Alternatives · Remote Desktop
Apache Guacamole alternatives
As of Nov 13, 2026, the best Apache Guacamole alternative for most people is RustDesk (3.0 GPA), third in our ranking of remote desktop apps. It's also the best free one.
Apache Guacamole compared with 6 alternatives: MeshCentral, Remmina, RustDesk, mRemoteNG, RealVNC Connect and 1 more.
Apache Guacamole is free to use. All 6 alternatives are free or have a free plan.
Listings checked up to Nov 12, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apache GuacamoleThis tool | Free | Free | Web |
| MeshCentral | Free | Free | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Remmina | Free | Free | Linux |
| RustDesk | Free plan · from $11.88/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| mRemoteNG | Free | Free | Windows |
| RealVNC Connect | Free plan | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Royal TS | Free plan · from €49 one-time | Yes | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
Price against what you get
Apache Guacamole has no paid plan and scores 1.7 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. None of the 4 alternatives on this chart both scores higher and starts lower.
MeshCentral and RustDesk score higher without starting lower.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
How each one differs from Apache Guacamole
MeshCentral
Self-hosted open-source remote device management site
- MeshCentral is free.
- MeshCentral also lists Windows, Linux and macOS apps.
Suits: IT admins who want to host their own device management
Remmina
Free Linux remote desktop client for RDP, VNC and SSH
- Remmina is free.
- Remmina also lists a Linux app.
- Remmina lists no web app, which Apache Guacamole has.
Suits: Linux desktop users who connect to Windows machines over RDP
RustDesk
Open-source remote desktop you can run on your own server
- RustDesk starts at $11.88 per month, billed annually (Individual Server Pro, self-hosted).
- RustDesk also lists Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS apps.
Suits: People who want a free remote desktop app for their own computers
mRemoteNG
Free tabbed connection manager for RDP, VNC and SSH on Windows
- mRemoteNG is free.
- mRemoteNG also lists a Windows app.
- mRemoteNG lists no web app, which Apache Guacamole has.
Suits: Administrators who manage many servers over RDP, SSH and VNC
RealVNC Connect
Remote access from the makers of VNC, with end-to-end encryption
- RealVNC Connect also lists Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
- RealVNC Connect lists no web app, which Apache Guacamole has.
- RealVNC Connect is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
Suits: Reaching your own Windows, Mac or Linux computers from a phone or tablet
Royal TS
Connection manager for RDP, SSH, VNC and web sessions
- Royal TS starts at €49 one-time per user for Windows or macOS.
- Royal TS also lists Windows, macOS, iOS and Android apps.
- Royal TS lists no web app, which Apache Guacamole has.
- Royal TS also covers workflow automation.
Suits: IT staff managing many servers over RDP, SSH and VNC
Limits worth knowing in Apache Guacamole
- You install, host and update it yourself; the project site offers no hosted service.
- Support is community mailing lists, with commercial support only from third-party companies.
- It is a gateway to machines that already run VNC, RDP or SSH.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Apache Guacamole?
The alternatives to Apache Guacamole in this directory are MeshCentral, Remmina, RustDesk, mRemoteNG, RealVNC Connect and Royal TS. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Apache Guacamole.
Is there a free alternative to Apache Guacamole?
Yes. MeshCentral, Remmina and mRemoteNG are free to use. RustDesk, RealVNC Connect and Royal TS have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which Apache Guacamole alternatives work on Windows?
The Apache Guacamole listing does not include a Windows app. MeshCentral, RustDesk, mRemoteNG, RealVNC Connect and Royal TS list one.
Which Apache Guacamole alternatives work on macOS?
The Apache Guacamole listing does not include a macOS app. MeshCentral, RustDesk, RealVNC Connect and Royal TS list one.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 18, 2026 to Nov 12, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.