The RDP software is an application software. It uses Virtual Network Computing (VNC). The main function of RDP software is sending the monitor (output) to the client from the remote server and sending the mouse and keyboard (input) to the remote server from the client. The output on the client’s display device is updated when the user inputs are executed in the remote servers.
There are several RDP software in the market. Some of them are AetherPal, Ammyy Admin, AnyDesk, Anyplace Control, Apple Remote Desktop, NetSupport Manager Netviewer NX technology, Oracle Secure Global Desktop Software, Parsec, Proxy Networks, QVD, rdesktop, VNC server/Viewer, Remmina, Remote Utilities, RustDesk, Splashtop, SSH with X forwarding, Sun Ray/SRSS, Symantec pcAnywhere, TeamViewer, Techinline, Thinc, TigerVNC, TightVNC, Ultra VNC, Xpra, etc. A detailed comparison of RDP software and services, including pricing, features, user reviews, etc., are shown in this article.
Comparison of RDP Software and Services
RDP software are compared to each other based on many factors, such as creator, protocols, license, first public release date, pricing, built-in encryption, file transfer, pricing, audio support, IPv6 support, NAT passthrough, maximum simultaneous connections, multiple session, remote assistance, access permission request, seamless window, screen blanking, session persistence, and smartcard authentication.
Comparison of RDP Software based on the Creator
- AetherPal – AetherPal Inc.
- Ammyy Admin – Ammyy Inc.
- AnyDesk – AnyDesk Software GmbH
- Anyplace Control – Anyplace Control Software
- Apple Remote Desktop – Apple
- Apple Screen Sharing (iChat) – Apple
- AppliDis – Systancia
- Cendio ThinLinc – Cendio AB
- Chrome Remote Desktop – Google
- Citrix XenApp – Citrix Systems
- ConnectWise Control – Elsinore Technologies
- Ericom Connect – Ericom Software
- GO-Global – GraphOn
- Goverlan Systems Management – Goverlan, Inc.
- GoToMyPC – Citrix Online
- HP Remote Graphics Software – HP Inc.
- IBM Director Remote Control – IBM
- I’m in Touch – Communique
- Krdc – Tim Jansen, Urs Wolfer, a.o.
- LogMeIn – LogMeIn Inc.
- Mikogo – BeamYourScreen GmbH
- MobiXterm – Mobitek
- NetSupport Manager – AetherPal Inc.
- Netviewer – Netviewer AG
- NX technology – NoMachine
- Oracle Secure Global Desktop Software – Tarantella/Oracle Inc.
- Parsec – Parsec Cloud, Inc.
- Proxy Networks – Funk Software Inc.
- QVD – Qindel Group
- rdesktop – Matthew Chapman
- VNC Server/Viewer – RealVNC
- Remmina – Vic Lee
- Remote Desktop Services/Terminal services – Microsoft.
- Remote Utilities – Alex Ter-Osipov, Remote Utilities LLC.
- Splashtop – Splashtop Inc
- Symantec pcAnywhere – Symantec Corporation
- TeamViewer – TeamViewer GmbH
- Techinline – Techinline Ltd.
- Thinc – Columbia university Red Hat
- TigerVNC – Red Hat, Cendio AB, The VirtualGL Project
- TightVNC – Constantin Kaplinsky
- Timbuktu – WOS Datasystems
- TurboVNC – The VirtualGL Project
- UltraVNC – Martin Scharpf, Rudi De Vos, Oliver Schneider, UltraSam
- Vinagre – The GNOME Project
- Xpra – Nathaniel Smith
- X11vnc – Karl Runge
- X2Go – Oleksandr Shneyder and Heinz-M. Graesing
- x2x – David Chaiken
Comparison of RDP Software based on Protocol
- AetherPal, Ammyy Admin, AnyDesk, Anyplace Control, ConnectWise Control, Ericom Connect, GO-Global, GoToMyPC, BM Director Remote Control, I’m InTouch, LogMeIn, Mikogo, NetSupport Manager, Netviewer, NX technology, Parsec, Proxy Networks, Remote Utilities, Splashtop, Symantec pcAnywhere, TeamViewer, Timbuktu – Proprietary protocol
