Alternatives to Amazon DCV
A remote display protocol and server for streaming graphics-intensive desktops and applications to client devices. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Amazon DCV
A remote display protocol and server for streaming graphics-intensive desktops and applications to client devices.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Amazon DCV.
NoMachine
High-performance remote desktop with audio, video and file transfer.
NoMachine is a paid, closed-source remote desktop with smooth audio and video on desktop and mobile platforms, aimed more broadly than AWS graphics workloads.
ThinLinc
Linux remote desktop server for hosting desktops and applications centrally, with a free usage tier.
ThinLinc hosts Linux desktops centrally with native and web clients and a free tier for small deployments, but its server side runs only on Linux.
TurboVNC
A VNC server and viewer tuned for image-heavy work, so 3D applications and video stay usable over a network.
TurboVNC is a GPL-2.0 VNC server and viewer that, paired with VirtualGL, shows 3D applications remotely, though setup is involved and encryption needs configuring.
Selkies
Open-source WebRTC platform for streaming a Linux desktop to a web browser with low latency.
Selkies is an open-source WebRTC platform streaming a Linux desktop to a browser with hardware acceleration, suited to containers and Kubernetes rather than EC2 integration.
Parsec
A low-latency remote desktop app for reaching a work or gaming computer from another device.
Parsec offers low-latency streaming at up to 4K and 60 fps for work and gaming on Windows and macOS, with advanced features in paid plans.
Kasm Workspaces
Container streaming platform that delivers desktops, applications and isolated browsers to a web browser.
Kasm Workspaces streams container-based desktops and single apps to a browser, self-hosted with Ansible and Terraform automation, rather than a display protocol tuned for 3D.
TigerVNC
A fast, cross-platform VNC client and server built for real work, including 3D and video over the wire.
TigerVNC is a free GPL-2.0 VNC viewer and server with performance aimed at 3D and video, but no built-in audio or file transfer.
X2Go
Open-source remote desktop system for reaching Linux desktops and applications from Windows, macOS and Linux clients.
X2Go is an open-source system for reaching Linux desktops over slow links from Windows, macOS and Linux clients, without a graphics-focused streaming protocol.
Also worth comparing
These listings name Amazon DCV as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
Shadow
A subscription cloud PC service that streams a full Windows computer to your own devices.
Amazon DCV streams graphics-intensive desktops from EC2 or your own data center at no extra charge on EC2, aimed at business workloads.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
TSplus
Remote access software for publishing Windows desktops and applications to users through a web portal.
Xpra
Open-source tool for persistent remote applications on X11 and screen sharing on Linux, macOS and Windows.
Sunshine
The open source host that replaced NVIDIA GameStream, so Moonlight can stream from any PC.
Moonlight
Streams games from a gaming PC to another device on your network, with hardware decoding and a gamepad.
