According to Phoronix, NVIDIA has officially launched its GeForce NOW cloud gaming service as a native Linux desktop application, fulfilling a promise made at CES earlier this year. The client is distributed as a Flatpak, though NVIDIA is hosting it on its own website rather than Flathub. Officially, the company only supports the build on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and later, and it’s currently limited to x86_64 systems with no ARM version available. To run it, you need a modern GPU with H.264 or H.265 Vulkan Video support, with specific driver recommendations for NVIDIA, Intel, or AMD hardware. The service itself provides access to over 4,500 games, with tiers ranging from a free introductory option to the Ultimate tier, which streams from servers with GeForce RTX 5080 GPUs for up to 5K resolution at 120 FPS.
Linux Support Reality Check
Here’s the thing about NVIDIA’s “native” Linux launch: it’s a classic corporate toe-dip. Packaging it as a Flatpak is smart—it theoretically makes it distribution-agnostic. But by only officially supporting Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, they’ve built themselves a very comfortable safety net. They can point to the Flatpak sandbox and say any issues on Fedora, Arch, or others are unsupported configurations. It’s a cautious, calculated move. And limiting it to x86_64? That’s a clear snub to the growing ARM-based Linux desktop and handheld scene. So, while this is a win for Linux gamers in spirit, the practical support boundaries are drawn pretty tight.
What You Need And What You Get
Technically, there are some real requirements here. You’re not just downloading a lightweight client; you need a GPU with decent Vulkan Video support. If you’re on older integrated graphics, you might be out of luck. The lack of AV1 decode support at launch is also a bit of a bummer, as that’s the more efficient codec for high-resolution streaming. But once you’re in, the library is massive. Over 4,500 games is nothing to sneeze at. The tiered structure makes sense: try it for free, pay for better performance and longer sessions. The Ultimate tier, promising 5K/120 FPS from RTX 5080 servers, is the real showcase. That’s where you see the potential of cloud gaming—accessing hardware that would cost a fortune locally.
The Bigger Picture For Linux
This move is significant, even with its caveats. A major player like NVIDIA dedicating resources to a native Linux desktop client (not just a web wrapper) signals that the platform’s user base is becoming harder to ignore. It follows the path Valve blazed with the Steam Deck, proving there’s a real market for gaming on Linux. For the everyday user, it’s another legitimate option alongside Steam and other stores. It also highlights the importance of Flatpak as a deployment mechanism for proprietary software on Linux. Companies seem more willing to target the platform when they can bundle dependencies and limit support scope. So, is this a full-throated embrace of Linux? Not quite. But it’s a firm, business-like handshake. And for a platform that’s often an afterthought, that’s progress.
Where To Get It
If you’re on a supported system and want to give it a shot, you’ll need to grab the Flatpak from the source. NVIDIA isn’t using Flathub, so you can’t just click install in your software center. You have to head over to NVIDIA’s GeForce NOW site to get the package file. It’s an extra step that feels a bit old-school, but it gives NVIDIA full control over the rollout. With a free tier available, there’s basically no risk in testing it on your setup, even if you’re not on Ubuntu 24.04. Just don’t expect official help if something goes wrong off the beaten path.
