The Moonlight Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Moonlight in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Moonlight
The Insider’s Guide
Open-source client for streaming PC games to other devices
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among remote desktop apps, read from Moonlight’s own pages.
Made by Moonlight Game Streaming Project · checked Nov 12, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Moonlight’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Moonlight’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 12, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
3.0
GPA, above 31 of the 35 other remote desktop apps we grade
Moonlight is an open-source game streaming client, formerly called Limelight, that plays games and the desktop of your own PC on another device over a local network or the Internet. It implements the protocol of NVIDIA's GameStream and works with hosts such as Sunshine. It is a community project with no paid version.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about Moonlight, taken from its own pages and our grades.
Streaming over the internet needs your own network setup.
- 1
Best for streaming your gaming PC to another device
It's only a client, so you need a host such as Sunshine or GeForce Experience on the PC.
- 2
It is free
Moonlight has no paid plan at all.
- 3
It runs on 5 platforms
Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android.
- 4
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.
- 5
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.
- 6
Full desktop access
Anything visible on the host PC can be streamed, including the whole Windows desktop, not only games.
- 7
A 3.0 GPA, above 31 of 35
That is against the other remote desktop apps we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
Moonlight is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
Moonlight at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- It is free
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
- Made by
- Moonlight Game Streaming Project
- Category
- Remote Desktop
- Our grade
- 3.0 GPA, very good
The report card
Best for streaming your gaming PC to another device
Moonlight is a free client that streams a PC's games and desktop to Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, Android and more, with no ads or paid versions. It's only a client, so you need a host such as Sunshine or GeForce Experience on the PC. Streaming over the internet needs your own network setup.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | Free with no paid versions, subscriptions, ads or bundled services, against a $2.50 cheaper-quarter start for remote access tools. |
| Free plan and trial | A | Free outright, with nothing held back and no paid versions at all. |
| Features | C | Streaming, many client devices and full desktop access. It's only a client that needs a compatible host, and console and TV ports are unofficial. |
| Ease of use | C | No rating on record. You set up a host such as Sunshine, and over the internet you need port forwarding or a virtual network. |
| Platforms and integrations | B | Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS and Android, with Sunshine, GeForce Experience, ZeroTier and Tailscale links. No web version is listed. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Moonlight is for
- 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
Who it is not for
- 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
Good to know
Good for
- Gamers streaming from a home PC to a phone, TV or laptop
- Users who want a free, open-source alternative to paid streaming
- Anyone running a self-managed remote gaming setup
Worth knowing
- 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.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
Free
No paid plan at all
Moonlight is free to use.
Free outright, with nothing held back and no paid versions at all.
Free
$0
Community project; the site says it has no paid versions, subscriptions, ads or bundled services.
Read from moonlight-stream.org on Nov 12, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
5
Places it runs: macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android
Open-source client for streaming PC games to other devices. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, remote desktop.
Streaming, many client devices and full desktop access.
- 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.
Where it runs
- macOS
- Windows
- Linux
- iOS
- Android
What it works with
- Sunshine
- GeForce Experience
- ZeroTier
- Tailscale
- NordVPN Meshnet
Moonlight is made by Moonlight Game Streaming Project.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
31/35
Other remote desktop apps it is graded above
Moonlight's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 31 of the 35 other remote desktop apps we grade, and level with 2.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 29 of 35) and worst on features (C, above 0).
Moonlight has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.3 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 36 remote desktop apps we grade, cut by the letter each got. Moonlight’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 26 of 35
- AFree plan and trialAbove 29 of 35
- CFeaturesAbove 0 of 35
- CEase of useAbove 2 of 35
- BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 8 of 35
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 29 remote desktop apps. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Moonlight is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
Moonlight is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces. It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 3.0 is higher than 31 of the 35 other remote desktop apps we grade.
What you could not
- A fast, secure link to another computer through any network.
- Apps for macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android that stay in step with each other.
- It plugs into other products, Sunshine, GeForce Experience and ZeroTier among them.
What this rests on. Moonlight’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Parsec, RustDesk, Tailscale, NoMachine and Chrome Remote Desktop
The 5 tools Moonlight is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.6GPA
Parsec
Free plan · from $8.33/mo
Low-latency remote desktop for games and creative work.
- Only Moonlight lists an iOS app.
- Only Parsec lists a web app.
- Moonlight is open source, according to its own site.
- 3.0GPA
RustDesk
Free plan · from $11.88/mo
Open-source remote desktop you can run on your own server.
- Only RustDesk lists a web app.
- RustDesk is self-hostable, according to its own site.
- 2.4GPA
Tailscale
Free plan · from $8/mo
Private network that links your devices, servers and teams.
- Tailscale is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Moonlight also covers remote desktop.
- Tailscale also covers vPN.
- 2.2GPA
NoMachine
Free trial · from $24.50/yr
Self-hosted remote desktop sold as yearly server subscriptions.
- Moonlight has a free plan. NoMachine does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only NoMachine lists a web app.
- Moonlight is open source, according to its own site.
- 3.2GPA
Chrome Remote Desktop
Free
Google's free remote access to your own computers from a browser.
- Only Chrome Remote Desktop lists a web app.
- Only Chrome Remote Desktop lists a browser extension.
- Moonlight is open source, according to its own site.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
10
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Moonlight free?
Yes. Moonlight is free to use.
How much does Moonlight cost?
Moonlight lists one plan. Free: $0.
What platforms does Moonlight work on?
Moonlight is available on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android.
Is Moonlight open source?
Yes. Moonlight is open source, according to its own site.
What does Moonlight integrate with?
Moonlight's listing names Sunshine, GeForce Experience, ZeroTier, Tailscale and NordVPN Meshnet.
Who makes Moonlight?
Moonlight is made by Moonlight Game Streaming Project.
What are the alternatives to Moonlight?
The closest alternatives to Moonlight in our directory are Parsec, RustDesk, Tailscale, NoMachine and Chrome Remote Desktop.
How does Moonlight compare with other remote desktop apps?
Moonlight's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 31 of the 35 other remote desktop apps we grade, and level with 2.
Is Moonlight good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Moonlight A for value for money. Moonlight has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of Moonlight?
Moonlight is free, so making your own would save you nothing. And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Moonlight’s own pages on Nov 12, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 12, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Moonlight's own pages on 12 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Moonlight Game Streaming Project. Prices change, so check moonlight-stream.org before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
5,038
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
5,038
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Moonlight, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/moonlight-game-streaming
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Moonlight: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 12, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/moonlight-game-streaming
Know someone choosing between remote desktop apps?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/moonlight-game-streaming/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded remote desktop apps after Moonlight, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Remote Desktop Insider's GuideEvery one of the 36 remote desktop apps we grade, compared
- Chrome Remote Desktop Insider's GuideGoogle's free remote access to your own computers from a browser3.2 GPA
- Jump Desktop Insider's GuideRemote desktop with one-time app licences and a per-user team plan3.2 GPA
- RustDesk Insider's GuideOpen-source remote desktop you can run on your own server3.0 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Moonlight’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Moonlight is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Moonlight Game Streaming Project. Prices and plans change: check moonlight-stream.org before you buy.