Moonlight Game Streaming review
A free, flexible client for streaming PC games and desktops across many devices.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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, iOS, Android, and other supported platforms without paying for a subscription. Gamepad, keyboard, and mouse input are supported, along with remote desktop mouse mode and secure client-host pairing. Streaming can reach up to 4K with HDR support, while the PC client supports up to 120 FPS.
The pricing structure is unusually simple: Moonlight is free, with open-source clients, no subscriptions, and no paid versions that add features. Its ecosystem includes Sunshine as the recommended host, plus compatibility with GeForce Experience, ZeroTier, Tailscale, and NordVPN Meshnet. The client-host model gives users flexibility across local networks and internet connections, and the published platform coverage extends to Apple TV, ChromeOS, Steam Link, and Raspberry Pi alongside the main desktop and mobile clients. GeForce Experience hosting is being discontinued by NVIDIA, making Sunshine the more relevant host option for new setups.
Moonlight is a strong fit for users who already have a suitable gaming PC and want broad device access, high-resolution streaming, and extensive input support at no software cost. It is less suitable for anyone seeking a hosted game-streaming service that works without their own PC, or for users who want a fully official console-client lineup. Internet access can also involve networking work such as port forwarding, IPv6, or VPN configuration. Choose Moonlight for control and platform breadth; choose another option if minimizing host setup is more important than flexibility.
Moonlight Game Streaming pros and cons
- 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
Moonlight Game Streaming fact sheet, pricing and score →
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