- Apple Remote Desktop – RFB (VNC)
- Apple Screen Sharing (iChat) – Proprietary, RFB (VNC)
- AppliDis – RDP
- Cendio ThinLinc – RFB (VNC)
- Chrome Remote Desktop – Chromoting
- Citrix XenApp – RDP, ICA
- Goverlan Systems Management – Proprietary, RFB (VNC), SSH, Intel vPro KVM
- HP Remote Graphics Software – HP RGS
- Krdc – RDP, RFB (VNC)
- MobiXterm – SSH, Telnet RDP, RFB (VNC), RSH, XDMCP, FTP, SFTP, MOSH, AWS S3, WSL, Serial, HTTP Server, SSH/SFTP Server, Telnet Server, NFS Server, VNC Server, Cron Server, Iperf Server, Web Browser, TFTP Server, FTP Server
- Oracle Secure Global Desktop Software – AIP
- QVD – NX and HTTP
- rdesktop – RDP
- VNC Server/Viewer – SSH, RFB (VNC)
- Remmina – RDP, SSH, SPICE, RFB (VNC), XDMCP, EXEC
- Remote Desktop Services – RDP
- RustDesk – Own open protocol
- SSH with X forwarding – X11
- Sun Ray – ALP
- Techinline – RDP
- Thinc – Thinc
- TigerVNC – RFB (VNC)
- TightVNC – RFB (VNC)
- TurboVNC – RFB (VNC)
- UltraVNC – RFB (VNC)
- Veyon – RFB (VNC)
- Vinagre – RFB (VNC), RDP, SSH, SPICE
- Xpra – Bencode-based, rencode-based, YAML-based, RFB (VNC) for desktop mode
- X11vnc – RFB (VNC)
- X2Go – NX
- x2x – X11
Comparison of RDP Software based on License
- AetherPal, Ammyy Admin, AnyDesk, Anyplace Control, Apple Remote Desktop, Apple Screen Sharing (iChat), AppliDis, Cendio ThinLinc, Citrix XenApp, ConnectWise Control, Ericom Connect, GO-Global, Goverlan Systems Management, GoToMyPC, HP Remote Graphics Software, IBM Director Remote Control, I’m in Touch, LogMeIn, Mikogo, NetSupport Manager, Netviewer, NX technology, Oracle Secure Global Desktop Software, Parsec, Proxy Networks, VNC Server/Viewer, Remote Desktop Services/Terminal Services, MobiXterm, Remote Utilities, Splashtop, Sun Ray, Symantec pcAnywhere, TeamViewer, Techinline, Timbuktu – Proprietary
- Chrome Remote Desktop – BSD Client, Proprietary Server
- Krdc – GPL-2.0-or-later
- QVD – GPL
- rdesktop – GPL-3.0-or-later
- Remmina – GPL-2.0-or-later
- RustDesk – GPL-3.0-or-later
- SSH with X forwarding – BSD
- Thinc – GPL-2.0-or-later
- TigerVNC – GPL-2.0-or-later
- TightVNC – GPL-2.0-or-later
- TurboVNC – GPL
- UltraVNC – GPL-2.0-or-later
- veyon – GPL-2.0-or-later
- Vinagre – GPL-2.0-or-later
- Xpra – GPL-2.0-or-later
- X11vnc – GPL-2.0-or-later
- X2Go – GPL-2.0-or-later
- x2x – BSD
Comparison of RDP Software based on the First Public Release Date
- AetherPal – 2011
- Ammyy Admin – 2007
- AnyDesk – 2015
- Anyplace Control – 2002
- Apple Remote Desktop – 2002
- Apple Screen Sharing (iChat) – 2007
- Cendio ThinLinc – 2003
- Chrome Remote Desktop – 2011
- Citrix XenApp – 1995
- ConnectWise Control – 2008
- Ericom Connect – 2015
- Goverlan Systems Management – 1998
- GoToMyPC – 2000
- HP Remote Graphics Software – 2003
- I’m in Touch – 2000
- Krdc – 2010
- MobiXterm – 2008
- NetSupport Manager – 1989
- NX technology – 2003
- Oracle Secure Global Desktop Software – 1997
- Parsec – 2016
- Proxy Networks – 1993
- QVD – 2001
- rdesktop – 2001
- VNC Server/Viewer – 2002
- Remmina – 2009
- Remote Desktop Services/Terminal services – 1998
- Remote Utilities – 2004
- RustDesk – 2020
- Splashtop – 2010
- SSH with X forwarding – 1999
- Symantec pcAnywhere – 1986
- TeamViewer – 2005
- Techinline – 2006
- Thinc – 2007
- TigerVNC – 2009
- TightVNC – 2001
- Timbuktu – pre-1988
- TurboVNC – 2004
- UltraVNC – 2005
- Veyon – 2005
- Vinagre – 2007
- Xpra – 2008
- X11vnc – 2001
- X2Go – 2006
- x2x – 1996
Comparison of RDP Software based on Pricing
- Ammyy Admin – Free for personal use, $33.90 for starter, $66.90 for premium, and $99.90 for corporate
