Mac computers are excellent, especially the Apple Silicon Macs, but gaming has always been where Mac computers have fallen short compared to PCs. This is due to Apple’s reluctance to give room for third-party games and the absence of native PC game optimization on their computers.
So, suppose you like games like Valorant and Call of Duty but use a Mac; in that case, you will most likely be unable to play them unless you employ solutions like Parallels and Bootcamp (which works on Intel Macs only), which allows you to run Windows on Mac and consequently play PC games on Mac.
Cloud gaming, which is still the most effective means of running games on Mac, provides another option for Mac users to run practically any game on their laptops. But what are the best cloud gaming services for Mac?
So we examined a number of cloud gaming services on Mac and came up with the seven best options based on the best latency, the most affordable price, the best features, and a diverse collection of games. Keep reading as we dive into the details!
What is Cloud Gaming?
Cloud gaming is an innovative technology that allows games designed to function using specific hardware and software requirements to run virtually any device.
In other words, Cloud gaming is a system that processes video games from a remote server and streams them to users’ devices. Thus, users’ devices only handle the streaming and allow you to play the game.
This tech minimizes gaming devices’ processing requirements, as most game processing and graphics rendering is handled by remote servers/rigs.
It also eliminates the need to install games on your device and the need to meet game hardware requirements.
In essence, as long as you have a strong internet connection, cloud gaming services allow you to play demanding games on any device, even if your computer hardware does not meet the games’ requirements.
Is Cloud Gaming Available on Mac?
Yes, Cloud gaming is supported on Mac, allowing practically all Mac systems, both Intel-based and M-based, to run PC games. It is the best alternative for running PC games on Mac computers, and we will go over the best cloud gaming platforms in the following section of this article.
What Are The Best Cloud Gaming Services For Mac?
Looking for the best cloud gaming platforms for Mac? Here are short reviews of the ones you should use, compiled majorly based on the features they offer:
1. Xbox Cloud Gaming
Cloud Gaming for Mac is possible thanks to the Xbox Cloud Gaming platform, which has an extensive collection of PC games from various genres such as Indie, RPG, Action & Adventure, Strategy, and many more.
This cloud gaming platform lets you access and play console and PC games on your Mac computer using a compatible browser (Safari or Chrome).
Xbox Cloud Gaming has a well-designed UI, as is typical of Microsoft these days, but in order to play the game of your choosing, you have to sign in with your Microsoft account.
The platform is also incredibly easy to use. It can be used to play games such as GTA V, Fortnite, Forza Horizon 5, Minecraft Legend, Halo Infinite, Star Wars, and many others with any installation or anything.
All games on Xbox Cloud Gaming require Game Pass Ultimate membership, which costs $1 for the first month and $16.99 for future months; however, you can play Fortnite for free.
Typically, Xbox supports using touch control for some games but allows using a controller for all available games; however, because Mac computers lack a touch-screen, you must use a controller to play all available games.
You can, however, use an Xbox controller or any other compatible controller.
I’ll add that Xbox Cloud gaming streams at a maximum of 1080p and up to 60fps, which is okay, but if you have a terrible internet connection, you’ll get poor resolution and a poor game streaming experience.
Aside from the visual compression caused by streaming on this cloud gaming platform, it is an excellent solution for playing games on your Mac computers.
2. Amazon Luna
Another best cloud gaming service for Mac on our list is Amazon Luna, built on Amazon Web Services (AWS) for running intensive game processing from remote servers in the cloud and streaming it to your Mac via the internet via a browser.
Amazon Luna offers a variety of games available to its users via multiple channels, with a few games from its library available for free for those with Amazon Prime membership. Still, it offers additional paid options for accessing all games from its channels.
The Luna+ channel includes titles such as Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, Ride 4, Devil May Cry 5, Control, and many others. On the other hand, when you subscribe to Ubisoft+, you will get access to titles such as Far Cry 6, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Watch Dogs: Legion, and more.
Amazon Luna is most enjoyable with the Luna Controller, which uses a separate WiFi connection to mitigate input lag by transmitting inputs directly to the Amazon server rather than through the device on which the game is being streamed. However, you may still play games on Luna with other controllers.
Twitch integration is one of the useful features Luna provides; this allows you to broadcast your gaming live to your Twitch channels and watch game broadcasts from other users.
Like Xbox Cloud Gaming, Luna has a video quality capped at 1080p and a maximum frame rate of 60fps. For more information, read our hands-on Amazon Luna review.
3. GeForce Now
NVIDIA’s GeForce Now is another excellent platform for cloud gaming on Mac computers. Since the parent company is involved in the invention of graphics processing units, you can expect high-quality game graphics if you can access a stable internet connection.
This cloud gaming platform includes Indie and AAA titles from Steam and Epic Games, such as Apex Legend, Genshin Impact, and Dota Underload.
y contains a total of 1651 games which should expand with time, and does not currently have games like GTA V and Forza Horizon.
