Xodus is the new open-source project promising Xbox Game Pass on Linux, and it is real progress, but you do not have to wait to game on a Linux desktop through the cloud. Between GeForce NOW’s Linux support, browser-based Xbox streaming, and the excellent Moonlight-plus-Sunshine self-host stack, most of the big cloud gaming platforms already work on Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch, and SteamOS in 2026. This is our list of the best apps for cloud gaming on Linux desktop, tested on an Ubuntu 24.04 laptop, a Steam Deck, and a Bazzite tower.
We ran each on the same three-part test: latency and stability during a 30-minute session, install pain on a stock Linux distro, and how the client handles a controller versus keyboard-and-mouse. Options below cover free, subscription, and self-hosted paths.
What to look for in a Linux cloud gaming app
- Native Linux client or a browser experience that hits 60 fps.
- Controller and keyboard-and-mouse support at parity.
- Sensible defaults on Wayland, since more distros ship Wayland by default now.
- Reasonable bitrate at 10-50 Mbps home connections; ability to cap bitrate.
- Rollback friendly: reconnects if the network hiccups.
- No hard dependency on Windows-only browsers or DRM shims.
Quick comparison
| Service | Best for | Linux native | Free plan | Starting price/mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GeForce NOW | Best overall cloud gaming on Linux | Yes (Flatpak) | 1-hour session limits | ~$9.99/mo Priority; ~$19.99/mo Ultimate |
| Xbox Cloud Gaming | Xbox Game Pass on Linux (browser today, Xodus soon) | Browser | Free with Game Pass Ultimate | Included with ~$19.99/mo Ultimate |
| Moonlight | Best free self-hosted client | Yes | Fully free | Free |
| Sunshine | Best self-hosted host on Linux | Yes | Fully free | Free |
| Amazon Luna | Casual browser-based cloud gaming | Browser | Prime tier | ~$9.99/mo Luna+ |
| Boosteroid | Cheap Linux-friendly service | Browser + PWA | Trial | ~$7.99/mo |
| Steam Remote Play | Stream games from another PC | Yes | Fully free | Free |
The apps
1. GeForce NOW — Best overall for Linux
GeForce NOW is the most complete cloud gaming service on Linux. NVIDIA maintains an official Flatpak on Flathub, and Steam Deck and Bazzite users can install it in one click. The Ultimate tier streams up to 4K at 120 fps from RTX 4080-class servers, and the library covers Steam, Epic, Xbox, and GOG titles that you already own.
Where it falls short: Not every game is supported (publisher opt-in), and Ultimate tier is $19.99/mo.
Pricing:
- Free: 1-hour sessions with standard rigs, waiting-line access.
- Paid: About $9.99/mo Priority; ~$19.99/mo Ultimate.
Platforms: Linux (Flatpak), Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, Android, iOS (Safari).
Download: GeForce NOW on Flathub GeForce NOW web
Bottom line: The default recommendation for anyone playing your own Steam or Epic library from Linux.
2. Xbox Cloud Gaming — Best for Game Pass libraries
Xbox Cloud Gaming works today from any Chromium browser on Linux and streams the full Game Pass Ultimate library. Controller pass-through is reliable; keyboard-and-mouse works on the growing list of KB+M-supported titles. Xodus is the open-source wrapper that turns the browser experience into a native-feeling Linux app, and it is coming along fast even if it is not a first-party Microsoft client yet.
Where it falls short: Browser-only today until Xodus stabilizes; requires Game Pass Ultimate.
Pricing:
- Free: N/A on the streaming side.
- Paid: Included with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (~$19.99/mo).
Platforms: Chromium browsers on Linux; the Xodus wrapper is Linux-native.
Download: Xbox Cloud Gaming web Xodus on GitHub
Bottom line: The reason to keep a Game Pass Ultimate sub, especially with Xodus filling the missing native-app gap.
3. Moonlight — Best free self-hosted client
Moonlight is the open-source client that streams games from a PC running Sunshine or the legacy NVIDIA GameStream host. On Linux it hits sub-10-ms latency in a home LAN and works over WAN with any dynamic DNS. The Flatpak on Flathub is the fastest way to install; a native .deb and Arch AUR package exist too.
Where it falls short: You have to run a host PC somewhere; not a full cloud service on its own.
Pricing:
- Free: Fully free and open source.
- Paid: N/A.
Platforms: Linux, Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, ChromeOS.
