Nvidia launches official GeForce Now client for Linux in beta

[DragonSlayer101]

Ripple effect: Windows has long been the default choice for PC gamers, but that grip is beginning to loosen. Linux gaming is surging, not only because of growing frustration with Windows 11, but also due to Valve's major inroads in making Linux a more viable gaming platform, driven by optimizations developed for the Steam Deck. To cater to this expanding community, Nvidia is doing its part and has now launched a GeForce Now Linux client in beta.

Nvidia announced plans to bring GeForce Now to Linux at CES 2026 a few weeks ago. The service was already available on Linux-powered handhelds like the Steam Deck, but it is now also supported on general Linux distributions for desktops and laptops.

The GeForce Now client is officially supported only on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and later, but since it is being offered as a Flatpak build, it should be compatible with other distros as well. The client is currently designed only for x86_64 Linux, with no AArch64 builds available yet. Nvidia has also not clarified whether it plans to support ARM64 in the future.

The official system requirements suggest that the GeForce Now Linux client can run on relatively modest hardware. All you need is a modern graphics card with H.264 or H.265 Vulkan Video support. Recommended options include the Nvidia R580 series when using the X.Org session, or Mesa 24.2+ with AMD or Intel chips when using the Wayland session.

The official system requirements suggest that the GeForce Now Linux client can run on relatively modest hardware. Users simply need a modern graphics card that supports H.264 or H.265 Vulkan Video decoding. Nvidia recommends using an R580-series driver or newer when running under an X.Org session, while AMD and Intel users should have Mesa 24.2 or later and use the Wayland session for the best experience.

GeForce Now on Linux supports more than 4,500 titles, including AAA blockbusters such as Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, Total War: Three Kingdoms, Apex Legends, Fortnite, Borderlands 4, and Battlefield 6. The free tier offers access to the full library, but gameplay is limited by capped session lengths and a more basic experience.

Paid users can expect a significantly upgraded experience, with support for ray tracing, DLSS 4, and more. The Performance tier enables 1440p at 60 FPS and sessions of up to six hours, while the Ultimate tier unlocks RTX 5080 servers with support for up to 5K at 120 FPS, or 1080p at 360 FPS, with sessions lasting up to eight hours.

Gamers interested in trying GeForce Now on Linux can download it from TechSpot, as the company is not distributing it through Flathub.

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Nvidia launches official GeForce Now client for Linux in beta

 

[yRaz]

While I appreciate this, I moved to AMD not just because I have been dailying Linux since 2022, but because I got tired of feeling like I was being taken advantage of after being an nVidia customer since 2003. When my Asus 1080ti died during COVID and was left holding the bag, that was kinda it for me. I ran a 1050ti until I saw a 6700xt in stock at MSRP and I don't think I'm moving back. Especially since I see nVidia as the cause of the current parts issue by making a product that no one but tech bros want.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

While I appreciate this, I moved to AMD not just because I have been dailying Linux since 2022, but because I got tired of feeling like I was being taken advantage of after being an nVidia customer since 2003. When my Asus 1080ti died during COVID and was left holding the bag, that was kinda it for me. I ran a 1050ti until I saw a 6700xt in stock at MSRP and I don't think I'm moving back. Especially since I see nVidia as the cause of the current parts issue by making a product that no one but tech bros want.

you were left holding the bag because nvidia didnt replace a GPU that at that point was 5 years old?

 

[vridamatekk]

GFN/GeForce Now's weekly game additions isnt exactly overwhelming. it is like around 4-10 games & some shovelware outright. & the design is left in the hands of the coders.

 

[ScottSoapbox]

If you don't mind latency and completely renting your games, this could be a good option. At the very least, it shows Linux is increasingly on the industry's radar.

I prefer <10ms latency and (mostly) owning my games.

 

[FrancB]

So yes, the plan is maybe to convert everyone, including gamers, to the cloud.
Nvidia planning the short supply and the solution.

 

[Homerlovesbeer]

If NVIDIA really cared they'd actually increase output to meet current demand and charge RRP instead of us now unable to buy cards unless it's double or more RRP.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

If NVIDIA really cared they'd actually increase output to meet current demand and charge RRP instead of us now unable to buy cards unless it's double or more RRP.

