Moonlight Web vs Sunshine

Moonlight Web9.1Visit Sunshine8.6Visit

Higher score Moonlight Web #3 in Game Remote Play Software 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit Moonlight Web

vs

Sunshine #7 in Game Remote Play Software 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit Sunshine

• Moonlight Web fits best

  Browser-based streaming with advanced video options

• Sunshine fits best

  Free self-hosted streaming hosts

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Side by side

Feature	Moonlight Web 9.1/10 Visit ↗	Sunshine 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.1	8.6
Ranking	#3 in Game Remote Play Software	#7 in Game Remote Play Software
Best for	Browser-based streaming with advanced video options	Free self-hosted streaming hosts
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Self-hosted, Desktop	Self-hosted
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Community, Docs	Community, Docs
Integrations	4 integrations	1 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features Moonlight Web 1/3 · Sunshine 1/3
Console support	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Multi-monitor support	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Local co-op support	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Specs
Host platforms	Windows, Linux, macOS	Windows, macOS, Linux
Client platforms	Modern web browsers on PC, Mac, tablet, phone, and TV	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Maximum resolution	4k	4k
Maximum frame rate	Not checked yet	120 fps
Our review
Pros	Streams through WebRTC with H.264, HEVC, and AV1 support Supports up to 4K HDR and configurable streaming up to 240 FPS Works with multiple hosts and supports session sharing for three guests	Free, open-source hosting across Windows, macOS, and Linux Supports AMD, Intel, NVIDIA, Apple, and software video encoding Includes HDR, virtual gamepads, and remote keyboard and mouse input
Cons	Requires a self-hosted desktop or server installation Depends on a compatible host such as Sunshine, Apollo, Wolf, or MultiSeat Advanced streaming options may require suitable browser and host hardware	Primarily a host rather than a complete client experience Requires Moonlight for client-side streaming 4K and 120-frame streaming depend on hardware and configuration
Our verdict	Moonlight Web is a self-hosted game-streaming client and host for people who want to play PC games through a modern browser. The installed host runs on Windows, Linux, or macOS, while clients can connect from a browser on a PC, Mac,… Read the review →	Sunshine is a free, open-source, self-hosted game and desktop streaming host from LizardByte. It is designed for people who want to stream games from their own Windows, macOS, or Linux computer instead of using a cloud gaming subscription.… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Moonlight Web — where it wins

  • Streams through WebRTC with H.264, HEVC, and AV1 support
  • Supports up to 4K HDR and configurable streaming up to 240 FPS
  • Works with multiple hosts and supports session sharing for three guests

  Where it doesn't

  • Requires a self-hosted desktop or server installation
  • Depends on a compatible host such as Sunshine, Apollo, Wolf, or MultiSeat
  • Advanced streaming options may require suitable browser and host hardware

• Sunshine — where it wins

  • Free, open-source hosting across Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Supports AMD, Intel, NVIDIA, Apple, and software video encoding
  • Includes HDR, virtual gamepads, and remote keyboard and mouse input

  Where it doesn't

  • Primarily a host rather than a complete client experience
  • Requires Moonlight for client-side streaming
  • 4K and 120-frame streaming depend on hardware and configuration

• Moonlight Web9.1/10 · Free plan

  A free, open-source browser client for high-resolution PC game streaming.

  Visit Moonlight WebFull verdict →
• Sunshine8.6/10 · Free plan

  A free, open-source host for streaming games and desktops from your own hardware.

  Visit SunshineFull verdict →