Remote Play vs Cloud Streaming - Which Gaming Method Is Best?

It's a familiar story — one most gamers can identify with. For whatever reason, you can't access your gaming console. Maybe you're on vacation or someone's hogging the TV.

There are two solutions to this conundrum: remote play and cloud streaming. Both allow you to play your favorite video games from anywhere with an internet connection — whether on the subway, in a hotel room, or even in another country — without the hassle of lugging your console with you. Though similar, remote play and cloud streaming have several key features that may make one or the other more appealing to you, depending on your situation.

Remote Play Services: Free and Constantly Improving

Remote play became available a few years ago. In its first iterations, users complained about freezes and disconnects that disrupted their gaming experience. Nowadays, improvements in internet speed and wireless networks have taken remote play to whole new levels. Today's remote options offer clear graphics, picture-perfect resolution, and strong connections.

Gamers who typically rely on their PC or a gaming console can use remote play to play their favorite games on any device with a stable internet connection. Away from home, you can access games using your smartphone's data so long as you set up your device for remote play.

Xbox, Steam, and Playstation all offer remote play. It's free, so there's no reason not to try it out. You might have to jump through a few hoops to create an account or establish a connection, but once that's done, you can pick up your game where you left off.

While most gamers use remote play to access games they already own, it's not always a prerequisite. For instance, subscribers of Xbox Game Pass can access other games available through the catalogue so long as they install them on their console.

Cloud Streaming: No Lag and a Huge Gaming Library

Another option is cloud streaming. As with remote play, you can use cloud gaming services to play from anywhere with an internet connection. However, instead of relying on your console or PC to transmit your games, the game runs on cloud-based servers, not your home device. Those servers can process loads of data, which makes for fast connection speeds with no noticeable lags.

Unlike remote play, you'll need a subscription to play games via the cloud. Think of cloud play as a streaming subscription similar to Netflix or Hulu. Several companies offer these subscriptions, including Xbox, Nvidia, and Amazon.

Your subscription allows you to play any game in the catalogue, so you're not limited to games you already own. Pick and choose from available games that interest you. Servers store your progress, so it's not lost if you log out or take a break.

Like remote play, cloud streaming has come a long way in the past few years. Its simple and fast connections make gaming possible from anywhere, whether you're at a local coffee shop or 5,000 miles from home.

Breaking Down the Differences: Remote Play vs. Cloud Streaming

How do you know which gaming option is best for your situation? Let's take a look at the key differentiators.

Processing Speed

Remote play uses your console or PC to run your game. The service plays the game and stores your progress directly on your device, not in the cloud. This means all data as you play has to travel to your device and then back to you.

How does that impact processing speed? It depends. You probably won't notice any lags or freezes if you're running remote play in your home just feet away from your console. The game should unfold just like it would on your regular device. The strength of your home internet connection (or lack thereof) will impact speed. A high-powered internet connection with minimal congestion will generally yield the best results.

You can run remote play away from home, but performance varies on your internet connection speed. Gamers report a smoother experience using 5G broadband.

Cloud streaming uses high-powered servers to elevate your gaming experience. Those are infinitely more powerful than any console or PC, so you're much less likely to encounter interruptions. But internet speed still matters — a 3G or low 4G connection isn't nearly as fast as 5G and can lower game performance.

Cost

Remote play is typically free through Xbox, Playstation, and Steam. You only incur a cost if you opt to sign up for a special add-on, such as the Xbox Game Pass.

Cloud streaming requires a subscription. Here are the fees for cloud streaming across some of the most popular services:

Play Radius

Remote play and cloud streaming aren't location-dependent. However, remote play works best when your console is nearby. The combination of a Bluetooth connection and fast internet helps games unfold like on your regular device. When you're outside your home, you'll see the best results with a strong internet or data connection, preferably 5G.

Cloud streaming works the same from anywhere. You're not tied to your home or console. You can play cloud-based games so long as you have an internet connection and a compatible device.

Game Availability

A remote play connection lets you play any game installed on your console or PC. That limits you to the games you own.

The exception is Xbox. If you have an Xbox Game Pass, you can download games from the catalogue and install them on your console. Once installed, you can play them via a remote connection.

Cloud gaming services allow you to play any game in the platform's catalogue, so long as you have a compatible device and an internet connection. Cloud catalogues often contain hundreds or thousands of games to choose from. However, remote play might be your only option if your favorite game isn't available.

What Games Are Available Through Remote Play?

With the right console, you can play pretty much any game you own via a remote connection. There are a few limitations based on your console and whether you need extra equipment.

Xbox Remote Play

Any game already installed on your Xbox is remote-play ready. However, iOS or Android users can't play backward-compatible games from Xbox 360 or the Original Xbox. Faves among the Xbox remote play community include Fortnite, Call of Duty, and ROBLOX.

PlayStation Remote Play

PlayStation's remote play feature works with PS4 and PS5 devices. It isn't compatible with games that require a virtual reality (VR) headset or special peripherals. Popular eligible titles include:

Steam Link

Steam Link supports remote play for games installed on your PC or laptop. It's compatible with VR devices, tablets, and smartphones. If you're running a multiplayer game, you can share your Steam Link so friends can join you.

The great thing about Steam is you're not limited to specific game brands. You'll find titles from many publishers, including PlayStation, Xbox Game Studios, and Electronic Arts.

What Games Can You Play on the Cloud?

One of the benefits of cloud streaming is sheer variety. You'll have access to any game in your subscription catalogue without buying it outright. More choices mean extra opportunities to discover games you haven't played before.

Xbox Cloud Streaming

Much like movie and TV show streaming services, Xbox rotates its gaming catalogue from month to month. You may see different options based on your location, too. The service offers these popular games, among others:

Nvidia GeForce NOW

Nvidia's GeForce NOW boasts over 2,000 available games and adds new ones each week. A few of the current options include:

Amazon Luna

A basic Luna subscription included with Amazon Prime gives you access to multiple games each week. Casual gamers who already have a Prime subscription can enjoy this added gaming benefit.

To unlock the full value of Amazon Luna, you'll need a Luna+ subscription. With it, you can access over 100 games. A few titles available include Fallout 3, Sonic Frontiers, and Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga.

Remote Play or Cloud Streaming: Make Your Move

Since remote play is free for anyone with an Xbox, Playstation 4 or 5, or Steam library, there's no reason not to give it a whirl. Set up your connection, and next time you're away from home or without access to your normal setup, see how it works.

Cloud gaming is a quickly growing option that could become even more popular over the next few years. Because it offers more game variety and less reliance on consoles, it may gain prominence as services enhance their data centers and add new games.

Whatever type of remote gaming you choose, you'll need the right equipment — such as a powerful controller. That's where Backbone comes in. Our Backbone One device is fully compatible with Apple and Android smartphones. And when you download the Backbone app, you can connect all your favorite remote and cloud streaming apps in one place. Check out Backbone today!