- AnyDesk – Free for personal use, $14.90 for entry level
- GoToMyPC – 14-day free trial and $35 per month for entry-level
- Mikogo – Free for personal use
- MobiXterm – Free for personal use
- NX technology – Free for personal use
- Parsec – Free for personal use, $30.00 for entry-level commercial use
- VNC Server/Viewer – Free for personal use, $3.39 per remote computer per month for professional device access, and $4.59 per remote computer per month for enterprise device access
- Remote Utilities – Free for personal use
- Splashtop – 7-day free trial and $5 per month per user
- TeamViewer – Free for personal use, $6.95 for entry-level
- Apple Screen Sharing (iChat), Cendio ThinLinc, GoTo Resolve, Chrome Remote Desktop, ConnectWise Control, Krdc, QVD, rdesktop, Remote Desktop Services/Terminal Services, Remmina, RustDesk, SSH with X forwarding, Thinc, TigerVNC, TightVNC, Timbuktu, TurboVNC, UltraVNC, Veyon, Vinagre, Xpra, X11vnc, X2Go, x2x – Free for personal use and commercial use
Comparison of RDP Software based on Built-in Encryption
- AetherPal – SSL, TLS
- Ammyy Admin – AES, RSA
- AnyDesk – SSL, TLS 1.2, AES
- Anyplace Control – RC4, RSA
- Apple Remote Desktop – AES-128
- Apple Screen Sharing (iChat) – AES-256
- Cendio ThinLinc – SSH, TLS
- Chrome Remote Desktop – SSH, TLS
- Citrix XenApp – SSH, TLS
- Ericom Connect – SSH, TLS
- GO-Global – SSL, DES-56, DES-168, AES-256
- IBM Director Remote Control – AES, Triple DES, DES
- I’m in Touch – SSL, AES-256
- LogMeIn – SSL, TLS
- Mikogo – AES-256
- Netviewer – AES-128
- NX technology – AES-128
- Oracle Secure Global Desktop Software – SSL, TLS (AES-256)
- Parsec – DTLS (AES-128)
- Proxy Networks – SSL, AES-256
- QVD – SSL
- VNC Viewer – AES-128
- Remmina – AES-256
- Remote Utilities – AES-256
- Splashtop – Splashtop Inc
- Symantec pcAnywhere – AES-256
- TeamViewer – AES-256
- TigerVNC – SSL, TLS
- TightVNC – SSH
- TurboVNC – SSL, TLS, SSH
- Veyon – SSH
- Xpra – SSH, TLS, AES
- X11vnc – SSL
- X2Go – SSH
Comparison of RDP Software based on File Transfer
AetherPal, Ammyy Admin, AnyDesk, Anyplace Control, AppliDis, Apple Remote Desktop, Cendio ThinLinc, Chrome Remote Desktop, Citrix XenApp, Ericom Connect, GO-Global, Goverlan Systems Management, GoToMyPC, HP Remote Graphics Software, IBM Director Remote Control, I’m in Touch, Mikogo, MobiXterm, NetSupport Manager, Netviewer, NX technology, Oracle Secure Global Desktop Software, Proxy Networks, QVD, rdesktop, VNC Server/Viewer, Remmina, Remote Desktop Services/Terminal Services, Remote Utilities, RustDesk, ConnectWise Control, Splashtop, SSH with X forwarding, Sun Ray, Symantec pcAnywhere, TeamViewer, Techinline, TightVNC, Timbuktu, UltraVNC, Vinagre, Xpra, X2Go, and X11vnc allows transferring files between the nearby and faraway computers.
Apple Screen Sharing (iChat), Krdc, Parsec, Sun Ray TigerVNC, TurboVNC, Veyon, and x2x don’t allow transferring files between the nearby and faraway computers.
Comparison of RDP Software based on Audio Support
Ammyy Admin, AnyDesk, Anyplace Control, AppliDis, Cendio ThinLinc, Chrome Remote Desktop, Citrix XenApp, Ericom Connect, GO-Global, Goverlan Systems Management, GoToMyPC, HP Remote Graphics Software, I’m InTouch, Krdc, LogMeIn, NetSupport Manager, Netviewer, NX technology, Oracle Secure Global Desktop Software, Parsec, QVD, rdesktop, Remmina, Remote Desktop Services/Terminal Services, Remote Utilities, RustDesk, ConnectWise Control, Splashtop, Sun Ray, Xpra, and X2Go has audio support.
