Best Pulsar Alternatives in 2026
The top Pulsar alternatives are Moonlight Game Streaming, Parsec and Moonlight Web: 15 game remote play software our editors would look at instead of Pulsar, in our ranking order.
Pulsar: A free, self-hostable streaming tool for privacy-focused gamers and support teams. Where it falls short: current client coverage excludes iOS.
Switching from Pulsar? For most game remote play software buyers the best Pulsar alternative is Moonlight Game Streaming, built for free, high-quality PC streaming across devices. On a budget, Parsec starts at $8.33/user/mo. Sunshine offers the most maximum frame rate (120 fps).
Why People Look for a Pulsar Alternative
- Current client coverage excludes iOS
- The project is in Alpha
- Self-hosting requires managing relay and device identity infrastructure
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallMoonlight Game Streaming9.4
Free, high-quality PC streaming across devices
Visit Moonlight Game Streaming - Lowest priceParsec9.2
Paid plans from $8.33/user/mo
Visit Parsec - Best free optionMoonlight Game Streaming9.4
Has a free plan
Visit Moonlight Game Streaming - Most maximum frame rateSunshine8.6
120 fps
Visit Sunshine
All 15 Pulsar 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 forFree, high-quality PC streaming across devices
- Better than Pulsar:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 9.0
A free, flexible client for streaming PC games and desktops across many devices.
- Local co-op support
- Console support
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Moonlight -
Best forDesktop streaming, sharing, and team use
- Better than Pulsar:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 9.0
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
- Better than Pulsar:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 9.0
A free, open-source browser client for high-resolution PC game streaming.
- Local co-op support
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Moonlight Web -
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
Pulsar Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Pulsar?
Moonlight Game Streaming: #1 in our Game Remote Play Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A free, flexible client for streaming PC games and desktops across many devices.
Is there a free alternative to Pulsar?
Yes. Moonlight Game Streaming, Parsec, Moonlight Web, 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 Pulsar alternatives?
Current client coverage excludes iOS; The project is in Alpha; Self-hosting requires managing relay and device identity infrastructure.
Which Pulsar alternative has the most maximum frame rate?
Sunshine, with 120 fps.
How do I switch from Pulsar?
Back up your world, configs and mods from Pulsar'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 Pulsar after a test session.
How to Switch from Pulsar
- Back up your world, configs and mods from Pulsar'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 Pulsar after a test session.
Pulsar vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Host platforms | Client platforms | Maximum resolution | Console support | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Pulsar | Yes | Free | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android | 4k | 9.0 | |
| 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 |
| 2 | Parsec | Yes | $8.33/user/mo | 9.2 | ||||
| 3 | Moonlight Web | Yes | Free | Windows, Linux, macOS | Modern web browsers on PC, Mac, tablet, phone, and TV | 4k | 9.1 | |
| 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
- Pulsar vs Moonlight Game Streaming
- Pulsar vs Parsec
- Pulsar vs Moonlight Web
- Pulsar vs PS Remote Play
- Pulsar vs PXPlay
- Pulsar vs Sunshine
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update