SilkRemote
Parsec set the standard for low-latency remote desktop. It was built for gaming, and that focus on responsiveness makes it great for any fast-moving work. Yet people still look elsewhere: there is no official iPhone or iPad app, its interface is designed around gaming, and some users want a client that runs in any browser or a stream that is tuned specifically for Mac displays.
Here are the five best alternatives when latency is the thing you care about most.
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Free plan | Platforms | Standout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SilkRemote | Low latency on phones, tablets and browsers | Yes, on your local network | Host: Mac, Windows (beta). Client: any browser, Android | ~17 ms local latency at 120 fps |
| Moonlight + Sunshine | DIY game streaming | Yes, open source | Host: Windows, Linux. Clients: many incl. iOS, Android | Very high frame rates |
| Steam Remote Play | Streaming your Steam library | Free | Host: Windows, Mac, Linux. Clients: Steam Link apps | Built into Steam |
| Jump Desktop | Responsive work on Macs and PCs | Paid apps | Mac, Windows, iOS, Android | Fluid protocol |
| HP Anyware | Studio and enterprise workstations | Paid | Windows, Mac, Linux, clients incl. zero clients | PCoIP protocol |
1. SilkRemote: best Parsec alternative for low latency on any screen
SilkRemote matches the thing Parsec users care about, which is responsiveness, and brings it to devices Parsec does not cover well. On a local network, capture-to-screen latency is around 17 ms, and it streams at up to 120 fps and up to 2560x1440 at around 40 Mbps. On a Mac host (macOS 14+), it creates a 120 Hz virtual display, so motion on a ProMotion iPad or high refresh phone looks as smooth as the hardware allows.
The headline difference is the client. SilkRemote runs in any modern browser, including Safari 17+ on iPhone and iPad, and you can add it to your home screen so it launches like an app. That fills the biggest gap Parsec users mention: there is no official Parsec app for iPhone or iPad. Android has a native SilkRemote app that also works great on Samsung DeX.
Connections are peer-to-peer first over WebRTC, which keeps latency low. With Pro, SilkRemote uses hole punching to connect directly across the internet whenever possible and falls back to an encrypted relay automatically. Every session is end-to-end encrypted with ECDH P-256 and AES-256-GCM, and devices pair by QR code or one-time code.
Honest limits: SilkRemote is built around keyboard, mouse and touch input, so if you play controller-heavy games, Parsec or Moonlight remain better fits. It also has no Linux host, and the Windows host is in beta. For responsive desktop work, creative apps and casual play from an iPad, phone or browser, SilkRemote is the best option.
Pros: Very low latency, 120 fps, browser and iPad support, end-to-end encryption. Cons: Built around keyboard, mouse and touch rather than game controllers, Windows host in beta.
2. Moonlight + Sunshine
Sunshine is an open-source game streaming host, and Moonlight is the open-source client. Together they are a favorite of enthusiasts who want maximum frame rates and minimal latency from a gaming PC. Moonlight has clients for a wide range of devices, including iPhone, iPad, Android and Apple TV.
Pros: Free, very fast, excellent controller support, wide client support. Cons: More setup than most tools, and it is designed for games rather than general desktop work.
3. Steam Remote Play
If what you love about Parsec is playing PC games on another screen, Steam Remote Play is built right into Steam. It streams games from your computer to the Steam Link app on phones, tablets and TVs, or to another computer running Steam.
Pros: Free, simple for Steam games, good controller support. Cons: Focused on games in your Steam library rather than full desktop use.
4. Jump Desktop
Jump Desktop's Fluid protocol is designed for responsive, high-quality remote desktop work, and its native apps for Mac, Windows, iOS and Android are well made. It also supports RDP and VNC.
Pros: Polished apps including iPad, responsive, multi-protocol. Cons: Paid apps, and you need to install a client on each device.
5. HP Anyware
HP Anyware (formerly Teradici) uses the PCoIP protocol and is widely used in studios and enterprises to give artists and engineers access to powerful workstations. It is built for color accuracy and responsiveness at scale.
Pros: Proven in professional studios, strong performance. Cons: Enterprise-oriented and paid; overkill for personal use.
What really drives latency
Latency in remote desktop comes from several stages: capturing the screen, encoding it, sending it across the network, decoding it, and displaying it. Two things help most. First, a direct peer-to-peer connection avoids the extra hop through a relay. Second, a high frame rate shortens the wait for the next frame. A 120 fps stream delivers a new frame roughly every 8 ms, versus about 17 ms at 60 fps, so the whole experience tightens up.
Your network matters too. Wired Ethernet on the host and a strong 5 GHz or 6 GHz Wi-Fi connection on the client will make any of these tools feel faster. For more on this, see our guide to remote desktop for gaming at 120 fps and our roundup for video editors.
Verdict
SilkRemote is the best Parsec alternative for low-latency remote desktop in 2026, especially if you want to use an iPhone, iPad or browser. It delivers around 17 ms latency on a local network at up to 120 fps, with end-to-end encryption built in. It is free on your local network, and Pro adds direct connections from anywhere. Download SilkRemote or see pricing.