Moonlight Game Streaming

Moonlight Game Streaming is a free, open-source client for streaming games from a gaming PC to other devices. It suits players willing to configure a host and remote connection; its high-resolution, high-frame-rate options are appealing, but it cannot stream through a browser.

Overview

Moonlight provides the client side of remote play: a gaming PC runs a compatible host, and Moonlight receives the stream. The project began in 2013 as a hackathon project by Case Western Reserve University students. Its client code is hosted on GitHub under the GPLv3 license.

Moonlight recommends Sunshine, an open-source host made for it. GeForce Experience is also compatible, but NVIDIA is discontinuing its GameStream feature, making Sunshine the more forward-looking choice among those two. Wolf is another option for streaming games and applications running inside Docker containers.

The project provides a setup guide, FAQ, and Discord community for support. The Google Play listing says the app collects no data and shares no data with third parties.

Key features

Streaming quality and responsiveness

Moonlight can stream a full Windows desktop at up to 4K with HDR on a capable client; the maximum resolution is 4K. HDR is conditional on client capability, so it is not a blanket promise across devices. The PC client supports up to 120 FPS and lets users disable V-Sync for lower latency. Those options will matter most to players with hardware and connections able to make use of them.

Self-hosted connections

Users can host their own gaming server and connect through options including port forwarding, IPv6, ZeroTier, Tailscale, and NordVPN Meshnet. This flexibility suits people prepared to configure their own setup, but it is a poor fit for anyone expecting a browser link or managed, no-setup remote play. Tailscale relay connections do not support Moonlight streaming. For GeForce Experience internet streaming, the Moonlight Internet Hosting Tool must remain installed on the host PC to maintain port-forwarding entries.

There is no pure web client: the protocol requires raw TCP and UDP sockets that browsers do not support. That rules out browser-only play even though Moonlight supports a broad range of native and other clients.

Pricing

Moonlight Game Streaming is completely free: free. There are no subscriptions and no paid versions with extra features, so users do not have to trade capabilities for a lower-cost tier. There is no free trial because the product itself is free; the main cost is the time and setup involved in configuring a compatible host and connection.

Platforms

Host platforms are Windows, macOS, and Linux. Client platforms include Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Apple TV, ChromeOS, Steam Link, and Raspberry Pi. Console support and local co-op support are also included. The wide client selection is useful for extending a gaming PC to different screens, while the lack of a browser client remains a meaningful gap.

Who it's for

Moonlight is best for players who already have a gaming PC, want to stream to supported devices, and are comfortable choosing and configuring a host and remote-access method. Its 4K and HDR support, PC-client 120 FPS ceiling, and V-Sync option give capable setups room to prioritize image quality or responsiveness. It is not the right choice for browser-only access or for users who want remote play without managing host and network configuration.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Up to 4K streaming with HDR on a capable client gives high-end setups a strong image-quality ceiling.
• Pro: The PC client supports up to 120 FPS and can disable V-Sync for lower latency, useful for players prioritizing responsiveness.
• Pro: Broad client coverage, plus console and local co-op support, makes it adaptable to more than one device or play style.
• Con: A compatible host and self-managed connection are part of the arrangement, so setup is more involved than opening a web client.
• Con: Browsers cannot serve as clients because the protocol depends on raw TCP and UDP sockets.
• Con: GeForce Experience's GameStream feature is being discontinued by NVIDIA, and its internet streaming setup requires the Moonlight Internet Hosting Tool to remain on the host.

Alternatives

For other options in this category, see Game Remote Play Software.

• Parsec is worth considering if you want a freemium option with a web platform and desktop streaming and sharing; its Personal plan is for non-commercial use, and Individuals (Warp) is priced at $8.33 a month.
• Moonlight Web is a free, open-source option with web support, which may suit readers who specifically need a browser client.
• Sunshine is a free, self-hosted option for users looking for the host side of a setup on their own hardware.
• Chiaki-ng is a free, open-source PlayStation Remote Play client for readers whose priority is PlayStation remote play.
• PXPlay may suit Windows, Linux, or Mac users looking for its PC plan, a 12.99 EUR one-time purchase.
• Greenlight is a free, open-source alternative under the MIT license.
• Pulsar is another free option for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android.
• Apollo is another free option for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Verdict

Choose Moonlight if you want a free, open-source route to streaming a gaming PC across a broad range of clients, with high resolution and responsive PC-client settings on capable hardware. Look elsewhere if browser access or a setup that avoids host and network configuration is essential.