Chiaki-ng vs Pulsar

Chiaki-ng is a free, open-source client for PlayStation Remote Play and a next-generation continuation of Chiaki. It connects with PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 consoles. Installation guidance and packages cover Linux, Windows, and macOS, while the project also lists Android and other supported or potential platforms. Setup covers local console discovery and registration, plus remote play through PSN or a manual connection.

Streaming settings include video, stream, audio, and Wi-Fi options; the guide also describes PS5 HDR streaming with an H265 HDR codec option. Controller documentation covers mapping, gyro controls, haptics, adaptive triggers, DualSense and DualShock 4 use, and Steam Deck layouts. Scripts can wake a PlayStation and launch Chiaki using local or external addresses. The remote-connection guide says the PSN authentication token is stored locally. PSN remote connections support IPv4 only, and UDP hole punching may fail on some network types, requiring manual connection with port forwarding. PS4 remote play through PSN is limited to the account's main registered console. PS5 haptics and adaptive-trigger support are experimental and opt-in.

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.