Neko, also known as n.eko, is an open source, self-hosted virtual browser platform that streams an interactive Linux desktop or browser session to multiple users at once using WebRTC. It was created by developer m1k1o as a self-hosted replacement for the shut-down co-browsing service rabb.it.
Because it runs a full containerized Linux environment, Neko can stream more than just a browser; it supports any Linux-compatible application, including media players, making it equally suited to group watch parties, collaborative browsing, and remote presentations.
Key Features
Neko uses WebRTC to deliver near real-time streaming with reported latency under roughly 300 milliseconds and synchronized audio, with optional hardware-accelerated encoding for better performance on capable servers.
The platform supports Docker-based deployment across major cloud providers and low-power ARM hardware, and its companion project neko-rooms adds multi-room management for operators hosting several isolated sessions at once.
Pricing
Neko is completely free and open source, distributed as a Docker image with no license fees or paid tiers of any kind.
Users are only responsible for the cost of the server infrastructure they choose to deploy Neko on, whether a home server, VPS, or cloud instance.
Key Features
WebRTC Low-Latency Streaming — Streams an interactive browser or desktop session with latency reported under roughly 300 milliseconds.
Full Linux Desktop Support — Runs any Linux-compatible application inside the container, not just a web browser, including media players like VLC.
Multi-User Shared Sessions — Allows multiple viewers to watch and interact with the same virtual browser or desktop session simultaneously.
Docker-Native Deployment — Ships as a Docker image deployable on AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and other infrastructure, including ARM devices.
Hardware-Accelerated Encoding — Supports hardware acceleration to improve streaming performance on capable servers.
Customizable Browser Environment — Lets operators configure bookmarks, extensions, and persistent data within the streamed session.
Multi-Room Management via neko-rooms — Companion project neko-rooms lets operators spin up and manage multiple isolated Neko sessions.
Synchronized Audio and Video Playback — Keeps audio and video in sync across all connected viewers for a shared watch-party experience.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Completely free and open source with no license fees
Supports any Linux application, not just a browser, adding flexibility for watch parties and beyond
Easy Docker-based deployment across major cloud providers and low-power hardware
Active open source community with a companion multi-room management project
Cons
No company or dedicated support channel; help relies on community documentation and GitHub issues
Requires Docker and server infrastructure knowledge to self-host effectively
Performance depends heavily on server resources and network conditions for all connected viewers
No built-in user directory or enterprise identity management out of the box
Less polished onboarding experience compared to commercial co-watching services
Pricing
Self-Hosted Free N/A (open source)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Neko used for
Neko is used to stream a shared, interactive virtual browser or desktop session to multiple users at once for watch parties, presentations, co-browsing, and remote collaboration.
Is Neko free
Yes, Neko is completely free and open source, distributed as a Docker image with no license fees.
Can Neko stream more than a browser
Yes, because Neko runs a full containerized Linux environment, it can stream any Linux-compatible application, including media players like VLC.
How does Neko achieve low latency
Neko uses WebRTC as its streaming transport, which delivers near real-time video with reported latency under roughly 300 milliseconds compared to higher-latency VNC-based alternatives.
Who created Neko
Neko was created by developer m1k1o, inspired by the shutdown of the co-browsing service rabb.it.
Can multiple people host separate Neko sessions on one server
Yes, the companion project neko-rooms lets operators manage multiple isolated Neko sessions or rooms on the same server.
Does Neko run on Raspberry Pi or ARM devices
Yes, Neko offers optimized builds for low-power ARM hardware including the Raspberry Pi.