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Head-to-head · Game Remote Play Software

Moonlight Game Streaming vs Pulsar

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Moonlight Game Streaming #1 in Game Remote Play Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 3 features Visit Moonlight
Pulsar #4 in Game Remote Play Software 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit PulsarDesk

Moonlight Game Streaming leads on 0 checks, Pulsar on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreMoonlight Game Streaming · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresMoonlight Game Streaming · 2 of 3

Moonlight Game Streaming scores higher on our rubric for game remote play software: 9.4 against 9.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #4.

Moonlight Game Streaming is the better fit for free, high-quality PC streaming across devices. Pulsar is the better fit for privacy-focused self-hosted streaming.

  • Moonlight Game Streaming fits best

    Free, high-quality PC streaming across devices

  • Pulsar fits best

    Privacy-focused self-hosted streaming

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Side by side

Feature Moonlight Game Streaming 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Pulsar 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 9.0
Ranking #1 in Game Remote Play Software #4 in Game Remote Play Software
Best for Free, high-quality PC streaming across devices Privacy-focused self-hosted streaming
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Mobile, Self-hosted Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Support Community, Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Moonlight Game Streaming 2/3 · Pulsar 1/3
Console support ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Multi-monitor support Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Local co-op support ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Host platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, macOS, Linux
Client platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Apple TV, ChromeOS, Steam Link, Raspberry Pi Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Maximum resolution 4k 4k
Maximum frame rate Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Free, open-source clients with no subscriptions or paid tiers
  • Supports up to 4K HDR and up to 120 FPS on PC clients
  • Broad Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android coverage
  • Free and open-source with self-hostable relay and device identity
  • Supports 4K, H.265/AV1, HDR and streaming up to 120 fps
  • Encrypted peer-to-peer connections with adaptive bitrate and relay fallback
Cons
  • Requires a compatible gaming PC and host software
  • Internet streaming may require port forwarding, IPv6, or a VPN
  • Console clients are community ports rather than official clients
  • Current client coverage excludes iOS
  • The project is in Alpha
  • Self-hosting requires managing relay and device identity infrastructure
Our verdict

Moonlight Game Streaming is an open-source client for streaming PC games, applications, and full desktops from a compatible gaming PC to supported devices. It suits people who want to play or access their PC across Windows, macOS, Linux,…

Read the review →

Pulsar is a free, open-source application for low-latency game streaming and remote desktop access. It is designed for gamers who want control over their streaming infrastructure, as well as IT and support teams that need remote access…

Read the review →
  1. Moonlight Game StreamingGame Remote Play Software 9.4Free plan
  2. PulsarGame Remote Play Software 9.0Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Moonlight Game Streaming — where it wins

    • Free, open-source clients with no subscriptions or paid tiers
    • Supports up to 4K HDR and up to 120 FPS on PC clients
    • Broad Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android coverage

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires a compatible gaming PC and host software
    • Internet streaming may require port forwarding, IPv6, or a VPN
    • Console clients are community ports rather than official clients

  • Pulsar — where it wins

    • Free and open-source with self-hostable relay and device identity
    • Supports 4K, H.265/AV1, HDR and streaming up to 120 fps
    • Encrypted peer-to-peer connections with adaptive bitrate and relay fallback

    Where it doesn't

    • Current client coverage excludes iOS
    • The project is in Alpha
    • Self-hosting requires managing relay and device identity infrastructure

More comparisons

All game remote play software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update