What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
For most people with a capable gaming PC, Moonlight paired with Sunshine is the best Steam Remote Play alternative. It gives you broad client support, control over video settings, and the ability to stream games from your own computer over your home network or the internet.
If you do not want to leave a PC running, use GeForce NOW when it supports the game you own. Xbox Cloud Gaming is the better fit for Microsoft’s cloud catalog, Xbox Remote Play streams from your own console, and Parsec is useful when you need a general remote desktop as well as game streaming.
What a Steam Remote Play alternative needs to do
Steam Remote Play uses a host-and-client design. Your gaming PC renders the game, encodes the resulting video and audio, and sends that stream to another device. The phone, tablet, television, handheld, or second computer sends controller and keyboard input back to the host. Valve describes the interaction as operating within milliseconds on a fast connection.
An alternative can change one of two fundamental things:
#1 Best Overall
- Includes Raspberry Pi 5 with 2.4Ghz 64-bit quad-core CPU (8GB RAM)
- Includes 128GB Micro SD Card pre-loaded with 64-bit Raspberry Pi OS, USB MicroSD Card Reader
- CanaKit Turbine Black Case for the Raspberry Pi 5
- CanaKit Low Noise Bearing System Fan
- Mega Heat Sink - Black Anodized
- Keep your own PC as the host. Moonlight with Sunshine, Parsec, and Steam Link-style tools use hardware you already own. Image quality, latency, game compatibility, and electricity use depend largely on that computer and the network path.
- Move rendering to a provider’s servers. GeForce NOW and Xbox Cloud Gaming run games in a data center, so your home PC does not need to be powered on. In exchange, you are limited to the provider’s supported games, regions, plans, queues, and storage rules.
That distinction matters more than the name of the client app. Before choosing, decide where you want the game to run, which library you need, and whether you can maintain a reliable connection to a home host.
Steam Remote Play alternatives compared
| Alternative | Where the game runs | Library and setup | Best fit | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moonlight + Sunshine | Your gaming PC | Install Sunshine on the host and Moonlight on the receiving device; configure pairing and, for internet use, remote access | PC owners who want control, broad device support, and flexible settings | You manage the host computer, networking, updates, and security |
| GeForce NOW | NVIDIA cloud servers | Connect supported game-store accounts and use the service’s supported titles | Players without an always-on home PC | Game support, queues, membership features, regions, and storage terms can change |
| Xbox Cloud Gaming | Xbox servers in Azure data centers | Microsoft account, supported plan, compatible device, and an available game in the cloud catalog | Players who want a provider-hosted Xbox catalog | The catalog and device availability determine what you can play |
| Xbox Remote Play | Your Xbox console | Enable remote features on the console and keep it available for remote access | Xbox owners playing installed console games away from the television | Your console must be powered appropriately, connected, and reachable |
| Parsec | Your PC or a Parsec-hosted environment | General remote desktop and game-streaming setup rather than a Steam-library-specific workflow | Users who need desktop access, collaborative play, or non-Steam applications | Less automatic Steam-library integration than Steam’s own clients |
There is no authoritative, controlled cross-service latency test establishing one universal winner. Latency changes with the host hardware, encoder, Wi-Fi conditions, internet routing, display processing, and distance to a cloud data center.
Moonlight and Sunshine: the best self-hosted choice
Moonlight is the client and Sunshine is the host application. Sunshine runs on the gaming PC; Moonlight receives the stream on another device. Moonlight’s official clients cover Windows, macOS, Linux, Raspberry Pi, Android, iOS, Apple TV, and ChromeOS. Its documentation also lists Raspberry Pi 4, Steam Link hardware, Amazon Fire tablets and TVs, and additional compatible paths.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11This combination is attractive when you already own a capable computer because the game library is not restricted to titles specifically enabled by a cloud provider. You can stream Steam games and, with the right desktop configuration, other launchers and applications too. The host still has to meet the game’s normal performance requirements.
Set up Sunshine on the gaming PC
- Install Sunshine on the computer that will render the game. Keep the host’s graphics driver and operating system current enough for the games you intend to run.
- Open Sunshine’s web interface and create an administrator account when prompted. Treat this account as a security credential, not as a temporary setup password.
- Add the games or desktop applications you want to launch. Test each one locally before attempting an internet connection.
- Check that the host uses the intended display resolution and refresh rate. A stream can be limited by the host’s encoder, even when the game itself runs at a higher frame rate.