SSH with X forwarding and TeamViewer have partial audio support.
AetherPal, Apple Remote Desktop, Apple Screen Sharing (iChat), IBM Director Remote Control, Mikogo, Proxy Networks, Symantec pcAnywhere, Techinline, TightVNC, TigerVNC, Timbuktu, TurboVNC, UltraVNC, Veyon, X11vnc, and x2x don’t have audio support.
Comparison of RDP Software on the Basis of IPv6 Support
Apple Remote Desktop, Apple Screen Sharing (iChat), Cendio ThinLinc, Chrome Remote Desktop, Citrix XenApp, Ericom Connect, Goverlan Systems Management, MobiXterm, Parsec, Proxy Networks, QVD, rdesktop, Remmina, Remote Desktop Services/Terminal Services, Remote Utilities, Splashtop, SSH with X forwarding, TeamViewer, TigerVNC, TurboVNC, Xpra, and X11vnc has IPv6 support.
AnyDesk, AppliDis, HP Remote Graphics Software, NetSupport Manager, Symantec pcAnywhere, TightVNC, and Veyon don’t have IPv6 support.
Comparison of RDP Software based on NAT Passthrough
AetherPal, Ammyy Admin, AnyDesk, Anyplace Control, AppliDis, Cendio ThinLinc, Chrome Remote Desktop, Ericom Connect, Goverlan Systems Management, NetSupport Manager, NX technology, Parsec, QVD, Remmina, Remote Utilities, RustDesk, ConnectWise Control, Splashtop, and Techinline can connect to the server through a NAT without modifying the port forwarding rules on the router.
Apple Remote Desktop, Remote Desktop Services/Terminal Services, SSH with X forwarding, and Veyon cannot connect to the server through a NAT without modifying the port forwarding rules on the router.
Comparison of RDP Software based on Maximum Simultaneous Connections
AetherPal, AnyDesk, Anyplace Control, AppliDis, Apple Remote Desktop, Apple Screen Sharing (iChat), Cendio ThinLinc, Chrome Remote Desktop, Citrix XenApp, Ericom Connect, Goverlan Systems Management, HP Remote Graphics Software, NetSupport Manager, NX technology, Proxy Networks, QVD, Remmina, Remote Desktop Services/Terminal Services, Remote Utilities, Splashtop, SSH with X forwarding, TightVNC, TigerVNC, TurboVNC, UltraVNC, Veyon, and XpraX11vnc can connect an unlimited number of clients to the same session.
TeamViewer can connect 3-15 clients to the same session.
Techinline can connect 1 client to the same session.
Comparison of RDP Software based on Seamless Window
AetherPal, Ammyy Admin, Anyplace Control, AppliDis, Cendio ThinLinc, Citrix XenApp, Ericom Connect, Goverlan Systems Management, HP Remote Graphics Software, NetSupport Manager, NX technology, Proxy Networks, QVD, Remmina, Remote Desktop Services/Terminal Services, Remote Utilities, ConnectWise Control, Splashtop, SSH with X forwarding, Xpra, and X2Go allow to run an application on the server and only display the application window on the client’s desktop.
UltraVNC partially provides a seamless window.
Apple Remote Desktop, Apple Screen Sharing (iChat), Chrome Remote Desktop, IBM Director, Remote Control, I’m InTouch, Mikogo, Netviewer, Parsec, Real VNC, Sun Ray, Symantec pcAnywhere, TeamViewer, TightVNC, TigerVNC, Timbuktu, TurboVNC, Veyon, and X11vnc don’t provide a seamless window.
Comparison of RDP Software based on Remote Assistance
AetherPal, Ammyy Admin, AnyDesk, Anyplace Control, AppliDis, Apple Remote Desktop, Cendio ThinLinc, Citrix XenApp, Ericom Connect, Goverlan Systems Management, HP Remote Graphics Software, NetSupport Manager, NX technology, Proxy Networks, QVD, Remmina, Remote Desktop Services/Terminal Services, Remote Utilities, ConnectWise Control, Splashtop, SSH with X forwarding, Xpra, and X2Go allows remote users to assist a local user by viewing the screen at the same time.
TigerVNC and TurboVNC don’t allow remote users and local users to view the screen simultaneously for remote assistance.
