noVNC

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

FreeOpen sourceWebSelf-hosted
Official websitenovnc.comDownload pagegithub.comDocumentationgithub.com

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About noVNC

noVNC is a VNC client written in JavaScript. It lets you view and control a remote desktop from a web page, so the viewing machine needs no installed VNC viewer. It runs in modern desktop browsers and in mobile browsers on iOS and Android, and an online version is available to try.

The project is two things: a core library that developers can embed through NPM, and a full client application built on that library. OpenStack, OpenNebula, LibVNCServer and ThinLinc are among the projects that integrate it.

Strengths

  • Works in any modern browser, including mobile browsers
  • No VNC viewer to install on the client machine
  • Core library can be embedded in other projects
  • Used by OpenStack, OpenNebula and ThinLinc

Limitations

  • Needs a VNC server on the remote machine
  • The NPM package holds only the core library, not the full client

Details

Pricing
FreeFree and open source.
License
Open source, license not stated
Developer
The noVNC contributors
Platforms
Web, Self-hosted
How it runs
Web application, Self-hosted
Best suited for
Reaching a VNC desktop from any browser without installing a viewer
Categories
Remote desktop
Last verified
Added
Provenance
Facts checked against the developer's own pages and store listings, 1 sources on file.

Alternatives to noVNC

Compare all

Software that can replace noVNC for an important use case, and what changes if you switch.

  • 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.

  • 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.

noVNC as an alternative

Listings that name noVNC as an alternative.

  • 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.

Similar software

Related functionality, not necessarily a direct replacement.

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