Cloudy Pad

Cloudy Pad is a free, open-source way to run your own cloud-gaming instance on hardware or a cloud account you control. It is best suited to players with an existing PC game library who are comfortable with Docker, GPU provisioning and Linux compatibility. The central attraction is control over where the instance runs and how it is streamed, rather than access to a ready-made catalogue.

Overview

Cloudy Pad deploys a gaming machine on your own server, computer or supported cloud provider, then lets you play games you already own. Steam, Epic, GOG, Heroic and Lutris are supported launchers, making it useful for libraries spread across several storefronts. This bring-your-own-library approach is fundamentally different from subscription services that supply games and hardware as one package.

You can install the software directly on a machine or server, including through SSH, or use Cloudy Pad App, a web platform designed to create a gaming instance in a few minutes. The hosted interface can reduce initial deployment work, but you still need to account for the underlying provider and connection requirements. Because Cloudy Pad is Linux-based, Steam games depend on Proton; checking ProtonDB is an important step before committing a favourite title.

Key features

• Multiple streaming servers: Cloudy Pad can deploy Sunshine or Wolf and stream through Moonlight. That gives technically inclined users a choice of streaming server, while making a Moonlight client a required part of the self-deployed setup.
• Broad provider support: AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform, Scaleway and Paperspace are documented cloud options. You can compare providers rather than being locked to one, but selecting a suitable GPU machine and managing its account remains your responsibility.
• Spending controls: Automated cost alerts, hourly billing and Spot instances that can be up to 90% cheaper can help limit cloud expenditure. Spot capacity can be less predictable than standard instances, so the savings are most useful to users who can tolerate interruption or manage their workloads.
• Own-hardware deployment: Installing on your own server or computer avoids mandatory cloud hosting charges and suits users with an available NVIDIA-equipped machine. It does not remove the work of maintaining Docker, networking and the host system.
• Remote play at up to 1440p: Streaming supports a maximum resolution of 1440p. Actual playability still depends on the host, client and network; the self-deployment guide calls for a stable connection with at least 20 Mbps download speed.

Pricing

Cloudy Pad (self-deployed) — free: The software is free and open source. This is the right choice for users willing to supply and administer their own machine or cloud account. Cloud-provider usage can still incur charges, so free software does not mean a free gaming instance.

The hosted Cloudy Pad App does not present published plan prices or limits, making it difficult to forecast its recurring cost or compare allowances before signing up. Readers who need a clearly defined monthly entitlement should prefer a service with explicit plan terms.

Platforms

Cloudy Pad is offered across Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, self-hosted deployments, the web and Windows. Supported play clients also include Smart TV, tablet and Apple TV, alongside Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android devices. That range is valuable for households with mixed hardware, provided each device can use the Moonlight-based streaming setup.

Who it's for

Choose Cloudy Pad if you own games across supported launchers, have an NVIDIA GPU or a supported cloud account, and are comfortable with Docker, server administration and Proton compatibility checks. It is particularly compelling for people who want to select their provider, run on existing hardware or use hourly and Spot pricing to control cloud spend.

Look elsewhere if you want an instant, managed service with a guaranteed catalogue, no infrastructure decisions or no Linux compatibility concerns. Cloudy Pad also demands caution from users who cannot accommodate experimental software and possible breaking changes.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Your library, your infrastructure: Steam, Epic, GOG, Heroic and Lutris support lets you use games you already own on a machine you choose.
• Potential cloud savings: Cost alerts, hourly billing and Spot instances advertised as up to 90% cheaper provide practical ways to reduce idle-time spending.
• Wide client coverage: Support spanning desktop, mobile, web, TV and Apple TV makes one instance usable across many screens.

Cons

• Infrastructure is your problem: You need Docker, suitable GPU capacity, Moonlight and a stable 20 Mbps-or-faster connection for the self-deployed route.
• Linux game compatibility varies: Steam requires Proton, so some titles may need checking on ProtonDB before they are viable.
• Costs are not fully predictable: Cloud usage is billed separately, and hosted plan prices and limits are not published.
• Experimental project: Possible breaking changes make it a poor fit for users who require a settled, hands-off platform.
• Data and security caveats: The privacy policy says the service may collect name, email, IP address, browser and usage-log data and cannot guarantee absolute security.

Alternatives

Cloud gaming services are a useful category starting point when you want to compare managed options rather than assemble your own instance.

GeForce NOW is the better choice for a managed freemium service with a free, ad-supported tier and paid performance plan across major desktop, mobile and web platforms.

Amazon Luna suits readers who prefer a rotating cloud catalogue, including a Luna Standard option included with eligible Amazon Prime membership.

Xbox Cloud Gaming is preferable when Game Pass access and a defined subscription structure matter more than running your own library infrastructure.

Blacknut is an alternative paid service with themed plans such as Focus Entertainment and SNK.

Boosteroid fits users seeking a paid managed service advertising up to 4K, 120 FPS, ray tracing and unlimited gaming time on its Ultra plan.

TIM Cloud Gaming by AWG offers paid cloud gaming with a free option and a Premium plan described as unlimited use.

NetEase Cloud Gaming is a freemium alternative with mobile and PC-oriented memberships, including a 30-minute daily 1080p60 mobile tier.

Tencent START is another cloud-gaming alternative with VIP and SVIP monthly options.

Verdict

Cloudy Pad is a strong pick for technically capable players who want to stream their own games from hardware or a cloud provider they control, with useful provider choice and cost-management tools. Choose something else if you want published plan limits, guaranteed game compatibility or a fully managed service without experimental-project risk and infrastructure upkeep.