Comparison of remote desktop software - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://en.wikipedia.

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Comparison of remote desktop software

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This page is a comparison of remote desktop software available for various platforms.

Contents
1 Comparison chart
2 Terminology
3 Notes
4 See also

Comparison chart

Built-in File Audio Multiple Linux Mac Microsoft Java

encryption transfer support sessions client OS X Windows client
client client Windows
Client/server Seamless FreeBSD Blackberry iPhone/iPod Android
Software Protocol License Mobile
/listening window client client client client
client

AnywhereTS RDP, ICA Proprietary Client Only SSL, TLS ✓ ✓ ✓ X X X X ✓ X X X ? ?

Apple Remote
Desktop
RFB(VNC) Proprietary
Client &
Server
AES-128 ✓ X ✓ X X X ✓ X X X X ? ?

Apple Screen
Sharing (iChat)
Proprietary,
RFB(VNC)
Proprietary
Client &
Server
AES-256 X X ✓ X X X ✓ X X X X ? ?

Bomgar
Proprietary,
X11
Proprietary
Client &
Server
SSL,
AES-256 ✓ X ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X ? ?

Cendio ThinLinc RFB(VNC) Proprietary

Client &
Server
SSH ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X ✓ ✓ ✓ X X ✓ ? ?

Chicken of the
VNC
RFB(VNC) GPL Client Only X X X X X X X ✓ X X X X ? ?

Citrix XenApp RDP, ICA Proprietary

Client &
Server
SSL, TLS ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Crossloop RFB(VNC) Proprietary
Client &
Server
✓ ✓ X X X X X ✓ ✓ X X X X X

DameWare Mini
Remote Control
RDP,
Proprietary
Proprietary
Client &
Server
SSL,
AES-256
✓ ✓ ✓ X X X X ✓ X X X ? ?

EchoVNC RFB(VNC) GPL

Client &
Server
✓ ✓ X ✓ X X ✓ X ✓ X X X ? ?

Ericom
PowerTerm
RDP,
RFB(VNC)
Proprietary
Client &
Server ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X ✓ ✓ ✓ X X X ? ?
WebConnect

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Fog Creek
Copilot
RFB(VNC) Proprietary
Client &
Server
SSL ✓ X X X X X ✓ ✓ X X X X X

SSL,
GO-Global Proprietary Proprietary
Client &
Server
DES-56,
DES-168, ✓ X ✓ ✓ X ✓ ✓ ✓ X ✓ ✓ ? ?
AES-256

FreeNX
NX, RDP,
RFB(VNC)
GPL
Client &
Server
AES ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X X X ? ?

GoToMyPC Proprietary Proprietary

Client &
Server
AES-256 ✓ ✓ ✓ X X ✓ ✓ ✓ X X ✓ ? ?

HOB HOBLink
JWT
RDP Proprietary Client Only SSL, TLS ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X X ✓ ? ?

HOB HOBLink
UWT
RDP Proprietary Client Only SSL, TLS ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X X X X ? ?

I'm InTouch Proprietary Proprietary

Client &
Server
SSL,
AES-256 ✓ ✓ ✓ X X ✓ ✓ ✓ X X ✓ ? ?

iTALC RFB(VNC) GPL

Client &
Server
SSH X X ✓ X X ✓ X ✓ X X X ? ?

IBM Director
Remote Control
Proprietary Proprietary
Client &
Server
AES, Triple
DES, DES ✓ X ✓ X X X X ✓ X X ✓ X X

KRDC
RFB(VNC),
RDP
GPL Client Only X X ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X X X X X ? ?

LogMeIn Free Proprietary Proprietary

Client &
Server
SSL X X ✓ X X X ✓ ✓ X X ✓ ✓ ✓[1]
LogMeIn Pro Proprietary Proprietary
Client &
Server
SSL ✓ ✓ ✓ X X X ✓ ✓ X X ✓ ✓ ✓[2]
Mac HelpMate RFB(VNC) Proprietary
Client &
Server
AES-128 X X ✓ X X X ✓ ✓ X X ✓ ? ?

Mikogo Proprietary Freeware

[3]
Client &
Server [4]
AES-256 ✓ X ✓ [5] X X X ✓ [6] ✓ X X X X X

Neatx NX ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

Netman Proprietary Proprietary

Client &
Server
DES ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X X X ✓ X X X ? ?

Netsupport
Manager
Proprietary Proprietary
Client &
Server
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X ✓ ✓ ? ?

Netviewer Proprietary Proprietary

Client &
Server
AES-128 ✓ ✓ ✓ X X X X ✓ X X X ? ?

