Moonlight
FreeFree open-source game streaming client that uses NVIDIA GameStream to play PC games on phones, tablets, TVs, and other PCs over your network.
What does this tool do?
Moonlight is an open-source game streaming client that implements NVIDIA's GameStream protocol, enabling users to stream PC games to virtually any device over a network or internet connection. It decodes the streaming protocol originally used by NVIDIA Shield and applies it across multiple platforms—from smartphones and tablets to game consoles and smart TVs. The tool supports high-fidelity streaming up to 4K resolution with HDR and 120 FPS, making it suitable for both local network streaming (same room or house) and remote play across the internet. Users can either stream through GeForce Experience (NVIDIA's legacy solution being discontinued) or Sunshine, an open-source host alternative. The architecture is community-driven with no subscription fees or premium tiers, relying on voluntary contributions and GitHub-hosted code.
AI analysis from Feb 23, 2026
Key Features
- Streaming up to 4K resolution with HDR support across supported client devices
- High refresh rate streaming at 120 FPS with optional V-Sync disabling for minimal latency
- Multi-platform client support: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, ChromeOS, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Wii U, Raspberry Pi, and LG Smart TVs
- Remote access via port forwarding, IPv6, and VPN integration (ZeroTier, Tailscale, NordVPN Meshnet)
- Dual hosting options: NVIDIA GeForce Experience (legacy) and Sunshine (recommended open-source alternative)
- Open-source codebase under GPLv3 license with community ports and contributions
- Full desktop streaming capability, not limited to games alone
Use Cases
- 1Gaming on a portable device while your gaming PC remains at home, using local network streaming for lag-sensitive competitive games
- 2Playing high-end PC games on a TV in another room without duplicating hardware or using expensive dedicated streaming boxes
- 3Accessing your PC gaming library on mobile devices while traveling, using internet streaming via port forwarding or VPN tunnels
- 4Running games on underpowered hardware like Raspberry Pi or Chromebook by offloading rendering to a powerful host PC
- 5Creating a personal cloud gaming server on residential internet for family members or friends to access remotely
- 6Streaming non-gaming applications and the full Windows desktop at 4K resolution to remote monitoring or presentation scenarios
Pros & Cons
Advantages
- Completely free with no subscriptions, ads, or premium feature locks—the entire client ecosystem is open-source under GPLv3
- Exceptional platform coverage including niche devices (Nintendo Switch, PS Vita, Wii U homebrew, LG webOS TVs) that commercial solutions ignore
- High streaming quality with 4K HDR and 120 FPS support, plus low-latency options by disabling V-Sync, competitive with commercial solutions
- Flexible hosting options: use NVIDIA's GeForce Experience, the recommended Sunshine host, or Docker-based Wolf for containerized games
- Robust remote access via port forwarding, IPv6, and VPN integration (ZeroTier, Tailscale, NordVPN Meshnet) without corporate infrastructure
Limitations
- Requires NVIDIA GPU with GameStream support for GeForce Experience hosting; Sunshine support for AMD/Intel GPUs is newer and less documented
- Steep setup complexity for remote streaming—users must manually configure port forwarding, VPNs, or understand network topology, with limited in-app guidance
- Community-driven support means no guaranteed response times or professional troubleshooting; homebrew ports (Switch, Vita, Wii U) may lack active maintenance
- Network latency heavily impacts experience on high-latency connections; not suitable for 50+ ms ping without noticeable input lag in competitive games
- Dependent on continuous development of open-source projects; potential abandonment risk if maintainers lose interest, unlike commercial alternatives
Pricing Details
Completely free. Moonlight is a community-run project with no subscription fees, paid premium versions, ads, or bundled services. All official clients and the recommended Sunshine host are available at no cost.
Who is this for?
PC gamers seeking flexible remote play across multiple devices, tech-savvy users comfortable with network configuration and open-source software, budget-conscious gamers unwilling to pay subscription fees, and enthusiasts wanting to stream to unconventional devices like Nintendo Switch or Raspberry Pi. Best suited for individuals and small groups rather than enterprise use.