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Parsec

parsec.app

From $8.33/mo Free plan WebWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidAPI
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Spec score 9.0 #1 of 27 in Game Remote Play Software

What it is

Parsec is a remote access app for connecting to computers from another device for work, games, or time with friends. It supports Windows, macOS, Ubuntu Linux, Android, and a Chromium web client; listed system requirements include Windows 10+, macOS 10.15+, and Ubuntu 22.04 LTS Desktop. Its gaming design targets 60FPS UHD play with low latency, with keyboard mapping, gamepad support, and advanced settings. Users can share a link so another person can observe or control a computer. Native-app peer-to-peer traffic is encrypted end-to-end with a shared 128-bit AES key; web-client sessions use DTLS. Accounts support multi-factor authentication, and Teams can enforce SAML 2.0 single sign-on. Personal Use and Individuals are licensed for personal, non-commercial use; commercial use requires Teams or Enterprise. Individuals (Warp) costs $8.33 per user per month, billed annually; Teams costs $30 per user per month, billed annually; Enterprise costs $45 per user per month, billed annually only. A free plan and 14-day trial are listed.

Spec sheet

What it does
Parsec is a proprietary desktop-capture and video-streaming application for low-latency remote gaming and remote work.Read 15 Oct 2026 · support.parsec.app
Purpose
Parsec connects people to work, games, and friends from anywhere on any device through remote access technology.Read 1 Oct 2026 · parsec.app
Free plan
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · parsec.app
Paid from
8.33Read 20 Sep 2026 · parsec.app
Integrations
The product page states that Parsec provides seamless Discord integrations.Read 1 Oct 2026 · parsec.app
Mobile apps
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · parsec.app
Compliance
Parsec states that it is SOC 2 Type 2 certified.Read 1 Oct 2026 · parsec.app
Support
Teams and Enterprise plans include a 24-hour first-response SLA for product support tickets.Read 1 Oct 2026 · parsec.app
Access mode
bothRead 20 Sep 2026 · parsec.app
Acquisition
Unity announced on August 10, 2021 that it would acquire Parsec for approximately $320 million in cash.Read 15 Oct 2026 · investors.unity.com
Air-gapped use
Parsec states it cannot operate in a fully air-gapped environment because authentication and API communication require internet access.Read 15 Oct 2026 · parsec.app
Authentication
Accounts support multi-factor authentication, and Teams can enforce SAML 2.0 single sign-on.Read 1 Oct 2026 · parsec.app
Changelog
The official changelog recorded October 2026 fixes for macOS H.264 quality, macOS-host decoding and new relative-mouse and sleep-event handling.Read 15 Oct 2026 · parsec.app
Co-play
Users can share a link and connect a controller so friends can play together remotely.Read 15 Oct 2026 · parsec.app
Codecs and hardware
The technical documentation states support for H.265, low-latency capture, zero-copy GPU encoding and hardware decoding where available.Read 15 Oct 2026 · support.parsec.app
Collaboration
Users can share a link so another person can observe or control their computer.Read 1 Oct 2026 · parsec.app
Commercial licensing
Personal Use and Individuals are licensed for personal, non-commercial use; commercial use requires Teams or Enterprise.Read 1 Oct 2026 · parsec.app
Company facts
LinkedIn lists Parsec as founded in 2016, headquartered in New York, with 11–50 employees, and now part of Unity Technologies.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
Company legal name
The Google Play listing identifies the developer as Parsec Cloud, Inc.Read 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
Controls
Parsec supports keyboard mapping, gamepads, and advanced settings.Read 1 Oct 2026 · parsec.app
Discord integration
The gaming feature page says Parsec includes chat, controller management and Discord integration.Read 15 Oct 2026 · parsec.app
Documentation depth
The help center includes compatibility, connectivity, feature-matrix, connection-sequence, deployment and configuration references.Read 15 Oct 2026 · support.parsec.app
Encryption
Native application peer-to-peer traffic is encrypted end-to-end with a shared 128-bit AES key, while web-client sessions use DTLS.Read 1 Oct 2026 · parsec.app
Enterprise API
Enterprise customers receive access to a REST-based Teams API for automating deployment and administration.Read 15 Oct 2026 · support.parsec.app
Enterprise controls
Enterprise includes SCIM provisioning, full connection audit logs, API access, and a high-performance relay server.Read 1 Oct 2026 · parsec.app
Funding
