Moonlight vs NVIDIA GeForce NOW: is it a good Linux alternative?

Moonlight as a Linux alternative to NVIDIA GeForce NOW

Updated October 26, 2026

Our verdict

Moonlight is a solid replacement for NVIDIA GeForce NOW if you already have a gaming PC running GeForce Experience or Sunshine. It doesn't stream from the cloud but instead from your own hardware, giving you full control and low-latency performance. It handles high-resolution streaming, gamepad support, and audio well, making it ideal for Linux users wanting to stream locally or over the network. However, it's not a cloud solution — you need your own host machine. Good for self-hosted setups, not for cloud-only gamers.

Feature parity75%

License: GPL-3.0+
Price: Free
Latest version: 6.2.0 (October 3, 2026)
Rating: —

Install Moonlight Website ↗

Host selection page showing local PCs

What works the same

Both stream games with low-latency video over a network
Support high-resolution output and hardware-accelerated decoding
Offer full gamepad support with force feedback
Allow streaming of entire desktop or individual applications
Support 7.1 audio and system shortcut passthrough

What is different

Moonlight requires a local host PC; GeForce NOW uses cloud servers
Moonlight does not provide access to a cloud game library
GeForce NOW offers instant access without owning high-end hardware
Moonlight supports AV1 via Sunshine, while GeForce NOW uses proprietary streaming
Moonlight allows self-hosting on Linux, whereas GeForce NOW is Windows-only on the client side

Opening your NVIDIA GeForce NOW files

Moonlight does not interact with NVIDIA GeForce NOW files or configurations. There's no import or export functionality between the two. GeForce NOW saves game state in the cloud, while Moonlight relies on the host PC's local saves. Progress sync depends on the game's own cloud save system, such as Steam Cloud or platform-specific accounts. You can't transfer GeForce NOW-specific data to Moonlight — they operate on entirely different models.

Switching from NVIDIA GeForce NOW to Moonlight, step by step

Install Sunshine on your Windows or Linux gaming PC for modern, open-source hosting
Set up Moonlight on your Linux machine via Flathub or package manager
Pair Moonlight with your Sunshine or GeForce Experience host
Configure streaming settings (resolution, bitrate, codec) in Moonlight
Map controllers and test audio/video sync
Launch and stream games or apps directly from the host

Key features of Moonlight

Hardware-accelerated video decoding via VAAPI, VDPAU, and Vulkan Video
Supports H.264, HEVC, and AV1 codecs
7.1 surround sound audio streaming
10-point multitouch input support
Gamepad support with force feedback for up to 16 players
Pointer capture and direct mouse control modes
Pass-through of system shortcuts like Alt+Tab to host
Works with both GeForce Experience and Sunshine servers

How to install Moonlight on Linux

Flatpak (Flathub)flatpak install flathub com.moonlight_stream.Moonlight

Frequently asked questions

Can Moonlight stream games from a remote internet connection?

Yes, but you must configure port forwarding and a stable network. Performance depends on bandwidth and latency. It works best on local networks, but long-distance streaming is possible with tuning.

Does Moonlight work without an NVIDIA GPU?

Yes. While GeForce Experience requires an NVIDIA GPU, Moonlight also supports Sunshine, which works with AMD, Intel, and other GPUs. Hardware encoding is still recommended for best performance.

Can I use Moonlight on mobile or TV?

Yes. Moonlight has Android apps and supports TV interfaces. You can stream to Android devices, Raspberry Pi, or Linux boxes connected to your TV for a console-like experience.

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Is it a good replacement for NVIDIA GeForce NOW? 8