Cloud Gaming for Games You Own: Top Picks

If you want to stream games you already bought on Steam, Epic, or Ubisoft Connect without repurchasing them, the top pick is GeForce NOW. It connects directly to your existing PC store libraries and runs them on powerful RTX hardware, so your library follows you to almost any device.

What to Look For

When choosing a cloud gaming service for games you already own, the criteria that actually matter are:

• Library support: Does the service connect to your existing stores (Steam, Epic, GOG, Ubisoft)? Some services only offer their own curated catalog, which means you’d have to buy games again.
• Game compatibility: Even if a service supports a store, not every game is available. Check the service’s supported games list before committing.
• Hardware and performance: Look at the GPU, CPU, and RAM offered. Higher tiers give you better resolution, frame rates, and ray tracing.
• Session length and queue: Free tiers often have long queues and time limits. Paid tiers usually offer priority access and longer sessions.
• Device support: Make sure the service works on the devices you own—PC, Mac, phone, tablet, TV, or web browser.
• Internet requirements: Most services recommend at least 15–25 Mbps for 1080p, and 35–45 Mbps for 4K. Lower bandwidth means lower quality.
• Mod support and DLC: Some services allow mods (via Steam Workshop), others don’t. DLC you own usually works, but check.

GeForce NOW

Strengths: GeForce NOW is the only major service that lets you play games from Steam, Epic, GOG, and Ubisoft Connect without buying them again. It offers three tiers: Free (basic rigs, 1-hour sessions), Priority ($9.99/mo, RTX, 1080p/60fps, 6-hour sessions), and Ultimate ($19.99/mo, RTX 4080, 4K/120fps or 240fps, 8-hour sessions). It supports PC, Mac, Chromebook, Android, iOS (via browser), and some smart TVs. Mods work through Steam Workshop for many titles.

Trade-offs: Not every game is supported—publishers must opt in. Some titles get removed temporarily. Free tier queues can be long, and session limits force you to restart. Also, you may need to re-login to stores periodically.

Who it suits: Gamers with a large Steam/Epic library who want to play on low-end devices or on the go, without repurchasing games.

Xbox Cloud Gaming (Game Pass Ultimate)

Strengths: Xbox Cloud Gaming is part of Game Pass Ultimate ($16.99/mo) and streams games from the Xbox library. It also supports “Play Your Own Games� for a limited number of titles you own digitally on Xbox or via certain publishers. It runs on Xbox consoles, PC, Android, iOS (via browser), and some TVs. It uses Xbox Series X hardware, so performance is solid at 1080p/60fps.

Trade-offs: The “Play Your Own Games� feature is currently limited to a small list of supported titles (e.g., Fortnite, Destiny 2, and some Ubisoft games). Most of your owned games won’t be streamable. You also need Game Pass Ultimate, which is a subscription, and the service is tied to the Xbox ecosystem.

Who it suits: Xbox players who want to stream Game Pass titles and a few owned games on the go, or those who value the Game Pass library itself.

PlayStation Plus Premium (Cloud Streaming)

Strengths: Sony’s cloud streaming is included in the Premium tier ($17.99/mo) and lets you stream a catalog of PS4 and PS5 games. You can also stream some games you own digitally, but only if they’re part of the supported list (mostly PS4 titles). It works on PS4, PS5, and PC (via the app). Streaming quality is good, with up to 4K on PS5.

Trade-offs: The “games you own� streaming is limited to a specific list of supported titles—most of your library won’t be available. It requires a paid Premium subscription, and the service is best on Sony hardware. No mods or external store integration.

Who it suits: PlayStation fans who already pay for Premium and want to stream a few owned PS4 games on PC or PS5.

Amazon Luna

Strengths: Luna offers a “Play Your Own Games� feature that connects to your Ubisoft Connect library, letting you stream Ubisoft games you own (like Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry) without buying them again. It also has a decent channel-based subscription model (Luna+ at $9.99/mo). It works on PC, Mac, Fire TV, iPad, iPhone (via browser), and Android. It uses Amazon’s AWS infrastructure, which is reliable.

Trade-offs: The “Play Your Own Games� is currently limited to Ubisoft titles only—no Steam or Epic integration. The service is less well-known, so game availability is smaller. You need a Luna controller for best experience on some devices (though keyboard/mouse works on PC).

Who it suits: Ubisoft fans with a large Ubisoft Connect library who want to stream those games on various devices.