Open Text
Exceed Proprietary Proprietary
Client &
Server
SSL, SSH ✓ X ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X ✓ X X X X X
onDemand
Client,
Proxy Networks Proprietary Proprietary Server, and
SSL,
AES-256 ✓ X ✓ ✓ X X X ✓ X ✓ X X X
Gateway
rdesktop RDP GPL Client Only ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓[7] ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓[8] X X ✓ ? ?

RealVNC Free RFB(VNC) GPL

Client &
Server &
X X X ✓ X ✓ ✓ X ✓[9] X X ✓ X X

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Listening
Client &
RealVNC
Personal
RFB(VNC) Proprietary Server & AES-128 ✓ X ✓ X X X X ✓ X X ✓ X X
Listening
Client &
RealVNC
Enterprise
RFB(VNC) Proprietary Server & AES-128 ✓ X ✓ X ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X X ✓ ✓ X
Listening
Remote
Administrator
Proprietary Proprietary
Client &
Server
AES-256 ✓ ✓[10] ✓ ✓ X ✓[11] X ✓[12] X X X X X

Remote Desktop
Services/Terminal RDP Proprietary
Client &
Server ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓[13] X ✓[14] ✓ ✓ X ✓[15] ✓ ✓ ✓[16]
Services
Remote Graphics
Software
Proprietary Proprietary
Client &
Server ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X X ✓ X ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ? ?

RemoteVNC RFB(VNC) GPL

Client &
Server
SSL,
TLS[17]
✓ X ✓ X X X X ✓ X X X ? ?

SimpleHelp Proprietary Proprietary

Client &
Server
448-bit ✓ X ✓ X ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X X ✓ X X

SSH with X
forwarding
X11 BSD
Client &
Server ✓ X X ✓ [18] ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓[19] ✓[19] X X X ? ?

SoftRay ALP GPL Client only X X X X X X X X X X X ✓ ? ?

Client &
Sun Ray/SRSS ALP Proprietary Server & ✓ X ✓ ✓ X X ✓ X ✓ X X ✓ X X
Hardware

Sub7 Proprietary GPL

Client &
Server
X X X X X X X X X X X ✓ ? ?

Sun Secure
Global Desktop AIP Proprietary
Client &
Server
SSL, TLS
(AES-256)
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X X ✓ ? ?
Software/Sun VDI
Symantec
pcAnywhere
Proprietary Proprietary
Client &
Server
AES-256 ✓ X ✓ X X ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ? ?

TeamViewer Proprietary Proprietary

Client &
Server
AES-256 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X ✓ ✓ ✓ X X ✓ ✓ X

Client &
TightVNC RFB(VNC) GPL Server & X ✓ X ✓ X ✓ ✓ ✓[20] ✓ X X ✓ ? ✓
Listening

Timbuktu Proprietary Proprietary

Client &
Server
✓ ✓ X ✓ X X X ✓ ✓ X X X ? ?

TurboVNC RFB(VNC) GPL

Client &
Server
X X X ✓ X X ✓ ✓[21] ✓ X X ✓ X X

UltraVNC RFB(VNC) GPL

Client &
Server
With plugin ✓ X ✓ Partial[22] X X X ✓[23] X X ✓ ? ?

WebEx Proprietary Proprietary

Client &
Server ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X X ✓ ✓ ✓ X X ✓ ? ?

WebTrain Proprietary Proprietary

Client &
Server
SSL, TLS ✓ ✓ ✓ X X X X ✓ X X N/A ? ?

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XDMCP X11 MIT

Client &
Server
X X X ✓ X ✓ ✓ ✓ X X X X ? ?

xpra Bencode-based GPL

Client &
Server
SSH X X ✓ ✓[24] ✓ ✓ X X X X X ? ?

xrdp RDP GPL Server Only ✓ X X ✓ X ✓ ✓ X X X X N/A ? ?

X11vnc RFB(VNC) GPL Server Only SSL ✓ X ✓ X ✓ ✓ ✓ X X X ✓ ? ?
x2vnc X11 BSD Client Only X X X ✓ N/A ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ [25] X X X ? ?
x2x X11 BSD Client Only [26]
X X X ✓ N/A ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓[25] X X X ? ?

