Moonlight Game Streaming

Moonlight Game Streaming sends games from a gaming PC to supported devices for remote play. It is a free, open-source client implementation of NVIDIA's GameStream protocol. On a capable client, it can stream a full Windows desktop at up to 4K with HDR; its PC client supports up to 120 FPS and can disable V-Sync for lower latency. Clients are listed for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Apple TV, ChromeOS, Steam Link, and Raspberry Pi. Users can host a gaming server using options including port forwarding, IPv6, ZeroTier, Tailscale, and NordVPN Meshnet. Moonlight recommends Sunshine as a host; GeForce Experience is also compatible, though NVIDIA is discontinuing its GameStream feature. Wolf can stream games and applications running inside Docker containers. Moonlight has no pure web client because its protocol requires raw TCP and UDP sockets that browsers do not support. Setup guidance, an FAQ, and a Discord community are available. The project began as a 2013 hackathon project by Case Western Reserve University students.

Moonlight offers PC game streaming across a broad set of client platforms, with high-resolution and high-frame-rate options on capable devices. It requires a compatible host and connection setup, and it does not offer a browser client.

Moonlight suits people who want to play games from their gaming PC on supported devices. It may appeal to users comfortable setting up a host and choosing a connection method for remote streaming.

Overview

Moonlight is a free, open-source client for streaming games from a gaming PC to another device. It suits players who want remote access to their own PC games and are willing to configure a compatible host. Its strongest case is broad device support paired with high-resolution, high-frame-rate streaming; its main trade-off is that it is not a plug-and-play browser service.

Moonlight implements NVIDIA’s GameStream protocol, and the client code is released under GPLv3. The project began in 2013 as a hackathon project by Case Western Reserve University students. Because Moonlight is the client rather than the gaming server, a compatible host must run on the PC.

Key features

Streaming quality and control

Moonlight supports streaming a full Windows desktop at up to 4K with HDR on a capable client. The PC client can stream at up to 120 FPS, and an option to disable V-Sync is intended to reduce latency. Those ceilings make it a compelling fit for compatible hardware and a strong connection, though they do not remove the need for a capable host and client.

Host and connection choices

Sunshine is the recommended open-source host. GeForce Experience is also compatible, but NVIDIA is discontinuing its GameStream feature, making Sunshine the more forward-looking choice. Wolf can stream games and applications running inside Docker containers, a more specialized option for users with that setup.

For internet access, users can configure port forwarding, IPv6, ZeroTier, Tailscale, or NordVPN Meshnet. These are self-hosting approaches, so they require setup rather than a browser login. Tailscale relay connections do not support Moonlight streaming. GeForce Experience internet streaming also requires the Moonlight Internet Hosting Tool to stay installed on the host to preserve port-forwarding entries.

Browser and privacy limits

Moonlight has no pure web client: its protocol requires raw TCP and UDP sockets that browsers do not support. That rules it out for users who need to stream from an ordinary browser without installing a client. The Google Play listing says the app collects no data and shares no data with third parties.

Pricing

Moonlight Game Streaming — free. The plan is completely free, with no subscriptions and no paid versions with extra features. There is no free trial because no paid tier is offered. That simplicity is a clear advantage for personal remote play, though users seeking a managed service or browser access will need another option.

Platforms

Host platforms are Windows, macOS, and Linux. Clients include Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Apple TV, ChromeOS, Steam Link, and Raspberry Pi. Maximum resolution is 4K; console support and local co-op support are also indicated. This range makes Moonlight more flexible than a single-device client, while the lack of a web client remains a practical constraint.

Who it's for

Moonlight is best for players with a gaming PC who want to stream to one of its supported clients and are comfortable choosing and configuring a host. It is less suitable for people who expect browser-based play, do not want to manage remote access, or need a host arrangement unaffected by NVIDIA’s discontinuation of GameStream.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Free with no subscriptions or feature-gated paid versions, so there is no recurring cost for the client.
• Pros: Broad client support, including mobile, desktop, Apple TV, ChromeOS, Steam Link, and Raspberry Pi, gives users several ways to reach a PC game library.
• Pros: Up to 4K with HDR on a capable client and up to 120 FPS on the PC client give compatible setups substantial quality headroom.
• Cons: A compatible host and connection setup are required, so remote streaming involves more configuration than a browser service.
• Cons: There is no pure web client, excluding users whose devices or policies prevent installing a native client.
• Cons: NVIDIA is discontinuing GameStream in GeForce Experience, so users relying on that host should consider Sunshine instead.

Alternatives

Game Remote Play Software is the broader category for comparing remote-play options.

• Moonlight Web is a free, open-source option with web support; choose it if browser access matters more than sticking to Moonlight’s native-client protocol.
• Parsec offers a free personal, non-commercial plan for desktop streaming and sharing, plus an Individuals (Warp) plan at $8.33 a month. Consider it if desktop sharing is part of the need or its web and API platform coverage fits better.
• Artemis Android is a free, open-source Android GameStream client, suited to users focused specifically on Android.
• Chiaki-ng is a free, open-source PlayStation Remote Play client, so it is the relevant pick for PlayStation remote play rather than PC-game streaming.
• PeaSyo says it is permanently free and supports desktop and mobile platforms; consider it as another free cross-platform option.
• Steam is free to install across desktop and mobile platforms, while game and content prices vary and some subscriptions may be free; choose it when access to Steam’s game and content ecosystem is the priority.
• OneCast is a paid option for iOS and macOS with a 7-day free trial; it is aimed at readers looking specifically at those platforms.
• PXPlay offers a €12.99 one-time purchase for its PC plan, supporting Windows, Linux, and Mac for one user across multiple personal machines on the same plan; it is an option for readers who prefer that purchase structure.

Verdict

Choose Moonlight if you want free, open-source streaming from your own gaming PC to a wide range of supported clients, especially if 4K, HDR, or high frame rates matter to your setup. Look elsewhere if you need browser-based play or want remote streaming without configuring a host and network access.