If you’re a Windows user, chances are you use a Vnc server to show off your desktop. If you’re a Linux user, chances are you use another type of Vnc server to view content on your laptop or tablet. In this article, we’ll take a look at some the Best Vnc Server for Linux, fastest vnc server linux, best linux remote desktop server and best vnc server
Best Vnc Server for Linux
1. vino
Vino is the default VNC server in Ubuntu to share your existing desktop with other users.
To configure vino from within GNOME, go to System > Preferences > Remote Desktop
- To set vino to request access each time, tick Allow other users to view your desktop in the Remote Desktop configuration window.
- There’s no way to set vino to only listen for the next connection.
- To set a password, tick Require the user to enter this password:, and enter a hard-to-guess password.
- To put vino in view-only mode, untick Allow other users to control your desktop.
- To only allow local connections, open a terminal and run the command
- To allow connections from anywhere, open a terminal and run the command
2. krfb
Krfb is the default VNC server in Kubuntu. Because it’s highly integrated with KDE, running it in other environments is difficult.
To configure krfb, go to System Settings > Sharing > Desktop Sharing > Configure….
- To set krfb to request access each time, tick Confirm uninvited connections before accepting
- To set a password, type a hard-to-guess password into the Password input box.
- To put krfb in view-only mode, untick Allow uninvited connections to control the desktop.
- There’s no built-in way to only allow local connections, although see below for a solution.
3. tightvncserver
Whereas most VNC servers share your desktop, tightvnc creates a completely new desktop, not attached to any actual screen. This makes it much less useful for some things (like remote help), but much more useful for others (like creating a public area for collaboration). If tightvncserver won’t start, you might need to uncomment the $fontpath lines in /etc/vnc.conf.
Like x11vnc, tightvnc is designed to be run from the command-line. To start it, type:
This will tell tightvnc to listen for VNC connections on port 5901 from anywhere on the Internet. Without the -nolisten tcp option, tightvnc will also listen for a different type of connection (X11 instead of VNC), which isn’t usually very useful. Tightvnc’s unusual design means that it can’t create a remote desktop on the standard VNC port (5900) if you have an ordinary desktop running on your computer.
- There’s no way to set tightvncserver to request access each time.
- There’s no way to set tightvncserver only to accept the next connection, although see below for a similar solution.
- Tightvncserver always requires a password, and will ask you to specify one the first time it’s run.
- To set tightvncserver to only allow local connections, include the -localhost option.
How to Use the Linux Vnc Server.
The Linux Vnc Server is a program that allows you to view and share videos using the Internet. It can be used on any computer that has an Internet connection.
To use the Linux Vnc Server, you first need to install it. To do this, you can follow these steps:
1. Once you have installed the Linux Vnc Server, open a terminal window and type sudo apt-get update .
2. Then, type sudo apt-get install vncserver .
3. Next, open a Terminal window and type vncserver .
4. If everything goes according to plan, you should see a screen like this one when you run vncserver :
Now let’s take a look at some of the more common usage examples of the Linux Vnc Server:
1. To view a video file on your computer, we can use the following command: vncserver myfile .
2. To connect to a remote server and view a video file there, we could use the following command: vncserver -connect .
3. To change some settings on your local server (e.g., how big an image to display), we could use the following command: vncserver -configure .
Best Vnc Server
1. UltraVNC
Open-source
- Chat system
- Supports file transfers
- Can stream compressed video
Verdict: UltraVNC is an enterprise remote access system designed to facilitate collaboration among workers, clients, and remote systems, all over the world. The software allows administrators to communicate with remote users and monitor desktops using the web or internal networks. The software is also used in classrooms to allow students to interact and share information with one another.
The software was developed by a group of technology experts who are devoted to providing their clients with the most efficient systems available. The UltraVNC team has been testing and maintaining the system for several years. The software is highly recommended by companies worldwide because it is easy to use, reliable, and customizable.
2. TigerVNC
What We Like
- Works on all OS platforms.
- Extensions available for advanced authentication and encryption.
- Large online user community.
What We Don’t Like
- Advanced features may require a learning curve for new users.
The creation of TigerVNC software was initiated by Red Hat with the goal of improving on TightVNC. TigerVNC development started from a snapshot of TightVNC code and has expanded support to include Linux and Mac as well as Windows, plus various performance and security enhancements.
3. TeamViewer
Best cross-platform
- Multi-level security
- Beginner-friendly interface
- Ease of file transfer
- Multi-level security
Verdict: TeamViewer is an open source software application for live remote control, file sharing, online conferences, web conferencing, video conferencing, and desktop sharing. It is an application that is based on the Remote Desktop software. What the software does is it allows two or more computers to share files and data between them. The use of this software is quite widespread. Many business organizations are using this software because of its many advantages.
