Self-Hosted / Projects / Sunshine
Sunshine
StableSpecs verified September 24, 2026 · against vlatest
Overview
Self-hosted game-stream host for Moonlight with hardware-accelerated remote play.
Sunshine is the host component for Moonlight game streaming. It captures games or desktop applications on a computer and sends the stream to Moonlight clients, making a gaming PC usable from another room, a low-power device, or a remote client.
Why people choose Sunshine
The common search intent is a self-hosted Steam Link or GeForce Experience alternative that works across a user-controlled network. Sunshine is attractive because it is open source, designed for low-latency streaming, and supports hardware encoding on compatible systems rather than requiring a proprietary host service.
What is included
The official project provides a web-based configuration interface, client pairing, application management, video and audio capture, input forwarding, and hardware-accelerated encoding paths. Moonlight supplies the client experience, so the complete setup is Sunshine on the host plus Moonlight on the receiving device.
Requirements and tradeoffs
Streaming quality depends more on the host GPU, encoder support, client decode capability, network latency, and bandwidth than on the application alone. Sunshine supports multiple desktop operating systems, but installation, permissions, capture behavior, and hardware encoding differ by platform. Exposing the service beyond a trusted network also requires careful authentication and network security.
Best fit
Choose Sunshine when you want to stream a gaming PC or desktop to Moonlight clients without relying on a vendor-hosted game-streaming service. It is not a cloud gaming platform and does not remove the need for a capable host computer, compatible games, or a stable network.
Interface previews
Screenshots of the Sunshine interface.
Feature support
| Feature | Support |
|---|---|
| Moonlight-compatible game streaming hostThe official repository describes Sunshine as a self-hosted game-stream host for Moonlight. | Supported |
| Hardware-accelerated video encodingThe project is designed around hardware-accelerated encoding when supported by the host hardware and driver. | Supported |
| Desktop and application streamingSunshine can expose configured applications and desktop sessions to a Moonlight client. | Supported |
| Web-based configuration UIThe official documentation and project packaging provide a web UI for administration. | Supported |
| Gamepad and keyboard/mouse input forwardingRemote input is part of the host/client game-streaming workflow, subject to OS permissions and client support. | Supported |
| Windows, Linux, and macOS supportThe project publishes platform-specific installation and packaging material for major desktop operating systems. | Supported |
| Docker deploymentThe repository contains Docker material, but desktop capture and GPU/input access can make native installation simpler for many gaming hosts. | Partial support |
| Internet-safe exposure by defaultSunshine is not a substitute for a VPN or carefully designed remote-access boundary; do not expose its administration interface casually. | Not supported |
Community signals
- Stars
- 42.3k
- Forks
- 2.2k
- Open issues
- 159
- Last commit
- 9h ago
- Latest release
- v2026.914.233613
- Repo created
- Dec 2021
Includes open pull requests
1mo ago
Refreshed nightly from the GitHub API.
Questions
What is Sunshine used for?
Sunshine is used to stream games, desktops, and configured applications from a host computer to Moonlight clients.
Is Sunshine a self-hosted Steam Link alternative?
Yes. Sunshine provides a self-hosted game-streaming host, while Moonlight is the client used to connect from another device.
Does Sunshine work with Moonlight?
Yes. Sunshine is specifically described by the official project as a game-stream host for Moonlight.
What hardware does Sunshine need?
You need a host computer capable of running the game or desktop workload, a supported hardware encoder where possible, and a network and client that can handle the chosen resolution and bitrate.
Can Sunshine stream outside the home?
It can be used across a remote connection, but the operator must provide a secure network path such as a VPN or another carefully controlled access design rather than exposing the admin service directly.
Does Sunshine replace the gaming PC?
No. Sunshine streams from a host that still runs the games or applications, so the host GPU, CPU, storage, and game compatibility remain part of the setup.
Is Sunshine available on Linux, Windows, and macOS?
The project publishes installation and packaging material for major desktop platforms, but capture, permissions, and encoder behavior vary by operating system and hardware.
support // the lab
Found this write-up useful?
If it saved you time or a rebuild, you can support more practical homelab guides.