In the world of cloud gaming, Shadow PC has long been one of the most recognizable names. Unlike most cloud gaming platforms, which limit you to a curated library or charge by the hour, Shadow PC gives you access to a full cloud-based gaming PC for a fixed monthly price. This means you can install nearly any game you own — and even add mods — just as you would on a physical machine.

While Shadow PC remains a popular option, it does come with drawbacks. Starting at $37.99 per month, it is one of the more expensive cloud gaming services. On top of that, Shadow PC users may experience queues on busy days, sometimes waiting up to 45 minutes before they can access their PC.

If you’re looking for a more affordable cloud gaming experience with no queues and no compromises on game selection, CloudDeck is an excellent Shadow PC alternative.

What is CloudDeck?

CloudDeck is a modern cloud gaming service that lets you play your favorite games on virtually any device. It features powerful hardware with upscaling and ray tracing support, starting at just $19.99 per month, or $14.99 per month with a 6-month subscription. Like Shadow PC, CloudDeck provides full PC access, so you can install your games and use the stores and launchers you prefer — not just a limited library. Its console-like interface similar to SteamOS, makes it easy to navigate from handhelds, TVs, or mobile devices, and CloudDeck currently supports over 22,000 games.

What makes CloudDeck a great Shadow PC alternative

CloudDeck delivers many of the same benefits Shadow PC offers, but at a lower price and without several common annoyances. Here’s how the two services compare in pricing, interface, game selection, and performance:

Up to 60% cheaper

Shadow PC’s entry-tier Neo plan starts at $37.99 per month and offers performance suitable for most modern games at 1080p. The more powerful Power tier costs $54.99 per month and can handle demanding titles at up to 4K.

CloudDeck keeps things simple with a single plan capable of running modern games at 1080p — available for $19.99 per month, or as low as $14.99 per month with a 6-month subscription. This makes CloudDeck up to 60% cheaper than the comparable Shadow PC Neo tier.

Controller-friendly interface

Shadow PC runs a standard Windows 11 desktop. While this works fine on laptops or PCs, it can be awkward on a smartphone, tablet, or TV without a keyboard and mouse.

CloudDeck uses a SteamOS-like interface designed for controller or touchscreen use, offering a console-style experience that is easy to navigate on any device. A Desktop Mode is still available when you need to install launchers, access the file system, or add mods.

Wide game selection

Services like GeForce Now and Boosteroid limit you to a curated list of a few thousand supported games. Shadow PC lets you run almost any Windows game that works inside a virtual machine.

Even though CloudDeck is based on Linux, it can also run nearly all Windows games using Proton, Valve’s compatibility layer. Only a small handful of titles remain unsupported — and these are mostly the same games that also do not run on virtual machines, meaning Shadow PC users cannot play them either. You can browse the list of more than 22,000 supported titles on ProtonDB here: ProtonDB .

High performance

Shadow PC’s $37.99 Neo tier includes a 4-core, 8-thread AMD EPYC CPU running up to 3.25 GHz, 16 GB of RAM, and an Nvidia RTX 2000 Ada GPU, which delivers performance similar to an RTX 3060.

CloudDeck offers comparable hardware with a 4-core, 8-thread AMD EPYC CPU clocked up to 3.7 GHz, 16 GB of RAM, and a GPU on the level of an RTX 3060 or Radeon RX 6600. This setup allows playing the latest games at 1080p and can even run many titles smoothly at 1440p 60 FPS.

No queues

Like GeForce Now and Boosteroid, Shadow PC oversells capacity. This means more users may attempt to connect than the available hardware can support, resulting in queues — sometimes up to 45 minutes.

CloudDeck does not oversell hardware. When capacity is full, CloudDeck temporarily closes signups instead of allowing queues to form. As a result, you always get instant access to your CloudDeck.

Conclusion

Shadow PC has been a major player in cloud gaming for years, offering the unique benefit of a full gaming PC in the cloud. Its flexibility — from installing any game to customizing your setup — makes it appealing. However, its higher price, Windows interface, and occasional queues may be downsides for some users.

For anyone looking for a cost-effective Shadow PC alternative with modern hardware, an interface optimized for every device you connect from, extensive game compatibility, and guaranteed instant access, CloudDeck is a great choice. If you’re after a cloud gaming service that balances performance, affordability, and flexibility, consider giving CloudDeck a try.