Best Shadow PC alternatives in 2026

Tom

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Tom

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Last updated: April 17, 2026

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Reading time: ~ 3 min

Shadow PC Cloud Gaming Alternatives

Shadow PC is one of the most capable cloud gaming services available, giving you a full Windows PC in the cloud with no restrictions on what you can install or play. It is also one of the most expensive, starting at €32.99 per month.

If the price is a sticking point, or you want a simpler plug-and-play service without managing installations yourself, there are strong alternatives worth considering.

Explore Shadow PC alternatives in 2026

Based on our data, there are currently 8 cloud gaming services that could serve as an alternative to Shadow PC, covering a combined library of 9,500+ titles.

The services below cover the full range of cloud gaming models: bring-your-own-games streaming, games-inclusive subscriptions, and an alternative full cloud PC.

  • Boosteroid

    Bring-Your-Own-Games
    Boosteroid Cloud Gaming Preview

    Available plans

    Price monthly

    €12.89
    1 month plan

    €7.49
    12 month plan

    Features

    Games available: 1556

    Game Graphic: Up to 4K / 120 FPS

    Raytracing support: Yes

    Session Length: unlimited

    Price monthly

    €14.89
    1 month plan

    €11.24
    12 month plan

    Features

    Games available: 1556

    Game Graphic: Up to 4K / 120 FPS

    Raytracing support: Yes

    Session Length: unlimited

    Price monthly


    plan

    Features

    Games available: 1556

    Game Graphic: Up to / FPS

    Raytracing support:

    Session Length:

    Price monthly


    plan

    Features

    Games available: 1556

    Game Graphic: Up to / FPS

    Raytracing support:

    Session Length:

    Description

    If affordability and quality are high on your list of priorities, then Boosteroid could be the right cloud gaming service for you. Starting at €7.49 per month on an annual plan, you have access to powerful cloud gaming servers that let you play your own games.

    Notably, AAA games like Elden Ring, Red Dead Redemption II, and GTA V can be experienced in their full glory. Such a wide range of AAA games is seldom found in this price range. You can visit the current Boosteroid games list to get a better idea of what this service has to offer.

    Server Locations

    Romania, Ukraine, Slovakia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Sweden, Serbia, Brazil, Poland, Bulgaria, and the USA (Nebraska, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Texas, Illinois, and Washington)

    Compatible devices

    Browser, Windows, MacOS, Linux, ChromeOS, Android, iOS, webOS, Android TV

    Internet Requirements

    Minimum Bandwidth: 20 Mbps

    Recommended Bandwidth @ 1080p: 35 Mbps

    Recommended Bandwidth @ 4K: 40 Mbps

    Recommended Ping: < 20 ms

    You should buy this if…

    • you want to play AAA games in the cloud.

    • 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 a service that includes the game licenses.

    • you want to play games that aren’t available or play modded games.

    Your perfect match?

    Boosteroid is the perfect fit for gamers who love AAA games and are seeking a cost-effective cloud gaming service.

    Visit Boosteroid

  • GeForce Now

    Bring-Your-Own-Games
    Nvidia GeForce Now Preview

    Available plans

    Price monthly

    $0.00
    1 month plan

    Features

    Games available: 5058

    Game Graphic: Up to 1080p / 60 FPS

    Raytracing support: No

    Session Length: 1 hour

    Price monthly

    $9.99
    1 month plan

    $8.33
    12 month plan

    Features

    Games available: 5058

    Game Graphic: Up to 1440p / 60 FPS

    Raytracing support: Yes

    Session Length: 6 hours

    Price monthly

    $19.99
    1 month plan

    $16.67
    12 month plan

    Features

    Games available: 5058

    Game Graphic: Up to 5K / 240 FPS

    Raytracing support: Yes

    Session Length: 8 hours

    Price monthly


    plan

    Features

    Games available: 5058

    Game Graphic: Up to / FPS

    Raytracing support:

    Session Length:

    Description

    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.

