The native GeForce NOW app for Linux is no longer a beta. Nvidia has shipped the full version of its cloud streaming client for desktop Linux, bringing better performance, stability, and polish for people playing on Linux laptops, mini PCs, and handhelds. It taps into the same cloud servers as the Windows and macOS apps, so you can stream your existing Steam and Epic Games libraries at up to RTX 5080-class quality.
Quick answer: Install the native GeForce NOW client on Ubuntu 24.04 or later. Download the .bin file from Nvidia’s Linux setup page, make it executable with chmod +x GeForceNOWSetup.bin, then run it. It installs as a Flatpak and pulls in a large runtime on first setup.
System requirements for the GeForce NOW Linux client
Nvidia officially guarantees support only on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and later. Because the client is packaged as a Flatpak, it can work on other distributions too, but stability outside Ubuntu is not promised. The build is x86_64 only, with no ARM64 (AArch64) version available.
The hardware bar is fairly low. You mainly need a modern GPU that can decode H.264 or H.265 through Vulkan Video. What you need beyond that depends on your display session.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Supported OS | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS or later (other distros may work via Flatpak) |
| Architecture | x86_64 only (no ARM64/AArch64 build) |
| GPU decode | H.264 or H.265 Vulkan Video support |
| X.Org session | Nvidia R580-series driver or newer |
| Wayland session (AMD/Intel) | Mesa 24.2 or later |
| Bandwidth for 5K at 120 FPS | 65 Mbps |
| Latency to Nvidia data center | Under 80 ms required, under 40 ms recommended |
Install the GeForce NOW app on Linux
.bin installer from Nvidia’s Linux download page. This is the official installer that sets up the Flatpak package.chmod +x GeForceNOWSetup.binYou know it worked when the GeForce NOW window opens to a login screen. From the terminal you can also launch it with flatpak run com.nvidia.geforcenow. On some dual-GPU laptops the app has failed to open until Steam is running first, so if the window exits immediately, try starting Steam and launching again.
Membership tiers and streaming quality
All tiers reach the full library, but session length and image quality scale with what you pay. The free tier gives you access with capped session lengths and a more basic experience. Paid tiers add ray tracing, DLSS 4, and longer sessions, with the Ultimate tier running on RTX 5080-class servers.
| Tier | Streaming quality | Session limit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Full library, basic experience | Capped sessions | Free |
| Performance | Up to 1440p at 60 FPS, ray tracing, DLSS 4 | Up to 6 hours | From $18.99/month |
| Ultimate | RTX 5080 servers, up to 5K at 120 FPS or 1080p at 360 FPS | Up to 8 hours | From $19.99/month |
Ultimate members also get DLSS 4 Multi-Frame Generation and a Cinematic-Quality Streaming mode on the RTX 5080-class servers. To see every visual feature, you need to play titles that are optimized for those servers.
Game library and the 100-hour monthly cap
The Linux client streams from a catalog of more than 4,500 supported games spread across storefronts like Steam and Epic Games. That list keeps growing, with a recent batch of nine additions that includes the new Hell Let Loose: Vietnam. Big titles such as Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, Apex Legends, Fortnite, Borderlands 4, and Battlefield 6 are among the supported games.
One limit applies to everyone. Since the start of 2026, Nvidia has enforced a 100-hour monthly streaming cap across all users. That total is separate from the per-session limits above, so heavy players should track their monthly usage as well.
Known feature gaps on Linux
The Linux client does not yet match every capability of the Windows app. The feature set omits HDR, AV1 streaming, and Cloud G-Sync/VRR. If you rely on any of those, the Windows or macOS clients remain the fuller option for now.
Note: Because the client is x86_64 only, ARM-based Linux devices are not currently covered, and Nvidia has not confirmed plans for an ARM64 build.
With the app out of beta, the main practical takeaway is stability. If you are on Ubuntu 24.04 or later with a supported driver and enough bandwidth, the native client now gives Linux users a smoother path to cloud streaming than the browser-based version, without needing a new high-end GPU at a time when hardware prices are steep.