Teams and Enterprise plans add central management, audit logs and access control. Parsec is owned by Unity. Hosting a session needs a Windows 10+ or macOS 10.15+ machine with a capable GPU; clients run on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and in Chrome. It is less suited to helpdesk-style support of strangers' computers.

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

Pros and cons

What works

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

Why people leave

  • 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

Top Parsec alternatives

See all 6
  1. 1Moonlight logo
    Moonlight

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

    66.5
  2. 2Jump Desktop logo
    Jump Desktop

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

    62.6
  3. 3Splashtop logo
    Splashtop

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

    59.6
  4. 4TeamViewer logo
    TeamViewer

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

    57.2
  5. 5NoMachine logo
    NoMachine

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

    55.3

Why people left Parsec

In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.

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Reviews

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Parsec: common questions

Is Parsec free?

Parsec has a free plan and paid plans. Free plan: Personal use (checked on Parsec's own site).

Is Parsec open source?

No, Parsec is not open source. Open-source alternatives include Moonlight and Sunshine.

What platforms does Parsec run on?

Parsec is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and Web.

What are the best alternatives to Parsec?

The highest-ranked Parsec alternatives right now are Moonlight, Jump Desktop and Splashtop. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

See all 6 Parsec alternatives