8 Best Game Streaming Services in 2024

In the world of cloud gaming, there's a multitude of options for players to choose from when it comes to video game streaming services. These platforms offer access to a vast array of games, ranging from classics to the latest releases, all at your fingertips. From subscription-based services to cloud gaming platforms, the choices can be a bit overwhelming, which begs the question "What are the best game streaming services?" That's why, in this guide, we'll be exploring some of the top gaming services available, highlighting their features, benefits, and what sets them apart. Whether you're a casual gamer or a hardcore video gamer, finding the right gaming service can enhance your gaming experience and provide endless hours of entertainment.

Part 1: Benefits of Using Game Streaming Services

When it comes to video game streaming, game streaming services have some significant advantages:

1. Accessibility

Game streaming services make gaming easier to get into, especially if you don't have fancy computers or consoles. Even simple devices like budget laptops, tablets, or smartphones can become gaming machines as long as they have a screen and internet. This means that more people, especially casual or younger players, can enjoy playing games without needing expensive gadgets. Additionally, you can start playing on one device and then switch to another without losing your progress, which is handy.

2. Affordability

Another important benefit of game streaming services is that they save you money because you don't need to buy expensive gaming gadgets like PCs, graphics cards, or consoles. Instead of spending lots of money upfront on gaming gear, you just pay a small subscription fee every month, usually around $10 to $20. With this subscription, you can play as many games as you want whenever you want. So, instead of having to save up for expensive hardware, you can just pay this subscription fee each month, which is easier for your wallet.

3. Instant Play

With game streaming services, you can start playing games right away without waiting for long downloads, installations, or updates. This means you don't have to spend time waiting around; you can jump into a game within seconds of choosing it. Moreover, these services often add new games regularly, so there's always something fresh to play. Because you can start playing so quickly, you spend more time gaming instead of dealing with all the setup stuff offering you the best cloud games experience.

4. Advanced Features

Game streaming services have cool extra features that make gaming more fun and socially interactive. Some of the added features of these services are:

•  Live Streaming: You can easily show your gameplay to others by making it live. This makes it simple to share your gaming adventures and watch your friends play too. Some services even let you stream directly to YouTube or Twitch.
• Social Features: You can chat with your friends and fellow gamers online while you play. Also, it's easy to join multiplayer games and compete in tournaments without needing to meet up in person. Everything happens online, making it very convenient.
• Hassle-free Broadcasting: Some game streaming services also allow you to broadcast your stream on multiple social platforms altogether. This saves you the endless hassle that needs to be done to broadcast your game stream on multiple platforms.

Part 2: The Best Game Streaming Services in 2024

1. Shadow

Shadow is one of the most powerful gaming streaming services because it isn't just limited to games streaming. It allows you to remotely access a full Windows PC with 28GB RAM and an Nvidia RTX A4500 GPU. This means you can run anything on it, from any game store and manually install any game or software that you want. Although Shadow is also one of the priciest game streaming services, offering a first-month subscription fee of $19.99, next month starts from $29.99, its functionality is worth the expense.

Who it's for?

If you're into gaming, Shadow offers a great way for you to get all of the benefits of a full gaming PC, but on a cheaper computer. Outside of gaming, Shadow is an ideal service for creative-minded people who need more powerful gear than their normal hardware provides.

Pros:

• It has very low latency in most regions, providing a lag-free gaming experience
• It has amazing support for AAA titles with enhanced controls to make it easy on different platforms
• It grants full remote access to powerful Windows PC game streaming

Cons:

• It does not allow the use of VPNs and Proxies on the platform
• Its performance doesn't match top-of-the-line local GPUs

2. Google Stadia

Google Stadia, although no longer available, was a top game streaming service that allows you to play many video games and stream games directly to other compatible devices. It was capable of providing the best cloud games at up to 4K/60fps resolution. To use this service, you need to purchase the games from its store to stream them. The basic service of Google Stadia is free, but you can pay a subscription fee of $9.99 to get more features like streaming up to 4K resolution with 5.1 surround sound and a complimentary game now and then.

Who it's for?

Google Stadia is particularly beneficial for gamers who don't own gaming consoles or powerful gaming PCs, as Stadia allows them to play top-tier games on various devices like laptops, smartphones, and tablets. Additionally, it's attractive to gamers who prefer not to deal with physical game discs or lengthy downloads, instead opting for instant access to a diverse library of titles through streaming.

Pros:

• Stream games directly from the cloud
• Supports 4K resolution and 60 frames per second gameplay
• Support various devices, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and TVs, offering flexibility and convenience for gamers

Cons:

• Need stable network
• Limited Game Library

3. NVIDIA GeForce Now

The NVIDIA GeForce Now is a great option if you have an already curated large library of games and want a new way to stream them across your devices on any browser. This service is geared especially toward PC owners who want to play elsewhere, including their phones and Mac. The way NVIDIA markets the service is by re-visualizing the cloud as a “virtual computer” where you can access their games on different subscription services through GeForce Now. For instance, the higher-paid sub-plans of $16.99 per month allow you to play on servers that have been equipped with Nvidia’s RTX 3080 graphic cards.

Who it's for?

NVIDIA GeForce is primarily tailored for PC gamers who seek high-quality graphics and performance. It's especially useful to gamers with an established game collection but needs powerful graphics processing units (GPUs) to enhance gaming experiences.

