iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Use Steam Remote Play first when your games are in Steam and you want the shortest setup. Choose Moonlight with Sunshine when you need a self-hosted, more configurable stream or want to launch programs outside your Steam library. Official documentation does not establish a universal latency or image-quality winner on Linux; your host hardware, Linux client, game, network and controller setup determine the result.
Steam Remote Play and Moonlight solve the same problem differently
Both systems keep the game running on a more powerful computer and send its video and audio to a Linux device. Your Linux machine sends keyboard, mouse or controller input back to the host. The important difference is where the integration lives.
| Option | Host model | Best fit | Main limitation to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam Remote Play | Built into Steam on the computer running the game | A Steam-to-Steam setup where convenience and library integration matter most | Linux controller streaming needs readable and writable /dev/uinput or /dev/input/uinput; Valve currently says Linux machines do not have rumble support |
| Moonlight with Sunshine | Sunshine is installed and self-hosted on the gaming PC; Moonlight is the receiving client | Readers who want host control, manual program entries or a non-Steam workflow | There are more setup steps, and Linux HDR10 support is documented as beta with specific requirements |
“Moonlight” by itself is not a host service. Moonlight describes itself as an unofficial, open-source client for NVIDIA SHIELD/GameStream streaming software and recommends Sunshine as the host to start with. Install Sunshine on the gaming computer, then connect to it from the Moonlight client on Linux.
What Steam Remote Play does
Steam Remote Play is part of Steam. Steam captures the running game’s audio and video on one computer, transmits the stream to another computer or supported Steam Link device, and returns input to the host. Valve says you can stream games between your own computers, including from a more powerful computer to a lower-powered Linux device.
#1 Best Overall
- Commemorate 500 million playstation systems Sold with this limited
To use it, Steam must be signed in on both the host and the receiving computer. From the remote Library, an installed game exposes a Stream action instead of requiring a separate streaming server. Steam’s guidance says all Steam games can be streamed between a user’s own computers. Store pages have separate indicators for Remote Play Together and Steam Link suitability, so those labels should not be treated as interchangeable with ordinary Remote Play.
Remote Play Together is a different feature: it lets you invite friends into supported local co-op sessions. It is not required for streaming your own single-player game to a Linux computer.
What Moonlight and Sunshine do
Moonlight is the client application on the Linux device. Sunshine is the self-hosted host software on the gaming computer. After Sunshine is installed and configured, Moonlight connects to it and displays the host’s games or other programs.
Recommended Free Tools
The Moonlight Setup Guide lists Sunshine hosts on Windows 10 and 11, macOS 12 and newer (experimental), and Linux distributions including Debian 11, Ubuntu 22.04, and Fedora 38 and newer. Check that live guide for supported versions when you install, because host support can change.
Rank #2
- 【Seamless Captures】Capture card input and output resolution up to 4K, capture resolution up to 4K30, 1080p120, 1440p60, supports RGB primary color video format output, up to 1080p30. Enables high-quality recording, conferencing and real-time streaming. People Can Now See Every Flaw On Your Face In HD And In Real Time. Go live on any platform in no time
- 【Outstanding connectivity】Based on USB3.0 high-speed transfer interface, achieving low-Latency Video Sharing, high-speed and stable video capture. Great for real-time previews, live streaming and conferencing. The capture card requires no driver or external power, Just plug it in, plug in your source, and you are getting excellent and non-buggy capture as easy as that (HDMI cable not included)
- 【A streamer's best friend】 A good alternative with high quality which is less expensive than other high level capture cards. Perfect for cameras or consoles etc. Truly plug and play. This chunky fellow is portable for traveling with compact size. Easily connect your DSLR; camcorder or action cam to your PC or Mac
- 【Wide Range of Uses】This cam capture card works flawlessly with HDMI devices, such as PS4/PS5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, DSLR, PC etc. suitable for live streaming, conference, video record, game, real-time preview etc. It also supports most acquisition software, such as VLC, OBS, Amcap etc, streaming or recording game consoles, meetings or other videos to Windows and Mac, live broadcast via the Youtube, Facebook, Twitch easily
- 【Huge bang for small buck】Excellent Cost-Effective Option, content without breaking the bank. Ideal for streamers, broadcasters, and video artists. Super simple to use, and works like a champ
Sunshine can expose programs that are not automatically listed. You can add a program manually in Sunshine’s configuration interface, then launch it from Moonlight. That is the key scope advantage over a workflow built only around the Steam Library: the streamed item can be another launcher, an emulator, a desktop application or a game installed outside Steam, provided the host configuration and application support it.
