There are numerous reasons behind the use of remote desktops, which play a crucial role in today’s IT software ecosystem. If you’re providing support services for desktops and laptops, working with virtual servers or applications, or working in a company in which the offices are distributed nationally or internationally, you’ll be using remote desktop software.
TeamViewer is one of the most popular and widely used remote desktop sharing.
Windows systems come with a built-in protocol for remote connections. Microsoft Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) provides a graphical interface through which users can connect to a remote computer via a network connection. However, there are now several RDP alternatives on the market, designed to address potential functionality gaps. My top recommendation for a remote desktop alternative is SolarWinds® Dameware®, offering an on-premises and a cloud version, both designed to facilitate the easy handling of remote desktop issues.
What Is RDP?
RDP, short for Remote Desktop Protocol, is a protocol developed by Microsoft. It allows you to connect to another computer using a graphical user interface, so you can interact with the remote machine. You can control a remote desktop session and delete or copy text between applications running on the host machine and the guest machine. This helps with remote troubleshooting and issue resolution, so IT staff won’t need to go directly to the computer experiencing the problem.
However, with the rise of cybercrime have come warnings about the security of RDP. Moreover, several RDP alternatives have appeared on the market, many of which offer much more in the way of capabilities depending on your specific needs. If you’re looking for an alternative to Remote Desktop Protocol, consider the options below.
Best Remote Desktop Alternatives 2020
Chrome remote desktop. Your desktop anywhere. Securely access your computer from your phone, tablet, or another computer. It's fast, simple, and free. Give & get support. Get remote support for your computer, or give remote support to someone else. NoMachine is a fast, secure, and easy-to use remote desktop software, that uses the NX protocol rather than VNC but is worth including in the expanded list because of its extensive use. Remote desktop with xrdp Introduction. Xrdp is an opensource remote desktop protocol server, which allows you to connect to the Linux desktop from any operating system If you need to open or redirect access on your router or firewall, know that xrdp uses the standard port 3389. Remote Desktop Connection You can connect with your remote devices such as desktops, laptops, and mobile phones using remote access software over a network or the internet. Using Zoho Assist, a cloud-based remote desktop connection software, you can set up and establish a secure remote desktop connection directly from your web browser.
Dameware Remote Support is a significant upgrade from RDP, designed to provide all of the same features as the Microsoft protocol along with added features that help enhance problem resolution and cybersecurity on remote devices. Like RDP, DRS makes it easy to connect remotely to other computers. With additional features built to go beyond those in RDP, DRS makes for a comprehensive and easy-to-use remote desktop connection manager alternative.
Like RDP, DRS offers multi-platform remote access, with support for Mac, Windows, and Linux computers. In an enterprise setting, for example, it can work across your Windows desktops, Linux servers, and Mac devices staff may connect with from home. That includes providing access to computers from Android and Apple devices including tablets, which are not supported in RDP.
Both RDP and DRS offer the ability to connect over both the internet and LAN. This is particularly important in DRS since this, along with the tool’s other features, can help facilitate straightforward troubleshooting. With both DRS and RDP, you can remotely reboot entire systems or stop services and processes if something is causing the system to fail. DRS is designed to go beyond that, though—it includes system tools that allow you to fix problems on a computer you’re connected to remotely without having to interrupt the user’s session. DRS, like RDP, also lets you directly copy and paste—or delete—text in applications between the host and guest machine.
Dameware Remote Support offers a free trial for up to 14 days.
Another good option to consider, particularly if you are working in a cloud-based IT environment, is Dameware Remote Everywhere. DRE is in some ways the same tool as DRS, but it offers slightly different features.
First, DRE is designed for use in the cloud, which means it is accessible from any compatible device with internet connection. RDP also connects to remote devices over the internet; however, a distinction between the two tools may arise when it comes to speed. While DRE has a particular focus on speed, with remote connections typically established within eight seconds, RDP typically has slower connection times.
DRE also includes additional features for taking screenshots and recording during remote sessions and connecting with the user through VoIP or video call. RDP doesn’t natively include these features, with the only way to record or take screenshots during remote sessions is by implementing outside tools and procedures.
Dameware Remote Everywhere offers a free trial for 14 days.
Royal TS provides support for RDP and other connection protocols, including VNC, SSH, FTP and SFTP, and connection through web-based interfaces. Like other professional tools, it includes credentials management and sharing features, so you don’t need to log in repeatedly. It also provides remote troubleshooting capabilities.
