TigerVNC

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

FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux
Official websitetigervnc.orgDownload pagegithub.comSource codegithub.comDocumentationgithub.com

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About TigerVNC

TigerVNC is a VNC implementation that split from TightVNC in 2009 to keep working on Unix and Linux. It provides a viewer and a server for Windows, macOS and Linux, with a Tight encoding variant accelerated by libjpeg-turbo, which is what makes 3D and video applications usable remotely.

On top of plain VNC it adds TLS encryption and extended authentication methods. Distributions such as Fedora, openSUSE, FreeBSD, Arch and Red Hat Enterprise Linux ship it, and the project also publishes self-contained Linux binaries, a Windows installer and a universal Mac binary.

Strengths

  • Performance aimed at 3D and video workloads, not just a remote text editor
  • TLS encryption and extended authentication on top of the plain VNC protocol
  • Viewer and server for Windows, macOS and Linux with a common look and feel
  • Already packaged by Fedora, openSUSE, FreeBSD, Arch and Red Hat Enterprise Linux

Limitations

  • VNC has no built-in file transfer, audio or printing; it is a screen and input protocol
  • Security depends on configuring TLS and authentication correctly, which is on you
  • The interface is functional rather than friendly next to commercial remote support tools

Details

Pricing
FreeFree and open source, with no paid edition.
License
GPL-2.0
Developer
The TigerVNC project
Platforms
Windows, macOS, Linux
How it runs
Downloadable app
Account
Not required
Works offline
No
Best suited for
A fast, standards-based remote screen between machines you already administer
Categories
Remote desktop
Last verified
Added
Provenance
Selected from the TechWalrus downloads catalog (Remote Access); facts checked against the developer's own pages, 5 sources on file.

Alternatives to TigerVNC

Compare all

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

  • 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.

Similar software

Related functionality, not necessarily a direct replacement.

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