Cloud Gaming Mac: How to play any game on macOS [2025]

Felix

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Felix

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Last updated: January 10, 2025

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Reading time: ~ 7 min

Cloud Gaming MacOS (Macbook & Mac)

Letโ€™s be honest โ€“ gaming on a Mac wasnโ€™t great for a long time. Limited game support and weak hardware made it tough to keep up with PC gamers. But thanks to cloud gaming, thatโ€™s all in the past.

Now, you can play top-tier games without needing a high-end setup. All you need is decent internet, and youโ€™re ready to dive into some serious gaming.

Is there cloud gaming on Mac?

Yes, cloud gaming works great on Mac. Most of the best cloud gaming services fully support macOS. Some services even have dedicated Mac apps, but if you donโ€™t feel like downloading anything, you can just use a browser like Safari or Chrome.

Pro tip: For the smoothest experience, use Chrome or another cloud gaming browser.

What games can you play via cloud gaming on Mac?

Pretty much anything. Cloud gaming gives you access to a massive range of titles, from AAA blockbusters like Marvel Rivals, Path of Exile 2, and GTA 5 to indie favorites.

Depending on the service, you can either stream games you already own on platforms like Steam or Epic Games, or play games included with your subscription.

Hereโ€™s a list of some awesome games you can play on Mac:

Want to explore more games? Check out our full list of cloud games for Mac.

What do I need to play via cloud gaming on Mac?

Getting started with cloud gaming on Mac is straightforward. Hereโ€™s what youโ€™ll need:

  • A cloud gaming subscription
    Not sure where to start? Weโ€™ve put together a guide to the best cloud gaming services for Mac.
  • A Mac device
    It doesnโ€™t matter if youโ€™re using a MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, or Mac Mini, with an M processor or an older Intel chip โ€“ as long as your Mac has a modern browser, the cloud handles everything, so any Mac works for gaming.
  • A solid internet connection
    Youโ€™ll want at least 25 Mbps for smooth 1080p gaming. For more tips on optimizing your connection, check out our cloud gaming internet speed guide.
  • Optional: A controller or other peripherals
    While you can use a keyboard and mouse, controllers can enhance your gaming experience.

What are the best cloud gaming services for Mac?

There are several great services out there, each offering different features. Some let you access large game libraries, while others provide a full cloud PC setup, giving you even more flexibility.

Letโ€™s take a look at some of the best cloud gaming services for macOS users:

  • Shadow PC

    Full-Access-Cloud-PC
    Shadow Cloud Gaming Service

    Available plans

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    Price monthly

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    Games available: 8714

    Game Graphic: Up to 1440p / 120 FPS

    Session Length: unlimited


    Price monthly

    Show price details


    Games available: 8714

    Game Graphic: Up to 4K / 240 FPS

    Session Length: unlimited


    Price monthly

    Show price details


    Games available: 8714

    Game Graphic: Up to / FPS

    Session Length:


    Price monthly

    Show price details


    Games available: 8714

    Game Graphic: Up to / FPS

    Session Length:


    Available devices

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    Description

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    When it comes to unrestricted gaming experiences,ย Shadow PCย 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.

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

    You should buy this ifโ€ฆ

    • 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 ifโ€ฆ

    • you donโ€™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.

  • Boosteroid

    Bring-Your-Own-Games
    Boosteroid Cloud Gaming Preview

    Available plans

    Show all plans


    Price monthly

    Show price details


    Games available: 1545

    Game Graphic: Up to 4K / 120 FPS

    Session Length: unlimited


    Price monthly

    Show price details


    Games available: 1545

    Game Graphic: Up to 4K / 120 FPS

    Session Length: unlimited


    Price monthly

    Show price details


    Games available: 1545

    Game Graphic: Up to / FPS

    Session Length:


    Price monthly

    Show price details


    Games available: 1545

    Game Graphic: Up to / FPS

    Session Length:


    Available devices

    Show device details

    Desktop

    Tablet

    Smartphone

    TV


    Description

    Show all details

    If affordability and quality are high on your list of priorities, thenย Boosteroid could be the right cloud gaming service for you. At a cost of less than โ‚ฌ10 per month, you have access to powerful cloud gaming servers that let you play your own games.

    Notably, AAA games likeย Elden Ring,ย Red Dead Redemption II, andย GTA Vย 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 currentย Boosteroid games listย to get a better idea of what this service has to offer.

    You should buy this ifโ€ฆ

    • 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 ifโ€ฆ

    • you want a service that includes the game licenses.

    • you want to play games that arenโ€™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.

  • GeForce Now

    Bring-Your-Own-Games
    Nvidia GeForce Now Preview

    Available plans

    Show all plans


    Price monthly

    Show price details


    Games available: 5005

    Game Graphic: Up to 1080p / 60 FPS

    Session Length: 1 hour


    Price monthly

    Show price details


    Games available: 5005

    Game Graphic: Up to 1440p / 60 FPS

    Session Length: 6 hours


    Price monthly

    Show price details


    Games available: 5005

    Game Graphic: Up to 5K / 240 FPS

    Session Length: 8 hours


    Price monthly

    Show price details


    Games available: 5005

    Game Graphic: Up to / FPS

    Session Length:


    Available devices

    Show device details

    Desktop

    Tablet

    Smartphone

    TV


    Description

    Show all details

    Nvidia, a significant contributor to the growth and development of cloud gaming, offersย 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 โ€“ 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 currentย Nvidia GeForce Now games list.

    You should buy this ifโ€ฆ

    • 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 ifโ€ฆ

    • 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.

Want more options? Check out our complete list of the best cloud gaming services.

How to start cloud gaming on Mac?

Getting started is simple:

  1. Pick your game
    Choose something youโ€™re excited to play. (Looking for a specific game? Use our search, and weโ€™ll show you where itโ€™s available for cloud gaming.)
  2. Select a cloud gaming provider
    Find one that fits your needs by checking out our list of the best cloud gaming services.
  3. Set up and start playing
    Follow the providerโ€™s setup guide, and youโ€™re all set.

Need more detailed instructions? Check out our simple step-by-step guide on how to start cloud gaming.

Is there any cloud gaming for free on Mac?

Yes, but with limitations. GeForce Now offers a free tier, but it comes with queues, ads, and limited performance. If you want features like 4K resolution and RTX, youโ€™ll need to pay for a subscription, which starts at around $10 a month.

Looking for free games on cloud gaming? Weโ€™ve got a list of free cloud games you can check out.

Is cloud gaming on Mac worth it?

Definitely! If macOS limitations have held you back, cloud gaming on Mac changes everything. You get access to a huge variety of titles, and you donโ€™t need to spend a fortune on hardware upgrades.

Itโ€™s also super flexible. Start a game on your Mac, continue on your phone, and pick up later on a tablet โ€“ all without losing progress. Plus, itโ€™s more cost-effective than investing in a high-end gaming rig.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nope. Even older Macs can handle cloud gaming just fine. The cloud servers do all the heavy lifting. All you need is a solid internet connection and a browser. It doesnโ€™t matter if your Mac has an M processor or not โ€“ any modern Mac will work just fine.

Yes, most cloud gaming platforms support controllers. That said, if you prefer using a keyboard and mouse, that works too.

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