Razer Remote Play is a compelling solution designed for gamers who want to extend their PC gaming experience to mobile devices. Leveraging the power of the open-source Moonlight technology, this service allows users to stream their favorite games from their high-performance desktop to a mobile platform. The tool is particularly appealing for those who own Razer peripherals, as it can take advantage of optimized hardware compatibility—especially when paired with devices like the Razer Kishi.
Hosting requires running at least Windows 11 (Version 23H2). On your mobile device, use iOS 18 or Android 12 or above.
The setup, however, isn’t entirely plug-and-play. Users must install and configure multiple applications (such as Razer Cortex on the PC and specific mobile apps like Razer Nexus or PC Remote Play on smartphones) to get everything running. This layered setup might appear a bit technical for casual gamers, but it also offers plenty of customization options to match one’s network requirements and gaming preferences. When everything is set up correctly, Razer Remote Play delivers high frame rates and adaptive resolutions, even supporting refresh rates of up to 120Hz on compatible devices. However, like many network-dependent solutions, some users may occasionally experience minor latency or stability issues when moving outside their local area network.
Razer Cortex needs to be installed on your PC, and Razer PC Remote Play and Razer Nexus need to be installed on your mobile device. By signing in with your Razer ID on Cortex and Nexus, your PC and mobile device will automatically be paired. Without a Razer ID, you can still use pin pairing to pair your PC and mobile device.
Similar Free Game Streaming Software
If you’re exploring alternatives that offer a similar game streaming experience without any cost, here are a few noteworthy options:
- Steam Link: Developed by Valve, Steam Link is a free app that integrates seamlessly with the Steam ecosystem. It allows gamers to stream their games from a PC to mobile devices or smart TVs with user-friendly controls and an intuitive interface. Ideal for those who have already built their gaming library on Steam, it offers an accessible and versatile streaming experience.
- Moonlight: Moonlight is a free, open-source game streaming client that works in tandem with Nvidia’s GameStream technology. Known for its low latency and high-performance capabilities, Moonlight provides an excellent option for gamers looking to stream their PC games without a financial commitment. Its community-driven development often means swift updates and robust troubleshooting support.
- Parsec: Parsec offers a free model for personal use, emphasizing ultra-low latency streaming. Though it’s popular for game streaming, it’s also widely used for remote desktop access and collaborative projects. Gamers appreciate Parsec’s smooth performance and responsive control system, making it a versatile option beyond just gaming.
- AMD Link: Tailored for users with AMD graphics cards, AMD Link is a free application that streamlines game streaming from PCs to other devices. It provides features comparable to its competitors and is optimized to leverage AMD’s technology, ensuring a reliable and efficient streaming experience without additional financial costs.
- Rainway: Rainway is a free, easy-to-use game streaming service that allows you to stream your PC games to various devices—including browsers, mobile phones, and tablets. Its intuitive interface and minimal configuration requirements make it an attractive option for those who want a quick and seamless remote play experience.
- Remotr: Remotr lets you stream PC games directly to your smartphone or tablet without needing complex configurations. Emphasizing low latency and smooth gameplay, it’s designed to offer a hassle-free gaming experience on the go, much like Razer Remote Play does but with its own distinct interface.
- Sunshine: Sunshine is an emerging, self-hosted open-source game streaming server aimed at providing gamers with complete control over their streaming setup. When paired with a client such as Moonlight, it creates a powerful ecosystem for low-latency remote gaming while being fully customizable based on your network and hardware needs.
- XStreaming: XStreaming is another open-source solution inspired by cloud gaming and Xbox streaming technologies. It’s designed to deliver a seamless remote play experience on a variety of devices and can serve as a refreshing alternative if the mainstream options don’t quite meet your expectations.
Each of these alternatives brings its unique strengths to the table. The best choice often depends on your current hardware setup, the games you play, and your specific network conditions. Experimenting with these options will allow you to determine which solution best fits your streaming preferences and technical environment.
Below is a comprehensive comparison table for nine game streaming software solutions, including Razer Remote Play along with eight free alternatives:
| Software | Platforms | Open Source | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Razer Remote Play | PC, Mobile (Android, iOS) | Partially* | Optimized for Razer hardware, supports high refresh rates (up to 120Hz), requires multi-app setup for full functionality. |
| Steam Link | PC, Mobile, Smart TVs | No | Seamless integration within the Steam ecosystem, user-friendly setup, wide device compatibility. |
| Moonlight | PC, Mobile, Others | Yes | Leverages Nvidia GameStream technology for low-latency performance, community-driven improvements. |
| Parsec | PC, Mobile, Browser | No | Ultra-low latency streaming, free for personal use, popular for both gaming and remote collaboration. |
| AMD Link | PC (AMD GPU), Mobile | No | Tailored for AMD graphics, straightforward setup, optimized for smooth performance on AMD systems. |
| Rainway | PC, Browser, Mobile | No | Plug-and-play design, platform-independent (via browser or apps), intuitive and accessible streaming. |
| Remotr | PC, Mobile | No | Focuses on low latency and responsive control, simplified mobile gaming experience with controller support. |
| Sunshine | PC (Self-hosted with client apps) | Yes | A fully customizable, self-hosted streaming server that pairs well with clients like Moonlight, offering full control. |
| XStreaming | PC, Mobile, Others | Yes | Open-source alternative inspired by cloud gaming and Xbox streaming, experimental features and flexibility. |
*Note: Razer Remote Play is built on open-source components but is not fully open source.
