Moonlight

What is Moonlight?

Moonlight is a free, open-source game streaming client that allows users to stream games and applications from their NVIDIA GameStream-compatible PCs to virtually any device. Originally developed as an open-source implementation of NVIDIA’s Shield streaming protocol, Moonlight has become the go-to solution for gamers wanting to play PC games on phones, tablets, Raspberry Pi devices, smart TVs, and other computers over their local network or the internet. The project is maintained by dedicated developers and has built a strong community around high-quality, low-latency game streaming.

What distinguishes Moonlight from commercial alternatives like NVIDIA GeForce NOW or Steam Link is its combination of completely free access, open-source transparency, and exceptional performance. Moonlight leverages NVIDIA’s hardware encoding technology (NVENC) on compatible graphics cards to deliver low-latency streaming that approaches local gameplay feel. Users can stream at resolutions up to 4K at 120fps with HDR support on capable hardware, matching or exceeding commercial streaming services.

While Moonlight traditionally required NVIDIA GPUs due to its GameStream dependency, the development of Sunshine (an open-source GameStream host) has extended compatibility to AMD and Intel graphics cards. This combination of Moonlight and Sunshine provides a completely free, cross-platform game streaming solution that works with any modern GPU, democratizing high-quality game streaming beyond NVIDIA hardware.

Key Features

• Low-Latency Streaming: Hardware-accelerated streaming delivers sub-frame latency for responsive gameplay, even for fast-paced competitive games.
• 4K HDR Support: Stream at resolutions up to 4K with HDR color and refresh rates up to 120fps on compatible devices and networks.
• Cross-Platform Clients: Available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Raspberry Pi, ChromeOS, and various smart TVs and streaming devices.
• Open Source: Completely open-source software with transparent development and no hidden data collection or privacy concerns.
• Free Forever: No subscription fees, no premium tiers, no ads – all features available to everyone at no cost.
• Controller Support: Full support for Xbox, PlayStation, Switch Pro, and generic controllers with proper button mapping.
• Local and Remote: Stream over local network for best performance or configure for internet streaming when away from home.
• Touch Controls: Virtual on-screen controls for mobile devices when physical controllers aren’t available.
• Multi-Monitor Support: Stream from multi-monitor setups or select specific monitors for streaming output.
• Sunshine Compatibility: Works with open-source Sunshine host for AMD, Intel, and NVIDIA GPU support.

What’s New

Moonlight continues to improve with regular updates from the open-source community:

• Sunshine Integration: Enhanced compatibility with Sunshine host enabling AMD and Intel GPU streaming alongside NVIDIA.
• HDR Improvements: Better HDR tone mapping and color accuracy for improved visual quality on HDR displays.
• AV1 Codec Support: Initial support for AV1 video codec for improved compression and quality on supported hardware.
• Apple Silicon Native: Native support for Apple M1/M2/M3 Macs providing optimal performance on modern Mac hardware.
• Steam Deck Optimization: Improved experience on Steam Deck with better controller mapping and performance tuning.
• Touch Control Updates: Enhanced virtual touch controls for mobile gaming without physical controllers.
• Network Improvements: Better handling of variable network conditions with adaptive bitrate and error correction.
• UI Modernization: Updated user interfaces across clients with improved navigation and settings access.

System Requirements

Host PC (Streaming From)

• Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650+ (for GameStream), or any GPU with Sunshine
• Operating System: Windows 7+ (GameStream), Windows 10+ (Sunshine recommended)
• Network: Wired Ethernet recommended, minimum 15 Mbps upload for 1080p
• Software: GeForce Experience (GameStream) or Sunshine (open-source alternative)

Client Requirements

• Windows: Windows 7 or later, hardware video decoding recommended
• macOS: macOS 10.13+, Intel or Apple Silicon
• Linux: Most modern distributions, Flatpak available
• Android: Android 4.1+ (Android 7+ for best performance)
• iOS: iOS 9.0+, iPadOS supported
• Raspberry Pi: Pi 3 or later recommended

