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Cloudy Pad

cloudypad.gg

Free plan Open source WebWindowsmacOSLinuxiOSAndroid
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Spec score 8.9 #6 of 40 in Cloud gaming services

What it is

Cloudy Pad lets users deploy a cloud gaming instance on their own server, machine, or cloud provider and play games from their own library. It can be self-deployed, including directly on a server via SSH, or used through Cloudy Pad App, a web platform for deploying a gaming instance. Listed launchers include Steam, Epic, GOG, Heroic, and Lutris; listed providers include AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform, Scaleway, and Paperspace. Cloudy Pad can deploy a Sunshine or Wolf streaming server for use with the Moonlight client, with streaming up to 1440p. Its documentation describes hourly billing without a subscription, automated cost alerts, and Spot instances that can be up to 90% cheaper. The self-deployment guide requires Docker, a Moonlight client, an NVIDIA GPU or supported cloud provider, and a stable internet connection with at least 20 Mbps download speed. Steam use requires Proton, and compatibility can be checked on ProtonDB. Cloudy Pad is free and open source, though cloud provider usage may incur charges. The maker describes the project as experimental and says breaking changes may occur.

Spec sheet

What it does
Cloudy Pad deploys gaming instances on user-owned servers or cloud providers so users can stream their own PC games remotely.Read 14 Oct 2026 · docs.cloudypad.gg
Free plan
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · cloudypad.gg
Support
The maker directs users to Discord for questions and GitHub issues for bug reports.Read 8 Oct 2026 · docs.cloudypad.gg
Automatic stopping
Instances can automatically shut down after inactivity, with an example threshold of 15 minutes.Read 14 Oct 2026 · docs.cloudypad.gg
CLI commands
The public CLI supports creating, provisioning, configuring, deploying, starting, stopping, restarting, pairing and destroying instances.Read 14 Oct 2026 · docs.cloudypad.gg
Cloud providers
Stable providers listed are AWS, Azure and Google Cloud; Scaleway is stable, Linode is experimental, Paperspace is deprecated, and SSH deployment is supported.Read 14 Oct 2026 · docs.cloudypad.gg
Company founder
Pierre Beucher’s published résumé says he created Cloudy Pad in 2023 as an open-source project and expanded it into a SaaS platform in 2024.Read 14 Oct 2026 · crafteo-public-data.s3.eu-west-3.amazonaws.com
Company location
The founder’s professional site lists Lyon, France as his location and identifies Cloudy Pad among his maintained open-source projects.Read 14 Oct 2026 · crafteo.io
Cost alerts
Cloudy Pad can monitor cloud spending and email users when configured thresholds are reached.Read 14 Oct 2026 · docs.cloudypad.gg
Cost controls
The documentation describes automated cost alerts, Spot instances that can be up to 90% cheaper, and hourly billing with no subscription required.Read 8 Oct 2026 · docs.cloudypad.gg
Development status
Official documentation describes Cloudy Pad as experimental and warns that future breaking changes may occur.Read 14 Oct 2026 · docs.cloudypad.gg
Disk snapshots
AWS, Azure and GCP support data-disk snapshots that restore when an instance starts.Read 14 Oct 2026 · docs.cloudypad.gg
Documentation depth
The documentation includes provider setup, CLI lifecycle commands, environment variables, installation, troubleshooting links, cost guidance and contribution instructions.Read 14 Oct 2026 · docs.cloudypad.gg
Experimental status
The maker says the project is experimental and may have breaking changes in the future.Read 8 Oct 2026 · docs.cloudypad.gg
Game access model
byo_libraryRead 20 Sep 2026 · cloudypad.gg
Game compatibility
Cloudy Pad is Linux-based and says Steam use requires Proton, with game compatibility checkable on ProtonDB.Read 8 Oct 2026 · docs.cloudypad.gg
Game launchers
The documentation lists Steam, Epic, GOG, Heroic, and Lutris as supported game launchers.Read 8 Oct 2026 · docs.cloudypad.gg
Game libraries
The service supports Steam, Epic, GOG, Heroic and Lutris, with Lutris marked experimental.Read 14 Oct 2026 · docs.cloudypad.gg
Heroic support
Heroic Games Launcher is installed natively and provides access to Epic, GOG and Amazon Prime Games.Read 14 Oct 2026 · docs.cloudypad.gg
Hosted app
The documentation describes Cloudy Pad App as a web platform for deploying a gaming instance in a few minutes.Read 8 Oct 2026 · docs.cloudypad.gg
Hosted pricing page
The hosted pricing page opened with “Loading offers...” and did not show plan prices or limits.Read 8 Oct 2026 · app.cloudypad.gg
Independent listing
AlternativeTo lists Cloudy Pad as open source under AGPL-3.0, written in TypeScript, with no comments or reviews on that page.Read 14 Oct 2026 · alternativeto.net
Independent security check