TechCrunch reported Parsec raised a $25 million Series B in December 2020, bringing total funding to $33 million.Read 15 Oct 2026 · techcrunch.com
Gaming
The app is designed for 60FPS UHD gaming with low latency.Read 1 Oct 2026 · parsec.app
Gaming streaming
The gaming product targets 60 FPS and UHD streaming from a computer to other screens.Read 15 Oct 2026 · parsec.app
Guest access
Guest Access invitations provide temporary access for up to five days and cost $25 per invitation.Read 1 Oct 2026 · parsec.app
Hosting support
Hosting is currently available only on Windows and macOS computers.Read 15 Oct 2026 · support.parsec.app
Input support
The client supports keyboard mapping, gamepads and advanced settings.Read 15 Oct 2026 · parsec.app
Latency
Parsec reports about seven milliseconds of added latency on its LAN Ethernet test setup.Read 15 Oct 2026 · parsec.app
Licence
Parsec is proprietary software rather than an open-source project.Read 15 Oct 2026 · support.parsec.app
Limit: feature gaps
G2 reviewers request stronger administration, audio/video passthrough and concurrent licensing.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Limit: pricing
G2 reviewers describe enterprise pricing as difficult for small and mid-sized studios and say cheaper alternatives exist.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Limit: reliability and connectivity
G2 and Trustpilot reviewers report freezes, crashes, connection failures, lag and dependence on strong or wired internet.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Limit: support and login
Trustpilot complaints repeatedly mention password-reset/login failures, unreliable connections and unhelpful support.Read 15 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
Networking
Parsec uses its own BUD peer-to-peer protocol and reports 97% NAT-traversal success.Read 15 Oct 2026 · parsec.app
Password protection
Parsec says passwords are not stored in plaintext and are protected with bcrypt-style hashing and per-user 256-bit salts.Read 15 Oct 2026 · support.parsec.app
Praise: creative workflows
G2 reviewers praise high-resolution remote editing, Wacom usability, multi-monitor support and secure access to on-premises storage.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Praise: performance
G2 reviewers repeatedly praise low latency, smooth responsive connections, high-quality remote workstations and easy setup.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Rating on Capterra
0.0 out of 5 from 0 reviews.Read 15 Oct 2026 · capterra.com
Rating on G2
4.7 out of 5 from 26 reviews.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Rating on Gartner Peer Insights
4.5 out of 5 from 52 reviews.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gartner.com
Rating on GetApp
GetApp shows no numeric overall rating and lists zero ratings for its displayed feature categories.Read 15 Oct 2026 · getapp.com
Rating on Techjockey
4.2 out of 5 from 10 verified reviews.Read 15 Oct 2026 · techjockey.com
Rating on Trustpilot
2.0 out of 5 from 102 reviews.Read 15 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
Rating on Trustpilot parsec.app profile
3.2 out of 5 from 5 reviews.Read 15 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
SDK
Parsec says its core Parsec SDK is written in cross-platform C and its web host implementation is custom-built.Read 15 Oct 2026 · parsec.app
Security controls
Teams and Enterprise provide SAML 2.0 SSO, SCIM provisioning, role controls, group permissions and connection audit logs.Read 15 Oct 2026 · parsec.app
Security encryption
Peer-to-peer sessions use end-to-end 128-bit AES-GCM encryption, while web sessions use DTLS AES128 and authentication/API traffic uses TLS.Read 15 Oct 2026 · parsec.app
Self-hosted relay
Enterprise can route sessions through an on-premises high-performance relay server.Read 15 Oct 2026 · parsec.app
Supported clients
Joining sessions is supported on Windows, Linux, macOS and Android, plus a Chromium web client; iOS and iPad are unsupported.Read 15 Oct 2026 · support.parsec.app
Supported platforms
Windows,macOS,Ubuntu Linux,Android,Chromium web clientRead 20 Sep 2026 · parsec.app
Supported systems
The download page lists Windows 10+, macOS 10.15+, Google Chrome web, Android, and Ubuntu 22.04 LTS Desktop.Read 1 Oct 2026 · parsec.app
System requirements
The download page lists Windows 10+, macOS 10.15+ with Metal, Ubuntu 22.04 LTS Desktop, Chrome web access and Android via Google Play.Read 15 Oct 2026 · parsec.app
Volume discounts
Parsec states that it does not offer volume discounts for any number of licenses.Read 1 Oct 2026 · parsec.app
Web-client limitation
The web client has lower performance than the native app, lacks low-level hardware optimizations and cannot join macOS hosts.Read 15 Oct 2026 · support.parsec.app