Pair Moonlight on the receiving device
- Install Moonlight from the official store or package for your device.
- Open Moonlight on the same home network as the Sunshine host. The computer should appear automatically, or you can add its local address manually.
- Select the host. Moonlight displays a pairing PIN; enter that PIN in Sunshine’s interface.
- Choose a conservative resolution, frame rate, and bitrate for the first test. Increase quality only after confirming that the stream is stable.
- Launch a game and verify controller detection, audio output, and whether the host returns to the correct game after switching applications.
Stream Moonlight over the internet
Moonlight documents internet hosting through the Moonlight Internet Hosting Tool. Remote access requires more than installing the client: the home network must route traffic to the host, and the host must remain available. You may need router configuration, a stable public address or dynamic-DNS arrangement, and firewall rules that expose only the services you understand.
Rank #2
- Includes Raspberry Pi 5 16GB with 2.4Ghz 64-bit quad-core CPU (16GB RAM)
- Includes 128GB Micro SD Card pre-loaded with 64-bit Raspberry Pi OS, USB MicroSD Card Reader
- CanaKit Turbine Black Case for the Raspberry Pi 5
- CanaKit Low Noise Bearing System Fan
- Mega Heat Sink - Black Anodized
Moonlight recommends selecting a bitrate at least 1 Mbps below the connection’s upload speed. That margin prevents the stream from saturating the uplink and leaving no capacity for acknowledgements, input, or other household traffic. Measure the actual upload speed at the host location rather than relying on the advertised maximum.
The Moonlight documentation describes encrypted input, video, and audio paths. Sunshine version 0.22 supports full end-to-end encryption on capable devices. Keep both host and client updated, use a strong Sunshine account password, and avoid forwarding unrelated administration interfaces to the public internet.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsGeForce NOW: cloud rendering without a home gaming PC
GeForce NOW runs supported PC games on NVIDIA servers and streams the result to your device. You connect eligible accounts from supported stores, then launch a game through the service. This removes the need for an always-on home computer, but it does not make every PC title available automatically.
Valve’s Steam Cloud Play documentation describes the feature as a beta integration that initially connects Steam with GeForce NOW. A developer must opt a game into Cloud Play, so ownership on Steam alone does not guarantee cloud availability. NVIDIA’s own catalog and account requirements also apply.
Valve documented GeForce NOW as available in more than 80 countries and in North America, Western Europe, and Asia Pacific at the time of its documentation. Availability, supported regions, membership tiers, queues, and game support are service terms that can change; check the current service page before committing to a specific title.
Rank #3
- CanaKit Raspberry Pi 5 Essentials Starter Kit
GeForce NOW storage considerations
NVIDIA’s current guide documents an Install-to-Play flow. Performance and Ultimate memberships include 100 GB of single-session storage. Optional persistent storage is documented in 200 GB, 500 GB, and 1 TB sizes. These figures describe the service’s stated storage allowances, not the disk capacity of your own computer, and they do not remove the requirement that a game be supported.
Choose GeForce NOW when you value not having to maintain a host PC and your games appear in the current supported catalog. It is a poor substitute when a favorite title is absent, a publisher has not enabled the required integration, or you need unrestricted access to desktop applications.
Xbox Cloud Gaming and Xbox Remote Play are different
Microsoft distinguishes these services by where the game executes. With Xbox Cloud Gaming, the game runs on an Xbox server in an Azure data center. With Xbox Remote Play, the game runs on the user’s Xbox console. The two options therefore solve different problems.
Xbox Cloud Gaming
Cloud Gaming is appropriate when you want Microsoft’s provider-hosted catalog and do not own an Xbox that can act as a host. You sign in with a Microsoft account, use a supported plan, and select a title available for cloud play on your device. No home console needs to remain reachable, but catalog membership, region, controller support, and device support determine the result.
Xbox Remote Play
Remote Play is the Xbox equivalent of streaming your own computer. The console must be configured for remote features, connected to the internet, and available to accept a session. You play installed console games from the console’s library rather than from Microsoft’s general cloud catalog. It is the logical choice for an Xbox owner who wants to use a phone, tablet, browser-capable device, or another screen while away from the television.