The main advantage of the TeamViewer software is that it gives the users the convenience to be able to work from any part of the world. The users can connect to this software from any other location in the world. Thus they will be able to enjoy the benefits that the Remote Desktop software can provide.
4. RealVNC: VNC Connect
What We Like
- Home versions free to install and use.
- Lightweight and fast.
- Any VNC client can connect to a RealVNC server.
- Available for multiple platforms.
What We Don’t Like
- May experience performance issues inside corporate networks.
- Configuration is more advanced (and more difficult) than other VNC alternatives.
- Mostly geared to Enterprise users.
The company RealVNC sells VNC Connect, which includes commercial versions of its VNC products (Professional Edition and Enterprise Edition) but also supplies the Home Subscription, which is free for personal, non-commercial use. While it’s not for commercial use, it may be useful for advanced home users that only need the occasional VNC.
5. AnyDesk
- Has a chat and allows file transfer
- It is possible to record the screen
- Has a blackboard for drawing
- It is multiplatform
- In weak network, response might be laggy
- Large file sharing is not easy
Verdict: The software application gives remote access to other computers and personal computers running the same host software. It can be run on any operating system such as Windows, Linux and Mac.
There are also a number of other features available to the user which include a password protect file, secure backup and recovery, and auto update feature. Some of the added features include the ability to manage multiple files from the same desktops, create a virtual keyboard or mouse, change the screen resolution, and customize the toolbar. Most of the features available in the software are customizable by the user to the individual needs of the user and to the preferences of the user.
6. Chicken (of the VNC)
What We Like
- Lightweight and fast.
- Automatically discovers VNC servers on a network.
- Strong encryption features.
- Remote screen updates are very accurate.
What We Don’t Like
- Only available for Mac PCs.
- Only includes a VNC client.
Based on an older software package called Chicken of the VNC, Chicken is an open source VNC client for Mac OS X. The Chicken package does not include any VNC server functionality, nor does the client run on any other operating system than Mac OS X. Chicken can be paired with various VNC servers including UltraVNC.
7. TigerVNC
Clear user interface
- Free for personal and commercial use
- Simple installation
- No built-in encryption
- Poor support
Verdict: TigerVNC is an open source Virtual Private Networking server and client software created by a team of software developers based in the United States. It was originally created for use in conferences and events but now is also being used for corporate video conferencing. The server allows multiple people to talk to each other at the same time.
In addition, there is also an application that you can use that is specifically meant for remote meetings. This type of application will allow you to set up a conference room on your phone that you will invite your clients to and will also allow them to call their own phones to get in touch with you.
8. JollysFastVNC
What We Like
- Ultra-fast.
- Supports many encryption protocols.
- Supports full Retina display.
- Intuitive window scaling.
What We Don’t Like
- No permanent free version available.
- Only available for Mac PCs.
- Does not support multiple monitors.
- Complicated configuration for beginners.
JollysFastVNC is a shareware VNC client for Mac created by software developer Patrick Stein. While the developer strongly encourages regular users to purchase a license, the software is free to try. JollysFastVNC is designed for speed (responsiveness) of remote desktop sessions and also integrates SSH tunneling support for security.
9. Chrome Remote Desktop
Best for business
- Setup is very easy, even for tech-challenged people
- Interface is straightforward and simple
- It’s free
Verdict: Chrome Remote desktop allows you to connect multiple computers to an internet connection in a single desktop. The software makes use of a standard remote desktop service. The remote desktop feature allows you to connect to your desktop from any computer in the world. You can even use it from multiple locations at once. Once connected, you can view your desktop, edit documents, open files, open programs, use the keyboard, or send a command, such as Ctrl-ALT-Del. There are two different setups available: Always-allow and one-way.
10. Mocha VNC Lite
What We Like
- Available for both iOS and Android.
- Can connect to servers running on various platforms.
- Supports zooming as well as portrait or landscape modes.
- Good performance and speed.
What We Don’t Like
- Has a five-minute session time limit.
- No support for multimonitors.
- Free version only supports standard keyboard keys.
- Session traffic is unencrypted.
Mochasoft provides both a full commercial (pay, not free) version and this free Lite version of its VNC client for Apple iPhone and iPad. Compared to the full version, Mocha VNC Lite lacks support for special key sequences (like Ctrl-Alt-Del) and some mouse functions (like right-click or click-and-drag). The company has tested this client with various VNC servers including RealVNC, TightVNC and UltraVNC.
Best Linux Remote Desktop Server
1. TeamViewer
TeamViewer(opens in new tab) sits high on our list of the best remote desktop software, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a cloud-based program that’s virtually platform-independent, and it can be used across almost all popular operating systems.
