Latency is in the same class for all three. The real differences are image strategy, drivers, and how easily you get connected.
| Dimension | YiLink | Parsec | Moonlight (Sunshine) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Latency | Same class | Same class (industry benchmark) | Same class, marginally behind |
| Bitrate / image strategy | High bitrates, manual control | Capped around 50 Mbps, auto-lowers more often | High bitrates, more headroom |
| HDR / 10-bit | - | ✓ | ✓ |
| Virtual drivers | Install ViGEmBus / virtual display separately | Rich built-in drivers (display, mic, USB) | Built-in gamepad, virtual display separate |
| NAT traversal | Strong, plus free relay fallback | Weaker, no relay on the free tier | Direct IP only, or bring your own overlay network |
| Weak-network adaptation | Manual tuning: resolution, bitrate, FPS | Strongest automatic adaptation | Depends on network quality and tuning |
| Gamepad support | Browser Gamepad API plus host driver | ✓ | Widest compatibility |
| Clipboard sync | ✓ | ✓ | - |
| File transfer | ✓ | Paid plans only | - |
| Client install | None, runs in the browser | Native app required | Native app required |
| Price | Free | Free + paid tiers | Free (open source) |
Pick YiLink for zero-install links, casual cross-device sessions, and painless networking. Pick Parsec for weak-network adaptation and its driver ecosystem. Pick Moonlight for the widest gamepad support and HDR on mobile and TV clients. Real-world results vary with versions, encoders, and networks.