The Tool Desk
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These are different technologies rather than interchangeable apps: self-hosted streaming depends on your own computer and home network, while cloud streaming depends on NVIDIA’s supported catalog, data-center latency, internet connection, and membership tier. The setup, controller requirements, and likely failure points follow from that distinction.
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Which Steam Link alternative should you choose?
Use the comparison below as the first decision. The first two choices stream from a PC you control. GeForce NOW does not connect to your home computer; the game runs on NVIDIA infrastructure.
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| Choice | Where the game runs | Best fit | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam Link | Your home PC running Steam | An existing Steam setup that needs the simplest baseline | The PC must be powered on, Steam must be running, and you must be signed in |
| Moonlight with Sunshine | Your home PC, with the PC doing the game rendering and video encoding | Games from multiple stores, desktop access, and users who want more control | Requires host configuration and a capable, stable connection between PC, router, and Android device |
| GeForce NOW | NVIDIA cloud servers | Playing without a gaming PC at hand, provided the desired games are supported | Depends on the current catalog, regional availability, internet latency, and membership tier |
There is no universal winner. Moonlight is the most flexible self-hosted option, Steam Link is the shortest path for Steam-only households, and GeForce NOW removes the need to maintain a gaming PC but adds service and catalog dependencies.
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What Android game streaming actually does
In all three cases, the Android device is primarily a display and input device. The game is rendered elsewhere, compressed into a video stream, sent over a network, and controlled with touch input or a gamepad. Every frame therefore depends on both the machine producing the frame and the connection carrying it.
With Steam Link or Moonlight, your PC performs the rendering. The quality you perceive depends on the PC’s hardware, the host’s video-encoding capability, the router, the link from PC to router, the link from router to phone or tablet, and the Android client. With GeForce NOW, NVIDIA performs the rendering, but the route from your device to an NVIDIA data center determines responsiveness.
Streaming is not the same as installing a PC game on Android. Storage space on the phone is not a substitute for a gaming PC or cloud session, and a stronger phone cannot compensate for a weak host or high network latency.
Moonlight and Sunshine: the flexible self-hosted option
Why choose Moonlight
Moonlight is an open-source, free Android client that can stream games, individual programs, or the full desktop from a PC. Its Android listing says it can stream games purchased from any store, rather than limiting you to one launcher. It supports H.264, HEVC, and AV1 streams. AV1 requires Sunshine and a host GPU capable of AV1 encoding.
Sunshine is the practical host for a new setup because it supports all GPUs. The Moonlight listing also names NVIDIA GeForce Experience as a possible PC host, but the current setup guide directs new users toward Sunshine. This combination separates the client on Android from the host software on the PC: Moonlight receives and displays the stream, while Sunshine captures, encodes, and exposes games or programs.
Moonlight can open Steam, Remote Desktop, or applications you add yourself. That makes it useful for a game installed outside Steam, a launcher that needs to be opened manually, or ordinary desktop work from a tablet. Streaming the desktop does not turn a non-Android game into a native mobile game; it simply gives you remote control of the Windows desktop.
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What you need
- A gaming PC with Sunshine installed and configured, or another host supported by the Moonlight project.
- An Android phone or tablet with the Moonlight app.
- A local network for the initial pairing. Starting on the same home network is the simplest way to confirm that the host and client work.
- A strong connection to the Android device. Moonlight particularly recommends 5 GHz Wi-Fi.
- A wired Ethernet connection from the PC to the router when possible.
- A compatible controller if the game is uncomfortable or impractical with touch input.
Moonlight states that performance can vary with the client device and network setup. The project’s recommendations are useful targets, not a promise that every phone, router, or PC will deliver identical latency or image quality.
Set up Moonlight and Sunshine on the home network
- Install Sunshine on the gaming PC.
- Open Sunshine’s first-time configuration through its web interface and complete the host setup.
- Install Moonlight on the Android phone or tablet.
- Make sure the Android device and gaming PC are connected to the same home network.
- Open Moonlight and select the discovered PC. If it is not discovered automatically, use the client’s option to add or locate the host on the local network.
- Moonlight displays a pairing PIN. Enter that PIN in Sunshine’s pairing prompt or web interface.
- Start with one known application, such as the Steam entry supplied by Sunshine. Confirm that video, audio, and controller input work before adding more games.
- Use Sunshine’s application controls to add games or programs manually when they are not listed automatically.
Testing locally first isolates the basic installation from the more complicated problem of reaching the host across the internet. Do not begin by changing remote-access settings when you have not yet confirmed that a same-network session works.
Network design matters more than the app name
Moonlight’s Android listing recommends strong Wi-Fi, especially 5 GHz, and a wired connection from the PC to the router. Its setup guide strongly recommends a mid- to high-end wireless router and Wi-Fi 5, also called 802.11ac, or Wi-Fi 6, also called 802.11ax.
