Skip to content
Top Cloud Gaming

SERVICE GUIDE · RESEARCH-BASED, NOT HANDS-ON

Shadow PC: when a full cloud PC makes sense

Shadow PC is worth considering when you need a Windows desktop for games, launchers and tools. You'll manage that PC yourself. Check game compatibility before paying, especially for multiplayer games with anti-cheat.

By Top Cloud Gaming Editorial Team · Published 28 September 2026 · Facts checked 28 September 2026

On this page

Links go directly to the service provider. We don't earn commission from these links. Read the full disclosure

What you get: a Windows PC in the cloud

Shadow gives you a full Windows PC running in a data centre, streamed to your devices. You install games, launchers and apps yourself, as you would on a desktop. How Shadow works That freedom is the point, but it comes with the chores of owning a PC: installing games, keeping them updated and managing storage.

A full Windows desktop doesn't mean every game works. Some games, particularly multiplayer games with anti-cheat, don't run on Shadow. Shadow keeps a list of incompatible games, so check it before paying. Shadow's incompatible games list

Selected US offers advertised on Shadow's offers page, checked 28 September 2026. Advertised prices, not checkout totals. Taxes and prices in other countries differ.

Offer
Neo Lite
Advertised price
$29.99 a month
Then
$29.99 a month
Playtime
120 hours a month
Session limit
4 hours
Offer
Neo
Advertised price
$28.49 a month for the first 3 months
Then
$37.99 a month
Playtime
210 hours a month
Session limit
6 hours
Offer
Power
Advertised price
$41.24 a month for the first 3 months
Then
$54.99 a month
Playtime
210 hours a month
Session limit
6 hours

Limits to plan around

Provider-advertised figures. Advertised maximums are maximums, not measured results.

These aren't unlimited plans. Each offer has a monthly playtime allowance and a session limit, and the Neo and Power intro prices rise after three months. Compare the price you'll pay from month four, not the headline. Shadow's offers

Connection, storage and country

Shadow's support FAQ recommends at least 15Mbps down and 5Mbps up. Extra storage is a separate subscription, and Shadow only works in supported countries, so check yours first. Shadow's FAQ Shadow's getting started guide covers the setup.

Plan the PC before you pay

  1. Write your install list. List the games, mods and work apps you want, with their install sizes.
  2. Leave room for updates. Big games keep growing. Leave headroom instead of filling the drive on day one.
  3. Price the storage. If the list doesn't fit, add the storage subscription to the monthly cost before comparing services.
  4. Budget the first session. Expect your first session to be mostly downloads and setup, not play.
  5. Keep backups. Keep original files and important saves somewhere other than the cloud PC.
  6. Check your controls. Make sure your keyboard, mouse and controller mapping work through the Shadow app.
  7. Be honest about control. Choose a full PC when you actually need that control. If you only want supported games, a simpler service may fit better.

Who it suits, and who should skip it

It suits you if you need a Windows desktop: launchers other services don't support, mods, or tools running alongside your games.

Skip it if you mainly want to stream a few popular games. GeForce NOW or Xbox Cloud Gaming ask far less of you. Skip it too if your main game is on the incompatible list. We can't promise mod support or a particular frame rate for any game, so check each game you care about.

Reasons to choose it

  • A full Windows desktop for your own launchers, apps and tools
  • Install games from the stores you already use
  • Published playtime allowances and session limits

Main drawbacks

  • You manage installs, updates and storage yourself
  • Extra storage is a separate subscription
  • Some games, especially with anti-cheat, don't work
  • Neo and Power intro prices rise after three months

Common questions

Will every game work on Shadow?
No. Check Shadow's incompatible games list, especially for multiplayer games with anti-cheat.
Are games included?
No. You buy your own games from the stores you use and install them.
How much storage do I need?
Add up your install list with room for updates, then check the included capacity and the storage add-on cost on Shadow's offers page.

First, check Shadow compatibility for the games you play. Then compare the offers.

View Shadow plans(opens in a new tab)

Availability varies by country. Check on the service's own site before paying.

How this guide was researched

We checked the official sources below on 28 September 2026. Recommendations are based on game access, published restrictions and setup requirements. We haven't measured this service's latency, queues or image quality.

Related reading