What cloud gaming platforms are out there in 2020? We compare prices of the best services, how each of them work, and what equipment you need to get started.

What is Cloud Gaming?
Cloud gaming, or game streaming, refers to playing video games over the internet streamed to your device without the use of a traditional gaming console. Game streaming more broadly refers to both running games on remote servers, or decentralized networks, and streaming games from personal PCs or consoles to other devices.
We here at CloudGameReview offer information with a primary focus on cloud-first gaming for consumers without an existing gaming PC or console. This phenomenon is frequently referred to as “the Netflix of gaming” and marks the beginning of a new paradigm in the video game sphere.
Many consider cloud gaming to be the next big thing to hit the video game industry and an inevitability for how consumers will purchase and play games. The game streaming ecosystem is rapidly evolving with fierce competition mounting from many major players in the video game industry alongside some promising newcomers to the arena.
Finding up-to-date information about the myriad of product options, pricing models, evolving game libraries, and more can be quite difficult. There is added complexity from a hardware perspective as all of our devices become full-powered gaming machines.
There are a number of options on the market today for cloud gaming services. The major players we compare here are Stadia by Google, GeForce Now by Nvidia, Shadow PC by Blade, Playstation Now for PC by Sony, Project xCloud by Microsoft, Vortex, and Playkey. The comparison between these game streaming platforms here primarily focuses on gaming without an existing gaming PC or console.
Each cloud gaming provider has its own pricing structure, game access policies, and supported devices. The best choice for each gamer is likely different from the next. Use this page to compare the best of the best game streaming services and jump into your favorite games instantly.
Google Stadia
Google Stadia is a console in the cloud.
Users can access the Stadia platform for free, but games must be purchased in the Stadia store. There is also a paid subscription plan that gives you a rotating library of free games, enhanced quality, and exclusive sales. Games you already own on other platforms cannot be played on Stadia without purchasing in the Stadia store. Newcomers can begin using Stadia today.
Getting Started with Google Stadia
Nvidia GeForce Now
Nvidia GeForce Now is a platform in the cloud.
Users can access the GeForce Now platform for free, but games must be purchased through online marketplaces to be played on the platform. There is also a paid subscription plan for increased play session time and priority server access in the queue. Gamefs are not released to GeForce Now like they are for physical consoles or Google Stadia. Games must have compatibility with GeForce Now to be played. Many games from your Steam library and other marketplaces are playable by newcomers to GFN today.
Getting Started with Nvidia GeForce Now
Shadow PC by Blade
Shadow PC is a PC-as-a-service system.
Users access Shadow PC through a paid subscription for a powerful Windows PC in the cloud. Nearly any game can be played on Shadow PC, as users rent a virtual high-powered Windows PC, to which games can be installed and streamed to their devices. Pricing tiers are based on the power of the PC that the user chooses to use. Newcomers can only pre-order Shadow PC access.
Getting Started with Shadow PC
Sony PlayStation Now for PC
Sony PlayStation Now for PC is a console in the cloud.
Users access PlayStation Now through a paid subscription that gives users access to a large library of games from the PS4, PS3, and PS2 catalogs. Games on the PS Now platform are free to play while they are in the PS Now library. Games can be downloaded to PS4 consoles, but only streamed to PCs. Newcomers can begin using PlayStation Now for PC today.
Getting Started with PlayStation Now for PC
Microsoft Project xCloud
Microsoft Project xCloud is a console in the cloud.
Users access Project xCloud game streaming through their Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription. Users are able to access a defined library of games, a subset of the games currently available with Game Pass. Games can be downloaded to Xbox One consoles and PCs through Game Pass, but only streamed to Android devices with the xCloud offering. The Project xCloud streaming experience can be accessed through Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions today.
Getting Started with Microsoft Project xCloud
Vortex
Vortex is a platform in the cloud.
Users access Vortex through a paid subscription. Vortex subscriptions include access to some of the games in its library, but many games require an additional license through an online marketplace to be played. Vortex’s price tiers vary in their monthly hour limits of play-time and the size of the accessible game library. Newcomers can begin using Vortex today.