ScamAdviser reports a valid SSL certificate and a low site-traffic rank, while categorizing the domain as very likely safe.Read 14 Oct 2026 · scamadviser.com
Installation systems
CLI installation instructions cover Linux, macOS, Windows through WSL, and Nix/NixOS.Read 14 Oct 2026 · docs.cloudypad.gg
Licence
The GitHub repository identifies the project as GNU AGPL-3.0 licensed and says a business-oriented licence is available by contacting the maintainer.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Limit: cloud charges
Independent discussion notes that total cost depends on provider, virtual-machine type, storage and actual usage, because cloud providers bill those resources separately.Read 14 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Limit: storage cost
A Reddit commenter reported that costs rise quickly with more storage and that 50 GB is insufficient for many large games.Read 14 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Limit: technical complexity
A Reddit commenter said the GitHub setup was too complex for the intended nontechnical audience; the maintainer acknowledged this as a known issue.Read 14 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Limit: value for heavy users
The maintainer and commenters position Cloudy Pad mainly for occasional use, with heavier usage potentially costing more than $30 per month and competing services becoming more suitable.Read 14 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Linux and Proton
Cloudy Pad is Linux-based and Steam games rely on Proton compatibility.Read 14 Oct 2026 · docs.cloudypad.gg
Max streaming resolution
1440pRead 20 Sep 2026 · cloudypad.gg
Network requirement
The FAQ says users need a stable internet connection of at least 10 Mbps, while the technical setup guide recommends at least 20 Mbps download speed.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cloudypad.gg
Performance claim
The homepage advertises streaming up to 1440p at 120 FPS, depending on the machine and connection.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cloudypad.gg
Praise: flexibility
The same discussion highlights flexible allocation of hours and disk space compared with fixed cloud-PC subscriptions.Read 14 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Praise: occasional-play economics
A Reddit discussion says the service is aimed at roughly 10 to 40 hours per month and can cost less than comparable monthly cloud-PC services for that use.Read 14 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Praise: performance
A Reddit tester reported daily play of Baldur’s Gate 3 and Talos Principle 2 at ultra settings, 1080p and 60 FPS during beta.Read 14 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Privacy and security
The privacy policy says the service may collect name, email, IP address, browser and usage log data, and says it cannot guarantee absolute security.Read 8 Oct 2026 · cloudypad.gg
Public API
The opened documentation exposes a command-line interface but does not describe a separate public HTTP API or SDK.Read 14 Oct 2026 · docs.cloudypad.gg
Repository activity
The public repository showed 982 stars, 73 forks and 1,354 commits when opened.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Requirements
The self-deployment guide requires a Moonlight client, a server with an NVIDIA GPU or supported cloud provider, Docker, and a stable internet connection with at least 20 Mbps download speed.Read 8 Oct 2026 · docs.cloudypad.gg
Roadmap item
The roadmap describes moving stopped-instance data to S3 or equivalent cheaper storage as a planned cost reduction.Read 14 Oct 2026 · docs.cloudypad.gg
Security statement
The privacy policy says the service collects account information such as name and email, browser log data and cookies, and cannot guarantee absolute security.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cloudypad.gg
Self deployment
Users can install Cloudy Pad on their own server or machine, including directly on a server via SSH.Read 8 Oct 2026 · docs.cloudypad.gg
Self-hosting
The CLI can deploy instances directly to a user’s own server or machine through SSH.Read 14 Oct 2026 · docs.cloudypad.gg
Steam support
Steam is installed natively and comes with a recent Proton version configured.Read 14 Oct 2026 · docs.cloudypad.gg
Streaming
Cloudy Pad can deploy a Sunshine or Wolf streaming server and stream through the Moonlight client.Read 8 Oct 2026 · docs.cloudypad.gg
Streaming servers
The platform can deploy Sunshine or Wolf streaming servers and uses Moonlight as the client.Read 14 Oct 2026 · docs.cloudypad.gg
Supported devices
The homepage lists macOS, iOS, Apple TV, Windows, Linux, SmartTV, Android and tablets as supported client systems.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cloudypad.gg
System dependencies
Setup requires a cloud-provider account, Moonlight and Docker; rootless Docker is unsupported and OrbStack is recommended on macOS.Read 14 Oct 2026 · docs.cloudypad.gg

