Remote Play Compatibility Checker
Not all remote gaming software works with every setup. Moonlight requires NVIDIA, PlayStation Remote Play needs a PS4/PS5, and Steam only streams Steam games. Pick your GPU, host OS and client device to instantly see which tools are fully compatible, which need workarounds, and which won't work at all.
Why compatibility matters for remote play
Not all remote gaming software works with every setup. Moonlight requires an NVIDIA GPU on the host PC. PlayStation Remote Play needs a PS4 or PS5 console — not a gaming PC. Steam Remote Play only streams Steam games. Picking the wrong software means hours of troubleshooting with nothing to show for it. This remote play compatibility checker matches your exact hardware to the right tool instantly.
The main options explained
- Parsec — the easiest to set up and works with any GPU (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel). Free tier relays traffic through Parsec's servers; the paid Teams plan connects peer-to-peer. Streams any game or app, not just Steam. Best choice for AMD and Intel GPU users who want a simple setup.
- Sunshine + Moonlight — the best open-source option. Sunshine is a host app that runs on Windows, Linux or macOS with any GPU. Moonlight is the client app (Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Steam Deck). Fully peer-to-peer, no account required, supports bitrates up to 150 Mbps and AV1 on newer GPUs. Best choice for users who want maximum control and zero data going through a third-party server.
- Moonlight (without Sunshine) — the original Moonlight client works with NVIDIA's built-in GameStream host via GeForce Experience. Fast to set up on NVIDIA systems, but NVIDIA discontinued GameStream in 2023 — Sunshine is now the recommended host replacement.
- Steam Remote Play — built into Steam, zero extra software needed. Streams Steam games to any device that runs the Steam Link app (or a browser). Not suitable for non-Steam games without workarounds.
- PlayStation Remote Play — Sony's official app streams your PS4 or PS5 to Windows, Mac, Android or iOS. The console must be on and connected to the internet. Not available for PC gaming.
- Xbox Remote Play — Microsoft's Xbox app streams your Xbox console to Windows or Android. Mac and iOS support is more limited. Also not for PC gaming.
AMD and Intel GPU users — your best options
If your gaming PC has an AMD or Intel GPU, Moonlight alone will not work (it requires NVIDIA). Your two best options are Parsec (easiest, free, any GPU) or Sunshine + Moonlight (best quality, fully open-source, any GPU). Both support all major client platforms including Android, iOS, Windows and Mac.
Which is better: Parsec or Moonlight with Sunshine?
- Choose Parsec if you want: easy setup in under 5 minutes, built-in NAT traversal without configuring ports, a polished client app, and you're fine with traffic passing through Parsec's infrastructure on the free tier.
- Choose Sunshine + Moonlight if you want: fully peer-to-peer with no third party involved, higher maximum bitrate (150 Mbps vs 50 Mbps), AV1 codec support on newer hardware, and you're comfortable with a slightly longer initial setup.
Network type and latency
The network between your gaming PC and your client device has the biggest impact on remote play quality. Wired LAN is best — consistent sub-5ms latency makes even fast-paced FPS games feel responsive. WiFi adds 5–20ms of jitter and can cause stutter during downloads or interference; WiFi 6 on 5 GHz greatly reduces this. Internet (WAN) latency depends on your ISP and distance to the server — under 30ms is comfortable for RPGs and strategy games, under 15ms for competitive shooters.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Moonlight with an AMD or Intel GPU?
Not directly — the original Moonlight client requires an NVIDIA GPU running GeForce Experience on the host PC. However, you can pair Moonlight with Sunshine (a free open-source host app) which supports AMD, Intel and NVIDIA GPUs, giving you the same low-latency Moonlight experience on any hardware.
What is the difference between Parsec and Moonlight?
Parsec is easier to set up and works peer-to-peer on its Teams plan (free tier relays through Parsec servers). Moonlight with Sunshine is fully P2P, supports higher bitrates (up to 150 Mbps), and is completely open-source. Parsec supports more client platforms out of the box; Moonlight/Sunshine supports more codecs including AV1.
Can I use Steam Remote Play to stream non-Steam games?
You can add non-Steam games to your Steam library as shortcuts and stream them via Remote Play, but it is less reliable than Parsec or Moonlight for non-Steam titles. The stream also goes through Valve's relay if a direct connection fails.
What is Sunshine?
Sunshine is a free, open-source game streaming host that replaces NVIDIA's GameStream (discontinued in 2023). It runs on Windows, Linux and macOS and works with any GPU. Paired with Moonlight as the client, it provides the best open-source remote gaming experience available.