Playkey
Playkey is a decentralized platform.
Users access Playkey through purchased play time on the platform. Playkey purchased time includes access to some of the games in its library, but many games require an additional license through an online marketplace to be played. Playkey is a blockchain platform that will rely on a decentralized system of miners where individuals will be compensated for offering their personal hardware to the network. Newcomers can begin using Playkey today.
Amazon Luna
Amazon Luna is a console in the cloud.
Users access Amazon Luna through a paid subscription. The platform is in Early Access by invitation only. The base Luna+ subscription service offers unlimited play time and access to a library of games at launch. Amazon Luna will also offer “game channels,” the first of which will be offered by Ubisoft, which is coming soon. Newcomers can request an invitation to use the platform today.
Amazon Luna Early Access Release

How Much Does it Cost to Start Gaming in the Cloud?
Given the various models offered by the game streaming contenders, the prices vary widely. Some have tiers driven by stream quality, some have tiers driven by server access time, and others bundle their cloud gaming offering with existing subscriptions.
This guide can be used to determine how these offerings compare with one another to help consumers wrap their heads around the different options and tailor their ideal cloud gaming setup. As always, we here at CloudGameReview offer information with a primary focus on gaming without an existing gaming PC or console.
For any necessary hardware, our comparison only mentions specific hardware requirements when they are required to start with on of the platforms.
Price Comparison for Cloud Gaming Services
Due to the wide variety of tiers available for each game streaming service, this table focuses on:
- The lowest-tier monthly cost available for getting started on the streaming platform
- The highest-tier monthly cost possible for the most advanced experience
Google Stadia | Nvidia GeForce Now | Shadow PC by Blade | Sony PlayStation Now for PC | Microsoft Game Pass Ultimate (Project xCloud) | Vortex | Playkey | Amazon Luna | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Minimum Monthly Cost | $0 | $0 | $11.99 (yearly commitment) | $4.99 (yearly commitment) | $14.99 | $9.99 | N/A (Purchased time) | $5.99 |
Max “Pro” Monthly Cost | $9.99 | $4.99 (Founders Edition) | $39.99 | N/A | N/A | $29.99 | N/A (Purchased time) | $5.99 (+ Subscription Channels) |
Supported Devices | Windows macOS Linux Android (specific devices) Chromecast Ultra | Windows macOS Android Shield TV | Windows macOS Linux Android iOS | Windows | Android | Windows macOS Android | Windows macOS | Windows macOS Chrome and Safari browsers (iOS) |
Subscription Description | Free
| Free
| Boost – $11.99/month
| $4.99/month
| Xbox Game Pass Ultimate – $14.99/month | Basic – $9.99/month
| Purchased Play Time
| Plus - $5.99/month
|
Size of Game Library | ~120 | ~2000 | N/A | ~800 | ~170 | 66 or 162 (subscription tier) | ~250 | ~100 |
Min Bandwidth Required | 10 Mbps (35 Mbps for 4K) | 15 Mbps (25 Mbps for 1080p60) | 15 Mbps | 5 Mbps | 10 Mbps | 10 Mbps | 4 Mbps | 10 Mbps (35 Mbps for 4K, coming soon) |
Each of these services offer a different method for buying games or subscribing to game libraries. Read more about game library approaches here.
Google Stadia
Subscription Tiers
- Free
- 1080p up to 60 FPS
- Pro – $9.99/month
- 4K at 60 FPS, HDR
- 5.1 Surround Sound
- Rotating offering of free games
- Claimed games remain in library indefinitely while a Pro subscriber
- Exclusive sales
Games
Game Library
- ~120 games in Stadia store
- ~25 games included with Pro subscription
How do I get games on Google Stadia?
