Remote desktop software

lastmod 2026-01-09created 2025-04-2115 edits

Remote desktop software, or simply remote desktop, refers to a kind of software or an operating system feature that lets programs in a computing environment run on a distant server as if they were running right in front of you. Both command-line and graphical applications can be run. Remote desktop applications support various features. For example, they can include the existing user session (the running desktop) in remote controlling, and can show the remote control session or display a blank screen. Remote desktop can be seen as a form of remote administration.

The two most common scenarios for desktop sharing are:

• Remote login
• Real-time collaboration

Categories

• VNC (Virtual Network Computing)
  • KasmVNC - Modern VNC Server and client, web based and secure
• RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol)
  • IronRDP - Rust implementation of Microsoft RDP (Remote Desktop)
  • FreeRDP
  • Microsoft RDP
• RFB (Remote Framebuffer Protocol)
• ARD (Apple Remote Desktop Protocol)
• ICA (Independent Computing Architecture)
• X Window System (X11)
• ALP (Appliance Link Protocol)
• Miracast (Korean: 미라캐스트)
• AirPlay
• Discovery and Launch (used by Netflix app)
• Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA)
• WiDi version 3.5 to 6.0 supports Miracast; discontinued
• Google Cast
• Smart Display (codename Mira, early 2002 screencasting by Microsoft)
• Wireless HDMI
• FCast

KVM switch

• Barrier
• Synergy
• deskreen
• Mirroid (Android)

Screen sharing

• guiscrcpy
• GNOME Network Displays (gnome-network-displays)
• scrcpy

Projects

• BeAnywhere
• Chrome Remote Desktop
• Glance
• CloudBerry Remote Assistant by CloudBerry Lab
• GoToMyPC
• HipChat
• IBM Lotus Sametime
• LogMeIn
• Mikogo
• Nefsis
• Netviewer
• RealVNC (VNC)
• Skype
• Splashtop
• TeamViewer
• Techinline
• TrueConf
• WebEx
• Wire
• Yuuguu
• Zoom
• [Recommended] Remmina - A usable mix-of-everything client on Linux that handles VNC, RDP, and all sorts of other things
• Thincast Remote Desktop Client (Thincast)
• RustDesk - Open-source alternative to TeamViewer
• xrdp
• AnyDesk
• Apache Guacamole - Clientless remote desktop gateway
• Sunshine + Moonlight (recommended for high performance/gaming)

Similar terms

• Remote Desktop Software - Lets the user use a remote computer as if operating it directly
• Remote Access Software - Supports access to files or network resources from a remote location
• Remote Control Software - Enables controlling a system remotely, transferring files, troubleshooting, etc.

In the end, these terms are all used similarly.

See also

• Screen
• Media Streaming

Favorite site

• Wikipedia (en) Desktop sharing
• Remote desktop software - Wikipedia