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Parsec alternatives · Remote Desktop

Open-source alternatives to Parsec

Parsec is not described as open source on its own site. 17 of the 85 other remote desktop apps in this directory are open source, according to their own sites.

Parsec has a free plan. Paid plans start at $8.33 per user / month, billed annually ($9.99 billed monthly). All of them are free or have a free plan.

17 tools · Listings checked up to Nov 13, 2026 · Where the facts come from

The 12 closest to Parsec

  1. Moonlight

    Open-source client for streaming PC games to other devices

    • Moonlight is free. Parsec starts at $8.33 per user / month, billed annually ($9.99 billed monthly).
    • Only Moonlight lists an iOS app.
    • Only Parsec lists a web app.
    • Moonlight is open source, according to its own site.
    Moonlight vs ParsecMoonlight pricing and details

  2. Sunshine

    Self-hosted game stream host for Moonlight clients

    • Sunshine is free. Parsec starts at $8.33 per user / month, billed annually ($9.99 billed monthly).
    • Only Parsec lists a web app.
    • Only Parsec lists an Android app.
    • Sunshine is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    Sunshine vs ParsecSunshine pricing and details

  3. Apache Guacamole

    Open-source clientless remote desktop gateway

    • Apache Guacamole is free. Parsec starts at $8.33 per user / month, billed annually ($9.99 billed monthly).
    • Only Parsec lists Windows, macOS, Linux and Android apps.
    • Apache Guacamole is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    Apache Guacamole pricing and details

  4. 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). Parsec starts at $8.33 per user / month, billed annually ($9.99 billed monthly).
    • Only RustDesk lists an iOS app.
    • RustDesk is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    RustDesk pricing and details

  5. UltraVNC

    Free open-source VNC remote control for Windows computers

    • UltraVNC is free. Parsec starts at $8.33 per user / month, billed annually ($9.99 billed monthly).
    • Only Parsec lists a web app.
    • Only Parsec lists macOS, Linux and Android apps.
    • UltraVNC is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    UltraVNC pricing and details

  6. TightVNC

    Free VNC remote desktop for Windows, with paid Pro encryption

    • TightVNC starts at $12 per year per user license (Pro); $1 / month, billed once a year. Parsec starts at $8.33 per user / month, billed annually ($9.99 billed monthly).
    • Only Parsec lists a web app.
    • Only Parsec lists macOS, Linux and Android apps.
    • TightVNC is open source, according to its own site.
    TightVNC pricing and details

  7. mRemoteNG

    Free tabbed connection manager for RDP, VNC and SSH on Windows

    • mRemoteNG is free. Parsec starts at $8.33 per user / month, billed annually ($9.99 billed monthly).
    • Only Parsec lists a web app.
    • Only Parsec lists macOS, Linux and Android apps.
    • mRemoteNG is open source, according to its own site.
    mRemoteNG pricing and details

  8. Remmina

    Free Linux remote desktop client for RDP, VNC and SSH

    • Remmina is free. Parsec starts at $8.33 per user / month, billed annually ($9.99 billed monthly).
    • Only Parsec lists a web app.
    • Only Parsec lists Windows, macOS and Android apps.
    • Remmina is open source, according to its own site.
    Remmina pricing and details

  9. MeshCentral

    Self-hosted open-source remote device management site

    • MeshCentral is free. Parsec starts at $8.33 per user / month, billed annually ($9.99 billed monthly).
    • Only Parsec lists an Android app.
    • MeshCentral is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    MeshCentral pricing and details

  10. HopToDesk

    Free open-source remote desktop with a paid device dashboard

    • HopToDesk starts at $159 per year for up to 120 devices ($15 per month billed monthly). Parsec starts at $8.33 per user / month, billed annually ($9.99 billed monthly).
    • Only HopToDesk lists an iOS app.
    • HopToDesk is open source and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    • HopToDesk also covers file sharing and help desk.
    HopToDesk pricing and details

  11. TigerVNC

    Free open-source VNC client and server for Linux, Windows and macOS

    • TigerVNC is free. Parsec starts at $8.33 per user / month, billed annually ($9.99 billed monthly).
    • Only Parsec lists a web app.
    • Only Parsec lists an Android app.
    • TigerVNC is open source, according to its own site.
    TigerVNC pricing and details

  12. NetBird

    Open-source zero trust networking built on WireGuard

    • NetBird starts at €6 per user / month (cloud, billing period not shown). Parsec starts at $8.33 per user / month, billed annually ($9.99 billed monthly).
    • Only NetBird lists an iOS app.
    • Only Parsec lists a web app.
    • NetBird is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    NetBird pricing and details

5 more that are open source

All 17 in one table

Common questions

Is there an open-source alternative to Parsec?

Yes. Moonlight, Sunshine, Apache Guacamole, RustDesk, UltraVNC, TightVNC, mRemoteNG, Remmina and 9 more are open source, according to their own sites.

Is Parsec open source?

Parsec is not described as open source on its own site. The listing was checked on Oct 18, 2026 against the pages it cites.

When was this checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 18, 2026 to Nov 13, 2026. Vendors change prices and plans without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and the order is how close each is to Parsec: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.