    Server Locations

    Bulgaria, Canada (Quebec), France, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, United Kingdom, and the United States (Northern California, Southern California, Oregon, Arizona, Texas, Illinois, Florida, Georgia, Virginia, and New Jersey) + additional service partners in Japan, Turkey, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Thailand, Australia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Caucasus Region, and Latin America

    Compatible devices

    Browser, Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, Android, iOS (iPhone and  iPad), Shield TV, webOS, Android TV, Samsung TV, Apple Vision Pro, Meta Quest (2, Pro, 3, and 3S), Pico (4 and 4 Ultra), Steam Deck, ASUS ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, MSI Claw, Razer Edge, Logitech G Cloud

    Internet Requirements

    Minimum Bandwidth: 15 Mbps

    Recommended Bandwidth @ 1080p: 25 Mbps

    Recommended Bandwidth @ 4K: 45 Mbps

    Recommended Ping: < 40 ms

    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

  • Xbox Cloud Gaming

    Games-Inclusive
    Xbox Cloud Gaming (xCloud) Preview

    Available plans

    Price monthly

    $9.99
    1 month plan

    Features

    Games available: 1978

    Game Graphic: Up to 1440p / 60 FPS

    Raytracing support: No

    Session Length: unlimited

    Price monthly

    $14.99
    1 month plan

    Features

    Games available: 1978

    Game Graphic: Up to 1440p / 60 FPS

    Raytracing support: No

    Session Length: unlimited

    Price monthly

    $29.99
    1 month plan

    Features

    Games available: 1978

    Game Graphic: Up to 1440p / 60 FPS

    Raytracing support: No

    Session Length: unlimited

    Price monthly


    plan

    Features

    Games available: 1978

    Game Graphic: Up to / FPS

    Raytracing support:

    Session Length:

    Description

    Xbox Cloud Gaming, once known as xCloud, is Microsoft’s take on a cloud gaming platform. With an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (or Premium/Essential) subscription, you can access hundreds of games that can be played from the cloud on your PC or phone.

    It’s a robust service that bridges the gap between console and mobile gaming. If you’re wondering what games you could be enjoying, take a peek at the games included in our Xbox cloud games list.

    Server Locations

    Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States

    Compatible devices

    Browser, Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Xbox console, Samsung smart TV, LG smart TV, Amazon Fire TV, Logitech G Cloud, Razer Edge, ASUS ROG Ally, ROG Xbox Ally, ROG Xbox Ally X, Meta Quest-Headset (Quest 2, Quest Pro, Quest 3, and Quest 3S)

    Internet Requirements

    Minimum Bandwidth: 10 Mbps

    Recommended Bandwidth @ 1080p: 20 Mbps

    You should buy this if…

    • you want a simple all-in-one subscription for gaming.

    • you like trying out many different games.

    • you want to play online games with friends that are console players.

    You shouldn’t buy this if…

    • you want to play games that aren’t available.

    • you want to play in 4K or over 60fps.

    Your perfect match?

    Xbox Cloud Gaming is perfect for gamers who are already invested in Microsoft’s ecosystem and appreciate the ability to game across different devices.

    Visit Xbox Cloud Gaming

  • Amazon Luna

    Games-Inclusive
    Amazon Luna Cloud Gaming Preview

    Available plans

    Price monthly

    $14.99
    1 month plan

    $11.58
    12 month plan

    Features

    Games available: 211

    Game Graphic: Up to 1080p / 60 FPS

    Raytracing support: No

    Session Length: unlimited

    Price monthly

    $9.99
    1 month plan

    Features

    Games available: 211

    Game Graphic: Up to 1080p / 60 FPS

    Raytracing support: No

    Session Length: unlimited

    Price monthly

    $17.99
    1 month plan

    Features

    Games available: 211

    Game Graphic: Up to 1080p / 60 FPS

    Raytracing support: No

    Session Length: unlimited

    Price monthly

    $4.99
    1 month plan

    Features

    Games available: 211

    Game Graphic: Up to 1080p / 60 FPS

    Raytracing support: No

    Session Length: unlimited

    Description

    Amazon Luna is Amazon’s own cloud gaming platform powered by Amazon Web Services, featuring popular titles like EA Sports FC 26, and Hogwarts Legacy.

    Prime members automatically get access to Luna Standard, which includes more than fifty games at no extra cost. With Luna Premium at $9.99/month, players get access to an expanded library, covering everything from AAA releases to family-friendly party titles. To see all available games, check the complete Amazon Luna games list.

    New users can try Luna Premium free for seven days, while non-Prime members can also start with a 30-day Prime trial to access Luna Standard.

