Alternatives · Remote Desktop
UltraVNC alternatives
As of Nov 12, 2026, the highest-graded UltraVNC alternative is TightVNC (2.6 GPA). It's also the best free one.
UltraVNC compared with 5 alternatives: TightVNC, RealVNC Connect, Radmin, Remote Utilities and Remmina.
UltraVNC is free to use. 4 of the 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan. One more offers a free trial.
Listings checked up to Nov 12, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| UltraVNCThis tool | Free | Free | Windows |
| TightVNC | Free plan · from $12/yr | Yes | Windows |
| RealVNC Connect | Free plan | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Radmin | Free trial · from $49 one-time | Trial only | Windows |
| Remote Utilities | Free plan | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Remmina | Free | Free | Linux |
Price against what you get
UltraVNC has no paid plan and scores 1.7 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. None of the 2 alternatives on this chart both scores higher and starts 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 UltraVNC
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.
- TightVNC does not cover file sharing, which UltraVNC does.
Suits: Windows users who want a free VNC server and viewer
RealVNC Connect
Remote access from the makers of VNC, with end-to-end encryption
- RealVNC Connect also lists macOS, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
- RealVNC Connect is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- RealVNC Connect does not cover file sharing, which UltraVNC does.
Suits: Reaching your own Windows, Mac or Linux computers from a phone or tablet
Radmin
Windows remote control software sold as a one-time license per PC
- Radmin starts at $49 per remote computer, one-time.
- Radmin has no free plan, only a free trial, unlike UltraVNC.
- Radmin can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Radmin does not cover file sharing, which UltraVNC does.
Suits: Small IT teams that want a one-time fee instead of a subscription
Remote Utilities
Remote administration tool with a self-hosted server option
- Remote Utilities also lists macOS, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
- Remote Utilities does not cover file sharing, which UltraVNC does.
Suits: System administrators managing many Windows, Mac and Linux machines
Remmina
Free Linux remote desktop client for RDP, VNC and SSH
- Remmina is free.
- Remmina also lists a Linux app.
- Remmina lists no Windows app, which UltraVNC has.
- Remmina does not cover file sharing, which UltraVNC does.
Suits: Linux desktop users who connect to Windows machines over RDP
Limits worth knowing in UltraVNC
- The server runs on Windows; the supported-systems list names Windows versions only, plus an embedded Java viewer for other systems with Java.
- Encryption is a plugin for the main UltraVNC product, and the default password is 8 characters.
- The GPL does not allow bundling UltraVNC with non-GPL commercial software in one installer; PcHelpWare and uvnc2me can be bundled.
- The project is run by a team of two people and support is through the forum and GitHub.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to UltraVNC?
The alternatives to UltraVNC in this directory are TightVNC, RealVNC Connect, Radmin, Remote Utilities and Remmina. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with UltraVNC.
Is there a free alternative to UltraVNC?
Yes. Remmina is free to use. TightVNC, RealVNC Connect and Remote Utilities have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which UltraVNC alternatives work on macOS?
The UltraVNC listing does not include a macOS app. RealVNC Connect and Remote Utilities list one.
Which UltraVNC alternatives work on Linux?
The UltraVNC listing does not include a Linux app. RealVNC Connect, Remote Utilities and Remmina 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.