SunshineLinux
vs
NVIDIA GeForce NOWWindows
Sunshine as a Linux alternative to NVIDIA GeForce NOW
Updated
Our verdict
Sunshine is a good replacement for NVIDIA GeForce NOW if you own a gaming PC and want to stream from it over a local network or remotely. Unlike GeForce NOW, it doesn’t provide cloud-hosted games—you need your own game library and host machine. Latency is low with proper hardware encoding, and it supports controllers and high-resolution streaming. Best for technically inclined users comfortable with self-hosting. Not ideal for those wanting plug-and-play cloud gaming without a powerful local machine.
- License
- GPL-3.0-only
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 2026.914.233613 (September 14, 2026)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Both stream games with low latency to client devices
- Support high-resolution video output
- Work with gamepads and controllers
- Allow access from multiple devices including mobile
- Enable cross-device gameplay using Moonlight clients
What is different
- Sunshine requires a self-hosted PC; GeForce NOW uses NVIDIA's cloud servers
- No built-in game library—Sunshine streams only locally installed games
- GeForce NOW supports internet-only streaming; Sunshine works best locally
- Sunshine needs manual setup including certificate handling and pairing
- GeForce NOW offers automatic progress sync via NVIDIA account; Sunshine relies on game-specific or third-party sync
Opening your NVIDIA GeForce NOW files
Sunshine does not interact with GeForce NOW files or accounts, so there's no direct file compatibility. Game saves and settings remain tied to the host system or game platform (like Steam). You must manually sync save data using cloud platforms (e.g., Steam Cloud, Epic) or external tools. If your games support cross-platform saves, moving from GeForce NOW to Sunshine won't break progress—as long as the underlying game does.
Switching from NVIDIA GeForce NOW to Sunshine, step by step
- Install Sunshine on your gaming PC running Linux
- Run the additional-install.sh script if using Flatpak
- Configure GPU encoding and set up user accounts in the web UI
- Pair your Moonlight clients (mobile, TV, other devices)
- Launch games from your local library via Moonlight
Key features of Sunshine
- Game streaming host for Moonlight clients
- Supports hardware encoding on AMD, Intel, Nvidia GPUs
- Software encoding fallback available
- Web-based configuration and management
- Client pairing via browser or mobile
- Low-latency streaming over local network
- Self-signed TLS for secure local connections
- Flatpak support with post-install script
How to install Sunshine on Linux
flatpak install flathub dev.lizardbyte.app.SunshineFrequently asked questions
Can I use Sunshine without a powerful gaming PC?
No, Sunshine requires a capable host machine to run games locally. It streams from your own PC, not from the cloud.
Does Sunshine work over the internet like GeForce NOW?
Yes, but it requires manual port forwarding or a VPN. It's less user-friendly than GeForce NOW for remote access.
Is gamepad input supported?
Yes, controllers connected to the client device are passed through to the host via Moonlight.
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