Alternatives to TigerVNC

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

  • 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 also a GPL-2.0 VNC server and viewer for Windows, macOS and Linux, tuned for 3D work with VirtualGL, but encryption needs SSH tunnelling or TLS setup.

  • TightVNC

    Lightweight VNC server and viewer for local network remote control.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsLinux

    TightVNC is a lighter GPL-2.0 VNC server and viewer for Windows and Linux only, with a browser Java viewer but weak authentication that needs SSH or VPN tunnelling.

  • 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 that avoids router setup, a free Lite plan capped at three devices, and paid commercial use.

  • NoMachine

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

    PaidProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOS

    NoMachine is a paid closed-source remote desktop that adds audio, printing, file transfer and smoother video, and also runs on Android and iOS.

  • 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 swaps VNC for its own AGPL-3.0 remote desktop with self-hostable relay servers and Android clients, though some management features sit behind a paid Pro server.

  • KasmVNC

    Access a Linux desktop through a web browser.

    FreeOpen sourceLinuxSelf-hostedWeb

    KasmVNC serves a Linux desktop through a web browser with no viewer application, but it does not work with traditional VNC viewer clients and is Linux only.

  • UltraVNC

    Free, GPL-licensed VNC server and viewer for controlling Windows computers over a network or the internet.

    FreeOpen sourceWindows

    UltraVNC is a GPL VNC server and viewer for Windows only, adding file transfer, chat and repeater tools, though encryption needs a plugin.

Also worth comparing

These listings name TigerVNC 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

    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.

  • Connections

    GNOME's remote desktop client for connecting to other computers and virtual machines over VNC and RDP.

    FreeOpen sourceLinux

    TigerVNC is a cross-platform VNC viewer and server with TLS encryption, but it does not handle RDP connections.

  • GNOME Remote Desktop

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

    FreeOpen sourceLinux

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

  • KRDC

    KDE's remote desktop client for viewing and controlling other computers over VNC and RDP.

    FreeOpen sourceLinux

    TigerVNC provides a VNC viewer and server for Windows, macOS and Linux with TLS encryption. It has no RDP support, but it can also share your own desktop.

  • Krfb

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

    FreeOpen sourceLinux

    TigerVNC provides a VNC server and viewer for Windows, macOS and Linux with TLS encryption, rather than being tied to the KDE desktop.

  • noVNC

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

    FreeOpen sourceWebSelf-hosted

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

  • Radmin

    Windows remote control software for IT staff supporting and administering computers on a network.

    PaidProprietaryWindows

    TigerVNC is a free GPL-2.0 VNC viewer and server for Windows, macOS and Linux with TLS encryption, lacking file transfer.

  • Screens

    A VNC-based screen sharing app for controlling computers from a Mac, iPhone, iPad or Vision Pro.

    PaidProprietarymacOSiOS

    TigerVNC is a free GPL-2.0 VNC viewer and server for Windows, macOS and Linux, with no iOS app and no relay for reaching home machines.

  • ThinLinc

    Linux remote desktop server for hosting desktops and applications centrally, with a free usage tier.

    FreemiumProprietaryLinuxWebSelf-hosted

    TigerVNC is a free GPL-2.0 VNC server and viewer with TLS encryption, but it lacks a web client and the central multi-user management ThinLinc provides.

  • virt-viewer

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

    FreeOpen sourceLinux

    TigerVNC provides a VNC viewer for Windows, macOS and Linux with TLS encryption, covering VNC displays only.

  • wayvnc

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

    FreeOpen sourceLinuxCommand line

    TigerVNC provides a VNC server with TLS encryption for Windows, macOS and Linux, but it is not built to share a running wlroots Wayland session.

  • X2Go

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

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    TigerVNC is a GPL-2.0 VNC server and viewer with TLS encryption for Windows, macOS and Linux, but lacks single-application publishing and file transfer.

  • Xpra

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

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxCommand line

    TigerVNC is a GPL-2.0 VNC server and viewer with TLS encryption, giving persistent virtual desktops instead of seamless individual application windows.

  • xrdp

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

    FreeOpen sourceLinux

    TigerVNC provides a GPL-2.0 VNC server with TLS encryption, using VNC viewers instead of RDP clients and lacking audio and drive redirection.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.