Plans and prices

Cloudy Pad (self-deployed) Free Cloudy Pad is free and open source · cloud provider usage may incur charges Read 8 Oct 2026 · docs.cloudypad.gg
Subscription Price not published $12-$17 per month Cloud gaming service; pricing range listed by AlternativeTo Read 14 Oct 2026 · alternativeto.net

Every Cloudy Pad plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free and open source.
  • Supports several listed game launchers and cloud providers.
  • Streaming resolution up to 1440p.
  • Hourly billing without a subscription is described.
  • Can be installed directly on a server via SSH.

Limits

  • Cloud provider usage may incur charges.
  • Self-deployment requires Docker and a Moonlight client.
  • Steam games require Proton.
  • The project is experimental and may have breaking changes.

Who it suits

Cloudy Pad suits people who want to stream games from their own library using their own hardware or a cloud provider. Self-deployment requires Docker, a Moonlight client, an NVIDIA GPU or supported provider, and a stable connection with at least 20 Mbps download speed.

Cloudy Pad in depth

Read the full write-up

Cloudy Pad is a self-managed way to turn your own machine or cloud account into a game-streaming system for games you already own. It best suits technically confident players who can handle server setup and Linux compatibility; those wanting a ready-made catalogue and managed hardware should choose a conventional cloud-gaming service instead. Its central advantage is deployment and cost control on infrastructure you choose, balanced by responsibility for setup, billing and reliability.

Overview

Cloudy Pad deploys a gaming instance on your server, computer or supported cloud provider rather than supplying a catalogue of games or its own fixed rigs. Steam, Epic, GOG, Heroic and Lutris are supported launchers, so it can work with an established PC library. Because the system is Linux-based, Steam games rely on Proton; ProtonDB is the practical checkpoint for determining whether a particular title is likely to run.

You can install the software directly on a machine or server, including through SSH, or use Cloudy Pad App, a web platform intended to deploy an instance within minutes. The app can shorten the initial setup, but it does not remove the need for suitable hardware, networking and cloud-account management. The project is experimental and may introduce breaking changes, a significant consideration for users seeking a predictable appliance.

Key features

Streaming stack: Cloudy Pad can deploy either Sunshine or Wolf and stream through the Moonlight client. That gives experienced users a choice of streaming server, while Moonlight remains a required client in the self-deployment setup.

Bring-your-own library: Support for five major launchers favors players who already own games. It is not a substitute for a subscription catalogue or included game entitlement.

Provider choice: AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform, Scaleway and Paperspace are documented options. This breadth can help users match a deployment to available regions, hardware or account preferences, but comparing and operating those providers is part of the job.

Cost controls: Automated cost alerts, hourly billing and Spot instances advertised as up to 90% cheaper can reduce surprise spending. Spot capacity can be less dependable than standard capacity, so the savings appeal most to users who can tolerate that trade-off.

