Cloudy Pad

Cloudy Pad lets users deploy a cloud gaming instance on their own server, machine, or cloud provider to play games from their own library. It supports Steam, Epic, GOG, Heroic, and Lutris launchers. The software can deploy a Sunshine or Wolf streaming server for use with the Moonlight client, with a listed maximum resolution of 1440p. Users can install Cloudy Pad on their own equipment, including directly through SSH, or use Cloudy Pad App, a web platform for deploying an instance. Listed providers include AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform, Scaleway, and Paperspace. The documentation describes automated cost alerts, hourly billing without a subscription, and Spot instances that can be up to 90% cheaper. Cloudy Pad is free and open source, though provider usage may incur charges. Self-deployment requires Docker, a Moonlight client, an NVIDIA GPU or supported cloud provider, and a stable internet connection with at least 20 Mbps download speed. The project is experimental and may have breaking changes. Steam use requires Proton; compatibility can be checked on ProtonDB.

Cloudy Pad offers a self-deployed route to streaming games from a personal library, with multiple launchers and cloud providers listed. Its requirements, possible cloud charges, and experimental status are worth weighing before setup.

It suits players who want to run games from their own library on their own hardware or a cloud provider and use Moonlight to stream. Users should be comfortable with the listed setup requirements and an experimental project.

Cloudy Pad is software for turning a machine or cloud account you control into a way to stream games from your own library. It is best suited to players comfortable with deployment and Linux game compatibility; its flexibility comes with responsibility for setup and running costs.

Overview

Rather than providing a game catalogue or dedicated gaming hardware, Cloudy Pad helps deploy a gaming instance on your own server, machine, or supported cloud provider. Steam, Epic, GOG, Heroic, and Lutris are supported launchers, making it useful for players who want to access games they already own. It is not the straightforward choice for someone looking for a ready-to-play service with a supplied library.

Deployment can be self-managed, including installation on a server via SSH, or handled through Cloudy Pad App, a web platform designed to deploy an instance in a few minutes. The hosted route may reduce setup effort, but does not make the underlying infrastructure free: cloud provider usage can incur charges. The project is experimental and may have breaking changes, so it is a riskier fit for users who need a stable, low-maintenance setup.

Key features

• Multiple streaming routes: Cloudy Pad can deploy a Sunshine or Wolf streaming server and stream through Moonlight. That gives users a choice of streaming server, but Moonlight is part of the self-deployment requirements.
• Provider and cost controls: AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform, Scaleway, and Paperspace are supported. Automated cost alerts, hourly billing, and Spot instances that can be up to 90% cheaper offer ways to manage cloud spending; they do not remove the possibility of charges.
• Resolution and compatibility: Streaming supports up to 1440p. Cloudy Pad is Linux-based, and Steam use requires Proton, so compatibility depends on the game; ProtonDB can help users check individual titles.

Pricing

Cloudy Pad (self-deployed) costs nothing, and the software is free and open source. There is no subscription required for hourly cloud billing, but provider usage may still be billed separately. Spot instances can be up to 90% cheaper, a potential cost advantage for users willing to use that option rather than treat the service as a fixed-price gaming subscription.

Cloudy Pad App provides a hosted web deployment route, but it does not have a usable published price or plan limit to compare here. Anyone choosing it should account for possible cloud-provider charges rather than assume the free software means free gaming infrastructure.

Platforms

Cloudy Pad is associated with Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows, and supports Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Smart TV, tablet, and Apple TV devices. Self-deployment requires a Moonlight client, a server with an NVIDIA GPU or a supported cloud provider, Docker, and a stable internet connection with at least 20 Mbps download speed. Those requirements make it more demanding than simply installing a streaming app.

Who it's for

Choose Cloudy Pad if you want to stream games from your personal library, select your own server or cloud provider, and are comfortable managing the setup. It is a weaker fit if you do not want to maintain infrastructure, need predictable all-in costs, or expect every Steam game to work without checking Linux compatibility. The maker directs questions to Discord and bug reports to GitHub issues.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Free, open-source software and hourly provider billing avoid a required Cloudy Pad subscription.
• Pro: Support for five launchers and multiple cloud providers gives library owners and self-hosters meaningful deployment choice.
• Pro: Automated alerts and potentially cheaper Spot instances can help manage infrastructure spending.
• Con: Self-deployment calls for Docker, suitable GPU hardware or a cloud provider, Moonlight, and a sufficiently fast connection.
• Con: Cloud usage can cost money, and hourly billing does not guarantee a predictable monthly total.
• Con: Experimental status and Linux/Proton compatibility make it less dependable for users who want a polished, fixed-catalogue service.

Alternatives

GeForce NOW is the more direct option for readers who prefer a service with a free tier and a Performance plan at $9.99 a month, rather than deploying a gaming instance themselves.

Amazon Luna suits readers who would rather use a rotating cloud game library, including Luna Standard with eligible Amazon Prime membership, than stream a self-managed instance of their own library.

Xbox Cloud Gaming is an alternative for readers seeking Game Pass cloud gaming, with a free trial and paid plans including Game Pass Essential at 5 hours of cloud gaming per month and 50+ games.

Blacknut, Tencent START, Boosteroid, TIM Cloud Gaming by AWG, and NetEase Cloud Gaming are other cloud gaming alternatives.

For more options, browse Cloud gaming services.

Verdict

Cloudy Pad is a compelling fit for technically confident players who want to stream games they already own and control where the gaming instance runs. Its free, open-source software and provider flexibility are the reasons to choose it; infrastructure charges, setup demands, experimental status, and Linux compatibility are the reasons to look elsewhere if convenience and predictable service matter more.