There are two separate wireless or wired legs to consider. The PC-to-router leg carries the encoded stream into your network; the router-to-Android leg carries that stream to the screen and returns your inputs. A phone beside the router can still feel poor if the gaming PC uses an unstable wireless link. Conversely, a wired PC cannot eliminate congestion or weak signal conditions at the phone.
These recommendations do not establish a guaranteed frame rate, resolution, or latency. Nearby networks, walls, router placement, client radios, host load, and other traffic can all change the result. Start with a stable local connection, then adjust stream quality only after confirming reliability.
HDR and codec limits
Moonlight says HDR requires all of the following: an HDR10-capable Android client, a GPU able to encode HEVC Main 10, and a game with HDR10 enabled. Some games that use operating-system-level HDR also require an HDR display attached to the host PC. If one element is missing, use a standard dynamic-range stream rather than assuming the phone alone can provide HDR.
Rank #3
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H.264 and HEVC cover common host and client combinations. AV1 is conditional: Sunshine and a supported host GPU are required. Codec support on the app listing does not mean every Android device, host GPU, or network will use every codec automatically.
Streaming over the internet
After a successful local session, you can evaluate remote access from outside the home. The Moonlight setup guidance recommends the local-first sequence because remote streaming adds an internet path and additional configuration. Your experience will then depend on the upstream connection at home, the downstream connection where you are playing, and the distance and routing between them.
The supplied setup information does not establish one universal remote-access method, port configuration, or security policy. Follow current Sunshine and Moonlight documentation for the exact network design appropriate to your router and internet service, and keep the host protected with strong account and device security. Do not treat a successful home connection as proof that an internet session will have the same latency.
GeForce NOW: cloud gaming without your own gaming PC
How it differs from Moonlight
GeForce NOW runs games on NVIDIA’s cloud PCs. Moonlight and Steam Link capture a game running on your computer; GeForce NOW sends your inputs to a remote NVIDIA machine and returns the resulting stream. You therefore do not need to leave a home gaming PC powered on for a session.
The trade-off is that ownership of a game on Steam or another store does not automatically mean it can be played through GeForce NOW. The current supported catalog, account linking rules, service availability, and membership features must be checked for the game and country you care about. The technical requirements below describe Android compatibility and streaming targets, not a guarantee that every title in a store library is supported.
Android requirements published by NVIDIA
| Requirement or recommendation | NVIDIA’s stated figure or condition | How to interpret it |
|---|---|---|
| Android version | Android 7.0 or later | An older device below this version does not meet the stated minimum |
| Available memory | 1 GB available memory | This is the published minimum available memory, not a promise of smooth performance on every device |
| Graphics API | OpenGL ES 2.0 or higher | The Android device must support the stated API level |
| HD streaming | 15 Mbps for up to 60 frames per second | A recommended network rate for HD streaming, not a guaranteed speed at every moment |
| Full HD streaming | 25 Mbps at 60 frames per second | A higher bandwidth target for FHD sessions |
| QHD streaming | 35 Mbps at 120 frames per second | A published recommendation for the highest listed Android target |
| Latency to an NVIDIA data center | Under 80 ms | NVIDIA’s stated network-latency guidance; distance and routing affect the measurement |
| 1440p or 120 FPS on Android | Requires GeForce NOW Ultimate membership | The Android performance tier is tied to the Ultimate plan |
NVIDIA recommends Ethernet or 5 GHz Wi-Fi. The Mbps figures are recommendations from NVIDIA, not independent measurements, and they describe the connection’s capacity rather than guaranteeing image quality when the line is congested or latency is high.
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Controllers and phone ergonomics
NVIDIA lists Microsoft Xbox controllers and Sony PS5 DualSense or DualShock 4 controllers for phone play. It recommends using a gamepad clip to attach a controller to the phone. The Android app includes an on-screen virtual gamepad, but NVIDIA does not recommend that as a long-term way to play.
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Memberships, pricing, and availability
The information available here does not establish current GeForce NOW prices, regional coverage, queue policies, or the complete catalog. Those details can change independently of the Android technical requirements. Verify the current membership terms and whether your desired games are supported in your country before treating GeForce NOW as a replacement for a home PC.
The same caution applies to high-end streaming targets. NVIDIA ties Android 1440p and 120 FPS to Ultimate membership, but the phone, display, network, and supported game still need to handle the target. A membership tier cannot remove a device or connectivity limitation.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Steam Link as the simplest baseline
Steam Link is a free Android app that uses Steam Link streaming technology. Valve’s basic instructions require the home PC to be turned on, Steam to be launched, and the user to be signed in. For someone whose games are already organized in Steam, this is usually the shortest route from a PC library to an Android screen.
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- Turn on the PC that contains the games.
- Launch Steam on that PC and sign in.
- Open Steam Link on Android and follow its pairing or connection prompts.
- Start a game from the Steam session and verify controller input before leaving the home network.
Steam Link is a baseline, not a universal solution. It is centered on a Steam session, whereas Moonlight can expose programs and games from other stores through Sunshine. Both still require your PC to be available, unlike GeForce NOW.
