Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Game Remote Play Software

Parsec vs Pulsar

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Parsec #2 in Game Remote Play Software 9.2/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Parsec
Pulsar #4 in Game Remote Play Software 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit PulsarDesk

Parsec leads on 0 checks, Pulsar on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreParsec · 9.2/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Parsec
  • Most featuresPulsar · 1 of 3

Parsec scores higher on our rubric for game remote play software: 9.2 against 9.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #4.

Parsec is the better fit for desktop streaming, sharing, and team use. Pulsar is the better fit for privacy-focused self-hosted streaming.

  • Parsec fits best

    Desktop streaming, sharing, and team use

  • Pulsar fits best

    Privacy-focused self-hosted streaming

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Parsec 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Pulsar 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 9.0
Ranking #2 in Game Remote Play Software #4 in Game Remote Play Software
Best for Desktop streaming, sharing, and team use Privacy-focused self-hosted streaming
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price $8.33/user/mo Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 14 days —
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Support Tickets, Community, Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Parsec 0/3 · Pulsar 1/3
Console support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Multi-monitor support Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Local co-op support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Host platforms Not checked yet Windows, macOS, Linux
Client platforms Not checked yet Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Maximum resolution Not checked yet 4k
Maximum frame rate Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Low-latency game and desktop streaming with remote controls
  • Guest access, screen sharing, and multi-monitor support
  • Paid plans add SAML, audit logs, permissions, and APIs
  • 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
  • Free Personal Use is limited to non-commercial use
  • Computer hosting is limited to Windows and macOS
  • Advanced collaboration and administration require paid tiers
  • Current client coverage excludes iOS
  • The project is in Alpha
  • Self-hosting requires managing relay and device identity infrastructure
Our verdict

Parsec connects to Windows and macOS computers from Windows, macOS, Ubuntu Linux, Android, and Chromium web clients. It supports low-latency desktop and game streaming, remote keyboard, mouse, and gamepad control, screen sharing through…

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. ParsecGame Remote Play Software 9.2Free plan · 14-day trial
  2. PulsarGame Remote Play Software 9.0Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Parsec — where it wins

    • Low-latency game and desktop streaming with remote controls
    • Guest access, screen sharing, and multi-monitor support
    • Paid plans add SAML, audit logs, permissions, and APIs

    Where it doesn't

    • Free Personal Use is limited to non-commercial use
    • Computer hosting is limited to Windows and macOS
    • Advanced collaboration and administration require paid tiers

  • 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