Best Sunshine Alternatives in 2026
The top Sunshine alternatives are Moonlight Game Streaming, Parsec and Moonlight Web: 15 game remote play software our editors would look at instead of Sunshine, in our ranking order.
Sunshine: A free, open-source host for streaming games and desktops from your own hardware. Where it falls short: primarily a host rather than a complete client experience.
Switching from Sunshine? For most game remote play software buyers the best Sunshine alternative is Moonlight Game Streaming, built for free, high-quality PC streaming across devices. On a budget, Parsec starts at $8.33/user/mo. Chiaki-ng offers the most maximum frame rate (60 fps).
Why People Look for a Sunshine Alternative
- 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
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 rateChiaki-ng8.4
60 fps
Visit Chiaki-ng
All 15 Sunshine 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.
-
Best forFree, high-quality PC streaming across devices
- Better than Sunshine:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 8.6
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 Sunshine:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 8.6
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 Sunshine:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 8.6
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
- Better than Sunshine:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 8.6
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
- Better than Sunshine:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 8.6
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
- Better than Sunshine:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 8.6
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 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
Sunshine Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Sunshine?
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 Sunshine?
Yes. Moonlight Game Streaming, Parsec, Moonlight Web, Pulsar and PS Remote Play have a free plan or a free tier (13 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for Sunshine alternatives?
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.
Which Sunshine alternative has the most maximum frame rate?
Chiaki-ng, with 60 fps.
How do I switch from Sunshine?
Back up your world, configs and mods from Sunshine'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 Sunshine after a test session.
How to Switch from Sunshine
- Back up your world, configs and mods from Sunshine'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 Sunshine after a test session.
Sunshine vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Host platforms | Client platforms | Maximum resolution | Console support | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Sunshine | Yes | Free | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | 4k | Yes | 8.6 |
| 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 | Pulsar | Yes | Free | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android | 4k | 9.0 | |
| 5 | PS Remote Play | Yes | Free | PS5, PS4 | PlayStation Portal, PS5, PS4, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Android TV | 1080p | Yes | 8.9 |
| 6 | PXPlay | Yes | PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 | Android, iOS, Apple TV, Windows, Linux, macOS | 4k | Yes | 8.7 | |
| 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
- Sunshine vs Moonlight Game Streaming
- Sunshine vs Parsec
- Sunshine vs Moonlight Web
- Sunshine vs Pulsar
- Sunshine vs PS Remote Play
- Sunshine vs PXPlay
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update