Remmina vs UltraVNC (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 12, 2026, Remmina and UltraVNC share a 2.6 GPA, both are free, so the choice depends on which platforms you need.
Checked Nov 12, 2026 · graded Nov 12, 2026 by ToolGPA
They get the same grade on all five counts.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
Which one is for you
Pick Remmina if
- Fits if you use Linux and connect to Windows or Linux machines through RDP or SSH
- Works for people who want kiosk mode and several monitors
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you use Windows or a Mac, as there's no build for either
- Not for you if you want a vendor to call, as support is IRC, Matrix and forums
- Too light on its own, since the machine you connect to needs its own server
- Watch out: no mobile app is listed
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
| 2.6GPARemminaGood | 2.6GPAUltraVNCGood | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | AFree and open source with optional donations, against a $2.50 cheaper-quarter start for remote access tools. | 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 | AThe whole program is free, with nothing held back. | 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 | CProtocol plugins, RDP options, SSH tunnels, kiosk mode and multi-monitor. It's a client only, so the other end needs its own RDP, VNC or SSH server. | 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 it from your distribution and add each connection profile yourself. | CNo store rating on record. You set up the server, passwords and perhaps the repeater and the encryption plugin yourself. |
| Platforms and integrations | DLinux only: the install guide covers Linux distributions and offers no Windows or macOS build. | DThe supported-systems list names Windows versions, plus an embedded Java viewer for other systems. No phone apps or integrations are listed. |
| Best for | a free remote desktop client for Linux | 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: Remmina and UltraVNC. How we grade
Price against what you get
Remmina has no paid plan and scores 1.7 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. UltraVNC has no paid plan and scores 1.7.
On this chart the two sit in the same place: the same score for the same starting price. Of the other remote desktop apps on the chart, none scores higher than Remmina for less, and none scores higher than UltraVNC for less.
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
Where they differ
- UltraVNC is self-hostable, according to its own site.
- UltraVNC also covers file sharing.
In commonFree planOpen sourceRemote desktop
At a glance
| Remmina | UltraVNC | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Starts at | Free | Free |
| Free plan | None | Free for all uses, including commercial use, under the GNU General Public License. |
| Free trial | None listed | None listed |
| Windows | ||
| Linux | ||
| Made by | Remmina | UltraVNC |
| Price read from | remmina.org | uvnc.com |
| Checked | Nov 12, 2026 | Nov 12, 2026 |
Worth knowing
Remmina
- The install guide covers Linux distributions only; no Windows or macOS build is offered.
- It is a client: the machine you connect to needs its own RDP, VNC or SSH server.
- Support comes from the community channels (IRC, Matrix, forums), not a paid vendor.
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
Remmina
- Protocol plugins
- The home page lists RDP, SSH, SPICE, VNC, X2Go and HTTP/HTTPS plugins, and the features page also covers SFTP, NX and XDMCP.
- RDP options
- The RDP plugin settings include Remote Desktop Gateway servers, folder, printer and smartcard sharing, microphone redirection and color depth.
- SSH tunnels and sessions
- Connections can use an SSH tunnel, and the SSH plugin offers key-based authentication, proxy commands and optional session logging.
- Kiosk mode and multi-monitor
- The site mentions kiosk mode and multi-monitor support, plus tabbed connections, a toolbar and view-only mode in the settings.
- Wide distribution support
- The site says Remmina is available in 67 languages and 50+ distributions, with guides for Flatpak, Snap, Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora and others.
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
Remmina
Free$0
Free and open-source under a copyleft license; the project accepts donations.
UltraVNC
UltraVNC$0
Free for all uses, including commercial, under the GNU General Public License. No paid plans.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, Remmina or UltraVNC?
As of Nov 12, 2026, both Remmina and UltraVNC are free to use.
Which has a free plan, Remmina or UltraVNC?
As of Nov 12, 2026, both Remmina and UltraVNC have a free plan.
Which platforms do Remmina and UltraVNC run on?
As of Nov 12, 2026, only Remmina lists a Linux app and only UltraVNC lists a Windows app. A platform missing from a listing is one its maker's pages did not mention.
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.