Alternatives to X2Go

Open-source remote desktop system for reaching Linux desktops and applications from Windows, macOS and Linux clients. 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 X2Go.

  • ThinLinc

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

    FreemiumProprietaryLinuxWebSelf-hosted

    ThinLinc hosts Linux desktops centrally with native and web clients and a free tier for small deployments, but it is proprietary and aimed at organisations.

  • 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 lets the built-in Windows Remote Desktop client log in to Linux, instead of requiring dedicated X2Go clients.

  • NoMachine

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

    PaidProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOS

    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

    Xpra is open source and runs remote Linux applications as local windows with sessions that survive disconnects, with very active development but involved configuration.

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

  • 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 GPL-2.0 VNC server and viewer tuned for 3D and image-heavy work, though it still depends heavily on network latency unlike X2Go's slow-link focus.

  • KasmVNC

    Access a Linux desktop through a web browser.

    FreeOpen sourceLinuxSelf-hostedWeb

    KasmVNC is GPL-2.0 and serves a Linux desktop directly to a web browser, so no client install is needed, but traditional VNC viewers are not supported.

Also worth comparing

These listings name X2Go 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

    X2Go is an open-source system for reaching Linux desktops over slow links from Windows, macOS and Linux clients, without a graphics-focused streaming protocol.

  • GNOME Remote Desktop

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

    FreeOpen sourceLinux

    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.

  • Krfb

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

    FreeOpen sourceLinux

    X2Go reaches Linux desktops from Windows, macOS and Linux clients over slow links with its own protocol instead of VNC.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.