Rank #4
- All-in-One Complete Kit: This SANOOV RPi 5 bundle comes with Raspberry Pi 5 4GB RAM single board, active cooler, durable ABS case and screwdriver. No extra parts needed, ready to use right out of the box for beginners and hobbyists
- Powerful Single Board Computer: Equipped with 4GB RAM and high-performance processor, delivers fast running speed for 4K playback, AI projects, programming and daily computing tasks. SANOOV for raspberry pi 5 4GB is equipped with broadcom 64 quad-core Arm Cortex A76 processor with gigabit ethernet and upgraded with IEEE 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0 dual-band 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz and Power Over Ethernet (POE). Upgrading delivers 2-3 x speed vs Pi 4, redefining the experience
- Efficient Active Cooler: Effectively lowers operating temperature and prevents performance throttling. Runs quietly even under long-time heavy load, ensures stable operation all day long. SANOOV RPi 5 4GB kit offer an active cooler, which combines an aluminium heatsink with a high-performance PWM fan. Active cooler is fully compatible with the Pi OS, which can effectively reduce the temperature of RPi5 and ensure its good performance during long-term high load operation
- Sturdy ABS Protective Case: Well-fitted for Raspberry Pi 5 board, can be secured with 4 screws to effectively protect the Pi 5 motherboard from damage, reserves full access to all ports and buttons. SANOOV uses ABS material to produce the case, which has a softer texture and feel. Meanwhile, SANOOV case adopts a layered design for easy disassembly and installation. (Tip: The Case cannot install M.2 HAT Add on Board and Solid State Drive!)
- Wide Application & Full Compatibility: Seamlessly compatible with official OS and mainstream peripheral accessories for Raspberry Pi 5. Whether you are a beginner, student, electronics hobbyist or professional developer, this all-in-one kit meets your diverse needs. It excels in IoT projects, robotics design, retro gaming devices, home media servers and other DIY creations. Backed by a large global community, you can easily find guides, technical support and shared projects online
Parsec for games and the whole desktop
Parsec is a general remote-desktop and game-streaming tool. Its broader purpose is useful when you need to reach applications, files, creative software, or a desktop that is not organized around Steam. It can also support remote multiplayer and shared-control scenarios where a library-specific client is inconvenient.
That flexibility adds setup decisions. You must select the correct host, configure access permissions, decide whether a session should expose the entire desktop or a single application, and test controller and keyboard behavior. Parsec is therefore a strong alternative for mixed desktop use, but it offers less Steam-library-specific integration than Steam’s own ecosystem.
Choose the right client device
The receiving device decodes video and sends input; it does not replace the gaming PC or cloud server that renders the game. A practical compact option for a television or secondary display is a Raspberry Pi 5. Valve lists Raspberry Pi 5 in the Steam Link client list, and Moonlight documents Raspberry Pi clients. The Pi is the endpoint, while the gaming PC remains the host.
Other documented client paths include phones and tablets, Apple TV, Android TV-style devices, Amazon Fire TV, Windows and macOS computers, Linux systems, ChromeOS, and compatible virtual-reality headsets. Confirm that the specific model and operating-system version support the client you intend to use; a device family name does not guarantee identical decoding performance.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Network requirements that affect reliability
Use Ethernet for the host whenever possible
Valve strongly recommends wired networking for Steam Link. For virtual-reality streaming, Valve specifies a 5 GHz router and a wired connection from the gaming PC to the router. Those recommendations address the most common source of instability: variable wireless interference between the renderer and the access point.
Best Value
- 【What you Get】You will get 1*Pi 5 8GB Single Board,1*RasTech Case,1*Active Cooler,1*Screwdriver,1*Installation instructions,12-month free warranty, lifetime service, 24-hour prompt and friendly response.
- 【More Connectors】There are two USB 3.0 ports(5Gbps simultaneously) and two USB 2.0 ports, which triple total bandwidth ,support any combination of up to two cameras or displays. Peak SD card performance is doubled through support for the SDR104 high-speed mode. It provides a smooth desktop experience for you. Offer Gigabit Ethernet and a PCIe interface, along with dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0/BLE wireless capability. The RasTech Pi 5 Kit use the new 27W 5.1V 5A USB-C power connector.
- 【 Support Dual 4Kp60 Display 】Each of the two microHDMI sockets can control a 4K display at 60 Hertz, now support HDR, offering super HD video for media streaming projects. RPi 5 is the first RPi model that comes with a PCI Express port (PCIe 2.0 x1 with 500 MB/s) to attach SSDs (requires separate M.2 HAT).
