Alternatives · Remote Desktop
Steam Link alternatives
As of Nov 13, 2026, the best Steam Link 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.
Steam Link compared with 5 alternatives: Moonlight, Sunshine, Parsec, Shadow PC and Chrome Remote Desktop.
Steam Link is free to use. 4 of the 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan.
Listings checked up to Nov 13, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam LinkThis tool | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Moonlight | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Sunshine | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Parsec | Free plan · from $8.33/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, Android |
| Shadow PC | From $29.99/mo | No | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Chrome Remote Desktop | Free | Free | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
Price against what you get
Steam Link has no paid plan and scores 2.7 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. None of the 5 alternatives on this chart both scores higher and starts 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 Steam Link
Moonlight
Open-source client for streaming PC games to other devices
- Moonlight is free.
- Moonlight is open source, according to its own site.
Suits: Gamers streaming from a home PC to a phone, TV or laptop
Sunshine
Self-hosted game stream host for Moonlight clients
- Sunshine is free.
- Sunshine lists no iOS and Android apps, which Steam Link has.
- Sunshine is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
Suits: Streaming a home gaming PC to other screens without a subscription
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 Steam Link has.
Suits: Playing games on a home PC from another computer or an Android device
Shadow PC
A full Windows PC in the cloud for gaming and creative work
- Shadow PC starts at $29.99 per month, no commitment.
- Shadow PC has no free plan, unlike Steam Link.
- Shadow PC also lists a web app.
- Shadow PC also covers AI agents.
Suits: Playing PC games on a Mac, Chromebook or phone
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 Steam Link
- It needs a computer running Steam as the host, and it streams games rather than a full remote desktop session.
- It is not a general remote-access tool for managing a computer for support or unattended work.
- Quality depends on the network and the device; the App Store reviews note that games play worse on small screens.
- The listed platforms include Apple TV and Meta Quest, which this directory does not list as separate platforms.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Steam Link?
The alternatives to Steam Link in this directory are Moonlight, Sunshine, Parsec, Shadow PC and Chrome Remote Desktop. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Steam Link.
Is there a free alternative to Steam Link?
Yes. Moonlight, Sunshine and Chrome Remote Desktop are free to use. Parsec has a free plan alongside paid ones.
Is there an open-source alternative to Steam Link?
Moonlight and Sunshine are described as open source on their own sites.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 18, 2026 to Nov 13, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.