Choose with this decision framework
Choose Steam Remote Play when
- Your games are already installed in Steam on the host.
- You want the fewest components and a familiar Library-to-Stream flow.
- You do not need to expose applications outside the Steam catalog.
- You are willing to test Linux controller permissions and accept Valve’s current no-rumble limitation.
Choose Moonlight with Sunshine when
- You want to add programs manually rather than depend on Steam’s game list.
- You prefer a self-hosted host that you configure separately from a storefront.
- You need one client workflow for games or applications that are not in Steam.
- You are prepared to troubleshoot an additional host installation, pairing process and application list.
Do not choose on an assumed performance guarantee
The official Steam and Moonlight documentation provides setup guidance, requirements and troubleshooting information, not a dated head-to-head Linux latency or image-quality study. Neither option can be declared universally faster, smoother or sharper. Compare them on the exact host, Linux client, game, encode/decode hardware and network you intend to use.
Set up Steam Remote Play to a Linux computer
- Install Steam on the gaming computer and on the Linux receiving computer, then sign in to the same account on both.
- Install the game on the host computer. The host is where the game process, graphics rendering and capture occur.
- Leave Steam running on the host and open the Library on the Linux computer.
- Select the installed game. Choose Stream rather than a local install or launch option.
- Start with a simple game and verify video, audio and input before testing a demanding title.
- If a controller is part of your setup, test it immediately. On a Linux host, Valve says Steam needs readable and writable access to
/dev/uinputor/dev/input/uinputto support streaming game controllers.
Valve currently says Linux machines do not have rumble support for this streaming path. If vibration is important, treat that as a compatibility constraint and test the complete controller path before committing to a setup.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Set up Moonlight with Sunshine
- Choose the computer that will run the games and install Sunshine on that host. Confirm that its operating system appears in the current Moonlight Setup Guide.
- Start Sunshine and open its configuration interface. Create or set the credentials it requests before attempting a client connection.
- Install Moonlight on the Linux receiving device. Linux is listed as an official Moonlight client platform on the project site.
- Open Moonlight and discover or add the Sunshine host. Follow the pairing prompt and enter the credentials configured on the host.
- Check the program list. If the application you need is absent, add it manually in Sunshine’s configuration interface, using the program’s executable and any required launch arguments.
- Launch the program from Moonlight and verify video, sound, keyboard, mouse and controller input separately.
- Record which host application and display mode work reliably before adding more programs; each added entry can have different launch behavior.
Sunshine and Moonlight are separate components, so a failure can originate in host installation, host credentials, discovery or pairing, the program definition, the Linux client, or the network. That separation is the price of the extra flexibility.
Rank #3
- Stream games from a PC or laptop with GeForce Experience or Sunshine software
- Stream from a PC on the local network or over the Internet
- Support for the Amazon Fire Game Controller and many other controllers
- Automatically finds supported PCs on your local network
Linux requirements that can decide the result
Controller input on a Linux host
For Steam Remote Play, Valve’s documented Linux requirement is access to the uinput device: Steam must be able to read and write /dev/uinput or /dev/input/uinput. If a controller appears connected locally but does not reach the streamed game, check that permission before changing image settings or reinstalling the client.
