Now that we can test both GeForce NOW and Google Stadia, it’s a good time to evaluate the performance of both cloud gaming services to see which one is more worthwhile. So, next we are going to compare GeForce NOW vs Google Stadia to see which of the two is more worthwhile , especially considering that both are paid services.
Both services have already left the Beta phase and are in the hands of the players, and many of them assure that we can already throw PC gaming and consoles in the trash because this is the future of video games. We say that not so fast, we must first see what each of them offers us to be able to release such an affirmation, right?
Comparison GeForce NOW vs Google Stadia
| Google Stadia | GeForce NOW | |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | Up to 4K | 1080p |
| Recommended network speed | 35 Mbps for 4K at 60 FPS | 25 Mbps for 1080p at 60 FPS |
| Minimum network speed | 10 Mbps | 15 Mbps |
| Games | Stadia Store | Yours |
| Device support | Chrome browser, Chrome OS, Pixel, Chromecast | Windows, MacOS, NVIDIA Shield, Android |
| Price | € 129 + € 10 per month (Pro) | € 5 per month (offer for 12 months) |
The price of the service
It must be said that the price of GeForce NOW is for the moment promotional and only accessible to those who participated in the beta (founders) of the service, so the rest of us mortals must settle for the free version, which is severely limited.
On the other hand we have Stadia, which is only available for users who want to spend 129 euros on Stadia Founder’s / Premiere edition devices. Included in this package is a Chromecast Ultra and a Stadia controller . It also has a limited free version, but the library is quite limited, and the resolution equates to GeForce NOW: 1080p at 60 FPS .
In this case, the three-month Stadia Pro option is also offered which offers much more interesting games, and promises gaming at 4K resolution and 60 FPS if the network connection allows it.
Configuration difficulty
The Google Stadia installation process is really very simple , although it is curious that you have to exit the browser to install a game and then return to it to play it. Google stuff. In any case, the process consists of installing an application from where you manage the games and then play them in the browser. Simple and simple at the same time as convoluted in an absurd way, but come on, no difficulty.
The browser is just as easy to use and you don’t have to do tricks to get to play. Four clicks and you’re in, it’s that simple. The bad part is if you have to buy a game, since Stadia is a closed ecosystem and you have to license any game that Google adds to the platform, which means accepting third-party terms and conditions, transferring data, etc.
By the way, anything you buy will remain in the Stadia ecosystem and if at any time you decide not to renew your subscription, you will not be able to access them . Luckily, it works like the PlayStation Plus, and if you subscribe again, your library will be waiting for you.
As for GeForce NOW, it’s also pretty straightforward . You simply go to the NVIDIA website, download the application for your operating system, install it, log in and you’re done, like any other software. Unlike Stadia, GeForce NOW connects to your own game library on the most popular digital platforms, so you don’t have to duplicate games you’ve already purchased. In addition, the games are yours and you can continue to access them even if you do not subscribe to the service.
The process of playing is as simple as searching for the game (there is a search engine), you add it to your home page and access it. If you did not have it installed, you will have the possibility to do it, or if you do not have it, to buy it. Everything easy and very simple, the truth is that NVIDIA has worked a lot and very well in simplifying its program. However, please note that not all games are compatible with this service .
Graphic quality in GeForce NOW vs Google Stadia
We start by talking about Stadia. Here it is impossible to adjust the graphics settings of the games, so what you see is what there is, which can be a disadvantage for players who are dizzy by the effects of Motion Blur, for example. With that in mind, it seems there seems to be a lack of textures compared to GeForce NOW, the definition is not as good and details are lost in the images. Similarly, it seems that they have reduced the field of vision (seen at a shorter distance).
In terms of performance it cannot be bought with a local PC, there is no doubt about that. The experience is good, but not as good as it could be.
Playing with GeForce NOW, you notice that the textures inevitably lose definition while you are moving (not so in static images), but in general the definition is quite sharp. The resolution and graphics are noticeably better than in Stadia , and the field of view is the same as on PC. At best, in terms of performance and graphics GeForce NOW is on par with a gaming PC, something that Stadia falls short of.
As a negative point in this area, it must be said that the images have less color, they are less vivid than on PC. But this comparison is GeForce NOW vs Google Stadia, and it must be said that in terms of graphic quality, NVIDIA’s system beats Google’s system.
It should also be said that the game in GeForce NOW is more fluid than with Stadia , it is noted that they have optimized the bandwidth consumed by games and even with a WiFi connection there is hardly any delay (of course, it must be said, there IS delay , which in PC does not happen).
Performance
Stadia is a very competent tool for streaming games, and we would not expect less from the “rulers” of the Internet, Google. The technology they bring us is more than enough for light gaming, and it’s only if you compare it to the competition that its shortcomings really show up.
Yes it is true that it suffers some drops in FPS here and there, but few and distant. As for latency, as long as you maintain a stable connection, it is also stable. It is higher than in GeForce NOW, that’s true, but once you get used to there being a bit of a delay between your actions on the controller and that they are reflected on the screen, it is not something that bothers or even that you perceive too. Only at the beginning.
The gaming experience in GeForce NOW is quite compelling, and closer to what we achieve playing on a local PC than with Stadia. With this system, “irregular performance” episodes rarely happen as NVIDIA’s own application calls it, there are no noticeable drops in FPS and, as with Stadia, if the connection is stable, latency is too.
GeForce NOW vs Google Stadia, the verdict
There is no other way to say it: Google Stadia has some obvious shortcomings. Its model seems to be weakened by the transmission models of the competition or, in other words, these deficiencies are only seen if we compare it with other services, because the service experience is quite well achieved. In any case this is a comparison and we are obliged to say that both the hardware and the Stadia service are inferior to what NVIDIA offers with GeForce NOW .
Maybe this will change once Stadia launches its free tier, but for now if you don’t want to spend money, play your own games, and enjoy the experience more, GeForce NOW is the way to go.