Sunshine
Sunshine: A free, open-source host for streaming games and desktops from your own hardware. Ranked #7 of 27 in Game Remote Play Software by our editors (8.6/10); pricing: Free plan; best for free self-hosted streaming hosts.
At a glance
- Editor score8.6 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forFree self-hosted streaming hosts
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Maximum resolution4k
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Free, open-source hosting across Windows, macOS, and Linux
- Supports AMD, Intel, NVIDIA, Apple, and software video encoding
- Includes HDR, virtual gamepads, and remote keyboard and mouse input
Where it doesn't
- Primarily a host rather than a complete client experience
- Requires Moonlight for client-side streaming
- 4K and 120-frame streaming depend on hardware and configuration
Our verdict on Sunshine
Sunshine is a free, open-source, self-hosted game and desktop streaming host from LizardByte. It is designed for people who want to stream games from their own Windows, macOS, or Linux computer instead of using a cloud gaming subscription. Sunshine captures games or the desktop, encodes the video, and sends it to Moonlight clients. It also supports remote keyboard, mouse, and controller input, making it suitable for gaming and broader remote desktop access.
Its strongest fit is the combination of host platform coverage and encoding options. Sunshine supports hardware encoding for AMD, Intel, and NVIDIA GPUs, along with Apple and software video encoding. The web-based configuration interface handles setup and client pairing, while virtual gamepad emulation helps connect remote controller input to the host. HDR streaming is supported on compatible hosts. Moonlight is the key ecosystem connection, with client platforms including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. The published capability range reaches 4K resolution and 120 frames per second, subject to host hardware, client capability, and configuration.
Sunshine’s free, open-source model makes it a practical choice for users who prefer self-hosting and already have suitable gaming hardware. It is less suitable for anyone seeking an all-in-one service with its own complete client experience, because Sunshine is primarily the host and relies on Moonlight for client access. Buyers should also treat maximum resolution and frame-rate support as configuration-dependent rather than guaranteed across every setup. Choose Sunshine when control over the host, broad operating-system support, and flexible encoding matter most; choose an alternative when a packaged client-and-host product is the priority.
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Sunshine pricing
Sunshine fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Host platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Client platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Maximum resolution | 4k |
| Maximum frame rate | 120 fps |
| Console support | Yes |
| Multi-monitor support | Not verified |
| Local co-op support | Not verified |
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 1 integrations: Moonlight |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | app.lizardbyte.dev |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Sunshine integrations
Sunshine lists 1 integrations on its own site.
- Moonlight
Alternatives to Sunshine
- Moonlight Game StreamingA free, flexible client for streaming PC games and desktops across many devices.9.4
- ParsecA flexible remote-play tool with free personal access and paid team controls.9.2
- Moonlight WebA free, open-source browser client for high-resolution PC game streaming.9.1
See all Sunshine alternatives →
Sunshine vs the competition
- Sunshine vs Moonlight Game Streaming
- Sunshine vs Parsec
- Sunshine vs Moonlight Web
- Sunshine vs Pulsar
- Sunshine vs PS Remote Play
- Sunshine vs PXPlay
Compare Sunshine with any tool side by side →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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