Cloudy Pad vs PlayStation Plus Cloud Streaming

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.

PlayStation Plus Cloud Streaming lets eligible members stream select PS5 games instead of downloading them. Games are drawn from catalogs, digital libraries and select free-to-play titles; cloud saves are stored automatically, and Premium membership includes Game Trials. Streaming requires PlayStation Plus Premium, listed at $19.99 a month, with recurring billing until cancelled. A free-to-play title may be streamable, but the listed facts do not describe a free PlayStation Plus plan. Supported devices include PS5, PlayStation Portal, PS4 and Windows PC, though cloud streaming is identified as available on PS5 and Portal. Portal use requires owning a Portal Remote Player and is limited to select PS5 games, not PS4 or PS3. Listed resolutions range from 720p to 2160p; Premium supports up to 4K, HDR at 60Hz and PS5 audio outputs. Starting a session requires broadband with at least 5 Mbps upload and download. A PlayStation account is required, and child accounts are not eligible.