Best Moonlight Game Streaming Alternatives in 2026
The top Moonlight Game Streaming alternatives are Parsec, Moonlight Web and Pulsar: 15 game remote play software our editors would look at instead of Moonlight Game Streaming, in our ranking order.
Moonlight Game Streaming: A free, flexible client for streaming PC games and desktops across many devices. Where it falls short: requires a compatible gaming PC and host software.
Switching from Moonlight Game Streaming? For most game remote play software buyers the best Moonlight Game Streaming alternative is Parsec, built for desktop streaming, sharing, and team use. Sunshine offers the most maximum frame rate (120 fps).
Why People Look for a Moonlight Game Streaming Alternative
- 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
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallParsec9.2
Desktop streaming, sharing, and team use
Visit Parsec - Lowest priceParsec9.2
Paid plans from $8.33/user/mo
Visit Parsec - Best free optionParsec9.2
Has a free plan
Visit Parsec - Most maximum frame rateSunshine8.6
120 fps
Visit Sunshine
All 15 Moonlight Game Streaming Alternatives, Ranked
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.
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Best forDesktop streaming, sharing, and team use
A flexible remote-play tool with free personal access and paid team controls.
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Parsec -
Best forBrowser-based streaming with advanced video options
A free, open-source browser client for high-resolution PC game streaming.
- Local co-op support
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Moonlight Web -
Best forPrivacy-focused self-hosted streaming
A free, self-hostable streaming tool for privacy-focused gamers and support teams.
- Multi-monitor support
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit PulsarDesk -
Best forPlayStation owners wanting official remote play
A free official option for playing PS4 and PS5 games away from the TV.
- Local co-op support
- Console support
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit PlayStation -
Best forFlexible PlayStation streaming across many platforms
A flexible PlayStation streaming option with free access, paid unlocks, and 4K support.
- Multi-monitor support
- Local co-op support
- Console support
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit PXPlay -
Best forFree self-hosted streaming hosts
A free, open-source host for streaming games and desktops from your own hardware.
- Console support
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Sunshine -
Best forSelf-hosted streaming with client controls
A capable free host for self-managed streaming, with Android-centered client coverage.
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Apollo -
Best forFree desktop PlayStation remote play
A free desktop client for streaming PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 games.
- Console support
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Chiaki-ng -
Best forCross-platform PlayStation streaming on a budget
A budget-friendly PlayStation streaming client with broad device coverage and paid iOS access.
- Console support
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit PeaSyo -
Best forFree Xbox streaming from desktop browsers
A free, open-source option for streaming Xbox games from desktop browsers and apps.
- Local co-op support
- Console support
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Greenlight -
Best forXbox streaming for Apple users
A capable Xbox streaming option for Apple users, with paid access and narrow platform coverage.
- Local co-op support
- Console support
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit OneCast -
Best forFree PC streaming for Razer users
A free Razer-focused option for streaming Windows PC games to supported clients.
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Razer -
Best forAdvanced desktop Moonlight-compatible clients
A free, open-source desktop client with broad codec and host compatibility.
- Local co-op support
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Artemis Qt -
Best forPaid Xbox streaming on Android devices
A focused paid option for Xbox remote play across compatible Android devices.
- Local co-op support
- Console support
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit XBXPlay -
Best forXbox streaming on Android and iOS
A capable free Xbox streaming client for Android, iOS, and Android TV.
- Console support
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit XStreaming
Moonlight Game Streaming Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Moonlight Game Streaming?
Parsec: #2 in our Game Remote Play Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.2 out of 10. A flexible remote-play tool with free personal access and paid team controls.
Is there a free alternative to Moonlight Game Streaming?
Yes. Parsec, Moonlight Web, Pulsar, PS Remote Play and PXPlay have a free plan or a free tier (13 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for Moonlight Game Streaming alternatives?
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.
Which Moonlight Game Streaming alternative has the most maximum frame rate?
Sunshine, with 120 fps.
How do I switch from Moonlight Game Streaming?
Back up your world, configs and mods from Moonlight Game Streaming's panel, or download the server folder over SFTP. Create the server on the new host with the same game version (and the same modpack or loader, if you use one). Upload the world and config files, start the server once and check that the mods and plugins load. Share the new address with your players or point your domain at it, then cancel Moonlight Game Streaming after a test session.
How to Switch from Moonlight Game Streaming
- Back up your world, configs and mods from Moonlight Game Streaming's panel, or download the server folder over SFTP.
- Create the server on the new host with the same game version (and the same modpack or loader, if you use one).
- Upload the world and config files, start the server once and check that the mods and plugins load.
- Share the new address with your players or point your domain at it, then cancel Moonlight Game Streaming after a test session.
Moonlight Game Streaming vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Host platforms | Client platforms | Maximum resolution | Console support | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Moonlight Game Streaming | Yes | Free | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Apple TV, ChromeOS, Steam Link, Raspberry Pi | 4k | Yes | 9.4 |
| 1 | Parsec | Yes | $8.33/user/mo | 9.2 | ||||
| 2 | Moonlight Web | Yes | Free | Windows, Linux, macOS | Modern web browsers on PC, Mac, tablet, phone, and TV | 4k | 9.1 | |
| 3 | Pulsar | Yes | Free | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android | 4k | 9.0 | |
| 4 | PS Remote Play | Yes | Free | PS5, PS4 | PlayStation Portal, PS5, PS4, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Android TV | 1080p | Yes | 8.9 |
| 5 | PXPlay | Yes | PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 | Android, iOS, Apple TV, Windows, Linux, macOS | 4k | Yes | 8.7 | |
| 6 | Sunshine | Yes | Free | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | 4k | Yes | 8.6 |
| 7 | Apollo | Yes | Free | Windows, macOS, Linux | Android | 4k | 8.5 | |
| 8 | Chiaki-ng | Yes | Free | PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 | Linux, Windows, macOS | 1080p | Yes | 8.4 |
| 9 | PeaSyo | Yes | PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 | Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, SteamOS, HarmonyOS | 1080p | Yes | 8.3 | |
| 10 | Greenlight | Yes | Free | Xbox One, Xbox Series, Xbox Cloud Gaming | Linux, macOS, Windows, Steam Deck, Chromium-based web browsers | 1080p | Yes | 8.2 |
| 11 | OneCast | No | Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X | macOS, iOS/iPadOS, Apple TV | 1440p | Yes | 8.1 | |
| 12 | Razer PC Remote Play | Yes | Free | Windows | iOS, Android, Windows | 8.0 | ||
| 13 | Artemis Qt | Yes | Free | Windows, macOS, Linux | 7.9 | |||
| 14 | XBXPlay | No | Xbox One, Xbox One S/X, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X | Android phones, tablets, Android TV, Google TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android handhelds | 1080p | Yes | 7.8 | |
| 15 | XStreaming | Yes | Free | Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X | Android, iOS, Android TV | 1080p | Yes | 7.7 |
Head-to-Head
- Moonlight Game Streaming vs Parsec
- Moonlight Game Streaming vs Moonlight Web
- Moonlight Game Streaming vs Pulsar
- Moonlight Game Streaming vs PS Remote Play
- Moonlight Game Streaming vs PXPlay
- Moonlight Game Streaming vs Sunshine
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update