The main problem with TeamViewer is its price, which will be restrictive for some users. Even individuals will have to pay at least $24.90 for simple remote access, and multi-user business plans start at $102.90 a month. On the plus side, there is a 14-day free trial.
One thing that stands out about TeamViewer is its security. It places a strong focus on ensuring your data remains protected at all times, including by using end-to-end AES encryption. It’s also one of the more beginner-friendly Linux remote desktop programs we’ve used, which is nice to see.
2. ThinLinc – Linux Remote Server
ThinLinc is a highly secure and fast Linux Remote Server used to publish Linux desktops and applications for multiple users located anywhere and using any client device (Linux, macOS, Windows, and web browser).
The server is easily installed and maintained on any popular Linux distribution and works for 1 to thousands of users. Just add extra agent servers, and you scale the number of users with low effort. It is free of cost the use of ThinLinc for a maximum of 10 concurrent users per organization.
Different from the majority of the VNCs, ThinLinc natively supports Audio Redirection; provides better Image Quality and Responsiveness; is more Secure; Easy to Configure; and has Redundancy, Load Balancing, and High Availability built in.
ThinLinc dynamically changes the settings to offer the best image quality without sacrificing speed to provide a smooth experience even if you are using a limited network or if it is unstable. ThinLinc is heavily used to provide remote 3d and high demanding software with server graphics acceleration through VirtualGL.
ThinLinc is mostly based on open source, it packages TigerVNC, noVNC, SSH, and Pulse Audio in a stable, supported, and enterprise-level software. The company is also the maintainer of TigerVNC and noVNC projects.
3. Remmina
Remmina is one of the most versatile remote desktop programs we’ve used, and it’s well-deserving of its position as the leading remote desktop for Linux. It supports the most common connection protocols, including RDP(opens in new tab), VNC(opens in new tab), Spice, and SSH, and it can be used on numerous operating systems and distributions.
On top of this, Remmina is completely open-source, and its code is available to edit. This won’t be a major factor for most, but it’s excellent news for anyone who wants to customize their remote desktop program.
Alongside the base program, Remmina also offers loads of plugins and add-ons. Among these is a neat file transfer tool, although you won’t get anything too fancy. Many of the add-ons are related to security and performance rather than the user interface.
4. Remote Access Plus
Remote Access Plus is a powerfully built remote support software that enables IT, technicians, to collaborate and troubleshoot devices, located anywhere in the world, in just a few clicks. A centrally hosted server stays in contact with the client machines and technicians can access them on demand.
A simple user interface and client-server architecture enable seamless connectivity for IT and help desk technicians to troubleshoot a remote device. Besides, you can voice or video call, or even text chat with your end-user to understand and resolve the issue better and faster.
Packed with Two Factor Authentication, 256-bit AES encryption, and an action log viewer, you can access and control any remote Linux device without worrying about security. You can also create custom groups to manage your Linux devices. This is especially helpful if you have many Linux devices to manage as dynamic custom groups automatically add devices to the group, provided those devices satisfy a set of defined criteria.
Remote Access Plus is available both as an on-premise and cloud solution. Furthermore, you can choose between three different editions – Free, Standard, and Professional depending upon the number of managed Linux devices and features.
With Remote Access Plus, you can take remote control of various Linux devices, such as those running on Ubuntu, Debian, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Fedora, CentOS, Mandriva, OpenSuSE, etc., and it supports more than 17 languages too!
Linux Vnc Server Security Tips.
Strong passwords are important for protecting your computer from unauthorized access. It’s also a good idea to use a secure server, like a virtual private network (VPN) server. This will keep your data and identity safe while you’re on the Internet.
Use a secure server
A secure server is another key step in securing your computer. By using one, you can be sure that your data is safe and undamaged when you’re not connected to the internet. You can also use it to store sensitive information, like music or photos, without fear of being hacked.
Use a firewall to protect your computer
Another way to protect your computer from unauthorized access is by using a firewall: an software program that buffers and protects your computer against attacks from outside sources. By using a firewall, you can reduce the chances of experiencing any type of cyber-attack.
Use a privacy protection software
Finally, you should use privacy protection software when streaming media or downloading files online: software that will help control who sees what on your screen and keep track of who has accessed what material over the web.
Conclusion
The Linux Vnc Server is a great tool for connecting to remote machines and displaying documents. It can be used to play videos, connect to a remote machine, or protect your computer. Make sure to use strong passwords and secure servers when using the Linux Vnc Server. also make sure you use virus protection software and privacy protection software when configuring it. Overall, the Linux Vnc Server is an essential tools for anyone working with computers.