An open comparison across GPU support, encryption, latency, mobile input, and feature scope. Moonlight is a beloved open-source project — these are the differences that actually matter when you choose between them.
| Capability | Remio | Moonlight |
|---|---|---|
| GPU and hardware | ||
| Host GPU support | NVIDIA · AMD · Intel · Apple Silicon | NVIDIA (or Sunshine for others) |
| Host setup | Install → 6-digit PIN → connect | Sunshine install + pairing for non-NVIDIA |
| Hardware encoder | NVENC · AMF · Quick Sync · VideoToolbox | NVENC primary, Sunshine adds AMF / VAAPI |
| Performance | ||
| LAN glass-to-glass latency | 8 ms | ~12 ms (Sunshine, NVIDIA host) |
| WAN typical latency (same region) | 22 ms | Self-hosted relay required |
| Maximum resolution | 4K (3840 × 2160) | 4K (3840 × 2160) |
| Frame rate ceiling | 60 fps | 120 fps (NVIDIA host) |
| Video codecs | H.265 · AV1 · VP9 | H.264 · H.265 (GPU-dependent) |
| Security | ||
| Stream encryption | DTLS 1.3 + SRTP, always on | Off by default (pairing only) |
| Data-channel encryption | AES-256-GCM, end-to-end | Not applicable |
| Pairing model | 6-digit PIN, on-device | 4-digit PIN, mutual TLS handshake |
| WAN reach without port forwarding | Yes (encrypted WebRTC) | No (manual VPN or relay) |
| Input and mobile | ||
| Touch input | Native gestures, smart touch zones | Touch-to-mouse mapping |
| On-screen controls | Context-aware, customizable | Virtual gamepad overlay |
| Hardware gamepad | Yes | Yes (GameStream protocol) |
| Productivity features | ||
| Clipboard sync | Yes (bidirectional) | No |
| File transfer | In progress | No |
| Multi-monitor | Yes (selectable) | Primary display only |
| Audio + microphone routing | Both directions | Audio out only |
| Platform and licensing | ||
| macOS · iOS · Android · Windows | Native | Native |
| visionOS | Native | No |
| Linux · ChromeOS · tvOS | Linux planned | Yes, all three |
| Source code | Proprietary | GPLv3, fully open |
| Maintained by | Small indie team | Community volunteers |
| Pricing (May 2026) | ||
| Personal use | $0 (everything included) | $0 (forever, GPLv3) |
| Paid tier | — | — |
| Support model | Direct developer support | Community forums, GitHub issues |
Six categories, one paragraph each. The numbers in the table above are the headline; the paragraphs below are the why.
Moonlight is a clean-room re-implementation of NVIDIA GameStream, so on a stock Moonlight host the GPU must be NVIDIA. The community filled the gap with Sunshine, an open-source server that supports AMD, Intel, and Linux GPUs — but that adds a second install, a second pairing screen, and a second project to keep updated. Remio just uses whatever hardware encoder your host already has, whether it's NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, or Apple Silicon. There is no second daemon, no second pairing, and no protocol patchwork.
Moonlight inherits the GameStream protocol, which encrypts the pairing handshake but sends the video stream in plaintext. On a trusted LAN that is acceptable; on shared Wi-Fi, in a co-working space, or over the open internet, it is a problem. Remio encrypts every session end-to-end with DTLS 1.3 for media and AES-256-GCM for the data channel. Keys never leave your devices, the relay does not see your frames, and there is no toggle to disable encryption.
On a LAN, both tools are in the same neighbourhood — Moonlight on a tuned NVIDIA host with Sunshine measures around 12 ms at 1080p, Remio measures around 8 ms at 4K. Moonlight wins on 120 fps support when you have the GPU and display for it. The interesting gap opens off-LAN: Moonlight requires you to expose a port, run a VPN, or stand up your own relay, while Remio reaches the host from cellular and untrusted Wi-Fi without any of that work.
Moonlight's mobile apps are functional, but the touch model is essentially "draw a mouse over the screen" with a virtual gamepad overlay on top. Remio's mobile apps are built around real touch — long-press for right-click, two-finger scroll, pinch-to-zoom on the remote canvas, context-aware on-screen controls, and full hardware gamepad support. If you actually use a phone or tablet as a primary client, the difference is noticeable within the first minute.
Moonlight is a game-streaming client and stays in that lane: no clipboard sync, no file transfer, no microphone forwarding, no multi-monitor selection. Remio is a general-purpose remote desktop with clipboard in both directions, multi-monitor switching, audio and microphone routing, and file transfer in progress — while still delivering 60 fps gaming when you want it. If the same tool needs to handle Premiere on Monday and Cyberpunk on Saturday, the scope difference matters.
Moonlight is GPLv3 with a healthy community and a public roadmap on GitHub. Every line is auditable, every release is reproducible from source, and if the maintainers walked away tomorrow the project would survive a fork. Remio is proprietary, shipped by a small team, with default encryption and a faster cadence on platform polish. The honest trade is open source auditability versus default privacy plus integrated UX — pick the one whose failure mode you can live with.
Same numbers, same structure, six other tools. Pick the one closest to what you already use.
Download once, pair with a PIN, see the latency on your own LAN — no Sunshine, no port forwarding, no NVIDIA card required. If Moonlight still serves you better, you are out exactly five minutes.
Available for macOS, iOS, Windows, Android, and visionOS.