How can they increase output when they're beholden to TSMC and the memory cartel?

 

[penn919]

If you don't mind latency and completely renting your games, this could be a good option. At the very least, it shows Linux is increasingly on the industry's radar.

I prefer <10ms latency and (mostly) owning my games.

The service requires your own purchased games on top of the subscription. The value is accessibility of games on pretty much any device that supports either the app natively or GFN website. Ironically, if the subscription included games, the service might actually be more valuable.

 

[bviktor]

Cool. Except cloud gaming is garbage.

 

[ScottSoapbox]

The service requires your own purchased games on top of the subscription. The value is accessibility of games on pretty much any device that supports either the app natively or GFN website. Ironically, if the subscription included games, the service might actually be more valuable.

I believe you can stack your xbox game pass subscription on top of your nvidia hardware subscription to achieve new levels of owning nothing.

 

[penn919]

I believe you can stack your xbox game pass subscription on top of your nvidia hardware subscription to achieve new levels of owning nothing.

That's true, but I thinik it's okay so long as there are still traditional storefronts to "purchase" games (but not really, of course).

 

[Rapob]

While I appreciate this, I moved to AMD not just because I have been dailying Linux since 2022, but because I got tired of feeling like I was being taken advantage of after being an nVidia customer since 2003. When my Asus 1080ti died during COVID and was left holding the bag, that was kinda it for me. I ran a 1050ti until I saw a 6700xt in stock at MSRP and I don't think I'm moving back. Especially since I see nVidia as the cause of the current parts issue by making a product that no one but tech bros want.

Yeah this is exactly how most "Linux gamers" roll. Old hardware, old games, mostly single player, while claiming Linux is good for gaming.

Meanwhile Nvidia is at 90+ percent marketshare. I doubt they bother much.

AMD still can't match my 4090 after like 4 years. Maybe in 1-2 generations they will.

No FSR 4 support on RDNA 3 and older was a shitty move. FSR 3.1 and older is garbage. Not worth using. I have Radeon 9070 non-XT in my HTPC. FSR 4 is good, FSR 3 and older, just horrible. DLSS is still far superior in both visuals and game support tho.

Forcing FSR 4 in many FSR 2+ games, feels like being a beta tester. Meanwhile forcing DLSS 4 in way more games, is easy. There's like 1000+ games with DLSS/DLAA support now, plus mods.

If AMD has a good alternative for RTX 6080 I might try AMD GPU in my main rig again, in a few years. FSR 4 support needs to increase massively tho. I use DLSS/DLAA in pretty much all games today. Native looks and runs worse. FSR 4 is the only upscaler that comes even close to DLSS but sadly not supported on anything else than Radeon 9000 series.

RDNA 1, 2 and 3 aged like milk really. 1) They can't do RT (many games has forced RT elements, this began years ago). 2) Don't support (good) upscaling (FSR 3.1 and older is crap).

These are the main reasons RDNA 1-3 aged very poorly. AMD left the users behind to rot. RDNA4 and RDNA 5 aka UDNA is the future for AMD GPUs. RDNA 3 and older, useless really.

A good friend of mine replaced his 7900 XTX with a 5070 Ti because he was tired of bad upscaling, huge RT hit, wonky game performance. 8GB less VRAM but all his games run better. Less heat, less noise, lower power draw, less issues. Upscaling now can be used. Actual good FG/MFG is just a nice plus on top.

And you think VRAM is what matters the most for longevity? Think again. VRAM don't matter if your GPU don't support good upscaling. You won't need alot of VRAM then. You won't be playing games on max.

Nvidia never spent less time on gaming GPUs, yet they dominate the market with ease.

 

[yRaz]

Yeah this is exactly how most "Linux gamers" roll. Old hardware, old games, mostly single player, while claiming Linux is good for gaming.

Meanwhile Nvidia is at 90+ percent marketshare. I doubt they bother much.

AMD still can't match my 4090 after like 4 years. Maybe in 1-2 generations they will.

No FSR 4 support on RDNA 3 and older was a shitty move. FSR 3.1 and older is garbage. Not worth using. I have Radeon 9070 non-XT in my HTPC. FSR 4 is good, FSR 3 and older, just horrible. DLSS is still far superior in both visuals and game support tho.

