Comparison

Moonlight Game Streaming vs Dolphin Emulator

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Moonlight Game Streaming

Stream your PC games and applications to your iOS device over your local network. Control them with your touchscreen or a compatible gamepad. Supports high resolutions and frame rates for a smooth gaming experience.

Highlights
  • Stream PC games and apps
  • Use touchscreen or gamepad
  • Up to 4K 120 FPS with HDR
  • Supports MFi, PS4/5, Xbox controllers
  • Bluetooth keyboard and mouse support
  • Wake-on-LAN support
Features
Read full description

Stream games and other apps from your gaming PC on your local network with Moonlight. Use your touchscreen or an iOS-compatible gamepad to play your PC games on your iOS device. If you have an NVIDIA GPU in your gaming PC, you can install NVIDIA GeForce Experience (GFE) on your compatible PC, enable GameStream in GFE's SHIELD settings page, and you're ready to stream. If you would like to host using LizardByte Sunshine, which works on all GPUs, simply install Sunshine on your PC, perform first-time setup, and you're ready to stream. Features: • Open-source and completely free • Up to 4K 120 FPS with HDR • Stream games purchased from any game store • Bluetooth keyboard and mouse support • Support for MFi, PS4/5, and Xbox Bluetooth controllers • Wake-on-LAN to wake your PC for streaming • Local co-op with up to 4 connected controllers Other Requirements: • 5 GHz WiFi is highly recommended • A physical gamepad is recommended for faster paced games If you have any trouble, click our support link for help or look for the help links within Moonlight. This app is open-source. The code can be found here: https://github.com/moonlight-stream/moonlight-ios All trademarks cited here are the property of their respective owners.

About

Dolphin Emulator

Relive classic gaming with this emulator. Easily import ROMs, play in portrait or landscape, and save progress. Customize your sound and enjoy a seamless retro gaming experience.

Highlights
  • Import game ROMs
  • Portrait and landscape modes
  • Save and restore progress
  • Adjust sound effects
  • Ad-free premium option
Features
Read full description

Dolphin Emulator - Basic is your gateway to reliving the golden era of gaming. Whether you're diving back into childhood favorites or exploring retro classics for the first time, this game emulator makes it easy to enjoy the games you love. How to use: • Import game ROM files easily and start playing instantly • Run games in both portrait and landscape modes for flexible gameplay • Save and restore game progress anytime for a seamless experience • Adjust sound effects to customize your gaming atmosphere Currently supported game types: (NES) Other information: It's important to note that Dolphin Emulator - Basic should only be used with legally acquired game files. We do not endorse or support any form of piracy. Rest assured, Dolphin Emulator - Basic operates independently and has no affiliation with console manufacturers. The mention of related game console names in this statement is only used to describe the environment supported by the retro game emulator application. With Dolphin Emulator - Basic Premium you can unlock the ultimate experience: • Remove Ads: Enjoy an uninterrupted, ad-free journey to inspiration. • Unlock All Features: Get full access to every feature Unlock your gaming emulating potential—elevate your retro gaming experience with Dolphin Emulator - Basic Premium! Privacy Policy: https://sites.google.com/view/dolphin-game-emulator/privacy-policy Terms of Use: https://sites.google.com/view/dolphin-game-emulator/terms-of-use

Screenshots

Moonlight Game Streaming3 screens
Dolphin Emulator3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Moonlight Game Streaming at 74% against Dolphin Emulator's 19%. Moonlight Game Streaming also leads on rating (4.2 vs 2.3) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Dolphin Emulator sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $2.99 per month. Moonlight Game Streaming asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Moonlight Game Streaming holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 2.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Moonlight Game Streaming has 607 ratings behind it against 87, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 74% of Moonlight Game Streaming's written reviews are positive against 19% of Dolphin Emulator's.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Moonlight Game Streaming versus Dolphin Emulator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMoonlight Game StreamingDolphin Emulator
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (607 ratings) — better2.3 (87 ratings)
Positive reviews74.3% of reviews — better18.9% of reviews
Number of ratings607 — better87
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size11 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDiego WaxembergIrene Klein

Customer experience

Moonlight Game Streaming

All ratings607 ratings
Positive79.2%
Neutral5.9%
Negative14.8%
Written reviews668 reviews
Positive74.3%
Neutral9.0%
Negative16.8%

Dolphin Emulator

All ratings87 ratings
Positive29.9%
Neutral6.9%
Negative63.2%
Written reviews111 reviews
Positive18.9%
Neutral7.2%
Negative73.9%

User reviews

Moonlight Game Streaming

From 607 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Excellent streaming quality
  • 🎮 Great for gaming on the go
  • 👍 Seamless setup and connection
  • 💡 Versatile for remote desktop access
  • 🎨 Impressive visual fidelity

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional connection issues
  • 🖥️ Limited external display support
  • 🎮 Restrictive on-screen controls
  • 🔋 Potential battery drain
  • 🕹️ Lack of controller customization

Dolphin Emulator

From 87 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Great app
  • 💡 Potential for Wii and GameCube support

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Compatibility issues with NES files
  • 🐛 Confusing app name and description
  • 🐛 Lack of Wii and GameCube support

Bugs and requests

Moonlight Game Streaming

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Handshake errors when connecting remotely
  • Audio quality issues with Bluetooth devices
  • Compatibility problems with newer iOS versions
  • Inability to save game progress or settings

Requested features

5 requests
  • Customizable on-screen controls
  • Support for external displays and resolutions
  • Bluetooth mouse and keyboard support
  • Gyroscope and vibration integration
  • Multitouch gesture support

Dolphin Emulator

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • NES games not loading properly
  • Redirecting to premium version when trying to open NES files

Requested features

3 requests
  • Add support for GameCube and Wii games
  • Add support for Sega Genesis
  • Add support for PlayStation games

In-app purchases

None

Moonlight Game Streaming

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Dolphin Emulator

Subscriptions1
  • Monthly Premium Subscription$2.991 Month

Questions

Is Moonlight Game Streaming free?
Moonlight Game Streaming is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Dolphin Emulator free?
Dolphin Emulator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Moonlight Game Streaming or Dolphin Emulator?
Moonlight Game Streaming is rated higher. Moonlight Game Streaming averages 4.2 out of 5 from 607 ratings, while Dolphin Emulator averages 2.3 from 87 ratings.
Do Moonlight Game Streaming or Dolphin Emulator have ads?
Neither Moonlight Game Streaming nor Dolphin Emulator shows ads.

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