Below is a detailed comparison of performance benchmarks for Razer Remote Play and eight similar free game streaming software solutions. Keep in mind that actual benchmark numbers depend heavily on your hardware, network conditions, and configuration. Many reviewers report measurements on optimal local networks, which provide the best-case scenario for latency, resolution support, and frame rate consistency.
Performance Metrics Comparison
Benchmark tests for game streaming software typically evaluate parameters such as:
- Latency: Measured in milliseconds (ms), lower latency (e.g., 10–20 ms) means that there is less delay between your actions and what appears on screen.
- Resolution & Frame Rate: The maximum resolution and refresh rate (e.g., support for 1080p/60fps, 4K/120Hz) determine the visual fidelity and smoothness of gameplay.
- Stability & Consistency: How well the software maintains steady performance under variable network conditions, including buffering, artifacts, or quality drops.
Based on recent reviews and user reports , here is an approximate summary of the performance characteristics:
| Software | Estimated Latency (ms) | Max Resolution/Frame Rate | Notable Benchmark Insights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Razer Remote Play | ~20–30 ms | Up to 4K output; supports high refresh rates (up to 120Hz) | Built on Moonlight’s technology with AV1 codec support; optimized for Razer hardware. Can deliver superior visual quality and responsiveness when set up correctly, though its multi-app system adds setup complexity. |
| Steam Link | ~25–35 ms | Up to 1080p, 60fps on most mobile devices | Provides a consistent experience for Steam library gaming. Sometimes users report black bars or slight quality issues under heavy load, but overall it performs reliably under ideal conditions. |
| Moonlight | ~10–20 ms | Up to 4K, 120Hz (dependent on Nvidia GameStream support) | Known for ultra-low latency thanks to its direct use of Nvidia GameStream. Excels in responsiveness and maintains high frame rates on robust local setups. |
| Parsec | ~15–25 ms | Typically up to 1080p at 60fps (with adaptive quality scaling) | Extensively optimized for remote collaboration and gaming. Parsec’s proprietary optimizations yield very low latency and strong performance across various network conditions. |
| AMD Link | ~20–30 ms | Generally around 1440p (variable based on GPU and settings) | Optimized for AMD hardware, AMD Link offers competitive latency and smooth streaming though it may lag slightly compared to the ultra-low latency benchmarks of Moonlight or Parsec on non-AMD systems. |
| Rainway | ~30–40 ms | Up to 1080p, 60Hz | Prioritizes a plug-and-play design over aggressive latency lowering. Its performance is solid for casual streaming, though heavy competitive gaming may reveal slight lag variations. |
| Remotr | ~30–50 ms | Up to 1080p, 60Hz | Mixed reviews suggest that while Remotr is easy to use, its performance may not match that of more refined low-latency systems; occasional latency spikes are possible depending on the network. |
| Sunshine | ~15–25 ms | Flexible: Can be tuned for high resolutions (>1080p) | As a self-hosted option, Sunshine’s performance is highly customizable. With proper network configuration and hardware, it can achieve low latency comparable to Moonlight and Parsec while offering advanced tweaking options. |
| XStreaming | ~20–35 ms | Experimental setups support up to 1080p | An emerging, open-source project; performance benchmarks vary widely with configuration. Early tests indicate it can be competitive, though stability can be a factor as the project matures. |
Note: The latency values are approximate averages observed under optimal local network conditions. Real-world performance may vary significantly under different usage scenarios.
In-Depth Observations
- Razer Remote Play
Leveraging the strengths of AV1 codec support and native-resolution streaming, Razer Remote Play stands out in delivering high-quality visuals and responsiveness—especially for gamers invested in the Razer ecosystem. Benchmarks consistently show that when its multiple components (Razer Cortex, Nexus, and the mobile client) are correctly configured, latency remains competitive with other high-performance solutions. However, the requirement to run several apps can occasionally introduce extra processing overhead compared to single-application systems. - Moonlight & Parsec
Built on Nvidia’s GameStream technology, Moonlight tends to offer the lowest latency—often in the 10–20 ms range. Parsec follows closely, with its proprietary optimizations ensuring a smooth experience that many professional streamers and remote collaboration users favor. These benchmarks highlight their suitability for fast-paced, competitive gaming. - Steam Link and AMD Link
Both Steam Link and AMD Link cater to users within their respective ecosystems. While Steam Link is renowned for its ease of integration with the Steam library, AMD Link targets users with AMD graphics, offering consistent performance around the 20–30 ms mark. Users reported that both solutions maintain a reliable streaming experience if network conditions remain stable. - Rainway, Remotr, Sunshine, and XStreaming
These alternatives, while free or open-source, often prioritize ease of use or customization over raw performance optimization. Rainway and Remotr tend to exhibit slightly higher latency, making them more suitable for casual play. Sunshine and XStreaming, on the other hand, allow for extensive configuration; with proper tuning, they can reach latency levels comparable to Moonlight but may require more effort to stabilize their performance.
Conclusion
Each solution has its own trade-offs between ease of setup, customizability, and performance. If you prioritize ultra-low latency and have the right hardware (e.g., an Nvidia graphics card), Moonlight or Parsec might be your best bet. For users entrenched in the broader ecosystems of Steam or AMD, Steam Link and AMD Link provide a seamless experience. Meanwhile, Razer Remote Play offers excellent performance for those using Razer peripherals, albeit with a slightly more complex setup process. The self-hosted options like Sunshine and experimental projects like XStreaming offer flexibility for enthusiasts willing to tweak settings to push performance further.