Forcing FSR 4 in many FSR 2+ games, feels like being a beta tester. Meanwhile forcing DLSS 4 in way more games, is easy. There's like 1000+ games with DLSS/DLAA support now, plus mods.

If AMD has a good alternative for RTX 6080 I might try AMD GPU in my main rig again, in a few years. FSR 4 support needs to increase massively tho. I use DLSS/DLAA in pretty much all games today. Native looks and runs worse. FSR 4 is the only upscaler that comes even close to DLSS but sadly not supported on anything else than Radeon 9000 series.

RDNA 1, 2 and 3 aged like milk really. 1) They can't do RT (many games has forced RT elements, this began years ago). 2) Don't support (good) upscaling (FSR 3.1 and older is crap).

These are the main reasons RDNA 1-3 aged very poorly. AMD left the users behind to rot. RDNA4 and RDNA 5 aka UDNA is the future for AMD GPUs. RDNA 3 and older, useless really.

A good friend of mine replaced his 7900 XTX with a 5070 Ti because he was tired of bad upscaling, huge RT hit, wonky game performance. 8GB less VRAM but all his games run better. Less heat, less noise, lower power draw, less issues. Upscaling now can be used. Actual good FG/MFG is just a nice plus on top.

And you think VRAM is what matters the most for longevity? Think again. VRAM don't matter if your GPU don't support good upscaling. You won't need alot of VRAM then. You won't be playing games on max.

Nvidia never spent less time on gaming GPUs, yet they dominate the market with ease.

I have around 40k in hardware in my homelab, gaming isn't where my interest in tech lies. But go ahead with the "lol, you're just poor" argument. I haven't played any games since I finished rouge trader back in October so please tell me how paying 3k for a graphics card is a good investment

I swear, so much of this tech elitism is from people spending tons of money on a PC, still being miserable and then being mad that other people can be happy without it.

 

[Rapob]

I have around 40k in hardware in my homelab, gaming isn't where my interest in tech lies. But go ahead with the "lol, you're just poor" argument. I haven't played any games since I finished rouge trader back in October so please tell me how paying 3k for a graphics card is a good investment

I swear, so much of this tech elitism is from people spending tons of money on a PC, still being miserable and then being mad that other people can be happy without.

Ah, so Linux is good for gaming, yet you don't play games. Makes sense. We have a gaming expert here.

Was it you talking about a Ryzen 1800X home lab? Please. A homelab with its base being an almost 10 year old 1800X which can be bought for a few peanuts. 40K where? On what? Is that 40K when it was new, 10-15-20 years ago? 40K thai bahts?

I am not miserable. I am happy, always. I buy what I want. Don't use dated hardware.
When I do actual work, I just connect to Linux clusters. It is my job. What do I need a homelab for? I have a home server, sure, but who cares. Hint: Massively newer than Ryzen 1000 series.

If you can't tolerate some of us can afford new hardware, what are you doing on a hardware forum?

So tired of people using crap hardware claiming Linux is good for gaming. It is always casual gamers claiming that. People that have actual experience with high-end hardware, high refresh rate monitors etc. Knows Windows is still vastly superior, with no limitations on game catalog.

Even Steam has like 95% Windows users, while Valve having massive focus on Linux. Yet those few percent mainly plays indie games, old games, mostly single player titles. Steam Deck sucks for new AAA games, how do I know? Have an OLED version collecting dust. Was better for emulation than actual AAA games. Crappy hardware + Linux = Horrible experience overall.

The Steam Deck OLED shines when streaming AAA games from a Windows PC with a RTX GPU. Steam Remote Play. Now it is actually usable for AAA gaming.

 

[yRaz]

Ah, so Linux is good for gaming, yet you don't play games. Makes sense. We have a gaming expert here.

Was it you talking about a Ryzen 1800X home lab? Please. A homelab with its base being an almost 10 year old 1800X which can be bought for a few peanuts. 40K where? On what? Is that 40K when it was new, 10-15-20 years ago?

