# Alternatives to RealVNC

The VNC originators.

RealVNC ranks #7 of 9 in Remote desktop tools, with an Alt Score of 46. It is proprietary, freemium and available on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android. 4 of 10 checklist rows are verified against a public source.

Source: https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/realvnc/
Category: Remote desktop tools

## Overview

- **Who it's for**: IT teams, MSPs, and support professionals who need to remotely access and control computers, plus individuals who want secure access to their own devices from elsewhere.
- **What you get**: Cross-platform remote control (Windows, Mac, Linux, Raspberry Pi, iOS, Android) with attended and unattended access. Includes file transfer, in-session chat, and session encryption up to 256-bit AES with multi-factor authentication. Device management tools like filtering and grouping help admins organize and quickly reach large fleets of machines.
- **How it works**: You install VNC Server on the computer you want to access and VNC Viewer on the device you're connecting from, then sign in to link them via direct IP or cloud-based connection. Once connected, VNC Server streams the remote desktop to VNC Viewer, and your mouse, keyboard, or touch input is sent back to control that machine.

## Profile

- **License**: Proprietary (verified 2026-07-11)
- **Pricing model**: Freemium (verified 2026-07-11)
- **Starts at**: ?
- **Platforms**: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
- **Status**: active (verified 2026-07-11)

## Ranked alternatives

| # | App | Alt Score | Licence | Platforms |
|---|-----|-----------|---------|-----------|
| 1 | [AnyDesk](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/anydesk.md) | 91 | ? | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS |
| 2 | [NoMachine](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/nomachine.md) | 91 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS |
| 3 | [Splashtop](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/splashtop.md) | 86 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS |
| 4 | [TeamViewer](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/teamviewer.md) | 82 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS |
| 5 | [RustDesk](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/rustdesk.md) | 78 | AGPL-3.0 | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS |
| 6 | [Parsec](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/parsec.md) | 68 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android |
| 7 | [Chrome Remote Desktop](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/chrome-remote-desktop.md) | 42 | ? | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS |
| 8 | [Remmina](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/remmina.md) | 32 | GPL-2.0-or-later | Linux |

Alt Score = Verified coverage (90%) + Visibility (10%). See https://altcatalog.com/how-alt-score-works/

## Feature comparison

Legend: Yes / No / Partial / ? (not verified).

| Remote desktop tools checklist | RealVNC | AnyDesk | NoMachine | Splashtop | TeamViewer | RustDesk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium | Freemium | Subscription | Freemium | OSS + paid hosting |
| Starts at | ? | ? | USD 44.50/year (Enterprise Desktop Subscription, per computer) | $6/month (Business Access Solo, billed annually) | ? | $11.88/month |
| License | Proprietary | ? | Proprietary | Proprietary | Proprietary | AGPL-3.0 |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web |
| Cross-platform | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Unattended access | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| File transfer | ? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hostable server | ? | Yes | Yes | Partial | No | Yes |
| E2E encryption | Yes | Partial | Yes | Partial | Yes | Yes |
| Free for personal use | ? | Yes | Yes | Partial | Yes | Yes |
| Wake-on-LAN | ? | Yes | Partial | Yes | Yes | Partial |
| Multi-monitor | ? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ? |
| Low-latency mode (gaming) | ? | Partial | Partial | Yes | ? | ? |
| Mobile clients | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |

## Sources

Sources for RealVNC. Each alternative is sourced on its own page.

- **License**: Proprietary — <https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vnc-viewer-remote-desktop/id352019548> (verified 2026-07-11)
  - Quote: “© 2026 RealVNC Ltd.”
- **Pricing model**: Freemium — <https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vnc-viewer-remote-desktop/id352019548> (verified 2026-07-11)
  - Quote: “The VNC® Connect Home plan has been replaced with our new VNC® Connect Lite plan.”
- **Platforms**: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android — <https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vnc-viewer-remote-desktop/id352019548> (verified 2026-07-11)
  - Quote: “RealVNC® Viewer from RealVNC® gives you instant remote access to your Mac, Windows and Linux computers from anywhere in the world.”
- **Status**: active — <https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vnc-viewer-remote-desktop/id352019548> (verified 2026-07-11)
  - Quote: “NEW: Added support for iOS/iPadOS 26, including support for Bluetooth keyboards FIXED: RealVNC Viewer now displays the correct message when you have exceeded the number of concurrent sessions availabl”
- **Cross-platform**: Yes — <https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vnc-viewer-remote-desktop/id352019548> (verified 2026-07-11)
  - Quote: “RealVNC® Viewer from RealVNC® gives you instant remote access to your Mac, Windows and Linux computers from anywhere in the world.”
- **Unattended access**: Yes — <https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vnc-viewer-remote-desktop/id352019548> (verified 2026-07-11)
  - Quote: “You'll see your computers automatically appear; simply tap to connect.”
- **E2E encryption**: Yes — <https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vnc-viewer-remote-desktop/id352019548> (verified 2026-07-11)
  - Quote: “All sessions are then encrypted end-to-end.”
- **Mobile clients**: Yes — <https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vnc-viewer-remote-desktop/id352019548> (verified 2026-07-11)
  - Quote: “RealVNC® Viewer from RealVNC® gives you instant remote access to your Mac, Windows and Linux computers from anywhere in the world.”

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Ranked by verified data, never by who paid. https://altcatalog.com/trust/