Valve also states that Linux machines currently do not support rumble in this context. Buttons and sticks can therefore work while vibration does not. Test the controls in the actual game, not only in the desktop’s controller panel.
HDR on Moonlight for Linux
Moonlight’s HDR documentation describes HDR10 streaming as beta on certain clients. For Linux, it specifies launching Moonlight directly from a console rather than within a desktop environment, using an Intel GPU (other vendors may work but are untested), and connecting an HDR10-compatible display. The setup documentation also lists known HDR artifacts and caveats.
Do not treat Linux HDR as a universal plug-and-play feature. If a normal SDR stream is stable but HDR is washed out, incorrectly mapped or covered in artifacts, disable HDR first, then revisit the documented Linux conditions one at a time.
Rank #4
- Universal Voltage: AC 100V-240V wide voltage input for worldwide use
- Compatibility: This Replacement AC DC Adapter Charger Compatible with Steam Link Played Game on Your TV Using Steam Link Power Supply Cord
- Safety Features: Built-in over-voltage, over-current and short-circuit protection for safe charging
- Reliable Performance: Stable Power Output and Sturdy Power Cord ensure consistent charging performance
- Portable Design: Compact lightweight build, 4ft cable length for flexible use & neat storage
Host, client and network checks
| Area | Documented guidance | What to verify on your setup |
|---|---|---|
| Host CPU | Valve recommends a quad-core CPU for the streaming host | Whether the host can run the game, encode the stream and handle other active work without sustained overload |
| Client decoding | Valve recommends a client GPU with hardware-accelerated H.264 decoding | That hardware decoding is available and enabled on the Linux device |
| Network quality | Steam Support says, “We recommend using a wired network for the best streaming experience.” | Whether Wi-Fi signal quality, congestion or interference causes drops, stutter or input delay |
| Wireless option | Valve notes that some users have success with wireless N and AC networks with a good signal; results vary | Actual stability in the room where the Linux device is used, rather than the router’s advertised maximum |
| Steam streaming ports | UDP 27031 and 27036; TCP 27036 and 27037 | Firewall rules, guest-network isolation and security software that may block those connections |
A wired Ethernet connection is an optional troubleshooting step for either method when Wi-Fi is unreliable. The documentation does not establish a required cable category, cable length, router model or guaranteed latency improvement, so treat wiring as a controlled test rather than a promise.
How to compare them fairly on your own hardware
- Use the same host, Linux client, display, controller and network for both tests.
- Choose one game with a repeatable scene, such as the same training area or save file. Do not compare a menu in one test with a busy combat scene in another.
- Keep resolution, frame-rate target, HDR state and in-game graphics settings the same where both paths permit it.
- Play for long enough to encounter ordinary network conditions, then note input feel, dropped frames, audio interruptions, visual artifacts and reconnection behavior.
- Repeat once over wired Ethernet if Wi-Fi was involved. This isolates network instability from software differences.
- Test the controller’s buttons, analog sticks, triggers and vibration separately. A stream can look perfect while one input feature is missing.
- For Moonlight, test both an automatically listed title and a manually added program if that flexibility is the reason you selected it.
- For HDR, compare SDR first. Only enable HDR after the basic stream is stable, and follow Moonlight’s Linux-specific launch and hardware conditions.
Record observations rather than inventing a single latency number. The official sources reviewed for these products do not publish a universal Linux latency or image-quality benchmark, and results can change with encoder generation, decoder support, game engine, display refresh behavior and local network load.
Troubleshoot common failures
The Linux computer does not see the host
- For Steam, confirm Steam is signed in on both computers and that the host is awake with Steam running.
- For Moonlight, confirm Sunshine is running, the host appears in the current setup guide, and pairing credentials were configured in Sunshine.
- Check whether the two devices are separated by a guest network or firewall. For Steam, verify the documented UDP and TCP streaming ports are not blocked.
- If discovery fails, try adding the host using the connection method offered by your Moonlight client and then repeat pairing.