Plans and prices

Individuals (Warp) $8.33 a month per user/month, paid annually (shown discounted from $9.99) multi-monitor displays · 4:4:4 color · virtual monitors · privacy mode · Wacom pressure and tilt Read 15 Oct 2026 · parsec.app
Teams $30 a month per user/month, paid annually (shown discounted from $35) secure team-computer access · SAML SSO · granular permissions · app/settings controls · team computer management · seven-day audit logs Read 15 Oct 2026 · parsec.app
Enterprise $45 a month per user/month, paid annually only high-performance relay · usage logs and analytics · Teams API · custom RBAC roles · full audit logs Read 15 Oct 2026 · parsec.app
Personal Use Free personal, non-commercial use only Read 1 Oct 2026 · parsec.app
Personal Use (free) Free personal, non-commercial use only gaming use · one-screen free tier described by G2 reviewer Read 15 Oct 2026 · parsec.app
Guest Access credit $25, paid once per invitation credit temporary guest access for up to five days · credits do not expire · unused invites return to account Read 15 Oct 2026 · parsec.app

Every Parsec plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Supports Windows, macOS, Ubuntu Linux, Android, and web.
  • Links let others observe or control a computer.
  • Supports keyboard mapping and gamepads.
  • Accounts support multi-factor authentication.
  • Teams can enforce SAML 2.0 single sign-on.

Limits

  • Personal Use and Individuals are non-commercial licenses.
  • Commercial use requires Teams or Enterprise.
  • Individuals costs $8.33 per user per month, billed annually.
  • Parsec states it does not offer volume discounts.

Who it suits

Parsec suits people who want remote computer access for work, gaming, or sharing control with another person. Commercial users need Teams or Enterprise rather than Personal Use or Individuals.

Parsec in depth

Read the full write-up

Parsec is a remote-access app for connecting to a computer for work, gaming, or shared sessions. It best suits people who want responsive game streaming alongside link-based access, and organizations that need managed controls can move to business plans. Its main dividing line is licensing: personal plans are not for commercial use.

Overview

Parsec combines remote desktop access with gaming-oriented streaming designed for low-latency play at 60FPS UHD. A shared link can let another person observe or control your computer, making it useful for collaborative sessions as well as individual access. Keyboard mapping, gamepad support, and advanced settings broaden its input options, while Discord integration supports social use.

The product spans personal and organizational use, but the licenses do not: Personal Use and Individuals (Warp) are for personal, non-commercial use. Commercial use requires Teams or Enterprise, so a paid personal plan is not a route to workplace deployment.

It appears in Game Remote Play Software and Remote desktop software.

Key features

Gaming and remote access: The 60FPS UHD, low-latency design is a strong fit for remote play, while general computer access extends its use beyond games.

Shared control: A link can grant another person observation or control. Guest Access invitations add temporary access for up to five days at $25 per invitation, which suits short engagements but can become costly for repeated guest access.

Input and integration: Keyboard mapping, gamepads, and advanced settings accommodate different control setups; Parsec also provides Discord integration.

Security: Native-app peer-to-peer traffic is encrypted end-to-end with a shared 128-bit AES key; web-client sessions use DTLS. Accounts support multi-factor authentication, and Teams can enforce SAML 2.0 single sign-on. Parsec states that it is SOC 2 Type 2 certified.

Business administration: Teams offers granular permissions, team computer management, and seven-day audit logs. Enterprise adds SCIM provisioning, full connection audit logs, API access, usage logs and analytics, role-based access, and a high-performance relay server. Both Teams and Enterprise include a 24-hour first-response SLA for product support tickets.

