Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

PlayOnLinux VS Parsec

Compare PlayOnLinux VS Parsec and see what are their differences

PlayOnLinux logo PlayOnLinux

PlayOnLinux will allow you to play your favorite games on Linux easily

Parsec logo Parsec

Streams games locally or over the internet
  • PlayOnLinux Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-17
  • Parsec Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-09

PlayOnLinux features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    PlayOnLinux provides a graphical user interface that makes it easier for users to install and manage Windows applications on Linux without needing complex command-line instructions.
  • Preconfigured Scripts
    It includes a library of scripts to help users install popular Windows applications and games easily, reducing the need for manual configuration.
  • Multi-Version Support
    PlayOnLinux allows users to install and run multiple versions of software simultaneously, which can be useful for testing or compatibility purposes.
  • Community Support
    The platform has an active community that contributes scripts and provides support, which can be valuable for troubleshooting and enhancing software compatibility.
  • Free and Open Source
    PlayOnLinux is free to use and open-source, allowing users to modify and contribute to the software’s development.

Possible disadvantages of PlayOnLinux

  • Performance Overhead
    Running Windows applications through PlayOnLinux can result in reduced performance compared to native Linux applications due to the emulation layer.
  • Limited Compatibility
    While PlayOnLinux supports many applications, not all Windows software can be successfully run, and some might have limited functionality or require significant tweaking.
  • Dependency on Wine
    PlayOnLinux is essentially a front-end for Wine, so it inherits all the limitations and bugs found in Wine, which can affect application compatibility and stability.
  • Complexity for Advanced Configurations
    While simpler installations are streamlined, users aiming to execute complex configurations might find the process involved and may require Wine-specific knowledge.
  • Inconsistent Script Updates
    Sometimes the scripts provided by the community may not be updated frequently, leading to compatibility issues with newer versions of Windows applications.

Parsec features and specs

  • High Performance
    Parsec provides low latency and high-quality streaming even for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    Parsec is available on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, allowing users to connect from various devices.
  • Ease of Use
    The application features a user-friendly interface that makes setup and connection straightforward, even for beginners.
  • Collaboration Features
    Parsec allows multiple users to connect and control a single machine, making it useful for collaborative projects and remote work.
  • Security
    Parsec uses SSL and DTLS encryption to ensure data integrity and privacy during remote sessions.
  • Customization
    Users can fine-tune settings for resolution, bitrate, and frame rate to optimize performance based on their network conditions.

Possible disadvantages of Parsec

  • Internet Dependence
    High-quality and low-latency performance heavily depends on a stable and fast internet connection, which can be a limitation in some areas.
  • Subscription Cost
    Advanced features and commercial use require a paid subscription, which may be a barrier for some users or small businesses.
  • Resource Intensive
    The host machine needs to be powerful enough to handle the encoding required for high-quality video streaming, which can be demanding on system resources.
  • Limited Offline Capabilities
    Parsec primarily functions as an online solution and lacks robust offline features for situations where internet access is intermittent or unavailable.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Despite wide platform support, there can still be compatibility issues with certain hardware or software setups, which may require troubleshooting.
  • Privacy Concerns
    Users might have concerns about sharing control of their machine or files when collaborating, posing potential security risks if not managed carefully.

Analysis of Parsec

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Parsec is considered a good option for anyone needing remote access or streaming capabilities. Its robust performance and user-friendly interface make it a reliable choice for various applications.

Why this product is good

  • Parsec (parsec.app) is widely appreciated for its low-latency, high-quality remote desktop and game streaming capabilities. It allows users to access and control their computers from anywhere, making it a versatile solution for gamers, creatives, and professionals alike. The software's ease of setup and use, combined with its strong performance even in low-bandwidth environments, contribute to its positive reputation.

Recommended for

  • Gamers looking for low-latency game streaming to play with friends remotely.
  • Professionals needing access to their desktop environment from different locations.
  • Creative professionals who require remote collaboration or access to powerful hardware for rendering tasks.
  • Anyone seeking a high-quality remote desktop experience with minimal setup complexity.