Network Requirements

• Local streaming: 5GHz WiFi or Ethernet, 20+ Mbps recommended
• Remote streaming: 15+ Mbps upload from host, 10+ Mbps download at client
• Latency: Lower is better, under 30ms ideal for local network

How to Install Moonlight

Host Setup (NVIDIA GameStream)

1. Install GeForce Experience on your PC
2. Enable GameStream in Settings > Shield
3. Ensure your GPU is compatible (GTX 650+)
4. Note your PC’s local IP address
5. Add games to GeForce Experience if not detected

# Enable GameStream:
# 1. Open GeForce Experience
# 2. Settings (gear icon)
# 3. SHIELD tab
# 4. Toggle GameStream ON

# Add non-detected games:
# Settings > SHIELD > Add
# Browse to game executable

Host Setup (Sunshine – Recommended)

1. Download Sunshine from github.com/LizardByte/Sunshine
2. Install and run Sunshine
3. Access web UI at localhost:47990
4. Configure settings and add applications
5. Works with any GPU (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel)

# Install Sunshine (Windows):
# Download from https://github.com/LizardByte/Sunshine/releases

# After installation:
# 1. Open browser to https://localhost:47990
# 2. Create admin credentials
# 3. Add games/applications
# 4. Configure encoder settings

# Linux installation:
flatpak install flathub dev.lizardbyte.sunshine

Client Installation

# Windows
# Download from moonlight-stream.org
# Or: winget install moonlight-qt

# macOS
# Download from moonlight-stream.org
# Or: brew install --cask moonlight

# Linux
flatpak install flathub com.moonlight_stream.Moonlight
# Or download from moonlight-stream.org

# Android
# Google Play Store: "Moonlight Game Streaming"

# iOS
# App Store: "Moonlight Game Streaming"

# Raspberry Pi
# Enable hardware decoding in raspi-config
# Install from Raspberry Pi repository

Pairing Process

# First connection:
# 1. Launch Moonlight on client device
# 2. Moonlight will discover your PC
# 3. Click on your PC name
# 4. Enter the PIN shown on client into host PC
# 5. Pairing complete - select game to play

# If PC not discovered:
# - Manually add IP address
# - Check firewall settings
# - Ensure GameStream/Sunshine is running

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Completely Free: No subscriptions, no limits, no premium features locked behind payment – everything is free.
• Open Source: Transparent development, community-driven improvements, and no privacy concerns about closed-source code.
• Excellent Performance: Low-latency streaming that rivals or exceeds commercial alternatives for responsive gameplay.
• 4K HDR Support: High-end streaming capabilities supporting 4K resolution, HDR, and high refresh rates.
• Wide Device Support: Clients available for virtually every platform from phones to Raspberry Pi to game consoles.
• Sunshine Compatibility: Works with any GPU through open-source Sunshine host, not limited to NVIDIA.
• Self-Hosted: You control the infrastructure – no reliance on third-party cloud services.

Cons

• Technical Setup: More configuration required than commercial plug-and-play solutions like Steam Link.
• Network Dependent: Quality entirely depends on your network – poor WiFi results in poor experience.
• Host Always On: Requires your gaming PC to be running and accessible for streaming.
• Port Forwarding for Remote: Internet streaming requires network configuration that may be complex for some users.
• No Cloud Gaming: You must own the hardware – no streaming from cloud servers like GeForce NOW.

Moonlight vs Alternatives

Who Should Use Moonlight?

Moonlight is ideal for:

• Privacy-Conscious Gamers: Those who want streaming without accounts, telemetry, or reliance on third-party cloud services.
• Technical Users: Gamers comfortable with network configuration who want maximum control over their streaming setup.
• NVIDIA GPU Owners: Users with NVIDIA graphics cards get the simplest setup through native GameStream support.
• Raspberry Pi Enthusiasts: Hobbyists who want to turn a $35 Pi into a capable game streaming endpoint.
• Multi-Device Households: Families wanting to stream games from one powerful PC to TVs, tablets, and other devices throughout the home.
• Free Solution Seekers: Gamers who want premium streaming features without any subscription costs.

