Alternatives to GNOME Remote Desktop

A remote desktop server for GNOME that lets you connect to your Linux machine over RDP or VNC. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.

Replacements

Listings that take over the same core job as GNOME Remote Desktop.

  • xrdp

    Open-source RDP server that gives standard Remote Desktop clients a graphical login to Linux machines.

    FreeOpen sourceLinux

    xrdp is an open-source RDP server that works with other Linux desktop environments via xorgxrdp, but supports RDP only, not VNC.

  • Krfb

    A KDE desktop sharing server that lets another person view or control your session through VNC.

    FreeOpen sourceLinux

    Krfb is KDE's desktop sharing server that shares the existing session over VNC, fitting a KDE Plasma desktop instead of GNOME, and it lacks RDP.

  • wayvnc

    A VNC server that shares a running wlroots-based Wayland session such as Sway.

    FreeOpen sourceLinuxCommand line

    wayvnc shares a wlroots Wayland session such as Sway over VNC, configured from the command line, but it does not support GNOME.

  • TigerVNC

    A fast, cross-platform VNC client and server built for real work, including 3D and video over the wire.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    TigerVNC provides a VNC server and viewer for Windows, macOS and Linux with TLS, not tied to GNOME, but without RDP support.

  • KasmVNC

    Access a Linux desktop through a web browser.

    FreeOpen sourceLinuxSelf-hostedWeb

    KasmVNC gives browser access to a Linux desktop without a viewer app, but it does not work with traditional VNC clients or RDP.

  • X2Go

    Open-source remote desktop system for reaching Linux desktops and applications from Windows, macOS and Linux clients.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    X2Go serves Linux desktops and single applications to Windows, macOS and Linux clients over slow links, using its own clients instead of standard RDP or VNC.

  • RustDesk

    An open-source remote desktop tool you can point at your own relay server instead of somebody else’s cloud.

    FreemiumOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidSelf-hosted

    RustDesk is an AGPL-3.0 tool with its own clients and self-hosted relay, but Wayland support on Linux has been a moving target.

  • NoMachine

    High-performance remote desktop with audio, video and file transfer.

    PaidProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOS

    NoMachine is closed-source and paid, with its own clients on desktop and mobile and smooth audio and video, rather than standard RDP or VNC clients.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.