I am not miserable. I am happy, always. I buy what I want. Don't use dated hardware.
When I do actual work, I just connect to Linux clusters. It is my job. What do I need a homelab for? I have a home server, sure, but who cares. Hint: Massively newer than Ryzen 1000 series.

If you can't tolerate some of us can afford new hardware, what are you doing on a hardware forum?

So tired of people using crap hardware claiming Linux is good for gaming. It is always casual gamers claiming that. People that have actual experience with high-end hardware, high refresh rate monitors etc. Knows Windows is still vastly superior, with no limitations on game catalog.

Even Steam has like 95% Windows users, while Valve having massive focus on Linux. Yet those few percent mainly plays indie games, old games, mostly single player titles. Steam Deck sucks for new AAA games, how do I know? Have an OLED version collecting dust. Was better for emulation than actual AAA games. Crappy hardware + Linux = Horrible experience overall.

The Steam Deck OLED shines when streaming AAA games from a Windows PC with a RTX GPU. Steam Remote Play baby.

I had 5 AM4 systems with 1800x's in them that I upgrade to 5900x's back in December, I told you that last time you started this nonsense with me, the other 6 systems are used Xeons of varying SKUs with between 512GB to 1TB of memory. The games I do usually play are EvE and ESO. I'll upgrade my gaming rig when Elder scrolls 6 comes out. But for the games I play, the 6700xt.does 4k120 Max just fine because they're all 10+years old. When I was younger I played more games and even treated myself to some high-end gaming systems as my career matured. But I'm a grown man now and don't play games nearly as much as I did.

EDIT: if like to note I have 6 Xeon based systems in my rack but they're all duel CPU systems so I have 12 Xeons total.

 

[Rapob]

I had 5 AM4 systems with 1800x's in them that I upgrade to 5900x's back in December, I told you that last time you started this nonsense with me, the other 6 systems are used Xeons of varying SKUs with between 512GB to 1TB of memory. The games I do usually play are EvE and ESO. I'll upgrade my gaming rig when Elder scrolls 6 comes out. But for the games I play, the 6700xt.does 4k120 Max just fine because they're all 10+years old. When I was younger I played more games and even treated myself to some high-end gaming systems as my career matured. But I'm a grown man now and don't play games nearly as much as I did.

EDIT: if like to note I have 6 Xeon based systems in my rack but they're all duel CPU systems so I have 12 Xeons total.

Ah, so what do you use this home lab for if you have a job in IT anyway? I use company clusters for testing for free. Why would I have all this shite at home? What do you use it for? Last time, just a few weeks ago, you claimed your 1800X homelab could run a 2000 player WoW private server. Now you have 6 dual CPU rack servers lol

 

[yRaz]

Ah, so what do you use this home lab for if you have a job in IT anyway? I use company clusters for testing for free. Why would I have all this shite at home? What do you use it for? Last time, just a few weeks ago, you claimed your 1800X homelab could run a 2000 player WoW private server. Now you have 6 dual CPU rack servers lol

I'm the concrete lead in my region for a commercial construction company but I've been working on computers since the early 90s. When I started my career in Masonry, getting into a career in networking or managing data centers was something that was something you needed to go to an ivy League school for. I didn't get into an Ivy league school so I dropped out when my scholarship money ran out, which was probably the best financial decision of my life.

 

[Rapob]

I'm the concrete lead in my region for a commercial construction company but I've been working on computers since the early 90s. When I started my career in Masonry, getting into a career in networking or managing data centers was something that was something you needed to go to an ivy League school for. I didn't get into an Ivy league school so I dropped out when my scholarship money ran out, which was probably the best financial decision of my life.

Gobbling up tech stocks and crypto in 2015 was the best financial decision of my life. I don't need to work, but I still do occationally.

Cool story right?

 

[FrancB]

Yeah this is exactly how most "Linux gamers" roll. Old hardware, old games, mostly single player, while claiming Linux is good for gaming.

You're right. Linux is not the premium choice for gaming, especially for multiplayer with tricky anti-cheat enabled. Compatibility list is not flawless.
However, after being a "no go" for long, it begins to be an "OK" choice for not-so-hardcore gamers who do not want to change "good enough" hardware (and that includes nVidia GPUs). With some limitations, yes. But that's something.