4K Cloud Gaming – Best Services to Play in ULTRA HD [2023]

Last updated on 12. October 2023

4K Cloud Gaming

Welcome to the future of gaming, where pixels are sharper and the virtual worlds are more lifelike than ever. Let’s dive into the vibrant world of 4K cloud gaming and discover what it’s all about.

Can I play cloud gaming in 4K?

Absolutely, you can! 4K cloud gaming allows you to experience your favorite titles with unparalleled clarity and detail, all streamed directly from the cloud.

Gone are the days when you needed a high-end gaming rig to play in 4K. With the right cloud gaming service and a steady internet connection, you can dive right in.

Tip: Looking for a specific game in 4K? Check out our search feature to find your game’s availability on different cloud gaming platforms.

Which services offers 4K cloud gaming?

Cloud gaming has become quite a rage, with several providers jumping on the bandwagon. Here are some of the major players offering 4K cloud gaming:

  • GeForce Now

    Bring-Your-Own-Games
    Nvidia GeForce Now Preview

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    Price monthly

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    $0,00
    1 month plan

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    Games available: 1914

    Game Graphic: Up to 1080p / 60 FPS

    Session Length: 1 hour

    Price monthly

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    $9,99
    1 month plan

    $8,33
    6 month plan

    Features

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    Games available: 1914

    Game Graphic: Up to 1080p / 60 FPS

    Session Length: 6 hours

    Price monthly

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    $19,99
    1 month plan

    $16,67
    6 month plan

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    Games available: 1914

    Game Graphic: Up to 4K / 120 FPS

    Session Length: 8 hours

    Price monthly

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    plan

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    Games available: 1914

    Game Graphic: Up to / FPS

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    Nvidia, a significant contributor to the growth and development of cloud gaming, offers GeForce Now. This cloud gaming service allows you to play your purchased games with impeccable quality for just $10 per month.

    In addition to its affordability, Nvidia GeForce Now also offers a free tier. This allows you to enjoy gaming sessions of up to an hour without paying a dime – a perfect opportunity to get started with cloud gaming, if you have never tried it before. To see what games you could be enjoying, browse through the current Nvidia GeForce Now games list.

    You should buy this if…

    • the games you want to play are available.

    • you want an affordable cloud gaming service.

    • you already own the games you want to play or want to play f2p games.

    You shouldn’t buy this if…

    • you want to play AAA games like GTA V or Elden Ring.

    • you want a service that includes the game licenses.

    • you want to play modded games.

    Your perfect match?

    Nvidia GeForce Now is ideally suited to gamers who already have a substantial game library and value high-quality gaming performance.

    Visit GeForce Now

  • Shadow PC

    Full-Access-Cloud-PC
    Shadow Cloud Gaming Service Preview

    Available plans

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    Price monthly

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    $29,99
    1 month plan

    Features

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    Games available: 4964

    Game Graphic: Up to 4K / 144 FPS

    Session Length: unlimited

    Price monthly

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    $49,98
    1 month plan


     plan

    Features

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    Games available: 4964

    Game Graphic: Up to 4K / 144 FPS

    Session Length: unlimited

    Price monthly

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    plan

    Features

    Show all features

    Games available: 4964

    Game Graphic: Up to / FPS

    Session Length:

    Price monthly

    Show price details


    plan

    Features

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    Games available: 4964

    Game Graphic: Up to / FPS

    Session Length:

    Available devices

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    Desktop

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    When it comes to unrestricted gaming experiences, Shadow PC stands out. Shadow gives you full access to a powerful gaming PC in the cloud, ensuring you can play almost any game available for PCs. You can even use it for other things besides gaming, like video rendering or machine learning.

    It’s a whole new level of freedom for gaming enthusiasts. With Shadow PC, your gaming potential is no longer limited by your hardware capabilities. Our Shadow PC games list can be used as an inspiration for what you could play on this Cloud PC.

    You should buy this if…

    • you want maximum freedom to play almost any game.

    • you want to play modded games.