Comparison of RDP Software based on Access Permission Request
AetherPal, Ammyy Admin, Anyplace Control, AppliDis, Chrome Remote Desktop, Citrix XenApp, Ericom Connect, Goverlan Systems Management, GoToMyPC, HP Remote Graphics Software, NetSupport Manager, Netviewer, NX technology, Parsec, Proxy Networks, Remmina, Remote Desktop Services/Terminal Services, Remote Utilities, RustDesk, ConnectWise Control, Splashtop, Symantec pcAnywhere, TeamViewer, Techinline, TightVNC, Timbuktu, UltraVNC, and Xpra need access permission request approval from the local users.
QVD, TigerVNC, TurboVNC, and Veyon don’t need access permission request approval from the local users.
Comparison of RDP Software based on Multiple Session
AetherPal, Ammyy Admin, Anyplace Control, Apple Remote Desktop, Apple Screen Sharing (iChat), AppliDis, Cendio ThinLinc, Chrome Remote Desktop, Citrix XenApp, Goverlan Systems Management, HP Remote Graphics Software, Krdc, MobiXterm, Oracle Secure Global Desktop Software, QVD, rdesktop, Remmina, Remote Desktop Services, RustDesk, SSH with X forwarding, Sun Ray, Techinline, Thinc, TigerVNC, TightVNC, TurboVNC, UltraVNC, Veyon, Vinagre, Xpra, X11vnc, X2Go, x2x – X11 allows many users to connect to a server and view their desktops.
Sub7 don’t allow many users to connect to a server and view their desktops.
Comparison of RDP Software based on Screen Blanking
AnyDesk, Goverlan Systems Management, HP Remote Graphics Software, NX technology, Remote Utilities, Splashtop, Symantec pcAnywhere, TeamViewer, and UltraVNC can prevent a remote user from seeing what is currently being displayed on the screen while the host or server user is connected.
TurboVNC and Xpra cannot prevent a remote user from seeing what is currently being displayed on the screen while the host or server user is connected.
Comparison of RDP Software based on Session Persistence
Work that has not been saved will not be lost if the user disconnects or loses their connection when Cendio ThinLinc, NX technology, Parsec, Remote Desktop Services/Terminal Services, TigerVNC, Xpra, and X2Go are used.
Work that has not been saved will be lost if the user disconnects or loses their connection when Ammyy Admin and SSH with X forwarding are used.
Comparison of RDP Software based on Session Recording
AnyDesk, Goverlan Systems Management, LogMeIn, NX technology, Proxy Networks, Remote Utilities, Splashtop, Symantec pcAnywhere, TeamViewer, and Xpra allows session recording.
Ammyy Admin, Cendio ThinLinc, Ericom Connect, HP Remote Graphics Software, Parsec, and TurboVNC don’t allow session recording.
Comparison of RDP Software based on the Chat Tool
AnyDesk, Ericom Connect, Goverlan Systems Management, NX technology, Parsec, Proxy Networks, Remmina, Remote Utilities, RustDesk, Splashtop, UltraVNC has a chat tool.
Ammyy Admin, Cendio ThinLinc, HP Remote Graphics Software, TurboVNC, Xpra don’t have a chat tool.
Comparison of RDP Software based on Smartcard Authentication
Cendio ThinLinc, Citrix XenApp, Ericom Connect, Goverlan Systems Management, HP Remote Graphics Software, NX technology, Remmina, and SSH with X forwarding have smartcard authentication.
Parsec, Proxy Networks, Remote Utilities, TeamViewer, TurboVNC, and Xpra don’t have smartcard authentication.
Comparison of RDP Software based on User Reviews
- Splashtop has 9.6 usability score.
- Getscreen.me has 9.4 usability score.
- ConnectWise Control has 9.3 usability score.
- RemotePC has 9.3 usability score.
- VNC Connect has 9.2 usability score.
- EV Reach has 9.1 usability score.
- FixMe.IT has 9.1 usability score.
- V2 Cloud has 9.1 usability score.
- GoTo Resolve has 9.1 usability score.
- Zoho Assist has 9.1 usability score.
- TeamViewer has 9.0 usability score.
- AnyDesk has 9.0 usability score.
- ISL Light has 8.9 usability score.
- BeyondTrust Remote Support has 8.9 usability score.
- Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager has 8.9 usability score.
- Rescue has 8.8 usability score.
- Central has 8.8 usability score.
- Pro has 8.8 usability score.
- GoToMyPC has 8.8 usability score.
Conclusion
All the RDP software enables one client machine to remotely access and control another server machine by utilizing the internet. RDP software is mainly used by business organizations for remote administration and implementation. RDP software works as a system and is helpful for computers without direct input or output devices. RDP software has nine stages of connection, namely, connection initiation, Basic handshake, channel connection, security initiation, secure settings exchange, licensing, capabilities exchange, connection finalization, and data exchange.