    Server Locations

    United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Poland, Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Portugal, Luxembourg

    Compatible devices

    Browser, Windows, Mac, Chromebook, Fire TV Devices and Fire Tablet, Certain Samsung Smart TVs, LG smart TVs, iPhone and iPad (via Safari), Android (via Chrome)

    Internet Requirements

    Minimum Bandwidth: 10 Mbps

    Recommended Bandwidth @ 1080p: 25 Mbps

    You should buy this if…

    • you have Amazon Prime and want access to 50+ included games.

    • you enjoy casual or co-op games and easy setup.

    • you want to play FC 26 via cloud gaming

    You shouldn’t buy this if…

    • you want to play games that aren’t available or modded games.

    • you live outside supported regions.

    • you want every new AAA or modded game.

    Your perfect match?

    Amazon Luna is ideal for Prime members and casual players who want instant access to a growing selection of quality games and the flexibility to explore different plans. Or you just want to play FC 26 in the cloud.

    Visit Amazon Luna

  • Blacknut

    Games-Inclusive
    Blacknut Cloud Gaming Preview

    Available plans

    Price monthly

    $15.99
    1 month plan

    Features

    Games available: 1005

    Game Graphic: Up to 1080p / 60 FPS

    Raytracing support: No

    Session Length: unlimited

    Price monthly


    plan

    Features

    Games available: 1005

    Game Graphic: Up to / FPS

    Raytracing support:

    Session Length:

    Price monthly


    plan

    Features

    Games available: 1005

    Game Graphic: Up to / FPS

    Raytracing support:

    Session Length:

    Price monthly


    plan

    Features

    Games available: 1005

    Game Graphic: Up to / FPS

    Raytracing support:

    Session Length:

    Description

    Blacknut is a cloud gaming service with a special focus on games for the whole family. For $15.99 a month, you get access to over 900 games in the Blacknut Cloud, covering a wide spectrum of gaming preferences. A 15-minute free trial is available without any contract.

    Included in their collection are mainly indie games, and games for kids. With an active Blacknut subscription, you can play all these games for free without needing to purchase any additional licenses. Check our full list of games available on Blacknut.

    Server Locations

    Albania, Andora, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzogovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech republic / Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Island, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonésia, Iraq, Ireland (republic of), Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Latvia, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Macedonia (republic of), Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Türkiye, UAE, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican

    Compatible devices

    Browser, Windows, macOS, Chromebook, Ubuntu, Google Play, iOS – iPadOS, Smart TV Samsung, LG TV, Amazon Fire TV, Google TV, Chromecast, Titan OS TV, VIDAA OS TV

    Internet Requirements

    Minimum Bandwidth: 6 Mbps

    Recommended Ping: < 30 ms

    You should buy this if…

    • you’re seeking a diverse game library suitable for all ages.

    • you’re interested in a mix of many different indie titles.

    • you prefer a flat-rate subscription model.

    You shouldn’t buy this if…

    • you mostly play AAA games.

    • you’re seeking a service geared towards competitive play.

    • you’re on a tight budget.

    Your perfect match?

    Blacknut is ideally suited for family gamers looking for a service that caters to a variety of age groups and gaming preferences.

    Visit Blacknut

  • airgpu

    Full-Access-Cloud-PC
    airgpu Cloud Gaming Preview

    Available plans

    Price hourly

    $0.65
    1 hour plan

    Features

    Games available: 8792

    Game Graphic: Up to 4K / 60 FPS

    Raytracing support: Yes

    Session Length: unlimited

    Price hourly

    $1.55
    1 hour plan

    Features

    Games available: 8792

    Game Graphic: Up to 4K / 60 FPS

    Raytracing support: Yes

    Session Length: unlimited

    Price hourly


    plan

    Features

    Games available: 8792

    Game Graphic: Up to / FPS

    Raytracing support:

    Session Length:

    Price hourly


    plan

    Features

    Games available: 8792

    Game Graphic: Up to / FPS

    Raytracing support:

    Session Length:

    Description

    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.

    Server Locations

    Australia, Bahrain, Canada (Central), France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Netherlands, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the USA (New York, Northern Virginia, Ohio, Northern California, Oregon, and Santa Clara)

    Compatible devices

    Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, Android, Chromium browsers (not on macOS)

    Internet Requirements

    Minimum Bandwidth: 10 Mbps

    Recommended Bandwidth @ 1080p: 25 Mbps

    Recommended Bandwidth @ 4K: 40 Mbps

    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.

