Our verdict: GeForce NOW lets a weak laptop play demanding PC games, because the game runs on NVIDIA's servers and only video is streamed. It uses the games you already own, so there is no library to rent. The free tier works for trying it, but queues, ads and one-hour sessions push regular players to a paid plan.
About GeForce NOW
GeForce NOW is NVIDIA's cloud gaming service. The Windows app connects to a gaming PC in an NVIDIA data center, runs the game there and streams the picture to you. You play games you own or buy on supported stores, including Steam, Epic Games Store, Ubisoft Connect, Battle.net, EA app, GOG and Xbox, plus hundreds of free-to-play titles. Not every game in those stores is available.
There are three memberships. Free uses basic rigs, shows up to two minutes of video ads before each session, has longer queues and limits sessions to one hour. Performance and Ultimate are paid, remove ads, use RTX rigs with higher resolutions and frame rates, and include 100 hours of playtime per month; day passes are also sold. A stable connection is essential: NVIDIA asks for at least 15 Mbps and under 80 ms latency to its data center.
What it does well
- Play games you own. Links Steam, Epic, Ubisoft, Battle.net, EA, GOG and Xbox libraries.
- RTX cloud rigs. Paid tiers stream with ray tracing, DLSS and up to 5K at 120 FPS on Ultimate.
- Low hardware needs. Runs on a dual-core CPU, 4 GB RAM and a DirectX 11 GPU.
- Install-to-Play. Paid members can install some Steam games that are not preloaded.
- Cross-device. Same account on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, Chromebooks, TVs and browsers.
Who it is for
Good fit
Players with laptops or older PCs who own PC games and have a fast, stable internet connection.
Look elsewhere
Players with slow or high-latency internet, or anyone who mainly plays games not on the supported list.
Pros and cons
Pros
- High-end graphics on low-end hardware
- Uses games you already own
- No game downloads or patches on your PC
- Free tier to test the service
Cons
- Free tier has ads, queues and 1-hour sessions
- Paid plans cap playtime at 100 hours per month
- Not every game from your library is supported
How to install GeForce NOW
NVIDIA requires 64-bit Windows 10 or later, a dual-core 2 GHz CPU, 4 GB RAM and a DirectX 11 GPU. Use wired Ethernet or 5 GHz Wi-Fi; NVIDIA asks for 15 Mbps for 720p, 25 Mbps for 1080p at 60 FPS and latency under 80 ms. Sign in with an NVIDIA account, then link your store accounts so your library appears.
Questions about GeForce NOW
Is GeForce NOW free?
Yes, there is a free membership. It uses basic rigs, shows up to two minutes of video ads before each session, has longer queues and one-hour sessions. Paid Performance and Ultimate plans remove these limits.
Do I need to buy games for GeForce NOW?
Yes. You play games you own on supported stores such as Steam, Epic or Ubisoft Connect, plus supported free-to-play games. GeForce NOW does not include a game library of its own.
What internet speed does GeForce NOW need?
NVIDIA lists 15 Mbps for 720p at 60 FPS and 25 Mbps for 1080p at 60 FPS, with less than 80 ms latency to an NVIDIA data center.