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Game and store compatibility: the question to answer first
If your library is mostly Steam
Steam Link is the least complicated starting point because Steam is already the management layer. Moonlight is still useful if you want desktop streaming, a non-Steam launcher, or manual application entries, but its flexibility adds host configuration.
If your games come from several stores
Moonlight with Sunshine is the clearest self-hosted fit. Moonlight’s listing says it can stream games purchased from any store, while Sunshine lets you add applications manually. You still need the relevant launcher installed and signed in on the PC; Moonlight does not transfer the game license or install the game for you.
If you do not have a gaming PC available
GeForce NOW is the option designed for cloud execution. Check each desired title against the current supported catalog and confirm service availability in your region. A store account alone is not enough evidence that the game will run through the service.
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Latency, image quality, and realistic expectations
Input latency is the time between touching a button and seeing the result. In self-hosted streaming it includes game rendering, video encoding, home-network transport, decoding on Android, and display response. In cloud streaming it also includes the trip to and from NVIDIA’s data center. Faster rendering or a higher frame-rate tier does not automatically make a distant or congested connection feel responsive.
Moonlight explicitly warns that performance varies with the client and network. NVIDIA publishes bandwidth and latency targets rather than a universal promise. Treat 5 GHz Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6, Ethernet for the PC, and an under-80-ms path to NVIDIA as conditions to work toward, not guarantees of a particular result.
Resolution and HDR are also end-to-end features. The host must encode the chosen format, the network must carry it consistently, and the Android device must decode and display it. For Moonlight HDR, the HDR10 client, HEVC Main 10-capable GPU, HDR10 game, and in some cases an HDR display attached to the host are all part of the requirement.
Troubleshooting by symptom
The PC does not appear in Moonlight
- Confirm Sunshine is installed and running on the PC.
- Put the Android device and PC on the same home network for the first test.
- Open Sunshine’s web interface and complete first-time configuration if it has not been done.
- Use Moonlight’s host-add option if automatic discovery does not find the PC.
- Pair with the PIN shown by Moonlight through Sunshine’s pairing interface.
Pairing works, but the stream stutters
- Check the PC-to-router connection first; use Ethernet when possible.
- Move the Android device to a stronger 5 GHz Wi-Fi signal.
- Reduce competing traffic on the home network and retest near the router.
- Confirm that the client device is capable of the selected stream format.
- Test a simpler application or lower stream target before concluding that the host software is at fault.
The picture appears without HDR
- Check that the Android client supports HDR10.
- Check that the host GPU can encode HEVC Main 10.
- Confirm that the game itself has HDR10 enabled.
- If the game uses operating-system-level HDR, attach an HDR display to the host PC as Moonlight’s listing requires for some titles.
GeForce NOW feels delayed
- Measure the connection at the location where you actually play, not only beside the router.
- Prefer Ethernet or 5 GHz Wi-Fi, as NVIDIA recommends.
- Compare your measured path with NVIDIA’s under-80-ms latency guidance.
- Check that your available bandwidth is near the relevant 15 Mbps HD, 25 Mbps FHD, or 35 Mbps QHD recommendation.
- Remember that catalog support and membership tier affect access, but neither can correct a poor route to the data center.
Touch controls are uncomfortable
Use a compatible Bluetooth Android gamepad and, for a phone, consider a controller clip. NVIDIA describes the virtual gamepad as available but not recommended for long-term play. Confirm compatibility for your particular Android device and game before purchasing an accessory.
A practical decision process
- Identify the host. If you have a capable PC that can stay on, choose between Steam Link and Moonlight. If you do not, investigate GeForce NOW.
- Identify the library. A Steam-centered library favors Steam Link for simplicity. Multiple stores or desktop access favor Moonlight. Cloud access requires checking the individual GeForce NOW catalog.
- Test the local network. For self-hosted streaming, connect the PC by Ethernet if possible and use 5 GHz Wi-Fi on Android. Pair and play locally before attempting internet access.
- Check Android capability. For GeForce NOW, verify Android 7.0 or later, 1 GB available memory, and OpenGL ES 2.0 or higher. For Moonlight, verify that the phone or tablet can decode the stream format you intend to use.
- Choose controls. Touch input may work for simple titles, but a compatible Bluetooth gamepad is the more practical general option. Add a clip only if the handheld arrangement suits you.
- Verify volatile service details. Recheck GeForce NOW’s current catalog, country availability, membership features, and pricing before subscribing. These details are not fixed by the technical requirements listed above.
Bottom line for each type of player
Choose Steam Link when you want the fewest moving parts and your games already live in Steam. Choose Moonlight with Sunshine when you own a PC but need multi-store support, desktop streaming, or more control over the host; install Sunshine, pair locally, and treat the network as part of the setup. Choose GeForce NOW when cloud execution is more useful than maintaining a gaming PC, but only after confirming that your games, region, connection, controller, and membership tier line up with the service’s current terms.
Quick Recap
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