Alternatives to Connections
GNOME's remote desktop client for connecting to other computers and virtual machines over VNC and RDP. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Connections
GNOME's remote desktop client for connecting to other computers and virtual machines over VNC and RDP.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Connections.
Remmina
The standard Linux remote desktop client, with plugins for RDP, VNC, SSH, SPICE and X2Go behind one connection list.
Remmina is a Linux client with more options, adding SSH, SPICE and X2Go plugins, kiosk mode and multi-monitor support to RDP and VNC.
KRDC
KDE's remote desktop client for viewing and controlling other computers over VNC and RDP.
KRDC is KDE's equivalent client for VNC and RDP on Linux, released regularly as part of KDE Gear and available on Flathub.
FreeRDP
A free implementation of Microsoft's Remote Desktop Protocol, and the engine inside most Linux RDP clients.
FreeRDP is a cross-platform RDP client and library, mainly used from the command line with numerous cryptic options, and has no VNC support.
TigerVNC
A fast, cross-platform VNC client and server built for real work, including 3D and video over the wire.
TigerVNC is a cross-platform VNC viewer and server with TLS encryption, but it does not handle RDP connections.
Also worth comparing
These listings name Connections as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
Jump Desktop
A remote desktop client and connection service supporting RDP, VNC and its own Fluid protocol.
Connections is GNOME's open-source VNC and RDP client for Linux, with a simple interface and fewer options than dedicated clients.
virt-viewer
A console viewer for connecting to the graphical displays of virtual machines over SPICE and VNC.
Connections is GNOME's client for virtual machines and other computers over VNC and RDP, but drops SPICE support.
Windows App
Microsoft's remote desktop client for connecting to Windows PCs, Remote Desktop Services and cloud desktops.
Connections is GNOME's open-source Linux client for VNC and RDP with a simple interface, offering fewer options than dedicated clients and no mobile apps.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
GNOME Remote Desktop
A remote desktop server for GNOME that lets you connect to your Linux machine over RDP or VNC.
xrdp
Open-source RDP server that gives standard Remote Desktop clients a graphical login to Linux machines.
Krfb
A KDE desktop sharing server that lets another person view or control your session through VNC.
SPICE
An open source remote display system and guest tools for interacting with virtual machines.
wayvnc
A VNC server that shares a running wlroots-based Wayland session such as Sway.
