Alternatives to NoMachine

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

  • AnyDesk

    Fast remote desktop tool with low latency and simple session codes.

    FreemiumProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOS

    AnyDesk is freemium and closed source on the same five platforms, emphasising low latency and simple session codes, with a paid license required for commercial use.

  • TeamViewer

    Remote access and remote support across desktop and mobile platforms.

    FreemiumProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOS

    TeamViewer is freemium on the same platforms and connects through NAT and firewalls without configuration, but free sessions can be cut short by commercial-use detection.

  • 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 open source under AGPL-3.0 with self-hosted relay servers and clients for Windows, macOS, Linux and Android, though some management features need the paid Pro server.

  • RealVNC Connect

    Commercial VNC remote access tool with a free Lite plan for personal use.

    FreemiumProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOS

    RealVNC Connect uses the VNC protocol with cloud connectivity and a free Lite plan limited to three devices for personal use, with commercial use requiring a subscription.

  • TurboVNC

    A VNC server and viewer tuned for image-heavy work, so 3D applications and video stay usable over a network.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    TurboVNC is a free GPL-2.0 VNC server and viewer tuned for image-heavy and 3D work, but it lacks built-in encryption by default and requires involved VirtualGL setup.

  • TigerVNC

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

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    TigerVNC is free and GPL-2.0 for Windows, macOS and Linux with TLS encryption, but VNC has no built-in file transfer, audio or printing.

  • Chrome Remote Desktop

    Google's free remote desktop service for reaching and controlling your computers from a web browser.

    FreeProprietaryWeb

    Chrome Remote Desktop is free and used through a web browser with a Google account, offering fewer features than NoMachine and routing connections through Google's service.

  • Parsec

    A low-latency remote desktop app for reaching a work or gaming computer from another device.

    FreemiumProprietaryWindowsmacOS

    Parsec focuses on low-latency streaming at up to 4K and 60 fps for gaming and work, but runs only on Windows and macOS.

Also worth comparing

These listings name NoMachine as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.

  • Amazon DCV

    A remote display protocol and server for streaming graphics-intensive desktops and applications to client devices.

    FreeProprietarySelf-hosted

    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.

  • GNOME Remote Desktop

    A remote desktop server for GNOME that lets you connect to your Linux machine over RDP or VNC.

    FreeOpen sourceLinux

    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.

  • KasmVNC

    Access a Linux desktop through a web browser.

    FreeOpen sourceLinuxSelf-hostedWeb

    NoMachine is a paid, closed-source remote desktop with native apps on five platforms, adding audio, file transfer and printing that a browser-based VNC session lacks.

  • LogMeIn Pro

    A paid remote access service for reaching and controlling your own computers from anywhere.

    PaidProprietaryWindowsmacOS

    NoMachine is closed source and adds Linux and mobile clients, with smooth audio and video, multi-monitor, printing and file transfer included.

  • TightVNC

    Lightweight VNC server and viewer for local network remote control.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsLinux

    NoMachine is paid and closed source but adds audio, printing, file transfer, multi-monitor support and clients for macOS, Android and iOS.

  • X2Go

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

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    NoMachine is closed-source paid software with smooth video, audio, file transfer and printing, and adds Android and iOS clients plus Windows and macOS hosts.

  • Xpra

    Open-source tool for persistent remote applications on X11 and screen sharing on Linux, macOS and Windows.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxCommand line

    NoMachine is closed-source paid software offering smooth remote desktops with audio, file transfer and mobile clients, rather than seamless per-application windows.

  • xrdp

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

    FreeOpen sourceLinux

    NoMachine is closed-source paid software with its own clients across desktop and mobile, offering smooth video, audio, printing and file transfer.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.