Resolution and devices: Streaming supports up to 1440p, with client coverage for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Smart TV, tablet and Apple TV. The documented platform list also includes web, but the self-deployment requirements still call for a Moonlight client.

Operational requirements: Self-deployment requires Docker, an NVIDIA-GPU server or supported cloud provider, Moonlight and a stable connection delivering at least 20 Mbps download. Those prerequisites make this a project for people with suitable equipment and bandwidth, not an instant install for every household.

Privacy and support: The service may collect name, email, IP address, browser and usage-log data, and it does not guarantee absolute security. Questions are directed to Discord and bug reports to GitHub issues, so support is community- and issue-tracker based.

Pricing

Cloudy Pad (self-deployed): free. The software is free and open source, while cloud-provider usage may incur separate charges. This is the right option for owners of compatible hardware or for users willing to manage a provider account; it is not a promise of free gaming infrastructure.

The hosted pricing page presents “Loading offers...” without showing plan prices or limits. Consequently, readers considering Cloudy Pad App should treat provider and hosting costs as an unresolved budgeting point rather than assume a fixed subscription.

Platforms

Cloudy Pad is listed for Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, self-hosted deployment, web and Windows. Supported playback devices include Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Smart TV, tablet and Apple TV, with streaming up to 1440p. Actual playability also depends on the Moonlight client, the host GPU or cloud machine, network stability and Proton compatibility for Steam titles.

Who it's for

Choose Cloudy Pad if you own a PC game library, have an NVIDIA-equipped machine or a supported cloud account, and want control over where the gaming instance runs. It is particularly suitable for users comfortable with Docker, SSH, provider billing and checking ProtonDB. Look elsewhere if you want included games, guaranteed stability, or a service that absorbs hardware and compatibility decisions.

Pros and cons

Pros

Free, open-source software for self-deployment.

Uses libraries from Steam, Epic, GOG, Heroic and Lutris.

Supports multiple major cloud providers and self-hosted machines.

Hourly billing, alerts and discounted Spot capacity offer ways to manage cloud spend.

Playback reaches Windows, mobile, browsers, televisions and Apple TV through the documented device ecosystem.

Cons

Hardware, Docker, Moonlight and a 20 Mbps connection are required for self-deployment.

Linux and Proton make game compatibility a title-by-title concern.

Cloud charges remain separate from the free software.

The experimental project may introduce breaking changes.

Privacy terms include collection of identifying and usage data without an absolute-security guarantee.

Alternatives

GeForce NOW is the better fit for a managed freemium service: its free tier is ad-supported with basic rigs, while Performance costs $9.99 a month and includes 100 monthly playtime hours.

Xbox Cloud Gaming suits readers seeking a paid catalogue through Game Pass, including a Premium plan at $14.99 a month; it has no free plan but does offer a free trial.

Amazon Luna favors subscribers wanting a rotating library, with Luna Standard included with eligible Amazon Prime membership and a separate Premium tier.

Blacknut provides catalogue-focused plans, including Focus Entertainment at $9.99 a month initially and SNK at $9.99 a month.

Boosteroid is for users wanting a managed service with an Ultra plan at €16.89 a month, up to 4K, 120 FPS, ray tracing and unlimited gaming time.

NetEase Cloud Gaming offers freemium access with mobile and PC-oriented allowances rather than self-hosting.

Maximum Settings is a paid hosted alternative with hardware-specific plans and a free trial.

TIM Cloud Gaming by AWG offers paid cloud gaming with a Premium unlimited-use option and a 3,990 BRL a month plan.

For a broader comparison, see the cloud gaming services list.

Verdict

Cloudy Pad is a strong choice for technically capable players who want to stream their own PC library from hardware or a cloud provider they control, especially when provider choice and hourly cost management matter. Choose another service if your priority is a stable, ready-to-play catalogue with predictable managed pricing and no responsibility for Linux compatibility, infrastructure or breaking changes.

Verdict

Cloudy Pad offers a way to stream a personal game library using self-managed hardware or listed cloud providers. The software is free, but provider charges may apply, and the project’s experimental status means breaking changes may occur.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to Cloudy PadAll alternatives →