Parsec is a low-latency desktop streaming app for playing games and accessing remote computers, using hardware-accelerated peer-to-peer video to deliver near-local control from another device.
Parsec is a desktop capturing and streaming application that lets one computer's screen be controlled from another device with very little input lag. A Windows or macOS machine acts as the host, encoding its display through the GPU, while a client device decodes the stream and sends keyboard, mouse, or gamepad input back over an encrypted peer-to-peer connection. Gamers use it to play demanding titles on a lightweight laptop, and creative teams use it to reach powerful workstations remotely. The free tier covers personal, non-commercial use, with paid Warp, Teams, and Enterprise plans adding multi-monitor, color, and administrative features.
Parsec's performance depends on host hardware rather than the client, since the remote machine does the rendering and hardware video encoding. NVIDIA NVENC and Intel Quick Sync are required for hosting, so older GPUs without those encoders cannot share a session. Windows hosts support controllers and full mouse input, while macOS hosting is better suited to productivity work than first-person gaming. Multi-GPU laptops often need to force the integrated GPU for Parsec to avoid encoder errors. For players comparing launchers that also install games locally, the EA app serves a different purpose, and the two tools are often used side by side on the same PC.
Parsec lets a powerful computer be used from almost anywhere without moving the hardware, which saves the cost of building or buying a second gaming rig. Because the host renders and encodes the session, a thin laptop, tablet, or low-end desktop can play demanding titles at 60 FPS with near-zero input lag. Encrypted peer-to-peer connections mean the stream travels directly between machines, so project files and gameplay never pass through Parsec's servers. The free tier covers personal gaming, and sharing a link lets a friend join a local multiplayer title as if sitting in the same room. Paid Teams plans add multi-monitor streaming, 4:4:4 color, Wacom tablet pressure and tilt, SSO, and granular permissions, which makes remote work practical for animators, game developers, and editors who need studio hardware. Setup takes minutes on both host and client.
Key capabilities and highlights.
Parsec captures the host desktop at up to 60 FPS and delivers it through a proprietary peer-to-peer protocol built to minimize delay. Input from a keyboard, mouse, or gamepad travels back over the same connection, so control feels close to local. The result suits fast-paced games and interactive work where ordinary remote desktop tools introduce noticeable lag.
Hosting relies on GPU encoders such as NVIDIA NVENC or Intel Quick Sync rather than CPU software encoding. This keeps frame rates high and processor load low, which matters when the host is also running a demanding game or 3D application. Older GPUs without a dedicated encoder, and many budget GT-series cards, cannot host a session.
Streams travel directly between the host and client over an encrypted connection instead of routing through Parsec's servers. Projects, gameplay, and desktop content stay on the two machines involved. This design also supports collaboration, since a host can share a link and let another person work on the same computer in real time.
A host can invite friends to join a local multiplayer game remotely, giving each guest controller access as if they were in the same room. Guests receive controller permissions by default, while the host controls keyboard and mouse access. The host can accept or reject connections and remove anyone from the session at any time.
Paid plans stream up to three monitors with independent resolution settings, letting remote workers recreate a full desk setup. A 4:4:4 color mode improves accuracy for detailed stills, and privacy mode blanks the host display during a session. These features target animation, design, and editing workflows where standard remote tools lose color fidelity.
Parsec passes through Wacom tablet input with full pressure and tilt sensitivity on supported paid plans. Animators, illustrators, and retouchers keep the pen behavior they rely on locally rather than losing pressure curves over the stream. This makes remote access to studio workstations practical for creative roles that depend on precise stylus input.
Parsec ships clients for Windows, macOS, and Linux, so a session can be reached from a wide range of devices. Linux support covers several distributions through .deb, AppImage, AUR, and Snap packages. Hosting is available on Windows 10 and later plus recent macOS versions, while Ubuntu currently does not support hosting.
Teams and Enterprise plans add an admin dashboard for provisioning computers, grouping users by role, enforcing SAML single sign-on, and reviewing audit logs. Guest access credits grant temporary connections for freelancers or testers. Enterprise adds a high-performance relay, role-based access, SCIM provisioning, and API access for automated deployment.
Browse historical releases and previous builds.
No old versions have been added yet.
Common questions about Parsec.
Yes. Parsec's Personal plan is free and covers low-latency desktop streaming, single-link sharing, and keyboard, mouse, and gamepad support for non-commercial use. Commercial work requires a paid Teams or Enterprise plan, and Individual Warp, Teams, and Enterprise tiers add features like multi-monitor streaming, 4:4:4 color, tablet support, and admin controls.
Parsec offers clients for Windows, macOS, and Linux, including .deb, AppImage, AUR, and Snap packages for Linux distributions. Hosting is supported on Windows 10 and later and recent macOS versions, while Ubuntu cannot host at this time. Some Linux systems work best as clients only.
The host needs a GPU with a hardware video encoder: NVIDIA NVENC or Intel Quick Sync, with DirectX 11.1 support. NVIDIA GTX 600 series and newer generally work, while GT-series cards and older generations do not. The display must be connected to the encoding GPU, which is why some hybrid-graphics laptops need to switch to integrated graphics.
Parsec is built to keep latency near zero for interactive use, which is why it is popular for gaming and real-time creative work. Actual results depend on network quality, distance between host and client, and the host's GPU encoder. Wired connections and low-latency internet generally produce smoother sessions than congested Wi-Fi.
Yes. A host can invite friends to the session, and guests join with controller input as if they were in the same room. Guests only get controller permissions by default, so the host must manually grant keyboard and mouse access. The host can kick all guests at any time with a keyboard shortcut.
Parsec handles both. The same low-latency streaming that suits games also gives remote access to workstations for animation, game development, video editing, and design. Paid plans add multi-monitor support, 4:4:4 color, pressure-sensitive tablet input, SSO, and team management, which are aimed at professional remote workflows.
Parsec uses encrypted peer-to-peer connections so streams travel directly between machines rather than through its servers. Teams and Enterprise plans add SAML single sign-on, granular permissions, guest access with limited duration, and audit logs. The company states it holds SOC 2 Type 1 certification and follows MPA best practices.
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