- Purchased Game Library from Stadia store
- Claim games included in rotating Pro Subscription Library in the Stadia Store
Nvidia GeForce Now
Subscription Tiers
- Free
- Standard access to queue
- Session access based on availability of servers
- 1-hour session length
- Users can re-enter queue after limit is reached
- No limit on the number of times you can re-enter the queue
- Standard access to queue
- Premium (Founders Membership) – $4.99/month
- Priority access to queue
- Session access based on availability of servers
- 6-hour session length
- Users can re-enter queue after limit is reached
- No limit on the number of times you can re-enter the queue with priority access
- RTX On
- Priority access to queue
Games
Game Library
- ~2000 games currently supported
- Purchase games through marketplaces such as Steam, Uplay, Battle.net, etc.
How do I get games on Nvidia GeForce Now?
- Some games are Instant access
- Cloud-loaded, ready to play
- Some games are single session install
- Downloaded when you begin session
- Caching mechanism speeds up downloads greatly
Shadow PC by Blade
Subscription Tiers
- Boost – $11.99/month
- 1080p
- GTX 1080 (equivalent or better)
- 3.6 GHz – 4 Cores (or equivalent)
- 12 GB RAM
- 256 GB Storage (upgradeable)
- Windows 10 PC
- Ultra – $24.99/month
- Up to 4K with Ray Tracing
- RTX 2080 (equivalent)
- 4 GHZ – 4 cores
- 16 GB RAM
- 512 GB Storage (upgradeable)
- Windows 10 PC
- Infinite – $39.99/month
- Up to 4K with Ray Tracing
- Titan RTX (equivalent)
- 4 Ghz – 6 Cores
- 32 GB RAM
- 1 TB Storage (upgradeable)
- Windows 10 PC
Games
Game Library
Shadow PC can run nearly any game that is available on PC, sans a few titles that are not compatible with Shadow PC’s hardware configuration.
How do I get games on Shadow PC?
Games must be purchased and downloaded to your Shadow cloud PC in the standard way you purchase and install games for any local Windows PC.
Sony PlayStation Now for PC
Subscription Tiers
- $4.99/month – $59.99 for 12-month subscription
- $8.33/month – $24.99 for 3-month subscription
- $9.99/month – $9.99 for 1-month subscription
Games
Game Library
- ~800 games
- Includes games from PS4, PS3, and PS2
How do I get games on Sony PlayStation Now?
- Full game library available to subscribers
- No additional purchase required
- Games can be downloaded to PS4 console
- Games cannot be downloaded to PC
- Streaming only
Microsoft Project xCloud
Subscription Tiers
- Xbox Game Pass Ultimate – $14.99/month
Games
Game Library
- The majority of the ~100 games currently available through Xbox Game Pass are available to stream with the Game Pass Ultimate subscription
How do I get games on Microsoft Project xCloud?
- The majority of Xbox Game Pass’s full game library are available for Ultimate subscribers for game streaming without any additional game purchase.
- Xbox Game Pass for PC supports game downloading to PCs. Game Pass currently allows game downloading to Xbox consoles. Cloud game streaming will be available only to Android devices.
Vortex
Subscription Tiers
- Basic – $9.99/month
- 720p
- 50 hours per month
- 66 games
- Pro – $19.99/month
- 1080p coming soon
- 80 hours per month
- 162 games
- Ultra – $29.99/month
- 1080p coming soon
- 140 hours per month
- 162 games
Games
Game Library
- 66-162 depending on tier
- Some games must be purchased separately
How do I get games on Vortex?
- Many games in the Vortex game library are available with the platform’s subscription tiers and are ready to stream.
- Some games in the Vortex library require an additional purchase through an existing marketplace and its license added to the platform.
Playkey
Subscription Tiers
- Not a subscription model
- Purchase play time on the Playkey network
- $2 for one hour
- $4.50 for three hours
- $6.50 for five hours
- $9.00 for eight hours
- $11.00 for ten hours
- $16.00 for fifteen hours
- $20.00 for twenty hours
- $1 per hour for 20+ hour packages
- $2 for one hour
- Purchased time last for 2-months from last session
Games
Game Library
- ~250 games
- Some games require additional purchase
How do I get games on Playkey?
