Alternatives · Remote Desktop
Moonlight alternatives
As of Nov 13, 2026, the best Moonlight alternative for most people is Chrome Remote Desktop (3.2 GPA), first in our ranking of remote desktop apps. It's also the best free one.
Moonlight compared with 5 alternatives: Parsec, RustDesk, Tailscale, NoMachine and Chrome Remote Desktop.
Moonlight is free to use. 4 of the 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan. One more offers a free trial.
Listings checked up to Nov 12, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| MoonlightThis tool | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Parsec | Free plan · from $8.33/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, Android |
| RustDesk | Free plan · from $11.88/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Tailscale | Free plan · from $8/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| NoMachine | Free trial · from $24.50/yr | Trial only | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Chrome Remote Desktop | Free | Free | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
Price against what you get
Moonlight has no paid plan and scores 2.3 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. None of the 5 alternatives on this chart both scores higher and starts lower.
Parsec and Chrome Remote Desktop score higher without starting lower.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
How each one differs from Moonlight
Parsec
Low-latency remote desktop for games and creative work
- Parsec starts at $8.33 per user / month, billed annually ($9.99 billed monthly).
- Parsec also lists a web app.
- Parsec lists no iOS app, which Moonlight has.
Suits: Playing games on a home PC from another computer or an Android device
RustDesk
Open-source remote desktop you can run on your own server
- RustDesk starts at $11.88 per month, billed annually (Individual Server Pro, self-hosted).
- RustDesk also lists a web app.
- RustDesk is self-hostable, according to its own site.
Suits: People who want a free remote desktop app for their own computers
Tailscale
Private network that links your devices, servers and teams
- Tailscale starts at $8 per user / month.
- Tailscale is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Tailscale also covers vPN.
- Tailscale does not cover remote desktop, which Moonlight does.
Suits: Reaching a home computer, NAS or server from outside without opening ports
NoMachine
Self-hosted remote desktop sold as yearly server subscriptions
- NoMachine starts at $24.50 per year (Personal Edition, one computer).
- NoMachine has no free plan, only a free trial, unlike Moonlight.
- NoMachine also lists a web app.
- NoMachine is self-hostable, according to its own site.
Suits: Reaching your own home or office computer over your own network
Chrome Remote Desktop
Google's free remote access to your own computers from a browser
- Chrome Remote Desktop is free.
- Chrome Remote Desktop also lists a web app and a browser extension.
Suits: Reaching a home or work computer from a phone, tablet or another computer at no cost
Limits worth knowing in Moonlight
- It is only a client: you need a compatible host such as Sunshine or GeForce Experience on the PC.
- Console and TV ports are community or homebrew builds, not official apps.
- Streaming over the Internet needs your own network setup, such as port forwarding or a virtual network.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Moonlight?
The alternatives to Moonlight in this directory are Parsec, RustDesk, Tailscale, NoMachine and Chrome Remote Desktop. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Moonlight.
Is there a free alternative to Moonlight?
Yes. Chrome Remote Desktop is free to use. Parsec, RustDesk and Tailscale have a free plan alongside paid ones.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 18, 2026 to Nov 12, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.