Running real-time, high-fidelity 3D experiences in the browser is no longer a novelty. For Unreal Engine creators, Unity developers, and XR teams, it's become a necessity. Whether you are showcasing a product, delivering a demo, or building an interactive client experience, one thing is clear: performance matters.

But so does scale. So does flexibility. And so does the ability to support multiple platforms without compromising visual quality or user experience.

Arcware has built a name around Unreal Engine streaming. For certain use cases, it delivers. But if your workflow spans more than one engine, or if you care about faster startup times, global latency performance, and streaming fidelity that feels truly native, it's worth considering what else is out there.

That’s exactly where Vagon Streams comes in, offering a faster, more scalable, and engine-agnostic alternative built for real production use.

Where Arcware Falls Short for Scalable Pixel Streaming?

Arcware offers a simplified way to bring Unreal Engine builds into the browser, with a clean UI and lightweight deployment process. For local presentations, early-stage projects, or controlled environments, it performs reliably within its narrow scope. Teams can share builds via direct links or embed them into websites without setting up infrastructure. The service runs on GDPR-compliant hardware based in Germany and supports up to 100 viewers per stream at 1080p quality.

However, in today’s fast-moving environment—where cross-platform compatibility, mobile access, instant performance, and global reach are becoming baseline expectations—Arcware’s model begins to show clear limits.

❌ Unreal-only support
Arcware is built exclusively for Unreal Engine. There’s no support for Unity, other 3D engines, or any type of general-purpose desktop application streaming.

❌ Single-region deployment
All streams are hosted from a data center in Germany. This creates unnecessary latency for users outside Europe, especially in North America or Asia.

❌ Long session startup times
Application launches can take between 10 to 20 seconds, which can disrupt user experience and increase drop-off rates.

❌ No mobile interaction features
While experiences are technically viewable on mobile, there is no built-in support for touch input, external controllers, or mobile-adaptive UI.

❌ No GPU or performance selection
All sessions run on the same static infrastructure, with no ability to select performance tiers or scale resources based on workload.

❌ No developer dashboard or analytics
Arcware lacks a self-service control panel for monitoring sessions, adjusting configurations, or gathering usage data.

❌ No integration or automation options
Without APIs or SDKs, teams can’t integrate Arcware into their pipeline or build automated workflows.

Arcware may still be suitable for small-scale, Unreal-only deployments with a regional audience. But for teams aiming to deliver high-quality experiences across different engines, devices, and locations, it quickly becomes too limiting.

Why Vagon Streams Is Built for the Next Generation of Pixel Streaming?

Vagon Streams was created to solve the core limitations that traditional pixel streaming platforms have yet to address. From slow launch times to rigid infrastructure and limited engine support, most legacy platforms were designed for a different era. Vagon Streams replaces that with speed, flexibility, and control—right out of the box.

Whether you’re showcasing a product, running a demo, hosting a multi-user virtual experience, or streaming a full desktop application, Vagon Streams provides the foundation to deliver it globally, without the friction.

✅ Support For Unreal Engine, Unity & Any Other Windows Application

Vagon Streams is not locked into a specific engine or toolchain. You can stream projects built with Unreal Engine, Unity, or any other Windows-based application, from design software and simulation tools to configurators, games, or VR platforms. If it runs on Windows, it runs on Vagon.

✅ Instant Connection Times

Unlike platforms that require container provisioning or cold-start server prep, Vagon Streams offers instant connection with connection times under five seconds. This significantly improves user experience and reduces drop-off, especially in client-facing or time-sensitive demos.

✅ Latest-Generation NVIDIA GPUs

Every session runs on cloud machines equipped with RTX-enabled GPUs, enabling high-performance rendering, smooth interaction, and support for up to 4K at 60 frames per second. Whether your application demands heavy computation, real-time interaction, or photorealistic visuals, the performance is ready.

✅ Mobile-Optimized Interaction

Vagon Streams includes built-in support for mobile and tablet users. That means native touch controls, external controller compatibility, smart keyboard overlays, and adaptive input mapping, ensuring a seamless experience on phones and tablets, without custom development.

✅ Global Infrastructure Across 20+ Data Centers

With infrastructure in over 20 geographic locations, Vagon Streams automatically routes users to the nearest available data center. The result is lower latency, higher availability, and consistent streaming quality, no matter where your users are located.

✅ No-Code, Self-Serve Control Panel

Vagon Streams includes a powerful dashboard that allows teams to manage their streaming experiences without writing any code. Launch apps, set performance options, monitor active sessions, or configure player settings, all from a user-friendly interface. Ideal for both technical and non-technical users.