- Large selection of ready-to-stream games included
- Some games require additional purchase
- Add license to Playkey for games purchased through an existing marketplace
Amazon Luna
Subscription Tiers
- Luna+ – $5.99/month
- Early Access by invitation only
- Once request is approved, users allowed to purchase Luna controller
Games
Game Library
- ~100 games
- Game channels coming soon. Ubisoft game channel coming soon.

What Tech Do I Need to Start Gaming in the Cloud?
Streaming games to your devices requires two things: good internet speed and basic hardware on which to play games. The minimum internet requirements are similar across services, while available devices vary widely.
Most game streaming platforms recommend an ethernet wired connection or 5 GHz WiFi connection.
Google Stadia
Internet Speed
- Minimum Recommendation: 10 Mbps or greater
- Estimated Data Usage:
- Up to 4K: Up to 20 GB/hr
- Up to 1080p: Up to 12.6 GB/hr
- Up to 720p: Up to 4.5 GB/hr
- Additional recommendations:
- 4K streaming, minimum recommendation: 35 Mbps
Minimum Hardware Requirements
- Windows
- macOS
- Android devices (specific devices)
- See list of current supported Android devices here: Stadia-compatible gamepads and screens (Stadia)
- Any computer than runs Chrome (or a Chromium browser) should be able to run Google Stadia; additional hardware specifications are not otherwise available
- Streaming 4K
- A Windows computer or Chromebook that supports VP9 hardware decoding
Playing Google Stadia on Your TV
- Chromecast Ultra with Google Stadia Controller
Nvidia GeForce Now
Internet Speed
- Minimum recommendation: 15 Mbps or greater
- Estimated data usage (minimum):
- ~7 GB per hour
- Additional recommendations:
- 25 Mbps for 1080p at 60 FPS
- System Requirements for GeForce Now Cloud Gaming (GeForce Now)
Minimum Hardware Requirements
- Windows
- Dual core x86-64 CPU with 2.0GHz or faster
- 4 GB of system memory
- GPU that at least supports DirectX 11
- NVIDIA GeForce 600 series or newer
- AMD Radeon HD 3000 series or newer
- Intel HD Graphics 2000 series or newer
- macOS
- macOS 10.10 or better
- Android
- Android phone with 2 GB with Android 5.0 (L) or later, and OpenGL ES3.2 support or higher
- A gamepad is required for play on GeForce Now. There is no on-screen gamepad offered by Nvidia
Playing Nvidia GeForce Now on Your TV
- Nvidia Shield TV
- Mouse, Keyboards, and Gamepads:
- Most built-in or USB keyboards work fine with Nvidia GeForce Now
- SHIELD controller
- Microsoft Xbox 360 and Xbox One controllers (USB wired)
- Sony DualShock 4 controllers (USB wired)
- Mouse, Keyboards, and Gamepads:
Shadow PC by Blade
Internet Speed
- Minimum recommendation: 15 Mbps or greater
- Estimated data usage (minimum):
- ~7 GB per hour
- Additional recommendations:
- Minimum recommended upload speed: 5 Mbps for mouse, keyboard. 50 Mbps upload for bandwidth-heavy devices like webcams, microphones, racing wheels, and gamepads
- Minimum connection latency: 30ms ping or less
- Check your connection with Shadow PC here: How to Test Your Connection to Shadow (Shadow PC)
- Speed Test Requirements (Shadow PC)
Minimum Hardware Requiremenets
- Windows
- CPU
- Intel (Sandy Bridge range (2011))
- AMD (AM2+ range (2008))
- Memory: 2 GB RAM
- Operating System & Software
- Windows 8.1/10
- DirectX 9c or higher
- Note:
- Above are the minimum requirements, not the recommended requirements
- Recommended requirements can be found here: Windows Recommended Requirement (Shadow PC)
- CPU
- macOS
