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Sunshine
What it is
Sunshine is a free, self-hosted game-stream host for Moonlight that runs on your own hardware. It provides low-latency cloud gaming server capabilities and supports AMD, Intel, and Nvidia hardware encoding, along with software encoding. A browser-based web interface configures the host and pairs clients, including from a mobile device. Moonlight clients are listed for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Xbox, and other platforms. Sunshine can emulate Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series, DualShock 4, DualSense, and Nintendo Switch Pro controllers. Host compatibility includes FreeBSD, Linux, macOS, and Windows, with features varying by operating system. Downloads include Cloudsmith, Copr, Arch Linux, Docker, Flathub, and Homebrew. The project uses the GPL-3.0 license. Listed minimums include 4 GB RAM, a supported GPU, and 5 GHz 802.11ac networking for host and client; the requirements tables are still a work in progress.
For and against
For
- Free and self-hosted
- Supports AMD, Intel, and Nvidia encoding
- Configures through a browser
- Emulates multiple console controllers
- Offers Windows, macOS, Linux, and FreeBSD hosts
Against
- Requires your own hardware
- Needs a supported GPU
- Lists 5 GHz 802.11ac networking
- Requirements tables are a work in progress
The verdict
Sunshine provides a configurable, open-source host for Moonlight streaming with broad controller and client support. Setup depends on suitable hardware, operating-system support, and network requirements.
Who it suits
It suits people who want to host game streaming themselves and connect Moonlight clients across supported devices. It is relevant to users with a supported GPU, 5 GHz networking, and compatible host hardware.
Plans and prices
Sunshine
Self-hosted; runs on your own hardware
Read 3 Oct 2026 · app.lizardbyte.dev
On the record
- Configuration
- A web UI lets users configure Sunshine and pair clients from a web browser, including on a mobile device.app.lizardbyte.dev · read 3 Oct 2026
- Controller emulation
- Sunshine emulates Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series, PlayStation DualShock 4, DualSense, and Nintendo Switch Pro controllers.app.lizardbyte.dev · read 3 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The download links include Cloudsmith, Copr, Arch Linux, Docker, Flathub, and Homebrew.app.lizardbyte.dev · read 3 Oct 2026
- Hardware encoding
- Sunshine supports AMD, Intel, and Nvidia GPUs for hardware encoding, and software encoding is also available.app.lizardbyte.dev · read 3 Oct 2026
- Host operating systems
- The repository's compatibility table covers FreeBSD, Linux, macOS, and Windows, with features varying by operating system.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Maker
- The project page identifies Sunshine as a LizardByte project.app.lizardbyte.dev · read 3 Oct 2026
- Moonlight clients
- Sunshine connects to Moonlight clients, which the project page lists for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Xbox, and more.app.lizardbyte.dev · read 3 Oct 2026
- Open source license
- The Sunshine repository identifies its license as GPL-3.0.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Sunshine is a self-hosted game stream host for Moonlight with low-latency cloud gaming server capabilities.app.lizardbyte.dev · read 3 Oct 2026
- Security and privacy
- LizardByte's website privacy policy says it strives to use commercially acceptable means to protect personal information but cannot guarantee absolute security.app.lizardbyte.dev · read 3 Oct 2026
- Support
- LizardByte says Discord is its preferred support method and GitHub Discussions can be used for support, feature requests, and general discussion.app.lizardbyte.dev · read 3 Oct 2026
- System requirements
- The listed minimum requirements include 4 GB RAM, a supported GPU, and host and client networks using 5 GHz 802.11ac; the page says its requirements tables are a work in progress.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