Built-in File Audio Multiple Linux Mac Microsoft Java

Encryption Transfer Support Sessions Client OS X Windows Client
Client/Server Seamless FreeBSD Client Client Blackberry Windows iPhone Android
Software Protocol License Mobile
/listening Window Client Client Client Client
Client

Terminology
In the table above, the following terminology is intended to be used to describe some important features:

Listening mode: where a server connect to a viewer. The server site does not have to configure its firewall/NAT to allow access on port 5900 (or 5800); the onus is on the viewer, which is useful if the server site
has no computer expertise, while the viewer user would be expected to be more knowledgeable.
Audio Support: the remote control software transfers audio signals across the network and plays the audio through the speakers attached to the local computer. For example, music playback software normally
sends audio signals to the locally-attached speakers, via some sound controller hardware. If the remote control software package supports audio transfer, the playback software can run on the remote computer,
while the music can be heard from the local computer, as though the software were running locally.
Built-in Encryption: the software has at least one method of encrypting the data between the local and remote computers, and the encryption mechanism is built into the remote control software.
File Transfer: the software allows the user to transfer files between the local and remote computers, from within the client software's user interface.
Seamless Window: the software allows an application to be run on the server, and just the application window to be shown on the clients desktop. Normally the remote user interface chrome is also removed,
giving the impression that the application is running on the client machines.

Notes
1. ^ Beta 13. ^ Provided the server is running Windows 2008 or later. apps
2. ^ Beta 14. ^ See the "xrdp" entry below in this table, an open source remote 20. ^ as X application, server only serve X applications "MacPorts
3. ^ Free for personal use, not free software (See: Gratis versus Libre) desktop protocol(rdp)server for Linux http://xrdp.sourceforge.net/ tightvnc Portfile" (http://trac.macports.org/browser/trunk/dports
4. ^ Connections are centrally negotiated via Mikogo server 15. ^ Windows Mobile Remote Desktop is an optional part of WM 6.1 /x11/tightvnc/Portfile) . http://trac.macports.org/browser/trunk/dports
5. ^ Up to ten participants (See: Mobile Views Blog (http://www.mobileviews.com/blog/2007 /x11/tightvnc/Portfile. Retrieved 2009-06-18.
6. ^ Some features are Windows-only /07/02/windows-mobile-remote-desktop-connection/) and 21. ^ X11 application. Refer to the User's Guide for TurboVNC 0.6
7. ^ With the addition of SeamlessRDP (http://www.cendio.com PdaPhoneHome (http://pdaphonehome.com/forums/ppc-6700-xv6700 (http://www.virtualgl.org/vgldoc/0_6final/)
/seamlessrdp/) /84897-wm6_rdp-mobile-remote-desktop-client.html) ) 22. ^ UltraVNC allows a single Window to be shown, however it is still
8. ^ http://40in.spb.ru/rdesktop_win32/ 16. ^ With the "Remote RDP" third-party Application by Walter Wang, doing full screen polling and not capturing the application details. This
9. ^ RealVNC Free has no Windows Vista or Server 2008 support available on the Android Market (for details, see: [1] can cause other windows to overlap and popup windows to
(See:RealVNC Download (http://www.realvnc.com/products (http://www.toremote.com) "disappear".
/download.html) ) 17. ^ for connection initiation only. Screen data is sent in the clear. 23. ^ UltraVNC v1.0.4 RC4 (BETA) claims "Greatly improved Vista
10. ^ By default settings for audio transfer is not turned on but it can be 18. ^ No sessions at all, just individual windows. However you can use support" as of October 1, 2007 (See UltraVnc Vista Support
easily done with built-in Voice Chat options.See how to set up Xnest if you want. (http://www.uvnc.com/vista/) .)
Radmin for sound transmission (http://www.radmin.com/support 19. ^ a b To use Windows or Mac OS X as a client, an X server needs to 24. ^ Only for X sessions
/guides/radmin_audio_transfer.php?phrase_id=10009567/) be installed and running. Windows or Mac OS X can be used as a 25. ^ a b Third-party software required; Microsoft Windows does not
11. ^ Runs under Wine. server, if they have an SSH server running; but only X11 applications include support for the X Window System.
12. ^ Since version 3.2 (released 2008-04-25) supports Windows (not native GUI applications) can display their GUI on the client; such 26. ^ x2x documentation indicates that session may be encrypted through
Vista(SP1)/2008/XP/2003/2000 (32-bit and 64-bit editions). apps probably have to be run within Cygwin for Windows. only for X an SSH tunnel.

4 of 5 6/18/2010 5:32 PM
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See also
Comparison of Java Remote Desktop projects
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_remote_desktop_software"
Categories: Virtual Network Computing | Remote desktop | Software comparisons

This page was last modified on 15 June 2010 at 17:38.

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