Boosteroid

Strengths: Boosteroid is a cloud gaming service that supports Steam, Epic, and Xbox (PC Game Pass) libraries. It offers a large catalog of popular games and runs on PC, Mac, Android, iOS (via browser), and Linux. It has a simple pricing model: $9.99/mo or $59.99/year. It uses high-end hardware (RTX 3080 or similar) for 1080p/60fps streaming.

Trade-offs: The service is based in Europe, so latency can be higher in North America or Asia. Session limits vary by plan (usually 6 hours). Some games may have anti-cheat issues that prevent streaming. The user interface is less polished than GeForce NOW.

Who it suits: Budget-conscious gamers who want to play their Steam/Epic games on a lower-cost plan and don’t mind potential latency.

Shadow PC

Strengths: Shadow gives you a full Windows 10/11 PC in the cloud, so you can install and play any game from any store (Steam, Epic, GOG, Battle.net, etc.). It’s essentially a remote desktop, so you have full control, can mod games, and even run non-gaming software. It works on PC, Mac, Android, iOS, and some TVs.

Trade-offs: It’s the most expensive option (starting around $29.99/mo), and you need to manage your own storage (256GB base, expandable). Performance depends on the tier you choose (RTX 3070 or higher). It’s not a “streaming service� in the traditional sense—you’re renting a PC, so you need to install games yourself, which takes time and bandwidth.

Who it suits: Power users who want to play any game they own, including mods and non-Steam games, and are willing to pay a premium for a full cloud PC.

How to Choose

Start by checking which of your games are actually supported on each service. GeForce NOW has a public list; Boosteroid and Luna have lists too. If your favorite games aren’t there, the service won’t work for you regardless of price.

Budget: Free or low-cost options are GeForce NOW Free (but limited) and Boosteroid (cheap). If you’re willing to pay about $10–20/mo, GeForce NOW Priority or Ultimate gives the best performance for owned games. Xbox Cloud Gaming and PlayStation Plus require a subscription, but they also give you a large library of games to stream, which might be worth it if you like new games.

Use case: If you travel a lot or use a low-end laptop, GeForce NOW is the most flexible because it works on nearly any device. If you’re deeply invested in the Xbox or PlayStation ecosystem, their services might be more convenient despite limitations. For Ubisoft fans, Luna is a good niche option. For maximum flexibility and mod support, Shadow is the ultimate, but at a cost.

Trade-offs: The biggest trade-off is library compatibility vs. subscription value. GeForce NOW and Boosteroid play your existing games but don’t give you new ones. Xbox and PlayStation give you a huge catalog but limit which owned games you can stream. Also consider latency: cloud gaming is highly dependent on your internet. A wired connection and low ping to the service’s nearest server are essential. Test with free tiers before paying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to buy games again on cloud gaming services?

No, if the service supports your store (like GeForce NOW with Steam), you play games you already own. But some services like Xbox Cloud Gaming only stream games from their own catalog, so you’d need to buy or subscribe to access them.

Can I use mods with cloud gaming?

GeForce NOW supports Steam Workshop mods for many games. Shadow PC allows any mods because it’s a full PC. Other services generally don’t support mods.

What internet speed do I need?

For 1080p/60fps, you need at least 15–25 Mbps. For 4K/120fps, you need 35–45 Mbps. Lower speeds will result in lower resolution or lag. A wired connection or strong 5GHz Wi-Fi is recommended.

Can I play multiplayer games on cloud gaming?

Yes, most services support multiplayer, but some games with aggressive anti-cheat (like Valorant) may not work. Check the service’s supported games list for details.

What happens to my saved games?

Most services save your progress in the cloud, and if the game uses cross-save (like Steam Cloud), it syncs with your local copies. For Shadow, your saves are on the cloud PC.

Is cloud gaming worth it if I have a good PC?

If you have a powerful PC, you might not need it. But cloud gaming is useful when you’re away from your PC or want to play on a TV or phone without buying extra hardware.

Bottom Line

For most people, GeForce NOW is the clear winner because it lets you play the games you already own from Steam, Epic, and other stores, with excellent performance and a free tier to test. If you’re on a tight budget, Boosteroid is a solid alternative. If you’re deeply invested in a console ecosystem, Xbox Cloud Gaming or PlayStation Plus Premium might be more convenient, but they limit which owned games you can stream. For ultimate flexibility and mod support, Shadow PC is the premium choice. Start with GeForce NOW’s free tier to see if cloud gaming works for your internet and library.

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