Download: Moonlight on Flathub Moonlight downloads
Bottom line: The first thing to install if you already own a beefy gaming PC and want to game from your Linux laptop.
4. Sunshine — Best self-hosted host
Sunshine is the open-source host that pairs with Moonlight. Runs on Linux, Windows, and macOS, so you can host from your gaming PC and stream to a Steam Deck or another Linux box. It handles multiple concurrent sessions and honors HDR when the game supports it.
Where it falls short: First-time setup takes a few config steps for firewall and cert pairing.
Pricing:
- Free: Fully free and open source.
- Paid: N/A.
Platforms: Linux, Windows, macOS as a host.
Download: Sunshine on GitHub
Bottom line: Pair with Moonlight if you want the best free cloud-gaming experience on Linux.
5. Amazon Luna — Best casual browser-based option
Amazon Luna streams from a browser and, in 2026, works cleanly on Chromium browsers under Linux. The library is smaller than GeForce NOW’s or Game Pass’s, but the base tier ships with Prime membership and the Luna+ tier adds a rotating catalog of AAA games.
Where it falls short: Library is thinner than the alternatives; regional availability varies.
Pricing:
- Free: A rotating free-with-Prime catalog.
- Paid: About $9.99/mo Luna+.
Platforms: Chromium browsers on Linux, plus dedicated apps on other OSes.
Download: Amazon Luna web
Bottom line: Worth it if you already have Prime and want casual cloud gaming without buying a new subscription.
6. Boosteroid — Best cheap subscription that works on Linux
Boosteroid is a Ukraine-based cloud gaming service that runs cleanly in Chromium on Linux and supports many popular titles you already own on Steam or Epic. Latency is competitive with GeForce NOW at the same price point, and it has been the platform of choice for Chromebooks and Linux laptops on tight budgets.
Where it falls short: Data centers are mostly Europe-focused, so US latency varies by region.
Pricing:
- Free: Trial.
- Paid: About $7.99/mo standard.
Platforms: Browser (Linux, Windows, macOS, ChromeOS), plus dedicated apps elsewhere.
Download: Boosteroid web
Bottom line: The cheapest full-featured cloud gaming subscription that treats Linux as a first-class client.
7. Steam Remote Play — Best for streaming from your own PC
Steam Remote Play ships with Steam and lets you stream any game in your Steam library from a Windows or Linux PC to another device. On Linux to Linux, it is a two-click setup and reliably hits 60 fps in a home LAN.
Where it falls short: Not a cloud service; you need a host PC. Also does not stream non-Steam games natively unless you add them to Steam first.
Pricing:
- Free: Bundled with Steam.
- Paid: N/A.
Platforms: Linux, Windows, macOS.
Download: Steam on Linux
Bottom line: The best zero-cost option if you already own a Windows or Linux gaming PC.
How to pick the right one
If you own a Steam or Epic library and want the smoothest Linux experience: GeForce NOW.
If you already pay for Game Pass Ultimate: use Xbox Cloud Gaming in a browser today, and follow Xodus for the near-native wrapper.
If you already own a gaming PC and want zero recurring cost: Moonlight on the client, Sunshine on the host, or Steam Remote Play if the library lives in Steam.
If price matters most: Boosteroid at $7.99/mo is the cheapest full-service option, or Moonlight and Sunshine for free.
If you already have Prime and want casual gaming: Amazon Luna.
FAQ
What is the best cloud gaming service for Linux in 2026? GeForce NOW, because it has an official Linux Flatpak and streams your existing Steam, Epic, Xbox, and GOG libraries at up to 4K/120 fps on the Ultimate tier.
Can I play Xbox Game Pass on Linux? Yes. Xbox Cloud Gaming runs in any Chromium browser on Linux today. Xodus is an open-source native wrapper that is close to production-ready if you want a native-feeling app.
Is GeForce NOW free on Linux? Yes. The free tier runs on Linux via Flatpak; you get 1-hour sessions and access to standard rigs with a queue.
How do I stream my PC games to a Linux laptop? Install Sunshine on the gaming PC and Moonlight on the Linux laptop. In a home LAN, latency is under 10 ms. Steam Remote Play is a simpler drop-in for Steam-only libraries.
Does cloud gaming work well on Wayland? Yes, most of the current clients work on Wayland. GeForce NOW’s Flatpak, Moonlight, and Chromium-based streaming (Xbox Cloud, Luna, Boosteroid) all handle Wayland cleanly on Ubuntu 24.04, Fedora 40, and current Bazzite builds.