Pricing

Parsec is freemium, with a free plan and a 14-day trial. The paid tiers are billed per user per month, with annual billing required for Individuals and Teams and annual-only billing for Enterprise. Personal Use has no listed price; Enterprise is $45.00 per user/month, billed annually only. Parsec offers no volume discounts, so per-seat costs do not fall with larger license counts.

PlanPrice and termsWhat it includesBest fitPersonal UseCustom pricingPersonal, non-commercial desktop streaming and sharingPersonal users who need core streaming and sharing without a paid feature bundle.Individuals (Warp)$8.33 per user/month, billed annuallyMulti-monitor displays, 4:4:4 color mode, virtual monitors, privacy mode, and Wacom pressure and tiltNon-commercial users who need these display, privacy, or pen-input features.Teams$30 per user/month, billed annuallySAML SSO, granular permissions, team computer management, and seven-day audit logsCommercial teams that need managed access and basic auditing.Enterprise$45 per user/month, billed annually onlyHigh-performance relay, usage logs and analytics, Teams API, role-based access, and full audit logsOrganizations needing enterprise provisioning, deeper auditing, API access, or relay infrastructure.The free Personal Use plan is limited to personal, non-commercial streaming and sharing. Individuals costs less than the business tiers but remains non-commercial and lacks the listed team administration controls. Teams is the lower-cost commercial option, while Enterprise costs more for broader logging, provisioning, API, and relay capabilities. Commercial use requires one of those two plans.

Platforms

Parsec supports Windows 10+, macOS 10.15+, Ubuntu 22.04 LTS Desktop, Android, and the Google Chrome web client. Mobile apps are available for Android. The listed platforms also include an API, though no further API scope is established here. The mix of desktop, mobile, and browser access supports reaching a host from different kinds of devices, with web sessions using DTLS rather than the native applications’ end-to-end encryption method.

Who it's for

Parsec is a good match for people who want remote gaming and computer access in one tool, especially when shared observation or control is useful. The Individuals plan is aimed at personal users who need its advanced display or Wacom features. For commercial deployment, Teams fits organizations that need SSO, permissions, and team computer management; Enterprise is the better fit when provisioning, full audit logs, API access, or a high-performance relay matter. It is not the right choice for commercial users unwilling to pay for Teams or Enterprise.

Pros and cons

Pros: One product covers gaming-oriented remote streaming and shared computer access; keyboard mapping and gamepad support serve different play setups.

Pros: The plan ladder separates individual display tools from team management and Enterprise administration, including SSO, audit logs, and provisioning.

Pros: Android and Chrome web access extend beyond desktop clients, and account MFA plus native-app encryption provide concrete security measures.

Cons: Personal Use and Individuals cannot be used commercially, forcing businesses to start at $30 per user/month billed annually.

Cons: Teams and Enterprise are priced per user with no volume discounts, which limits savings for larger deployments.

Cons: Guest Access is temporary and costs $25 per invitation, making frequent guest sessions a recurring expense.

Alternatives

Moonlight Web is the free, open-source option for readers who want no accounts, subscriptions, or paid tiers.

Moonlight Game Streaming suits readers who want a completely free game-streaming option with no paid versions that add features.

PXPlay is worth considering for a one-time purchase at 12.99 EUR for a single user across Windows, Linux, and Mac personal machines.

Steam is a free alternative for readers focused on gaming, though game and content prices vary and some subscriptions may be free.

Chiaki-ng is a free, open-source PlayStation Remote Play client for readers seeking that specific use.

Greenlight is a free MIT-licensed option with no paid plans listed, across Linux, macOS, web, and Windows.

Sunshine is a free, self-hosted option for readers who want streaming to run on their own hardware.

PlayStation Plus Cloud Streaming is an alternative for Windows users who want a paid cloud-streaming subscription with game catalogs, trials, and online multiplayer.

Verdict

Choose Parsec if you want low-latency, gaming-oriented remote access that also supports shared computer control, or if your organization needs those capabilities with structured access controls. Its broad personal-to-enterprise feature range is the main reason to choose it; the clearest reason to look elsewhere is its commercial licensing floor and annual per-user pricing, especially with no volume discounts.

Verdict

Parsec covers remote access, shared control, and gaming across desktop, mobile, and web clients. Check the license terms and annual billing if you need commercial use.

Where Specifiction places it

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