- 【 Excellent Chips And Applications】Pi 5 is a full-size Pi computer using silicon built in-house at Pi. The RP1 “southbridge” provides the bulk of the I/O capabilities for Pi 5. Pi 5 is more friendly and convenient in the development of Internet of Things, Web development, machine identification, automatic control and other electronic equipment applications and network.
- 【 Faster CPU, Better GPU 】 Pi 5 features a Broadcom BCM2712 64-bit quad-core Arm Cortex-A76 processor running at 2.4GHz, it delivers a 2–3× increase in CPU performance relative to RaspberryPi 4. The 800MHz VideoCore VII GPU is compatible to OpenGL ES 3.1 and Vulkan 1.2, substantial uplift in graphics performance. Pi 5 Offers lightning-fast CPU speed, a PCI Express interface, a Real Time Clock (RTC) and a power button and runs significantly cooler than Pi 4.
Place the client on a clean wireless path
If the receiving device must use Wi-Fi, prefer a strong 5 GHz connection with a clear path to the access point. Avoid placing the client behind a television, inside a cabinet, or at the edge of coverage. A wired client is preferable for a fixed television or desktop setup.
Match quality to the weakest link
Streaming quality is constrained by the host encoder, the host upload path for remote sessions, the client’s download path, and the display’s processing delay. Start with a moderate bitrate and resolution. Increase one setting at a time while watching for dropped frames, audio crackle, input delay, or network warnings.
Troubleshooting common failures
The host does not appear
- Confirm that the host and client are on the same local network for first-time pairing.
- Check that Sunshine or the chosen host service is running and allowed through the private-network firewall.
- Enter the host’s local address manually if discovery is blocked by a guest network or access-point isolation.
The picture stutters or becomes blurry
- Reduce bitrate before reducing resolution; an overloaded uplink can cause both blur and delayed input.
- Move the client to 5 GHz or Ethernet and stop large downloads or backups on the same connection.
- Verify that the host is not compiling shaders, installing updates, or running another encoder-intensive task.
Input feels delayed
- Use a wired controller at the client when practical.
- Lower stream resolution or frame rate if the host GPU is struggling to encode.
- For cloud services, test at a different time or network; routing and data-center distance can change latency without any local hardware change.
Internet streaming works at home but not away
- Confirm that the host network has a reachable internet path rather than carrier-grade address sharing that prevents inbound connections.
- Review router and firewall rules, exposing only the ports and services required by the host software.
- Use the Moonlight Internet Hosting Tool or the provider’s documented remote-access workflow instead of improvising port mappings.
A decision framework
- You own a capable gaming PC and want maximum control: choose Moonlight with Sunshine.
- You want to avoid leaving a PC on: check GeForce NOW first, then verify every important game and its store account.
- Your priority is a Microsoft-hosted console catalog: choose Xbox Cloud Gaming if the title and plan are supported.
- You own an Xbox and want your installed games elsewhere: use Xbox Remote Play.
- You need access to the entire desktop or non-Steam software: consider Parsec.
- You are building a compact television endpoint: a Raspberry Pi 5 is a reasonable client, provided the host and network do the rendering and transport work.
What to expect from multiplayer and portability
Steam’s Remote Play page says up to four players, or more with fast connections, can join a Remote Play Together session. Self-hosted alternatives can support multiplayer too, but the exact behavior depends on the game, controller assignment, host software, and available bandwidth. Cloud services may impose their own session, account, or input limitations.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Portability is also conditional. A phone or tablet can be an excellent screen for a short session, while a television endpoint benefits from Ethernet and a physical controller. Remote play from outside the home is most practical when the host is configured for unattended operation, power settings do not suspend it unexpectedly, and the upload connection has enough headroom for the selected bitrate.
Bottom line
Moonlight plus Sunshine is the strongest all-purpose Steam Remote Play alternative when you own a gaming PC: it supports a wide range of clients, works with your own hardware, and exposes the settings needed to balance quality and latency. GeForce NOW is the cleaner answer when you want provider-hosted rendering, provided the service supports your games. Xbox Cloud Gaming and Xbox Remote Play are distinct choices for Microsoft’s cloud catalog and your own console, respectively, while Parsec is the flexible option for full desktop access. In every case, the receiving device, wired host connection, 5 GHz wireless conditions, and distance to the rendering machine matter as much as the app you install.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
