GCast vs Cloud Gaming: What's the Difference?

Cloud gaming services like Xbox Cloud Gaming, GeForce NOW, and Luna promise console-quality games anywhere. GCast takes a completely different approach. Let's compare.

How Cloud Gaming Works

Cloud gaming runs games on powerful remote servers and streams the video to your device. Your inputs travel to the server, the server processes them, and the video comes back.

Pros: Access to AAA titles, no powerful hardware needed locally.

Cons: Requires fast, stable internet. Introduces input lag. Monthly subscription costs. Limited game libraries.

How GCast Works

GCast runs games locally on your phone and mirrors the display to a nearby screen over WiFi. Your phone is both the game engine and the controller. To learn more, read What is GCast?.

Pros: Ultra-low latency (local processing), works with any mobile game, free during beta (basic casting stays free after), works on any WiFi.

Cons: Limited to mobile games (not AAA PC/console titles).

The Latency Difference

This is the biggest distinction. Cloud gaming typically adds 30-80ms of input lag depending on your connection. GCast adds virtually none — the game is running on the device in your hand.

For fast-paced games like Brawl Stars or racing titles, that difference is immediately noticeable.

Cost Comparison

Which Should You Choose?

• Choose cloud gaming if you want to play PC/console AAA titles on a weak device
• Choose GCast if you want to play your existing mobile games on a bigger screen with zero lag

They solve different problems — and they work great together. Use cloud gaming for Cyberpunk, use GCast for everything on your phone.