One of the unique features of Royal TS is it can create command tasks and key sequence tasks, which allow you to create your own tasks and automate parts of your troubleshooting processes. For example, ping and traceroute are built in, and you can automate repetitive tasks, so you can execute them as soon as a connection is established.
Royal TS distinguishes itself from RDP when it comes to credential allocation. While RDP lets you save and share credentials between teammates, it does not let you save credentials tied to a remote desktop gateway. Not only does Royal TS let you create objects and folders and dynamically allocate credentials, it also lets you link folders and connections to inherit credentials. These features are designed to facilitate strong access and security measures.
Royal TS offers a free download of its “Lite” version, which allows up to 10 connections and 10 credentials. The paid version is also available through the developer’s website.
If you’re looking for an RDP alternative specifically for use with Mac computers or mobile devices, Edovia produces many products, including several versions of Screens.
Screens iOS allows you to control other computers from your iPhone or iPad, using an SSH connection. It can connect to Mac, Linux, Raspberry Pi, and Windows PCs, using the Screens Connect app. You can view the current session (e.g., for troubleshooting), or start a new session.
Screens Mac provides the same capabilities as Screens iOS, but from Mac OS systems.
There is a free trial of Screens Mac, and a free version, called Screens Express, with limited usage for specific circumstances. Screens Mac is downloadable through the Edovia website. You can buy Screens iOS from the App Store.
Terminals is an open-source remote desktop manager intended to manage the problem of controlling multiple connections simultaneously. It integrates RDP as one of the protocols it supports, but also works with VNC, VMRC, SSH, Telnet, RAS, Citrix ICA, and HTTP and HTTPs.
It includes several basic features to make the remote connection experience smoother, including a multi-tab interface, resizable windows, customizable toolbars, and a connections history, so you can see which machines you have connected to recently. You can also search by server name and look at protocol notes. This tool is high-quality, but basic, and it may not be suitable for a large enterprise needing a greater set of features for IT support and troubleshooting management.
You can download Terminals for free on Github.
As a free tool, Terminals is a mRemoteNG alternative. For a comparison of mRemoteNG vs. Terminals, look at both repositories in Github to view the documentation, as it gets a little technical.
How to Choose an RDP Alternative
There are several factors behind choosing a good RDP alternative, but your decision will in large part depend on the number of connections you’re dealing with, the type of information in your environment (e.g., if it’s sensitive and needs extra security), and the size of your enterprise.
A free or open-source tool might be suitable in a low-risk, small business environment, in which case Terminals is a good choice. For a large enterprise or a company with sensitive data, invest in a professional tool such as Dameware Remote Support or Dameware Remote Everywhere.
Want to remotely access an Ubuntu Linux computer from any Windows, Mac, iOS, or Android device? Try Splashtop remote desktop software for free.
It is more critical than ever to be able to remotely access computers when working from home or on the road. Remote desktop software for Ubuntu has been complicated in the past, with many remote desktop tools not supporting Linux.
But what if you could remotely access and control all of your Ubuntu machines quickly and easily from nearly anywhere and with almost any device? You can, with Splashtop Business Access.
Splashtop officially supports remote desktop connections to Linux computers running on Ubuntu desktop 16.04 and 18.04.
How to Set Up Splashtop Ubuntu Remote Desktop for Free:
- Start your free trial of Splashtop Business Access (no credit card or commitment required).
- Install the Linux Streamer on the Ubuntu computers you want to remote into.
- Install the Splashtop Business App on the computers, tablets, and mobile devices you want to remote from, including Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices.
- Now you’re ready! Open the Splashtop Business App on your device, click the computer you want to access, and then enjoy fast remote desktop connections to your Ubuntu system.
Once you are connected, you can control your Ubuntu system and perform any task as though you are right in front of the computer. It works from nearly any device, and from anywhere you have internet access. Access any file or application while in a remote session.
Splashtop remote desktop for Linux currently supports Ubuntu desktop 16.04 and 18.04 and other Linux platforms like CentOS 7 and 8, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 7.3-8.1, and Fedora 29-31.
Splashtop remote desktop for Ubuntu is reliable, easy to set up, highly secure, and gives you fast HD connections. Start your free trial today to get started.
Remote Desktop Connection For Linux
Remote desktop to Linux also available in Splashtop SOS (for IT and help desk) and Splashtop Remote Support (for MSPs).
Remote Desktop Linux Pc
Additional Resources