Moonlight Web

Moonlight Web is a free, open-source server for streaming a gaming PC to devices with a modern browser. Install the server on the gaming PC; clients open a URL without needing an app or account. The browser client supports H.264, HEVC, and AV1 decoding through WebCodecs, depending on browser codec support. The maker states support for streams up to 4K HDR at 240 fps and latency under 20 ms over Wi-Fi. Xbox and PlayStation controllers with rumble, keyboards, pointer-lock mouse, touch trackpad, and virtual keyboard are supported. The client can discover and pair with Sunshine, Wolf, and MultiSeat hosts. Remote streams use direct peer-to-peer WebRTC, with an outgoing connection to an introduction server and no public web ports exposed. Sessions allow up to four players, including the host. The gaming PC needs a hardware-encoding-capable GPU, and clients need a modern browser. Linux hosts require x64 and a sufficiently recent distribution; Linux-host HDR is not implemented. The project is GPL-3.0 licensed, with no accounts, subscriptions, or paid tiers.

Moonlight Web provides browser-based access to a self-hosted gaming PC, with support for several host types and controllers. Check the GPU, browser, and Linux requirements before setting it up.

Moonlight Web suits people who want to stream a gaming PC to browser-equipped devices and can install a server on the host PC. It may also fit local groups of up to four players.

Moonlight Web brings self-hosted PC game streaming to a modern browser, making it a strong fit for players who want to use a mix of phones, tablets, laptops or TVs. Its broad host support and lack of client installs are compelling; the trade-off is dependence on a capable gaming PC and browser decoding support.

Overview

Install the server on the gaming PC, then open a URL on the client. No client app or account is required, which is useful for switching among household devices without setting up a separate client on each one. It is not a cloud gaming service: the host PC and its encoding-capable GPU remain essential.

On a local network, Moonlight Web can find Sunshine, Wolf and MultiSeat hosts through mDNS and pair with a PIN. Remote sessions use direct peer-to-peer WebRTC, while an outgoing connection to an introduction server helps the browser locate the PC. This avoids exposing public web ports, and the maker says streams go directly between PC and browser. Hosts pair by PIN, and the remote entry link is served over HTTPS.

Key features

The project states support for up to 4K HDR at 240 fps and latency under 20 ms over Wi-Fi, using WebRTC over UDP with adaptive congestion control. Those figures set an ambitious ceiling, not a result every setup will reach: encoding hardware, network conditions and browser support all matter.

Browser decoding uses WebCodecs for H.264, HEVC and AV1. Codecs the browser cannot use are greyed out, so a modern browser alone does not guarantee every format. Client-side WebGPU upscaling and sharpening offers SGSRv1 and FSR1 shaders without adding that processing load to the gaming PC, a useful way to enhance the client image when its hardware supports the feature.

Controls cover Xbox and PlayStation controllers with rumble, as well as keyboard, pointer-lock mouse, touch trackpad and virtual keyboard input. Sessions support up to four players: the host and as many as three invited friends. That makes the service more flexible than a single-player remote screen, though it still depends on the host and connection serving the session.

Optional anonymous usage statistics cover resolution, frame rate, codec, connection type, session duration, app version and operating system. The maker says statistics are not sent before consent. The website also uses self-hosted, cookieless Umami analytics and says it does not store visitors’ IP addresses.

Pricing

MoonlightWeb costs nothing. The project is GPL-3.0 licensed, with no accounts, subscriptions or paid tiers; optional tips are mentioned by the maker. There is no trial to weigh against a subscription, and no paid plan with extra features. That makes it an appealing choice for players who want browser access without recurring software charges, but it does not remove the cost of owning and maintaining a suitable gaming PC.

Platforms

The server supports Windows, Apple Silicon macOS and Linux. The client runs in modern browsers on PCs, Macs, tablets, phones and TVs, covering a wider range of client devices than a conventional app-only setup. The Linux guide requires x64, a hardware-encoding-capable GPU and a distribution at least as recent as Ubuntu 22.04, Debian 12 or Fedora 36. Linux-host HDR is not implemented yet, so Linux users seeking HDR should look elsewhere for that capability.

In practice, the main compatibility checks are the host GPU’s ability to encode, the Linux system requirements when applicable, and whether the browser can decode the desired codec. Unanswered questions are directed to GitHub.

Who it's for

Moonlight Web suits people with a gaming PC who want to stream to several kinds of browser-equipped devices, or invite a few friends into a session. It is especially attractive when avoiding client installs and accounts matters. It is a poor fit for anyone expecting games to run on remote servers, or for a host without encoding-capable graphics hardware.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Browser access needs no client app or account, simplifying use across phones, tablets, laptops and TVs.
• Pro: Sunshine, Wolf and MultiSeat host discovery, plus direct peer-to-peer remote streams, supports varied self-hosted setups without exposing public web ports.
• Pro: Controller, keyboard, mouse and touch controls, along with sessions for up to four players, cover more than a single input style or solo use.
• Con: The gaming PC needs a hardware-encoding-capable GPU; browser streaming cannot make an unsuitable host work.
• Con: Codec availability depends on browser decoding support, and Linux-host HDR is not yet implemented.

Alternatives

Game Remote Play Software is the broader category to browse if you want to compare remote-play choices before settling on one.

Choose Moonlight Game Streaming if you prefer its free, no-subscription client across Android, iOS, Linux, macOS and Windows. Parsec is another option for desktop streaming and sharing; its Personal Use plan is for non-commercial use, while Individuals (Warp) costs $8.33 a month.

Pulsar may suit readers looking for a free, open-source remote-play alternative. Artemis Android is an open-source Android GameStream client, while Chiaki-ng is a free, open-source PlayStation Remote Play client.

PeaSyo is another permanently free option. Steam is worth considering when game and content access is the priority; prices vary, and some subscriptions may be free. OneCast is a paid iOS and Apple TV option with a seven-day free trial.

Verdict

Choose Moonlight Web if you already have an encoding-capable gaming PC and want to reach it from browser-equipped devices without client installs, accounts or subscription fees. Its flexible host support, wide control options and four-player sessions make it a particularly capable self-hosted choice. Look elsewhere if you need a service that supplies the gaming hardware, or if your browser, GPU or Linux HDR requirements do not match its limits.