Moonlight may not be ideal for:

• Non-Technical Users: Those preferring plug-and-play solutions may find Steam Link or Parsec easier to configure.
• Away-From-Home Gamers: Remote streaming requires port forwarding or VPN setup that adds complexity.
• No Gaming PC: Users without a gaming PC should consider cloud services like GeForce NOW instead.
• Poor Home Network: Those with weak WiFi or network issues will have frustrating experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an NVIDIA graphics card to use Moonlight?

Originally, yes – Moonlight was designed to work with NVIDIA’s GameStream feature requiring NVIDIA GPUs. However, the open-source Sunshine project now provides a GameStream-compatible host that works with any GPU including AMD Radeon and Intel integrated graphics. With Sunshine installed on your gaming PC instead of using NVIDIA GameStream, you can use Moonlight with any modern graphics card. Performance is comparable to native GameStream on equivalent hardware.

What is the difference between Moonlight and Sunshine?

Moonlight is the client application that runs on the device you want to play games ON (phone, tablet, Raspberry Pi, etc.). Sunshine is the server/host application that runs on your gaming PC and captures and encodes the video stream. They work together – Sunshine replaces NVIDIA GameStream as the host, and Moonlight connects to it as the client. Using Sunshine instead of GameStream enables Moonlight to work with any GPU brand, not just NVIDIA.

Can I use Moonlight over the internet?

Yes, Moonlight supports streaming over the internet, but it requires additional setup. You’ll need to either configure port forwarding on your router (ports 47984-47990 and 48010), set up a VPN to access your home network remotely, or use a service like ZeroTier or Tailscale for simple virtual networking. Internet streaming quality depends on your home’s upload speed and the client location’s download speed. A minimum of 15 Mbps upload at home is recommended for 1080p remote streaming.

How does Moonlight compare to Steam Link?

Both are free game streaming solutions with similar goals. Steam Link is simpler to set up and integrates with Steam, but only streams Steam games by default (though workarounds exist). Moonlight works with any game or application, offers higher maximum resolutions and refresh rates (4K 120fps vs 4K 60fps), is open-source, and requires no account. Steam Link is better for casual users wanting simplicity; Moonlight is better for maximum quality and flexibility.

What network setup provides the best Moonlight experience?

For optimal performance: Use wired Ethernet for both host PC and client device whenever possible. If using WiFi, ensure your client device connects to a 5GHz network (not 2.4GHz) with strong signal. Position your router to minimize obstacles between it and your streaming device. If streaming to a TV, consider a WiFi 6 access point or powerline Ethernet adapter near the TV. For 4K streaming, gigabit Ethernet or WiFi 6 is recommended. Keep host PC upload bandwidth free from other heavy network usage during streaming.

Final Verdict

Moonlight represents the best of open-source game streaming, delivering professional-quality features without any cost or privacy compromises. For gamers with technical aptitude and good home networks, Moonlight provides streaming performance that matches or exceeds commercial alternatives. The combination of Moonlight and Sunshine has democratized high-quality game streaming, making it accessible to anyone with any GPU rather than just NVIDIA users.

The software’s strengths are most apparent for local network streaming where latency and quality can approach the feel of playing locally. The extensive device support means you can turn virtually any screen into a gaming display, from phones and tablets to Raspberry Pi projects. For privacy-conscious users, the complete absence of accounts, telemetry, and cloud dependencies provides peace of mind that closed-source alternatives cannot match.

Moonlight is highly recommended for technical users who want maximum control over their game streaming experience without subscription fees. When paired with Sunshine, it provides a complete, free, open-source solution competitive with any commercial offering. However, users seeking the simplest possible setup or those without networking comfort may find Steam Link or Parsec more approachable. For its intended audience of DIY enthusiasts and privacy-focused gamers, Moonlight delivers exceptional value that has earned it a devoted community.