GeForce Now is a subscription-based program, but it does provide a free trial, which I believe is not recommended because you will often have to wait hours to access a game rig for your chosen free game to run on.
On the other hand, its paid plan provides more excellent resolution, a higher frame rate, faster access to gaming servers, and other interesting features.
Also, while titles like Apex Legends are free, you must have it in your Steam or EA app game library and connect it to GeForce Now before you can play it.
This cloud gaming platform for Mac is primarily browser-based, but it has a Mac client that you may install on your Mac computer if it matches the client’s requirements.
GeForce Now stands out among Mac’s top cloud gaming services since it has a large game collection, integrates with game launchers such as Steam and Epic Games, and has the most features overall. To learn more, check out our comprehensive NVIDIA GeForce Now review.
4. PlayKey
PlayKey is one of Mac’s proficient cloud gaming services that can help you create the gaming experience you desire on your Mac computer. It includes over 200 games and allows you to choose your favorite gaming platforms, such as Steam, Uplay, Battlenet, or Origin, and it will recommend games to you.
Some of the titles available on this platform are PUBG, Fortnite, Dota 2, Destiny 2, and Forza Horizon 4. PlayKey, like the other cloud gaming systems on this list, requires login and is subscription-based
PlayKey has two subscription options: a per-hour subscription where 1-hour costs $2, 3 hours costs $4.5, and so on, which all lasts two months since the game’s last launch before being terminated and allows you to run games in full HD and 60fps; and an unlimited monthly plan that costs $49.
It also allows you to sync games from game launchers; however, even with the subscription, you must own the game on the store or purchase it from PlayKey to run paid games on game stores like Steam and Origin.
One of the things we like about this platform is that, despite having just around 300 games, if you can’t find your preferred game in the catalog, you can install it through Steam, Epic Launcher, or other launchers and play it straight on PlayKey.
To play the game on PlayKey, you must first install the app’s client on your Mac. While the browser will continue to be used to access the game library, when a game is launched, it uses the client, which runs in the background.
5. Shadow
Shadow PC is another option for running PC games on the cloud with your Mac computer, removing the need to meet the game’s requirements on the machine.
This solution works a little differently in the sense that it creates a powerful Windows PC in the cloud for you to install and run Windows-based programs like PC games through a browser.
No configuration is required for Shadow, so you simply log in via a browser and access the cloud PC to run games on your Mac computer. However, it is subscription-based, so you must pay $32.99 for the basic plan or $49.98 for a more sophisticated cloud PC.
While we mainly focus on gaming, Shadow lets you install and run nearly any program. It is one of the best cloud gaming services available, with up to 4K graphics if you have a powerful internet connection.
6. Boosteroid
Boosteroid is a cloud gaming solution that is well-recommended for running games from high-end remote gaming rigs to have the best gaming experience even if your device does not meet the game’s requirements.
Boosteroid works similarly to other cloud gaming platforms in the sense that your inputs are sent to and processed on a remote server, after which video and audio are streamed back to your device via a browser.
This cloud gaming service allows you to access your library on gaming platforms such as Steam and Epic Games, meaning you can access an extensive game library and play virtually any game accessible on game stores.
However, before you can play any game on this cloud gaming platform, you must first subscribe for €9.98, a monthly fee.
Boosteriod provides stable gaming performance, but you should be aware that it relies on your internet connection’s strength. Overall, it is one of the best cloud gaming platforms available, with excellent performance.
Other cloud gaming platforms you can also use includes:
Advantages of Using Cloud Gaming
Cloud gaming is impressive, but it has advantages as well as drawbacks. The disadvantages may be addressed as the technology advances, and we’ve seen significant improvements in the short time some cloud gaming systems have been in use. The following are the highlights of the benefits of cloud gaming:
- Eliminates the need for high-end devices to play games.
- Removes the need to download games, thereby saving your storage space.
- Makes all your games available in one place and accessible from any device.
Best Cloud Gaming Services for Apple macOS: Final Thoughts
Cloud gaming is ideal for devices that fail to meet game requirements or aren’t optimized for gaming, such as Mac computers. So, while this article provided brief reviews of Mac’s best cloud gaming services, we found Xbox Cloud Gaming and PlayKeys to be the most well-featured.
For more great cloud game streaming services, check out the best cloud gaming apps for Android and Android TV.
Frequently Asked Questions: Cloud Gaming Services for Mac
GeForce Now is arguably the most sophisticated cloud gaming platform in terms of features, but Luna is also excellent. However, whether one is better is determined by the basis for comparison. Compared to Luna, GeForce Now has a more extensive game library of popular titles, but Luna also has a larger collection of exclusive games. Luna also performs better than GeForce Now; however, GeForce Now integrates with famous game launchers like Steam and Epic Games.
No, there are no free cloud gaming platforms since cloud gaming necessitates extensive computing processing, which is at a cost. However, platforms such as GeForce provide limited access to free games such as Fortnite, and you can even play Fortnite for free on Xbox Cloud Gaming.
Yes, you can play FIFA on a Mac computer via cloud gaming.
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