LizardByte/Sunshine - Detailed Review#

1. Overview & GitHub Stats#

• URL: https://github.com/LizardByte/Sunshine
• Stars: 28293

2. Project Description#

LizardByte/Sunshine is an open-source, self-hosted game streaming server designed to work seamlessly with the Moonlight client. It enables users to stream games from their personal gaming rig to any compatible device over a local network or the internet, providing a low-latency, high-quality streaming experience without relying on third-party cloud services.

3. What Software Does It Replace?#

Sunshine serves as a powerful alternative to proprietary game streaming services such as:

• NVIDIA GeForce Experience (GFE) and its GameStream functionality
• Steam Link (when used for remote play outside the Steam ecosystem)
• Parsec (for self-hosted setups)
• Commercial cloud gaming platforms for local streaming use cases

4. Core Functionality#

Key features of Sunshine include:

• Low Latency Streaming: Optimized for real-time gameplay with minimal input lag.
• Cross-Platform Support: Works on Windows, Linux, and macOS as both host and client (via Moonlight).
• Hardware Encoding: Leverages GPU encoding (NVENC, AMF, VAAPI) for efficient performance.
• Web Interface: Easy configuration through an intuitive browser-based dashboard.
• Authentication & Security: Supports PIN-based and user/password authentication.
• Custom Resolutions & Bitrates: Adjust streaming quality based on network conditions.
• Multi-Monitor Support: Stream specific displays or all monitors simultaneously.

5. Pros and Cons#

Pros:

• Privacy & Control: Self-hosted nature ensures data stays on your hardware.
• Cost-Effective: Free and open-source, avoiding subscription fees.
• Customization: Highly configurable to suit specific hardware and network setups.
• Active Community: Strong GitHub presence with regular updates and support.

Cons:

• Setup Complexity: Requires technical knowledge for initial configuration and troubleshooting.
• Hardware Dependent: Performance relies on the host PC’s capabilities and network stability.
• No Official Mobile Apps: Dependent on third-party clients like Moonlight for mobile access.

6. Detailed Installation Guide (Self-host)#

Follow these steps to install Sunshine on an Ubuntu server (22.04 LTS or later):

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sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

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sudo apt install -y git cmake gcc g++ libavcodec-dev libavformat-dev libavutil-dev libswscale-dev libopus-dev libssl-dev

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git clone https://github.com/LizardByte/Sunshine.git
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cd Sunshine
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mkdir build && cd build
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cmake ..
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make -j$(nproc)
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sudo make install

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sunshine

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sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/sunshine.service

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[Unit]
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Description=Sunshine Game Streaming
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After=network.target
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[Service]
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Type=simple
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User=your_username
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ExecStart=/usr/local/bin/sunshine
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Restart=always
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[Install]
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WantedBy=multi-user.target

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sudo systemctl enable sunshine
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sudo systemctl start sunshine