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Head-to-head · Game Remote Play Software

Pulsar vs Apollo

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Pulsar #4 in Game Remote Play Software 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit PulsarDesk
Apollo #8 in Game Remote Play Software 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Apollo

Pulsar leads on 0 checks, Apollo 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 scorePulsar · 9.0/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresPulsar · 1 of 3

Pulsar scores higher on our rubric for game remote play software: 9.0 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #8.

Pulsar is the better fit for privacy-focused self-hosted streaming. Apollo is the better fit for self-hosted streaming with client controls.

  • Pulsar fits best

    Privacy-focused self-hosted streaming

  • Apollo fits best

    Self-hosted streaming with client controls

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 Pulsar 9.0/10 Visit ↗ Apollo 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.5
Ranking #4 in Game Remote Play Software #8 in Game Remote Play Software
Best for Privacy-focused self-hosted streaming Self-hosted streaming with client controls
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile Self-hosted, Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, Android Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Community, Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market Solo, Small business
Features Pulsar 1/3 · Apollo 0/3
Console support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Multi-monitor support ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Local co-op support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Host platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, macOS, Linux
Client platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, Android Android
Maximum resolution 4k 4k
Maximum frame rate Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • 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
  • Hardware encoding for AMD, Intel, and Nvidia GPUs
  • Virtual display with client resolution and frame-rate matching
  • Per-client permissions, clipboard sync, and connection commands
Cons
  • Current client coverage excludes iOS
  • The project is in Alpha
  • Self-hosting requires managing relay and device identity infrastructure
  • Integrated Artemis client support is currently Android-only
  • Virtual-display support is currently Windows-only
  • Self-hosted setup places configuration and pairing on the user
Our verdict

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 →

Apollo is an open-source host for streaming games and desktop sessions to Artemis and compatible clients. It is aimed at users who want to manage their own streaming environment rather than use a commercial SaaS service. Host support is…

Read the review →
  1. PulsarGame Remote Play Software 9.0Free plan
  2. ApolloGame Remote Play Software 8.5Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • 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

  • Apollo — where it wins

    • Hardware encoding for AMD, Intel, and Nvidia GPUs
    • Virtual display with client resolution and frame-rate matching
    • Per-client permissions, clipboard sync, and connection commands

    Where it doesn't

    • Integrated Artemis client support is currently Android-only
    • Virtual-display support is currently Windows-only
    • Self-hosted setup places configuration and pairing on the user

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