PlayOnLinux videos

No PlayOnLinux videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Parsec videos

Is Parsec any good? First Impressions with UNIST, Skullgirls, and DBFZ

More videos:

  • Review - Gaming On A $17 Office PC with Parsec! | OzTalksHW
  • Review - Parsec Cloud Gaming Review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to PlayOnLinux and Parsec)
Group Chat & Notifications
Game Streaming
0 0%
100% 100
Cloud Computing
17 17%
83% 83
Games
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare PlayOnLinux and Parsec

PlayOnLinux Reviews

15 Lutris Alternatives
Intelligent software called PlayOnLinux lets Linux users use Windows programs. With this program, you can easily switch between your two operating systems using the same application. It can make you much more productive. If you like Windows games but have a Linux computer or tablet, you can easily download them and play them there. PlayOnLinux uses a script library that can...

Parsec Reviews

Top Remote Desktop Software for Gaming
Like AnyDesk or TeamViewer, Parsec was not initially an RDP gaming solution. It was developed primarily for developers and engineers who needed a remote connection to work on their projects. Thus, a main feature Parsec offered was great graphics.
Source: cloudzy.com
Moonlight game streaming alternatives
Released 6 years ago, Parsec is an application that lets users capture their desktop. This is mainly used by players to play games on their computers from different devices. Players can stream their games on their own personal computers for free through Parsec. But there is also an option to rent servers to play games on. Moreover, it prioritizes user safety over everything...
Source: androidgram.com
15 Best Parsec Alternatives [Remote Desktop Tools] in 2022
Parsec is a proprietary desktop capture application primarily used to play games via video streaming. Using Parsec, users can stream video game footage over an Internet connection, allowing one person to run the game on one computer but play it remotely from another device. While its primary focus is gaming, Parsec can also be used as a low-latency desktop sharing software.
Source: phreesite.com
10 Best Hamachi Alternatives for Virtual LAN Gaming
Parsec is a desktop capturing application mainly used for playing video games through video streaming. Still, it also allows the creation of virtual LAN gaming servers using the local co-op feature.
Source: techviral.net
11 Best Parsec Alternatives & Similar Apps
Parsec has been known for its ability to connect your smartphone to the desktop. However, some Parsec alternatives are also known for offering a lot more to their users.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Parsec seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 370 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

PlayOnLinux mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of PlayOnLinux yet. Tracking of PlayOnLinux recommendations started around Mar 2021.

Parsec mentions (370)

  • Comet open source remote KVM from GL-iNet
    There's not much to it to be honest. If you've got Home Assistant running then https://www.home-assistant.io/integrations/wake_on_lan/ will sort you out, and I have Parsec (https://parsec.app) installed on my desktop so that it starts on boot. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • Raspberry Pi 5 now supports Valve's Steam Link
    Parsec[1] would be interesting to compare. [1] https://parsec.app/. - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
  • How I created my first open-source project.
    Everything started with me trying to log into my AWS EC2 machine. Every time I wanted to connect to AWS EC2 using Parsec, I had to type the entire OS password, because there isn't a way to paste over Parsec. And yes, it is a large password. Is it a boring activity? Yes! I did it every time until my patience ran off and my laziness took over. - Source: dev.to / 10 months ago
  • SF's AI boom can't stop real estate slide, as office vacancies reach new record
    Yep I agree. The other advantage Vancouver always had is that there's a pretty significant amount of residential Downtown and near Downtown, and so Downtown didn't fully empty out as badly as many American cities, and there are a massive amount of workers that can walk and bike to work. I don't have familiarity with the needs of digital effects workers, but I'm unsure that there were any technical barriers for the... - Source: Hacker News / 11 months ago
  • Are the Apple addicts ok?
    If that's an option, you could use a Macbook air and something like https://parsec.app/ to stream from a windows machine. Source: over 1 year ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing PlayOnLinux and Parsec, you can also consider the following products

Wine - Open Source Software for running Windows applications on other operating systems.

Moonlight-Stream.org - Moonlight allows you to stream your collection of games from your GameStream-compatible PC to any...

CodeWeavers CrossOver - Don't buy a Windows license, don't reboot and don't use a Virtual Machine. Try a free trial of CrossOver to run your Windows software on Mac, Linux and Chrome OS.

Geforce Now - Underpowered PC can now pack the punch of high-performance GeForce GTX GPUs with GeForce NOW.

Proton - Compatibility tool for Steam Play based on Wine and additional components

Shadow - Transform any device into a supercharged gaming machine.