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SPECIFICTION
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Pulsar

pulsardesk.com

Free plan WindowsmacOSLinuxAndroid
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Spec score 7.8 #15 of 27 in Game Remote Play Software

What it is

Pulsar combines remote desktop control and low-latency game streaming in one free, open-source app. It is aimed at gamers and IT or support teams connecting to servers, client machines, or personal computers. Remote desktop tools include ID and one-time-password access, unattended access, file transfer, clipboard sync, session chat, multi-monitor support, and remote restart. Connections try peer-to-peer first and automatically use a relay if needed. For games, Pulsar supports hardware H.265 or AV1 encoding at up to 120 fps, HDR, ultrawide displays, multichannel audio, adaptive bitrate, and Xbox and PlayStation controller mapping. It is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android; the iOS App Store release is in development. The maker says no account is required and there are no ads or telemetry. Encryption keys are generated on user devices, and users can self-host a relay and device identity server with a Docker command. The plan is free, free forever.

Spec sheet

Product
Pulsar combines remote desktop control and low-latency game streaming in one open-source app.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pulsardesk.com
Audience
The maker describes it for gamers and IT or support teams, including remote access to servers, client machines, and personal computers.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pulsardesk.com
Free plan
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · pulsardesk.com
Integrations
No third-party integrations are listed on the official product page; it mentions Xbox and PlayStation controller mapping for games.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pulsardesk.com
Connections
Connections try direct peer-to-peer first and automatically fall back to a relay if needed.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pulsardesk.com
Encryption
The maker says encryption keys are generated only on user devices, so neither the server nor relay can decrypt traffic.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pulsardesk.com
Game streaming
Game streaming supports hardware H.265 or AV1 encoding up to 120 fps, HDR, ultrawide displays, and multichannel audio.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pulsardesk.com
Gaming controls
Gaming features include Xbox and PlayStation controller mapping and adaptive bitrate.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pulsardesk.com
Open source
Pulsar says all code is available on GitHub under the GPLv3 license.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pulsardesk.com
Privacy and accounts
The maker states that Pulsar requires no account and has no telemetry or ads.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pulsardesk.com
Release verification
The download page offers SHA-256 checksums and signatures and says releases are GPG-signed.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pulsardesk.com
Remote support
Remote desktop features include ID and one-time-password support, unattended access, file transfer, clipboard sync, session chat, multi-monitor, and remote restart.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pulsardesk.com
Self-hosting
Users can run their own relay and device identity server with a Docker command.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pulsardesk.com
Support and community
The site links to documentation, a self-host guide, release notes, Discord, and contribution resources.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pulsardesk.com
Supported platforms
Downloads are offered for macOS 12+, Windows 10/11, Linux with glibc 2.31+, and Android 7+; the iOS App Store release is described as in development.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pulsardesk.com
System requirements
The download page lists hardware video encoding support, 4 GB RAM (8 GB recommended), and 5 Mbps network speed (15+ Mbps for gaming).Read 7 Oct 2026 · pulsardesk.com

Plans and prices

Free Free Free forever Free and open source · no account · no credit card Read 7 Oct 2026 · pulsardesk.com

Every Pulsar plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Combines remote desktop control and game streaming.
  • Supports H.265 or AV1 encoding up to 120 fps.
  • Includes file transfer, clipboard sync, and remote restart.
  • No account, telemetry, or ads, according to the maker.
  • Free forever; code is available under GPLv3.

Limits

  • iOS App Store release is still in development.
  • Gaming requires 15+ Mbps network speed, per download guidance.
  • Hardware video encoding support is listed as a requirement.

Who it suits

Pulsar suits gamers who want streaming controls alongside remote desktop tools, and IT or support teams that need access to computers and servers. It also fits users who want to self-host relay and identity services.

Verdict

Pulsar puts gaming and remote-support features in the same free, open-source app. Its platform support, device-generated encryption keys, and self-hosting option are useful details for readers comparing access and control.

Where Specifiction places it

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