- CPU: x86-64 (Intel Core 2 Duo processor, Intel Core i3, Intel Core i5, Intel Core i7, or Xeon)
- Firmware System: EFI 64-bit
- Memory: 2 GB RAM
- Disk Space: 8 GB available
- Operating System: OS X 10.10 Yosemite or greater
- Linux
- CPU
- Intel (Sandy Bridge range (2011))
- AMD (AM2+ range (2008))
- Memory: 2 GB RAM
- Operating System
- Bionic Beaver (18.04)
- Eoan Ermine (19.10)
- Note:
- Above are the minimum requirements, not the recommended requirements
- Recommended requirements can be found here: Linux Recommended Requirements (Shadow PC)
- CPU
- Android
- Operating System
- Android 5.0 or higher
- Note:
- Android 8.0 Oreo/Android 9.0 Pie adds better mouse support and better bandwidth management and is highly recommended by Shadow PC
- From Shadow PC: What is the required configuration for the Android client? (Shadow PC)
- Operating System
Sony PlayStation Now for PC
Internet Speed
- Minimum recommendation: 5 Mbps or greater
- Estimated data usage (minimum):
- ~2-3 GB per hour
- Getting Started with PS Now (PlayStation Now)
Minimum Hardware Requirements
- Windows
- Windows 7 (SP 1), 8.1, or 10
- Core i3 2.0 GHz
- 300 MB of available storage
- 2 GB of RAM
- Sound card; USB port
- Note:
- Above are the minimum requirements, not the recommended requirements
- Recommended requirements can be found here: PS Now on PC (PlayStation Now)
Microsoft Project xCloud
Internet Speed
- Minimum recommendation: 10 Mbps or greater
- Estimated data usage (minimum):
- ~4-5 GB per hour
- Project xCloud Preview (Microsoft)
Minimum Hardware Requirements
- Android 6.0 or greater, Bluetooth version 4.0 or greater
Vortex
Internet Speed
- Minimum recommendation: 10 Mbps or greater
- Estimated data usage (minimum):
- ~4-5 GB per hour
- Additional recommendations:
- Check your ping with Vortex here: Ping test (Vortex)
- Documentation: Vortex Cloud Gaming for Windows, macOS, or Android (Vortex)
Minimum Hardware Requirements
- Windows: Windows 10
- macOS: macOS 10.13 or later
- Android: Android 5.0 or later
- Android TV
Playkey
Internet Speed
- Minimum recommendation: 4 Mbps or greater
- Estimated data usage (minimum):
- ~2 GB per hour
- Additional recommendations
- 720p, minimum recommendation: 10 Mbps
- 1080p, minimum recommendation: 25 Mbps
- Allowable data packet loss: up to 1%
- Source: Requirements for Internet Connection (Playkey)
Minimum Hardware Requirements
- Windows
- Windows XP
- CPU 2.6 GHz or greater
- DirectX 9.0c
- Windows Vista, 7, 8, and 10
- CPU 1.5 GHz or greater for video card with hardware support for H.264 decoding standard
- CPU 2.6 GHz or greater for video card without hardware support for H.264 decoding standard
- DirectX 9.0c
- Windows XP
- macOS
- OS X 10.7 or greater
- CPU 1.5 GHz or greater for video card with hardware support for H.264 decoding standard
- CPU 2.6 GHz or greater for video card without hardware support for H.264 decoding standard
- System Requirements (Playkey)
Amazon Luna
Internet Speed
- 10 Mbps (35 Mbps required to play in 4K, which is coming soon)
Minimum Hardware Requirements
- PC (requires Windows 10 with support for DirectX 11)
- Mac (OSX 10.13+)
- FireTV devices (Fire TV Stick – 2nd gen, Fire TV Stick 4K, or Fire TV Cube – 2nd gen). Identify your FireTV device here
Web browsers requirements:
- Chrome web browser (version 83+) for PC and Mac
- Safari web browser (iOS14) for iPhone and iPad
Questions?
If you have any other questions about getting started with cloud gaming, please let us know in the comments!