Sunshine vs Apollo vs Vibepollo: which streaming host should you use?
Short answer: Sunshine is the original project, by far the most-starred of the three on GitHub, and runs on Windows, Linux, macOS (experimental) and FreeBSD. Apollo is a Sunshine fork focused on a built-in Windows virtual display and per-client permissions. Vibepollo builds on Apollo, adds more automation and a free virtual gamepad driver, and says most of its code is AI-generated. Sunshine is the safe default; the forks mostly appeal if you want a headless Windows host.
Checked October 30, 2026 against Moonlight PC v6.2.0 and Sunshine v2026.914.233613 (latest stable releases) and their documentation. Sources are listed at the end of the page.
At a glance
| Sunshine | Apollo | Vibepollo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Latest release (Oct 30, 2026) | v2026.914.233613, September 2026 | v0.4.6, July 2025 | 2.0.1, October 2026 |
| Based on | Original project (LizardByte) | Fork of Sunshine | Version of Apollo |
| Built-in virtual display | No; it works with a dummy plug or a separate virtual display driver | Yes (SudoVDA), Windows only | Yes (its own driver, SudoVDA kept as a fallback) |
| Windows virtual gamepad | Virtual HID Driver (paid licence) or ViGEmBus (free, end of life) | Not detailed in its README | Its own free driver, no ViGEmBus or licence |
| Per-client permissions | No | Yes; only the first client gets full access | Not covered in its README |
| Platforms | Windows, Linux, FreeBSD; macOS experimental | Windows, Linux and macOS listed in its requirements; virtual display is Windows only | Windows, with a Linux beta (Arch and CachyOS) |
| Support | Official docs site | GitHub Issues and Discussions only | Its GitHub repository |
Release versions and dates from each project’s GitHub releases page, checked October 30, 2026.
Sunshine
- The most complete documentation: every setting is described in its configuration docs, which this site cites throughout.
- Streams your real monitor. For a headless PC it can switch displays and resolutions automatically, but it needs a dummy plug or a separate virtual display driver. See streaming without a dummy plug.
- On Windows, full controller support (Xbox One/Series, DualSense, Switch Pro, motion, adaptive triggers) comes with LizardByte’s paid Virtual HID Driver. The free ViGEmBus fallback covers Xbox 360 and DualShock 4 only.
Apollo
- Creates a virtual display when a stream starts and removes it when the app quits. The display matches each client’s resolution and frame rate, and each client keeps its own display identity, so Windows remembers per-device settings.
- HDR on the virtual display needs Windows 11 23H2, and is generally supported on 24H2.
- Per-client permissions: the first paired client gets full permissions; later ones can only view streams and list apps until you grant more.
- Also has clipboard sync. It’s designed alongside Artemis, a Moonlight-based Android client from the same developer, but regular Moonlight works too.
- Apollo’s README recommends removing other virtual display tools to avoid conflicts.
Vibepollo
- Describes itself as an “AI-enhanced version of Apollo”, and its README says about 99% of its code is AI-generated.
- Adds safeguards so virtual displays don’t get “stuck” when you return to the PC, and can capture from any GPU, including in hybrid laptops.
- Ships a free Windows virtual gamepad driver that emulates Xbox Series, Xbox One, DualSense, DualShock 4 and Switch Pro pads.
- Some features, like its PyroWave codec, need a fast wired LAN and the developer’s own Moonlight fork.
- Replaces Sunshine or Apollo rather than running alongside them. Run one host at a time.
Which one?
- Linux or macOS host, or you want the best-documented option: Sunshine.
- Headless Windows PC and several devices at different resolutions: Apollo or Vibepollo save you a dummy plug. Note that Apollo’s last release is from July 2025.
- You want modern controller emulation on Windows without paying: Vibepollo’s bundled driver is free; Sunshine’s full-featured driver is paid.
Couch Lag isn’t affiliated with any of these projects. Check each project’s own page before switching, and run only one host at a time. Vibepollo’s README says to replace an existing Sunshine or Apollo install rather than run both.
FAQ
Is Apollo better than Sunshine?
It depends on what you need. Apollo adds a built-in Windows virtual display and per-client permissions. Sunshine runs on more platforms, has the most complete documentation and gets more frequent releases. Apollo’s latest release, as of October 30, 2026, was v0.4.6 from July 2025.
What is Vibepollo?
Vibepollo describes itself as an AI-enhanced version of Apollo. It adds display automation, a free Windows virtual gamepad driver and a Linux beta, and its README says about 99% of its code is AI-generated.
Can I use the normal Moonlight app with Apollo?
Yes. Apollo is designed alongside Artemis, a Moonlight-based Android client, but standard Moonlight clients can pair with it too. Only the first paired client gets full permissions by default.
Sources
- Sunshine releases (official release list)
- Sunshine docs: Getting Started (official Sunshine docs)
- Sunshine docs: Configuration (official Sunshine docs)
- Sunshine docs: Troubleshooting (official Sunshine docs)
- Apollo README (virtual display, HDR notes) (project README)
- Apollo releases (official release list)
- Vibepollo README (project README)
- Vibepollo releases (official release list)