5 Best Remote Desktop Software for Gaming Solutions in 2024

1. AnyDesk

AnyDesk is a reliable remote desktop solution that offers users low latency connectivity and supports the high screen resolution required by gamers. It provides a smooth remote gaming experience with features that include efficiently optimizing bandwidth for high-speed video streaming that virtually eliminates controller lag.

AnyDesk is a remote desktop software tool that lets gamers obtain excellent gaming performance no matter where they are located. It’s one of the best free remote desktops for gaming solutions when installed for personal use.

AnyDesk is also available as an app so you can play PC games on a mobile device. The app provides the same reliable performance and connectivity as the software tool.

2. Steam Link

Valve expanded its remote gaming service with the announcement of Steam Link Anywhere prior to the 2019 Game Developers Conference. This new feature enables gamers to use any device with an Internet connection and the ability to run Steam to play PC games anywhere.

Steam Link Anywhere is accessed through the Steam Link app. The app makes your game library portable and lets you play games remotely as long as you can connect to the Internet. You can now stream games from one computer to another computer, an Android device, or an Android TV. Before the expansion, the app required users to be connected to the same home network.

Steam Link Anywhere only requires that the app is installed on your home and remote machines. You need a strong network connection and fast upload speeds for optimal performance.

3. Moonlight

Moonlight is remote desktop software for gaming that uses your gaming machine as a host from which you can stream games over the network to a client. The client can be a phone, PC, tablet, or TV. A fast Internet connection lets you play games running on your host from any location.

Moonlight is very easy to use as illustrated in the following example. Install Moonlight on a client like your smartphone. When you open the app, you have access to the complete library of games that are installed on your host computer. Simply select the game and it starts running on the host and streaming to your client device so you can start gaming.

Moonlight uses Nvidia software to mirror the host’s desktop remotely and create an input/output loop. It streams the output of the host’s screen to the client device while also streaming player input from a keyboard or controller back to the host.

The level of performance offered by Moonlight is adequate for single-player games and turn-based games that are not negatively impacted by occasional lag or latency. Competitive gamers will probably want to look for an alternate solution that offers more consistent and lag-free performance.

4. Parsec

Parsec is a remote desktop for gaming software solution that employs a proprietary peer-to-peer networking protocol called Better User Datagrams (BUD). This protocol forms the foundation of Parsec’s core technologies that optimize for packet loss and congestion to deliver extremely low-latency video.

Parsec is a secure software gaming platform. It supports the security features of DTLS 1.2 with AES128 or AES256 encryption on every transmission over the Internet. Frame rates of 60FPS are possible on UHD displays which eliminates all latency and lag for an exceptional gaming experience.

5. Rainway

Rainway is a new game streaming service that takes advantage of the unlimited data and fast Internet speeds many users enjoy. It’s a free solution that lets you host a game on your home PC and play them anywhere. Gamers can play from a mobile device, another computer, a Chrome browser, and many other options.

Game play can be very inconsistent with Rainway. In some cases, you’ll get great graphics and no latency. Other sessions may exhibit technical difficulties that make it impossible to play your games. As it’s free, you have to expect some issues.