    • you want to play on iOS or via Browser on macOS

    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

  • PlayStation Cloud Gaming

    Games-Inclusive
    PlayStation Cloud Gaming Preview

    Available plans

    Price monthly

    $17.99
    1 month plan

    $13.33
    12 month plan

    Features

    Games available: 782

    Game Graphic: Up to 1080p / 60 FPS

    Raytracing support: No

    Session Length: unlimited

    Price monthly


    plan

    Features

    Games available: 782

    Game Graphic: Up to / FPS

    Raytracing support:

    Session Length:

    Price monthly


    plan

    Features

    Games available: 782

    Game Graphic: Up to / FPS

    Raytracing support:

    Session Length:

    Price monthly


    plan

    Features

    Games available: 782

    Game Graphic: Up to / FPS

    Raytracing support:

    Session Length:

    Description

    PlayStation cloud gaming, previously PlayStation Now, is Sony’s cloud gaming service. It’s included in the highest tier of PlayStation Plus plans (Premium), which costs around $18 a month (depending on region).

    This service gives you access to a list of over 750 PlayStation games that can be streamed to your PC. As seen in the PlayStation cloud games list, you can finally play exclusive titles like The Last of Us and Bloodborne on your PC.

    Server Locations

    USA, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Austria, Switzerland, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Sweden

    Compatible devices

    Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PlayStation Portal

    Internet Requirements

    Minimum Bandwidth: 5 Mbps

    Recommended Bandwidth @ 1080p: 15 Mbps

    You should buy this if…

    • you want a simple all-in-one subscription for gaming.

    • you like trying out many different games.

    • you want to play online games with friends that are console players or want to play PlayStation exclusive titles.

    You shouldn’t buy this if…

    • you want to enjoy the benefits of cloud gaming on devices other than Windows, PlayStation consoles, or the PlayStation Portal

    • you want to play with a keyboard & mouse.

    • you want to play games that aren’t available or in higher quality than 1080p / 60fps.

    Your perfect match?

    PlayStation Cloud Gaming is perfect for PlayStation enthusiasts who are open to a higher subscription cost for exclusive access to PlayStation titles on their Windows PC or PlayStation Portal.

    Visit PlayStation Cloud Gaming

Why look for a Shadow PC alternative?

Shadow PC suits players who want maximum flexibility: the ability to play any game, install mods, and use the cloud PC for tasks beyond gaming. Outside of that use case, the price is hard to justify.

The main reasons players look for a Shadow PC alternative are:

  • Price: at €32.99 per month for the Neo plan, Shadow PC is the most expensive subscription-based cloud gaming service on the market
  • Simplicity: Shadow PC requires you to manage your own installations, updates, and game library, which is more work than plug-and-play streaming services like Boosteroid or Xbox Cloud Gaming
  • Game library: if you only want to play a specific set of games that are available on a streaming service, paying for a full cloud PC is more than you need

For a full breakdown of the service, see our Shadow PC guide.

Which Shadow PC alternative is right for you?

The right alternative depends on why Shadow PC is not the right fit. If price is the issue, airgpu offers the similar full cloud PC experience with hourly billing, which works out cheaper for casual players. Boosteroid and GeForce Now are both significantly cheaper for players who want to stream games they already own, without managing a full PC environment.

If you want a games-inclusive subscription with no library management, Xbox Cloud Gaming and Amazon Luna are the most straightforward alternatives. For PlayStation exclusives on PC, PlayStation Cloud Gaming is worth a look.

Frequently asked questions

GeForce Now offers a permanently free tier with one-hour sessions, making it the cheapest entry point. Among paid services, Boosteroid starts at €7.49 per month on an annual plan. airgpu starts at $0.65 per hour, which can be cheaper than Shadow PC for players who game less than 30 hours per month.

Yes. airgpu uses hourly billing with no fixed subscription fee, making it the most flexible alternative for players who game occasionally. Note that airgpu does charge a monthly storage fee of at least $7 regardless of usage, so it is not entirely commitment-free.

For more details, see our airgpu guide.

Boosteroid and Xbox Cloud Gaming require the least setup: sign in, link your game library or use the included catalogue, and start playing. Neither requires installing software on a cloud machine or managing updates. GeForce Now is similarly straightforward for players who already own games on Steam or Epic.

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