Radmin vs UltraVNC (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 12, 2026, UltraVNC grades higher than Radmin: 2.6 against 2.4 out of 4.0.
Checked Nov 12, 2026 · graded Nov 12, 2026 by ToolGPA
Radmin grades higher on features. UltraVNC grades higher on the free plan. They get the same grade on value for money, ease of use and platforms.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
Radmin
Windows remote control software sold as a one-time license per PC
Free trial · from $49 one-time
Which one is for you
Pick Radmin if
- Fits if you control a few Windows PCs and prefer to pay once
- Works for IT admins deploying to many Windows machines
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you use a Mac, Linux or a phone, as it's Windows only
- Pricey if you have many computers: Radmin 3 is $49 each, and packages start at 50 for $1,490
- Tight if you have more than 5 viewers at once, as a Radmin Server accepts 5 connections by default and more need a licence from sales
- Watch out: the 150-computer package, volume licences of 200 or more and a Help Desk licence with a 50-licence minimum are quoted by sales
Pick UltraVNC if
- Fits if you want free remote control of Windows machines and are fine with setting it up
- Works for support staff who want a Single Click session for the person they are helping
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you want encryption built in, because it comes from a plugin
- Not for you if you use a Mac or Linux server, as the server runs on Windows
- Too light for managed fleets, since support is a forum and GitHub
- Watch out: the project is run by a team of two
- Watch out: the GPL stops you bundling UltraVNC with non-GPL commercial software in one installer
How we grade them
| 2.4GPARadminFair | 2.6GPAUltraVNCGood | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A$49 one time per remote computer, under a year of the $10.00 middle subscription for remote access tools. But each remote PC needs its own licence. | AFree for all uses, commercial included, under the GPL, with no paid plans. A program anyone can download counts as free and substantial. |
| Free plan and trial | CA 30-day free trial of the full version, with no free plan after it. The pages read don't say whether a card is needed. | AFree for everyone with no caps or time limit. The licence does not allow bundling it with non-GPL commercial software in one installer. |
| Features | BViewer and Server programs, encrypted connections, low-bandwidth use, mass deployment, unattended administration and Radmin VPN. Nothing in the listing is missing for controlling PCs. | CServer and viewer, file transfer, chat, Single Click support sessions and a repeater. Encryption comes from a plugin and the listing names no hosted option, so it does the job with gaps. |
| Ease of use | CNo rating on record. You install the server on every remote PC and set it up. | CNo store rating on record. You set up the server, passwords and perhaps the repeater and the encryption plugin yourself. |
| Platforms and integrations | DWindows only: the download page offers Windows installers and lists no Mac, Linux or mobile apps. | DThe supported-systems list names Windows versions, plus an embedded Java viewer for other systems. No phone apps or integrations are listed. |
| Best for | paid remote control of Windows PCs with a one-time licence | free open-source VNC support sessions on Windows |
The GPA is the average of the five grades: an A is 4 points, an F is none. The full reasons are on each tool's page: Radmin and UltraVNC. How we grade
Where they differ
- Radmin can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- UltraVNC is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
- UltraVNC also covers file sharing.
In commonWindowsRemote desktop
At a glance
| Radmin | UltraVNC | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free trial | Free |
| Starts at | $49 per remote computer, one-time | Free |
| Free plan | None | Free for all uses, including commercial use, under the GNU General Public License. |
| Free trial | 30-day free trial of the full version | None listed |
| Windows | ||
| Made by | Famatech Corp. | UltraVNC |
| Price read from | radmin.com | uvnc.com |
| Checked | Nov 12, 2026 | Nov 12, 2026 |
Worth knowing
Radmin
- The download page offers Windows installer packages only; the site does not list Mac, Linux or mobile apps.
- Each remote computer needs its own license, so the Standard license costs $49 per PC and larger packages start at 50 computers.
- A Radmin Server accepts 5 simultaneous connections by default; more need a 5-client access license from sales.
- The 150-computer package and volume licenses of 200 or more are quoted by sales, and the Help Desk license has a 50-license minimum.
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.
Key features
Radmin
- Viewer and Server programs
- A Server is installed on each remote PC and the Viewer, which the vendor says is free, connects to it. A portable Viewer is also offered.
- Encrypted connections
- Radmin states that all transferred data is protected with 256-bit AES encryption.
- Low-bandwidth operation
- The site says Radmin is optimized to stay usable on slow links, including 3G connections.
- Mass deployment tools
- A free deployment utility installs Radmin with preset settings on many PCs, and a deployment package is available to download.
- Unattended administration
- Maintain unattended computers and servers over a LAN or the internet, update software and switch computers off remotely.
- Radmin VPN
- A separate free product, Radmin VPN, connects to remote computers behind firewalls and is offered on the download page.
UltraVNC
- VNC server and viewer
- Follows the RFB protocol, so most other VNC programs can talk to it. A server must run on the shared computer and a viewer on the one that connects.
- File transfer and chat
- The comparison table on the site lists file transfer and chat for UltraVNC and UltraVNC SC.
- Single Click for support sessions
- UltraVNC SC lets a customer start a session without installing software beforehand, which suits remote helpdesk work.
- Repeater for NAT-to-NAT links
- When both computers are behind NAT routers, a separate Repeater application relays the connection.
- Encryption by plugin
- The comparison table lists encryption as a plugin for UltraVNC, with a longer password or a predefined key available through it.
- Related tools
- The project also publishes PcHelpWare, uvnc2me, a mirror driver, a screen recorder and an Extend Display tool.
Plans
Radmin
Radmin 3 Standard license$49
per remote computer, one-time
Perpetual license to control one remote PC from an unlimited number of machines. Two PCs need two licenses.
Radmin 3 50-license package$1490
one-time, for up to 50 remote computers
Perpetual licensing for up to 50 remote PCs, controlled from an unlimited number of machines.
Radmin 3 100-license package$2490
one-time, for up to 100 remote computers
Perpetual licensing for up to 100 remote PCs, controlled from an unlimited number of machines.
UltraVNC
UltraVNC$0
Free for all uses, including commercial, under the GNU General Public License. No paid plans.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, Radmin or UltraVNC?
As of Nov 12, 2026, Radmin starts at $49 per remote computer, one-time, and UltraVNC is free.
Which has a free plan, Radmin or UltraVNC?
As of Nov 12, 2026, only UltraVNC has a free plan. Radmin does not, though it has a free trial.
More comparisons
How this page was made
- The verdict at the top follows a fixed rule. When both tools are in the same category and either is in our top three for it, the verdict follows that ranking: the higher-placed tool is our pick. The top three weigh who each tool suits as well as its grades, so a pick can go against the GPA. Otherwise the page does not pick one and says which grades higher: the higher GPA first; on a tie, the one with a free plan, then the one that starts cheaper in dollars a month, counted the same way for both; if they are still level, what the choice depends on.
- The grades are our own, from each tool’s review or report card. The GPA is their average.
- Prices, plans and platforms come from each tool’s listing. The table above says where each price was read and when.
- The differences and the answers to the questions are worked out from those listings.