Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about GeForce NOW, Xbox Cloud Gaming and how GFNRadar works.
About the creator
GFNRadar is a project by Markys, a cloud gaming content creator on YouTube. On his channel youtube.com/@MarkysCloudGaming he publishes guides, news and tests (in Spanish) about GeForce NOW, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Boosteroid and other game streaming platforms.
What is GeForce NOW?
GeForce NOW is NVIDIA's cloud gaming service. Instead of installing the game on your computer, it runs on NVIDIA servers with a dedicated GPU and is streamed to your device, a bit like watching a show, but interactive. It doesn't give away or sell games: it connects to the libraries you already have (Steam, Epic Games Store, Ubisoft Connect, GOG, EA app and more) and lets you play them in the cloud without needing a powerful PC.
What is Xbox Cloud Gaming (xCloud)?
Xbox Cloud Gaming, formerly known as xCloud, is Microsoft's game streaming service, included in the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription. Unlike GeForce NOW, you don't buy the games separately: as long as your subscription is active, you can stream a rotating catalog of hundreds of Xbox games without downloading or installing them on any device.
What is Boosteroid?
Boosteroid is another cloud gaming service with a model similar to GeForce NOW (you stream the games you already own in your stores, mainly Steam), but with its own server infrastructure and subscription plans, independent of NVIDIA.
How are GeForce NOW and Xbox Cloud Gaming different?
The main difference is the access model. GeForce NOW is "bring your own games": you stream titles you already bought on Steam, Epic and other stores, with the advantage of high-end graphics on any device. Xbox Cloud Gaming is "all included" in Game Pass Ultimate: you get a catalog while you pay for the subscription, but you don't own those games if you cancel it. Many players use both: Game Pass for the rotating catalog and GeForce NOW for the library they already bought.
Do I need to buy the games to play them on GeForce NOW?
Yes. GeForce NOW is only the streaming infrastructure, not a store: you need the game in your Steam, Epic Games Store, Ubisoft Connect, GOG or other supported store account to play it in the cloud. That's what GFNRadar is for: it helps you find which store sells each GeForce NOW-compatible game at the cheapest price.
Which devices work with GeForce NOW?
Almost any device with a stable internet connection: PCs and Macs with the native app, Android and iOS (app or browser), Samsung and LG smart TVs, Chromebooks, and any supported browser on a regular computer. You don't need powerful hardware because the rendering happens on NVIDIA's servers, not on your device.
Is there a free version of GeForce NOW?
Yes, there is a free tier with time-limited sessions and queues at peak hours. The paid tiers remove the queues, make sessions longer and raise the streaming quality (resolution, frames per second and ray tracing depending on the plan). Plan names and prices change over time, so always check NVIDIA's official website for current pricing.
What is GFNRadar?
GFNRadar is an independent catalog (not affiliated with NVIDIA) that tracks in real time which games join and leave GeForce NOW, and compares prices across official stores and authorized resellers to find the cheapest option for every compatible game. It also posts catalog news on Telegram (@GFNRadar) as soon as they are detected.
Where can I follow Xbox Cloud Gaming news?
The sister project xCloudRadar (@xCloudRadar on Telegram) does the same tracking for the Xbox Cloud Gaming catalog within Game Pass.
Who is behind GFNRadar?
GFNRadar is a project by Markys, a content creator specialized in cloud gaming on his YouTube channel (youtube.com/@MarkysCloudGaming), where he publishes guides, news and tests about GeForce NOW, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Boosteroid and other game streaming platforms. His videos are in Spanish.