2025 Best 8 Open Source Remote Desktop Software
Remote desktop is useful to connect, control, and collaborate remotely no matter how far apart others are located. To save up costs and get more customization options, open source remote desktop software is also becoming popular.
Here, we are presenting 8 top picks of open source remote desktop software and covering details about their features, security, pricing, and more. So, follow along to pick the best open source remote desktop for your organization.
Part 1. Why Choose Open Source Remote Desktop
When selecting a remote desktop solution, users often weigh factors like cost, performance, security, and customization. Open-source software offers many of the same features as commercial tools, but with the added benefits of being free or low-cost. For small businesses, technical users, or privacy-conscious individuals, open-source tools are an attractive choice.
Key Advantages of Open Source Remote Desktop Tools:
- Free or Low Cost: Open-source tools typically have no licensing fees, which is ideal for small businesses or individual users with limited budgets.
- Data Privacy Control: Open-source tools allow you to host the software on your own servers. Therefore, your data doesn't need to be stored in a third-party cloud, offering greater control over security and privacy.
- Customization Capabilities: With open-source software, you can modify the source code to meet your specific needs. This level of flexibility is essential for technical users or developers who require specialized features.
Part 2. Best 8 Open Source Remote Desktop
Here are 8 of the most popular open-source remote desktop tools, each with unique features and ideal use cases. In this section, we will introduce each tool, followed by an analysis of its key features and best-use scenarios.
1RustDesk
RustDesk is a simple and lightweight remote desktop tool. It provides end-to-end encryption. And ir is suitable for both personal and small business use. It is easy to set up and offers both remote access and file transfer functionality.
The key features of RustDesk include:
- Peer-to-peer encryption
- Self-hosting capability for enhanced security
- Cross-platform support (Windows, macOS, Linux)
2TightVNC
TightVNC is an older, robust tool designed for remote control of desktops over low-bandwidth networks.
The key features of TightVNC include:
- Efficient compression for bandwidth optimization
- Basic user interface with support for remote keyboard and mouse input
3X2Go
X2Go is particularly useful for Linux users. It offers a secure, high-performance remote desktop solution that is optimized for low bandwidth. X2Go uses the NX technology for efficient session management.
The key features of X2Go include:
- Optimized for Linux environments
- Excellent for low-bandwidth scenarios
- Supports session suspension and resumption
4FreeRDP
As the name implies, FreeRDP is a free and open-source implementation of the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). It is designed for cross-platform use. It enables users to access Windows desktops from Linux, macOS, or other operating systems.
The key features of FreeRDP include:
- Supports RDP and other protocols (RDP, SSH, VNC)
- Secure, encrypted sessions
5Apache Guacamole
Apache Guacamole is a clientless remote desktop gateway that supports protocols like VNC, RDP, and SSH. Since it's clientless, it operates through a web browser, making it highly accessible from any device with a browser.
The key features of Apache Guacamole include:
- Supports VNC, RDP, and SSH
- Clientless access via web browser (no installation required)
- Highly scalable for enterprise-level deployments
- Support for two-factor authentication
6NoMachine
NoMachine is a powerful remote desktop software with excellent performance, providing a rich feature set and support for multiple operating systems. It is especially noted for its high-quality remote sessions and remote access to Linux, macOS, and Windows systems.
The key features of NoMachine include:
- High-performance remote desktop sessions
- Supports file sharing, printing, and multi-session access
- Cross-platform support (Windows, macOS, Linux, Raspberry Pi)
7Remmina
Remmina is a remote desktop client for Linux, designed to handle multiple remote desktop protocols like RDP, VNC, NX, and SSH. It is ideal for users who need to access various machines using different protocols.
The key features of Remmina include:
- Multi-protocol support (RDP, VNC, NX, SSH, SPICE)
- Rich user interface with easy session management
8TigerVNC
TigerVNC is a high-performance VNC (Virtual Network Computing) implementation, optimized for both speed and flexibility. It provides both server and client software for Linux, Windows, and macOS.
The key features of NoMachine include:
- High-performance VNC
Part 3. How to Choose the Best Open Source Remote Desktop for Your Needs
When choosing an open-source remote desktop tool, it's important to consider your specific use case, the operating systems you need to support, and the level of technical expertise you have. Here's a guide to help you make the best choice:
For Small Businesses: RustDesk or NoMachine are great choices due to their easy setup, high security, and cross-platform support.
For Technical Users or Developers: FreeRDP and X2Go are ideal if you need a customizable solution and are comfortable with a more technical setup
For Low-Bandwidth Environments: TightVNC and X2Go are optimized for low-bandwidth conditions, making them perfect for remote work in constrained network situations.
For High-Performance Needs: NoMachine and Apache Guacamole are the best options if you need high-quality remote desktop sessions with smooth performance, especially for tasks like multimedia or design work.
For Web-Based Access: Apache Guacamole is the best choice for web-based remote access. It offers the flexibility to connect through any modern browser without installing client software.
Conclusion
Whether you are an individual user, a developer, or a small business, choosing an open-source tool ensures that you have full control over your technology and your data.
If you want a easier to use and free remote desktop software, we will recommend AirDroid Remote Support. It's free for personal and business, a perfect alternative to TeamViewer and open source remote desktop software. Just give it a a try.
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