Cloud gaming is the new way to play AAA games with the devices you have.
In recent years, cloud gaming has evolved from an experimental concept into a mainstream way of playing modern video games. For those unfamiliar with it, cloud gaming is a technology where games run on powerful remote servers instead of local consoles or computers.
The player receives a video stream while their inputs are transmitted back to the server in real time. This means demanding titles can be played on older laptops, tablets, smartphones, or even smart TVs. As long as the internet connection is stable, the cloud platform handles the rest.
There are several major cloud services on the market, each with its own strengths. Let’s break them down and explore who each service is best suited for.
GeForce NOW – Freedom for Those Who Already Own Games
GeForce NOW from NVIDIA is one of the most flexible cloud gaming services. It connects to your existing accounts on platforms like Steam, Epic Games Store, and Ubisoft Connect, allowing users to stream the games they already own.
The image quality is excellent, especially with the premium tier that supports up to 4K resolution. There’s also a free plan available, though it includes wait times and session limits.
- Pros: High performance, supports thousands of titles, free access available
- Cons: 100-hour monthly limit and a limit on the session length
- Price: Free / $9.99–$19.99 per month
Boosteroid – Simple, Powerful, and Independent
Boosteroid is already the world’s largest independent cloud gaming service and continues to gain global traction. Its key advantage is ease of use. Games can be played directly in a browser or through dedicated apps available for Windows, macOS, Android, and smart TVs.
Where no app is available for a given platform, like iOS, the browser version still works perfectly, making the service compatible with nearly any modern device. Boosteroid also integrates with major game distribution platforms like Steam, Epic Games Store, Battle.net, Wargaming, and others, allowing users to play titles they already own.
It supports up to 4K resolution with up to 120 FPS and runs on one of the most geographically distributed data center networks in the industry, ensuring reliable performance across multiple regions.
- Pros: Easy to use, broad compatibility, supports popular game platforms
- Cons: Like with many other services, there is no option to manually select the server location to play on
- Price: $9.89 per month or $7.49/month with an annual subscription
Xbox Cloud Gaming – Game Pass in the Cloud
Xbox Cloud Gaming is part of Microsoft’s Game Pass Ultimate. It provides instant access to hundreds of games from the Game Pass library, including day-one releases from Microsoft Studios. The service works across browsers, mobile devices, and even Xbox consoles.
Generally, with some exceptions, users can’t stream their own game purchases, but all Game Pass titles are included in the subscription with no additional cost.
- Pros: Large game library, good quality, cross-device support
- Cons: Doesn’t support user-owned games from other platforms
- Price: $22.99/month (included with Game Pass Ultimate)
Amazon Luna – Flexible and Casual
Amazon Luna uses a channel-based subscription model. Users can subscribe to Luna+, Ubisoft+, or other content packages. The service is available on browsers, PCs, smartphones, and Fire TV devices. It’s especially well-integrated with Amazon services like Alexa and Twitch, but its library is more limited compared to competitors.
- Pros: Channel model, Twitch integration, simple interface
- Cons: No 4K support, limited game selection
- Price: From $9.99/month
PlayStation Plus Premium – Exclusives and Legacy Titles
Sony’s cloud gaming service is part of the PlayStation Plus Premium plan. It gives access to PlayStation exclusives as well as classic PS2 and PS3 titles. Games can be streamed on PS4, PS5, and Windows PCs via browser, but users can’t add their own games to the platform.
- Pros: Access to PlayStation exclusives and classics
- Cons: Limited to Sony’s ecosystem, no external game library support
- Price: €16.99/month (included in PS Plus Premium)
Conclusion
Cloud gaming offers an accessible, hardware-free way to play the latest games across a wide range of devices. Each platform has its strengths:
- Want to play games you already own? Choose GeForce NOW or Boosteroid.
- Need a big subscription library? Go with Xbox Cloud Gaming or Luna.
- Craving Sony exclusives? PlayStation Now is the way to go.
Each service brings something unique, and trying out a few is the best way to see what fits your style. No matter the device, cloud gaming means high-end gaming is now just a connection away.
Welcome to the cloud.
