VNC or remote desktop application to view Windows desktop from Ubuntu

I have been looking for a fast, well supported VNC or remote desktop application to view my Windows machine desktop from my Ubuntu laptop. Do you have any suggestions for me?

Solution 1:

You can use the default VNC client for Ubuntu: Remmina

Just type VNC or remmina in the dash to start it:

Note: It's installed by default since 12.04.

Solution 2:

I've always used KRDC. It just works.

sudo apt install krdc

Solution 3:

Some Free/Libre software supporting VNC/RFB protocol or Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP):

• noVNC (GitHub) is a browser-based app supporting many VNC features but no RDP.
• rdesktop (GitHub)
• FreeRDP (GitHub) Fork of rdesktop to clean the code, support Seamless Windows (RDP6)...
• Remmina (GitHub) Based on FreeRDP replaced tsclient as Ubuntu's default RD client (2011)
• Vinagre Default GNOME VNC client supporting RDP since 2012
• Ulteo Open Virtual Desktop (guide to get source code)

VirtualBox has a built-in vRDP protocol that can be used to access GNU/Linux remote desktops (Linux distro usually lacks a RDP server). The vRDP protocol is compatible with all RDP clients. However, the proprietary VirtualBox Extension Pack is required.

See also this good comparison of remote desktop software (Wikipedia).

TechRadar has also published an interesting article on this purpose:

https://www.techradar.com/news/5-of-the-best-linux-remote-desktop-clients

Best Linux remote desktop clients: Top 5 RDC in 2018
By Mayank Sharma, January 2018
We cover all the ins-and-outs of remote viewing

Remote control features

• TigerVNC   3/5
• RealVNC 4/5   Top
• Remmina   4/5   Top
• Vinagre   3/5
• TightVNC 3/5

Multimedia performance

• TigerVNC   4/5   Top
• RealVNC 4/5   Top
• Remmina   3/5
• Vinagre   4/5   Top
• TightVNC 2/5

Interface and usability

• TigerVNC   3/5
• RealVNC 3/5
• Remmina   3/5
• Vinagre   3/5
• TightVNC 3/5

Documentation and support

• TigerVNC   2/5
• RealVNC 5/5   Top
• Remmina   3/5
• Vinagre   2/5
• TightVNC 2/5

Server and protocol support

• TigerVNC   2/5
• RealVNC 4/5   Top
• Remmina   3/5
• Vinagre   3/5
• TightVNC 1/5

Configurable parameters

• TigerVNC   2/5
• RealVNC 4/5   Top
• Remmina   3/5
• Vinagre   2/5
• TightVNC 2/5

Connection flexibility

• TigerVNC   4/5   Top
• RealVNC 3/5
• Remmina   4/5   Top
• Vinagre   2/5
• TightVNC 4/5   Top

Final verdict

• TigerVNC   5/5   Open source credentials and performance
• RealVNC 4/5   Remote desktop access on the Raspberry Pi
• Remmina   3/5   Multi-protocol remote desktop client
• Vinagre   3/5   Lacks the control offered by its peers
• TightVNC 2/5   Focus on Windows platforms