The game launches but the picture stutters
- Check host CPU load and whether the host is simultaneously rendering the game and encoding the stream.
- Check that the Linux client is using hardware-accelerated H.264 decoding.
- Repeat the test over wired Ethernet or move the Wi-Fi client to a location with a stronger, less congested signal.
- Compare a less demanding game. If only one title fails, its host graphics settings or launch behavior may be the limiting factor.
Input is missing or feels delayed
- Test a keyboard or mouse and a controller separately to identify whether the problem is device-specific.
- On a Linux Steam host, verify Steam can read and write the required uinput device.
- Check whether the delay appears only on Wi-Fi, then repeat with Ethernet as a diagnostic.
- For Moonlight, confirm that the intended program is launched through the correct Sunshine entry and that it has focus on the host.
The controller works but vibration does not
For Steam Remote Play to a Linux host, Valve currently documents no rumble support. Confirm that limitation before spending time on unrelated driver changes.
HDR is broken in Moonlight
- Return to SDR and verify that the ordinary stream is stable.
- Use the Linux HDR procedure in Moonlight’s setup documentation: launch Moonlight directly from a console, use an Intel GPU where possible, and connect an HDR10-compatible display.
- Expect beta behavior and known artifacts; if your hardware does not match those conditions, leave HDR disabled.
Privacy, control and scope trade-offs
Steam Remote Play keeps the workflow inside Steam, which reduces the number of services you must install and configure. Its convenience is strongest when the host games, account and receiving device are already part of the same Steam setup.
Best Value
- PRO VIDEO CAPTURE & 100W PD CHARGING: Stream and record without battery anxiety. The integrated 100W Power Delivery port delivers fast-charging directly to your source device (iPhone 17, Steam Deck, or Switch), keeping you powered up for 24/7 continuous live streaming
- SEAMLESS USB-C TO USB-C LINK: Designed for the modern Type-C ecosystem. Connect your mobile devices, handheld consoles, or tablets directly to your MacBook or PC without bulky HDMI adapters. A true one-cable solution for professional, portable setups
- 4K 60HZ INPUT TO 1080P 60FPS: Supports high-fidelity 4K@60Hz signal input, downscaling to ultra-smooth 1080P@60FPS for recording and broadcasting. Ensure your audience sees every detail of your PS4/5 or Switch gameplay with zero lag
- HEAT-DISSIPATING ALUMINUM CASE: Crafted from premium aluminum alloy, the rugged casing acts as a natural heat sink. This ensures stable performance and prevents frame drops or thermal throttling during intense gaming sessions or long webinars
- PLUG & PLAY UNIVERSAL COMPATIBILITY: No drivers required. Fully compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux. Works flawlessly with OBS, TikTok Live, Twitch, and Zoom for any device supporting USB-C video output (DP Alt Mode)
Sunshine and Moonlight give you a separately configured, self-hosted path. That makes manual program entries possible and lets you manage the host independently of Steam’s Library, but it also means you are responsible for Sunshine installation, credentials, pairing and each program definition. Neither model removes the need to secure the host and keep its software maintained.
Which one should you install first?
Start with Steam Remote Play if your immediate goal is “play my Steam library on this Linux screen.” It is already integrated, and the documented flow is sign in, open the remote Library and select Stream. Move to Moonlight with Sunshine if Steam cannot represent the program you want, or if you specifically want a self-hosted host with manually managed applications.
Whichever path you choose, validate the Linux-specific details before tuning visual quality: controller permissions, rumble expectations, hardware decoding, host capacity and network stability affect whether a stream is usable. For Moonlight HDR, treat the feature as beta on Linux and follow its stated hardware and launch requirements.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Quick Recap
Sources and current documentation
- Steam Support: Steam Remote Play
- Moonlight Setup Guide
- Moonlight FAQ
- Moonlight project site
- Steam Support: Steam Link Hardware
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