✅ White-Label Design and Developer API

For teams that need full control over branding or integration, Vagon Streams provides white-label options and a robust API. You can embed the player into your product, control launch behavior, automate workflows, and deliver fully branded experiences, all under your own domain.

Vagon Streams doesn’t just fill the gaps left by other platforms. It redefines what pixel streaming should be: fast, flexible, scalable, and accessible to any team, no matter the engine, location, or device.

Arcware vs Vagon Streams: Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Choosing the right pixel streaming platform often comes down to a few key factors: compatibility, performance, scalability, and ease of use. Below is a side-by-side look at how Arcware and Vagon Streams compare across the features that matter most.

How to Get Started with Vagon Streams?

Switching from Arcware, or setting up pixel streaming from scratch, doesn’t have to be complicated. Vagon Streams is built for speed, not just in connection time, but in deployment as well. Whether you're streaming a high-fidelity Unreal Engine demo, a Unity configurator, or any Windows-based desktop application, setup is fast, flexible, and reliable.

Here’s how to get started:

1. Export your build

Prepare your project just like you normally would. For Unreal Engine, export a packaged build in Windows format. For Unity, build the Windows standalone version. You don’t need to modify your project for cloud deployment, Vagon Streams handles the environment setup for you. Simply make sure the build is self-contained and launchable.

2. Sign up and access your dashboard

Create a Vagon Streams account to access the cloud-based dashboard. This is your control center for uploading apps, selecting deployment options, managing sessions, and tracking usage. No DevOps expertise or server configuration is required—everything is handled through a clean, user-friendly interface.

3. Upload your application

Drag and drop your build folder into the dashboard. You can also include support files such as command-line scripts, launch arguments, or preloaded assets if your application requires it. Once uploaded, Vagon automatically prepares the environment based on your selected configuration.

4. Choose your performance and region

Select the performance level that fits your app’s requirements. Choose between Standard, Accelerated, or RTX-enabled machines, each optimized for different levels of visual fidelity and processing demand. Then, pick from over 20 global data centers to ensure the lowest latency for your users.

5. Configure your session behavior

Decide how your experience should behave. Want to auto-start the app? Run multiple scripts? Set specific window sizes? Vagon Streams gives you granular control over how sessions are launched and closed, without requiring code or external services.

6. Customize your player or embed

Use the ready-made white-label player, or embed the stream directly into your website, app, or client portal. With full branding options, domain masking, and optional API access, you can make the experience feel native to your product. Add custom splash screens, player UI, and performance tracking as needed.

7. Launch, share and connect

Your experience is now live. Share a link or embed it directly. When users connect, Vagon Streams routes them to the nearest data center and launches the session instantly, typically under 5 seconds. There’s no software to install, no plugins required, and no onboarding friction for your end users.

Setting Up for the First Time? We’re Here to Help!

If you’re migrating from any streaming platform or a custom pixel streaming setup, the Vagon team offers dedicated onboarding support. From build optimization to mobile interaction testing and API integration, we’ll guide you through each step and help you migrate with zero disruption.

Most teams are fully operational within a few hours of signing up. Just drop an hello on streams@vagon.io, or reach out to us via 24/7 live chat support.

See Vagon Streams in Action

If you’re considering alternatives to Arcware, the best way to evaluate the difference is to experience Vagon Streams firsthand. Our live demo experiences showcases real-world projects built with Unreal Engine, Unity, and high-performance Windows applications, each streamed instantly through the Vagon platform.

From product configurators and architectural walkthroughs to VR-ready demos and creative tools, these examples demonstrate what modern pixel streaming should feel like—responsive, high-fidelity, and accessible on any device.

You’ll experience:

• High-quality visuals up to 4K 60 FPS

• Launch times under five seconds from any modern browser

• Consistent performance across desktop, tablet, and mobile

• Native support for touch, keyboard, and external controllers

All experiences run on the same production infrastructure available to every Vagon Streams user—no simulation, no shortcuts. What you see is what you get.

Explore the demo projects at vagon.io/streams/experiences and see how fast, scalable streaming can power your next project.

Final Thoughts

There are plenty of ways to approach pixel streaming—custom setups, legacy platforms, one-off solutions—but most still fall short where it matters. Long configuration times, complex deployment pipelines, limited compatibility, and infrastructure overhead make it hard to move fast or scale with confidence.

What’s often missing is a balance between great engineering and real usability.

Vagon Streams was built to change that. It combines high-performance cloud infrastructure with a truly easy-to-use platform. Instant launch. Global availability. Support for Unreal, Unity, and any Windows-based application. No code required, no infrastructure to maintain.

It’s everything pixel streaming should be—powerful, scalable, and finally simple.

And it’s ready when you are.