Pros:

• It is available on Mac, PC, iOS & Android
• It has great responsive control
• It comes with an RTX 3080 performance
• It can play the games you already own

Cons:

• You are likely to miss your favorite titles
• You need the absolute best network conditions to get an enjoyable experience

4. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate offers you a hybrid gaming experience, combining cloud game streaming with traditional game downloads. While it was originally focused on downloading and installing games directly onto devices like Xbox consoles, Microsoft has expanded the service to include cloud gaming. This means that you can stream a wide selection of games directly from Microsoft's servers, with a monthly subscription fee of $16.99 without the need for high-end gear. With the shift towards the X|S series consoles, cloud gaming has become increasingly important for accessing games optimized for these newer systems. As a Game Pass Ultimate subscriber, you have the flexibility to play games via streaming or you can just download them for offline play, and you can access your game library across multiple platforms, including Xbox consoles, PCs, and even mobile devices like Android and iOS. Additionally, new games are regularly added to the service, providing you with a continually growing library of titles to enjoy.

Who it's for?

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate caters to a diverse range of gamers with a vast library of games accessible on Xbox consoles, PCs, and even mobile devices through cloud gaming.

Pros:

• It includes EA Play which adds more value
• It has a huge library of on-demand games
• It includes both PC and Xbox games
• It has great 1080p performance

Cons:

• You can't stream games to Xbox consoles
• The monthly subscription might be a tad high for casual gamers

5. PlayStation Now

PlayStation Now is a pioneering game streaming service by Sony, with over 1000 games from PS2, PS3, and PS4 eras. You can play games in your native resolutions, with the option to download PS4 and PS2 titles on a PS4 console or play them via a desktop app on PC. While PS3 games are streamable only, they include DLC and multiplayer features. The service continuously expands, with plans to incorporate PS1 and PSP games, making it a top choice for gamers with a single monthly subscription fee of $17.99.

Who it's for?

PlayStation Now is for gamers seeking access to a vast library of games, spanning from PS2, PS3, and PS4 titles, available via streaming or download on PC and PS4.

Pros:

• It has the biggest library of any cloud gaming service
• It does not need a console but has extra features with one
• It is easy to set up and use

Cons:

• All the games it offers are PlayStation games

6. Amazon Luna

Although Amazon Luna offers an uneven game streaming service, it has its allures, especially if you're located in an Amazon ecosystem. This streaming service offers thrilling entertainment with over 100 games for about $10 monthly. You can also stream the games on different systems, including Fire TV and Amazon Fire Tablets. Moreover, this service can also stream games at up to 1080p resolution, ensuring a crystal-clear image display that significantly enhances the overall immersion. However, for optimal performance, you require a minimum internet speed of 10Mbps.

Who it's for?

It is greatly valued by the devotees of Amazon. The Luna+ channel game list is hit-or-miss and doesn't include the most recent game releases, and the Ubisoft+ channel is extremely expensive.

Pros:

• It is compatible with all Amazon Fire gadgets
• It is affordable
• It performs decently well
• It has very low latency in most cases

Cons:

• Its game collection is limited
• Prime or Luna+ subscription required to play Ubisoft games on Luna - purchase of Ubisoft games only

7. GeForce Now

GeForce Now is a game streaming service that allows access to titles from the Epic Game Store, Steam, and UPlay libraries, including Fortnite and over 80 other free-to-play games. It supports ray tracing for users with RTX graphics cards. Subscription options include a $9.99 monthly Priority or $19.99 monthly Ultimate plan. Alternatively, users can access the service for free with limitations like one-hour sessions, restricted server access, and no RTX support.

Who it's for?

GeForce Now is ideal for gamers who want to stream titles from their existing Epic Game Store, Steam, and UPlay libraries, including Fortnite and other free-to-play games. It's especially beneficial for those with RTX graphics cards.

Pros:

• A free subscription plan is available
• It supports games from several platforms
• It has access to over 1,500 games

Cons:

• You need to purchase games
• Free-plan users must wait in queues

8. Blacknut

Blacknut is a great choice if you are looking for a cloud gaming service that provides easy access to different game libraries without the need for gaming computers and expensive consoles. With Blacknut, one can have up to 5 separate accounts including child-only accounts for family-friendly gaming. This gaming service can be accessed through several browsing platforms like Safari and Chrome. It can also be accessed from different devices including; phones, Android TVs, PCs, Macs, etc. For just a $1 first-month trial and a $15.99 monthly fee, users can relish a wide range of games curated by experts with new additions monthly. Blacknut prides itself in its intuitive interface and easy-to-access platform with a three-screen checkout process.

Who it's for?

Blacknut is perfect for game lovers who are looking for a less expensive way to access a wide variety of games without the need to own costly hardware. It is suitable for families and gamers who enjoy trying out regular games frequently and also prefer a subscription-based gaming service.

Pros:

• You can stream simultaneously on up to three screens
• It has a family-based subscription plan with parental controls
• It can be accessed by five separate accounts per subscription

Cons:

• It lacks many popular games
• It is more expensive than the competitors

Conclusion

In conclusion, game streaming services offer a convenient way for you to play your favorite games without needing powerful hardware. From Google Stadia to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate cloud gaming play and others, there are plenty of options to choose from. Each service has its strengths and weaknesses, so it's essential to consider factors like game selection, performance, and pricing. Whether you're a casual or hardcore gamer, there's likely a video game streaming service that suits your needs. As technology advances, these services will continue to evolve, providing even more immersive and accessible gaming experiences for players around the world.