Chrome Remote Desktop vs Moonlight (2026): which should you pick?

Pick Chrome Remote Desktop if

• Fits if you just want to grab a file off your home PC while you're out
• Works for helping a relative now and then with a one-time code, without buying anything

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you support people for a living, as there's no team version, help desk or support staff
• Too light for long support sessions, since sharing needs re-confirming every 30 minutes and each code works once
• Not for you if you need to reach a phone or tablet, as only Windows, Mac and Linux computers can be set up
• Watch out: on a work or school account an administrator may block or limit it
• Too light for linking into other tools, as no integrations or API are on record

Pick Moonlight if

• Fits if you want to play games from your PC on another screen in the house
• Works for people who can set up a host such as Sunshine

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you want a plug-and-play remote support tool, as you must set up a host and network yourself
• Not for you if the PC has no compatible host, since Moonlight is only a client
• Watch out: console and TV ports are community or homebrew builds, not official apps
• Tight if you want to stream over the internet, which needs port forwarding or a virtual network

Chrome Remote Desktop

• Google sells no paid or business version; help comes from its help pages and the Chrome Help Forum rather than a support team.
• When you share your computer, you have to confirm every 30 minutes that sharing should continue, and each support code works only once.
• Only Windows, Mac and Linux computers can be set up for access; the phone and tablet apps connect to computers but cannot be reached themselves.
• On a work or school account an administrator may block or limit it.

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.

Chrome Remote Desktop

Access your own computers

Set up remote access once on each computer, then pick it from a list at remotedesktop.google.com/access and enter its PIN to connect.

One-time support codes

Someone who needs help generates a code and sends it to you; when you enter it they see your email address and choose whether to share.

Phone and tablet apps

Apps for Android, iPhone and iPad connect to your online computers; on a computer everything runs in the Chrome browser.

Linux virtual sessions

On Linux the host can start its own desktop session, and you can choose which desktop environment it launches.

Admin controls

Administrators of managed Google accounts can control whether and how people in their organization use Chrome Remote Desktop.

Moonlight

High-quality streaming

The site lists streaming at up to 4K with HDR support and up to 120 FPS on the PC client, with an option to disable V-Sync for lower latency.

Many client devices

Clients are listed for Windows, macOS, Linux, Steam Link, Raspberry Pi 4, iOS, Apple TV, Android, Fire OS and ChromeOS, plus community ports for consoles and TVs.

Full desktop access

Anything visible on the host PC can be streamed, including the whole Windows desktop, not only games.

Your own host

Sunshine, an open-source host built for Moonlight, is the recommended host; GeForce Experience and an Internet Hosting Tool are also listed.

Remote hosting options

The site says a home server can be reached through port forwarding, IPv6 or software-defined networks such as ZeroTier and Tailscale.

Chrome Remote Desktop

• Free$0

  Remote access to your own Windows, Mac and Linux computers and one-time remote support sessions. No paid tier exists.

Moonlight

• Free$0

  Community project; the site says it has no paid versions, subscriptions, ads or bundled services.