Alternatives · Remote Desktop
Sunshine alternatives
As of Nov 13, 2026, the best Sunshine alternative for most people is RustDesk (3.0 GPA), third in our ranking of remote desktop apps. The best free one is Steam Link (3.2 GPA).
Sunshine compared with 5 alternatives: Moonlight, Steam Link, Parsec, RustDesk and Shadow PC.
Sunshine 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SunshineThis tool | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Moonlight | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Steam Link | 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 |
| Shadow PC | From $29.99/mo | No | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
Price against what you get
Sunshine has no paid plan and scores 1.7 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. None of the 5 alternatives on this chart both scores higher and starts lower.
Moonlight, Steam Link, Parsec, RustDesk and Shadow PC 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 Sunshine
Moonlight
Open-source client for streaming PC games to other devices
- Moonlight is free.
- Moonlight also lists iOS and Android apps.
Suits: Gamers streaming from a home PC to a phone, TV or laptop
Steam Link
Stream Steam games from your PC to phones, TVs and other PCs
- Steam Link is free.
- Steam Link also lists iOS and Android apps.
Suits: Playing a Steam library from the couch or a phone
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 and an Android app.
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 and Android and iOS apps.
Suits: People who want a free remote desktop app for their own computers
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 Sunshine.
- Shadow PC also lists a web app and iOS and Android apps.
- Shadow PC also covers AI agents.
Suits: Playing PC games on a Mac, Chromebook or phone
Limits worth knowing in Sunshine
- It is a host only; you also need a Moonlight client on the device you play on.
- The README warns that its hardware requirement tables are a work in progress and should not drive purchases.
- Gamepad support is partial on FreeBSD, and macOS needs a separately licensed Virtual HID Broker for emulated pads.
- It targets game streaming, not support sessions or unattended administration of other people's computers.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Sunshine?
The alternatives to Sunshine in this directory are Moonlight, Steam Link, Parsec, RustDesk and Shadow PC. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Sunshine.
Is there a free alternative to Sunshine?
Yes. Moonlight and Steam Link are free to use. Parsec and RustDesk have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which Sunshine alternatives work on Android?
The Sunshine listing does not include an Android app. Moonlight, Steam Link, Parsec, RustDesk and Shadow PC list one.
Which Sunshine alternatives work on iOS?
The Sunshine listing does not include an iOS app. Moonlight, Steam Link, RustDesk and Shadow PC list one.
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.