Alternatives to noVNC

An open-source VNC client that runs in a web browser using HTML5 WebSockets and Canvas. 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 noVNC.

  • Apache Guacamole

    A self-hosted remote desktop gateway that gives browser access to machines over VNC, RDP and SSH.

    FreeOpen sourceWebSelf-hosted

    Apache Guacamole is a self-hosted gateway that adds RDP and SSH to browser-based VNC access, but you must set up and maintain its server.

  • KasmVNC

    Access a Linux desktop through a web browser.

    FreeOpen sourceLinuxSelf-hostedWeb

    KasmVNC is a Linux VNC server with a built-in browser client, so no separate viewer is needed, but it does not support traditional VNC viewer clients.

  • Nexterm

    A self-hosted server management tool for SSH, VNC and RDP connections in the browser.

    FreeOpen sourceWebSelf-hosted

    Nexterm is a self-hosted open-source web interface run with Docker that combines VNC, RDP and SSH sessions in one browser interface.

  • TigerVNC

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

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    TigerVNC is a native VNC viewer and server for Windows, macOS and Linux with TLS encryption, so the client machine needs an installed viewer.

  • Remmina

    The standard Linux remote desktop client, with plugins for RDP, VNC, SSH, SPICE and X2Go behind one connection list.

    FreeOpen sourceLinux

    Remmina is a native Linux client covering VNC plus RDP, SSH, SPICE and X2Go, rather than a browser-based viewer.

  • RealVNC Connect

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

    FreemiumProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOS

    RealVNC Connect is a closed-source commercial VNC tool with cloud connectivity and native apps, and a free Lite plan limited to personal use.

Also worth comparing

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

  • Selkies

    Open-source WebRTC platform for streaming a Linux desktop to a web browser with low latency.

    FreeOpen sourceLinuxWebSelf-hosted

    noVNC is an open-source browser VNC client that needs a VNC server on the remote machine, so you lose Selkies' hardware-accelerated WebRTC streaming but gain a simple, embeddable viewer.

  • virt-viewer

    A console viewer for connecting to the graphical displays of virtual machines over SPICE and VNC.

    FreeOpen sourceLinux

    noVNC opens VNC displays in any web browser with no viewer to install, and is used by OpenStack and OpenNebula.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.