    • you want to use your cloud pc for more than just gaming.

    You shouldn’t buy this if…

    • you don’t want to spend the money.

    • you want a simple plug and play experience without having to manage installations and updates.

    Your perfect match?

    Shadow PC is perfect for PC gaming enthusiasts who crave flexibility and the ability to play an extensive array of games.

    Visit Shadow PC

  • airgpu

    Full-Access-Cloud-PC
    airgpu Cloud Gaming Preview

    Price hourly

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    $0,65
    low config plan

    $1,55
    high config plan

    Features

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    Games available: 4964

    Game Graphic: Up to 4K / 60 FPS

    Session Length: unlimited

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    Like Shadow, airgpu offers you an easy way to create your own virtual gaming pc in the cloud. The service is based on AWS, which means you have around 20 data centers to choose from when setting up your cloud pc. This geographical variety ensures that you have the best connection possible.

    What makes airgpu unique is that you are billed by the hour – a great option to give cloud gaming a try if you are new to the concept. Once set up, you have complete control over a Windows cloud server. This means you can play almost every game available on PC, including those in the airgpu games list.

    You should buy this if…

    • you are a more casual gamer who only plays a couple of hours per week.

    • you want to use airgpu as an additional service (e.g. besides GeForce Now) to play games that aren’t available there.

    • you are new to cloud gaming and want to give it a try without paying for a full month of usage.

    You shouldn’t buy this if…

    • you want to play for more than 2 hours per day (Shadow is cheaper at that point).

    • you want a simple plug and play experience without having to manage installations and updates.

    Your perfect match?

    airgpu is ideally suited for tech-savvy gamers who desire full control over their gaming environment and a wide variety of PC games.

    Visit airgpu

What internet connection (Mbps) do I need for 4K cloud gaming?

The dreamy 4K visuals do come with their requirements. Typically, you’d need a minimum bandwidth of 40 Mbps to comfortably play in 4K. However, for an optimal experience, it’s recommended to have a connection of at least 50 Mbps.

And don’t forget, a wired connection usually beats WiFi for stability. Lag is the last thing you want when you’re immersed in a high-resolution virtual world!

The different cloud gaming providers list the following internet speed requirements for cloud gaming in 4K quality on their websites. Let’s take a look at them:

Cloud Gaming ServiceRecommended Bandwidth @ 4K in Mbps
Boosteroid4K not available
GeForce Now45
Shadow PC40
airgpu40
Amazon Luna4K not available
Xbox Cloud Gaming4K not available
PlayStation Cloud Gaming4K not available
Blacknut4K not available
Internet Speed Requirements in Mbps for 4K Cloud Gaming

You want to know more? Read our In-Depth-Guide about Cloud Gaming Internet Speed Requirements now.

How much does cloud gaming in 4K cost?

When it comes to cost, 4K cloud gaming can vary based on numerous factors. On average, you can expect prices to hover around $15 to $40 per month for a premium 4K gaming experience.

Some platforms might offer cheaper introductory or promotional rates, while others may have higher-end packages with added perks. It’s always a good idea to shop around and compare.

If you’re curious about which specific game is available on which platform, just use our search.

Frequently asked questions

To wrap things up, let’s tackle some frequently asked questions concerning 4K cloud gaming.

4K cloud gaming delivers ultra-high-definition gaming experiences streamed from powerful servers. With 4K resolution, games boast sharper, more detailed visuals. Cloud gaming offloads the game’s processing to remote servers, allowing high-end gameplay on even modest devices.

Combined, 4K cloud gaming offers immersive graphics without the need for expensive hardware, relying only on a strong internet connection.

For a smooth 4K cloud gaming experience, you’ll need a robust internet connection. Typically, a bandwidth of at least 40 Mbps is recommended for 4K game streaming.

However, the higher your bandwidth, the better the experience, especially if other devices are using the same network.

It’s also essential to ensure low latency and a stable connection for optimal gameplay. Always check out our Guide about Cloud Gaming Internet Speed Requirements, which includes many tips on how to improve.

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