Software Alternatives & Startups

Boxes VS Steam Link

Compare Boxes VS Steam Link and see what are their differences

Boxes

GNOME Boxes is an application of the GNOME Desktop Environment, used to access remote or virtual systems.

Rating
0 reviews
Steam Link

Play your Steam games on any TV in the house

Rating
0 reviews

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Steam Link seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 1 time since March 2021.

social mentions
0 vs 1
Cloud Computing popularity
63% vs 37%
alternatives listed
64 vs 58

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

B
Boxes
Steam Link
Website wiki.gnome.org store.steampowered.com
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

B
Boxes 5 features
Steam Link 5 features
  • User-Friendly Interface
    Boxes offers a simple and intuitive interface, making it easy for users to create and manage virtual machines without a steep learning curve.
  • Integration with GNOME
    As a part of the GNOME project, Boxes integrates well with the GNOME desktop environment, ensuring a seamless experience for users of this desktop.
  • Effortless Setup
    Setting up new virtual machines or connecting to remote desktops is streamlined, requiring minimal user input to get started.
  • Automatic Resource Allocation
    Boxes automatically allocates resources like CPU and memory based on the host system capabilities, simplifying management for users.
  • Remote Desktop Support
    In addition to managing local virtual machines, Boxes can connect to remote machines, providing flexibility in accessing different environments.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Advanced Features
    Boxes lacks some of the advanced features found in other virtualization tools, making it less suitable for power users who need extensive configuration options.
  • Performance Overhead
    As with many virtualization solutions, there is some performance overhead when running virtual machines, which might affect the host system’s performance.
  • Dependency on GNOME
    Since Boxes is designed for GNOME, its integration with other desktop environments might not be as smooth, potentially causing usability issues.
  • Limited Guest OS Compatibility
    Some users report that Boxes can have compatibility issues with certain guest operating systems, limiting its effectiveness in some scenarios.
  • No Snapshot Support
    Boxes currently does not support taking snapshots of virtual machines, which is a drawback for users who require rollback capabilities for testing configurations.
  • Convenience
    Steam Link allows you to stream games from your PC to other devices, enabling gaming anywhere in your house as long as you have a good network connection.
  • Compatibility
    Works with many different devices, including TVs, tablets, and smartphones, expanding your options for where and how you play.
  • Cost-Effective
    Since it's a free app, you can gain an additional way to play your games without needing to purchase more hardware.
  • Quality Gaming Experience
    Supports high-quality streaming, including high frame rates and low latency, provided you have an adequate network setup.
  • Ease of Use
    The setup is straightforward, mostly involving the app and some basic networking setup, making it accessible to most users.

Possible disadvantages

  • Network Dependency
    The quality of the experience depends heavily on your home network’s speed and stability, potentially requiring upgrades to achieve optimal performance.
  • Limited to Home Network
    Works best over your local home network, meaning you're not truly mobile and are limited to your home unless you configure remote play over the internet.
  • Hardware Requirements
    You still need a host PC that can run the games, so while the app itself is free, it's not a substitute for owning capable gaming hardware.
  • Input Lag
    Although minimized, some users might still experience noticeable input lag depending on their network configuration and hardware.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Some games or setups may have compatibility issues with Steam Link's streaming capabilities, requiring adjustments or troubleshooting.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

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Boxes 3 videos + Add
Steam Link 3 videos + Add

21 NEVER BEFORE OPENED SUBSCRIPTION BOXES - 2020 Subscription Box Unboxing and Review

More videos

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Steam Link Review - A surprisingly interesting device?

More videos

  • - Should You Buy The Steam Link?
  • - Steam Link Review

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
B
Boxes
Steam Link
63% 63%
37% 37%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Boxes and Steam Link. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

B
Boxes no reviews yet
Steam Link no reviews yet
  • 10 Apps Used to Sell Anything for Cash
    www.lifehack.org · Mar 2020

    Boxes is interesting because it’s categorized under social media in the app store. This app has a broader focus by allowing users to organize and catalog a collection, connect with people who have similar interests,...

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

B
Boxes 0 mentions
Steam Link 1 mention

Tracking Boxes since Mar 2021.

  • Why I Don't Need a Steam Machine
    There's a Steam app on my Samsung smart TV that I think can do this, with a USB-controller connected to a USB-port on the TV. Haven't tried it though. But I think the best way to do it is to have a cheap PC (or maybe an Android TV device... - Source: Hacker News / 12 months ago

Alternatives to Boxes and Steam Link

When comparing Boxes and Steam Link, you can also consider the following products.