A free, open-source GitHub project called OpenNOW is gaining a lot of attention in the PC gaming community as an alternative to the native NVIDIA GeForce Now app.

OpenNOW, created and maintained by the OpenCloud community, is built for use with Windows (ARM64 support included), macOS, and Linux (x64 or ARM64), and as its creators state, it "aims to give players a transparent, customizable alternative to the official client without hiding the technical parts from contributors."

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Why is OpenNOW getting so much attention as a GeForce Now alternative?

It's explicitly stated that you must use your own GeForce Now account with OpenNOW; this isn't some way to get around subscription fees. So why is OpenNOW getting so much attention? Although it's only been around and under active construction since late 2025, it has now picked up 1.5K stars on GitHub.

The biggest perk for many gamers is a lack of AFK limitations. You know how GeForce Now will drop you out of a game if you walk away and get distracted for more than a few minutes? That doesn't happen in OpenNOW.

It's also clearly stated on the OpenNOW GitHub page that the app does not collect any sort of telemetry. Authentication of your GeForce Now account is all done through NVIDIA servers, and game settings and any media you capture stay on your PC.

Beyond privacy and telemetry concerns, OpenNOW is just easy to use. It offers a robust set of stream controls you can use to adjust performance and graphics. It has built-in performance monitoring and diagnostic tools. Search is streamlined for your games and private games. And the app handles captures, audio, and controller navigation.

Perhaps the best part is that it's open source. That means savvy developers can fork their own version and apply changes as they see fit.

The OpenNOW app's website shows that it's working on adding features like voice chat, instant replay, themes, and custom scripts and extensions, and with the rate at which the app is currently being updated, I don't expect these features to be missing for too long.

NVIDIA GeForce Now vs. OpenNOW: Which one should you use?

OpenNOW does have some limitations compared to its official NVIDIA counterpart, and I'm sure that many PC gamers won't want to give up features like Discord integration or Android compatibility. Not to mention HOTAS support for all the flight sim enthusiasts out there.

Still, OpenNOW should be a great option for anyone who's into privacy and advanced streaming controls. For those who want a more streamlined experience with official support, GeForce Now remains the go-to option.

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Cale Hunt brings to Windows Central more than nine years of experience writing about PC gaming, Windows laptops, accessories, and beyond. If it runs Windows or in some way complements the hardware, there’s a good chance he knows about it, has written about it, or is already busy testing it.