Remote Utilities vs UltraVNC (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 12, 2026, UltraVNC grades higher than Remote Utilities: 2.6 against 2.2 out of 4.0.
Checked Oct 18, 2026 and Nov 12, 2026 · graded Oct 18, 2026 and Nov 12, 2026 by ToolGPA
Remote Utilities grades higher on platforms. UltraVNC grades higher on value for money and the free plan. They get the same grade on features and ease of use.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
Remote Utilities
Remote administration tool with a self-hosted server option
Free plan
Which one is for you
Pick Remote Utilities if
- Fits if you administer a set of Windows, Mac and Linux machines
- Works for teams whose connections have to run through their own server
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you live somewhere it isn't sold, as the vendor says some locations are excluded, India among them
- Not for you if you want prices up front, since we couldn't read any
- Too light for a help desk, as no on-demand support sessions, recording or ticket integrations are on record
- Watch out: how many computers a free license covers couldn't be read
- Not for you if you want to work from a browser, as there's no web app or API on record
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
| 2.2GPARemote UtilitiesFair | 2.6GPAUltraVNCGood | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | CNo price or licence terms could be read: the website answered our reader with a bot check from the US and a not-sold-here notice from India. That's the C we give any missing price, with no figure to set against RustDesk or ScreenConnect for the same job. | 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 | CThe Host module and the phone Viewer apps are free to install, and the phone app is free for work too. How many computers a free licence covers couldn't be read, so we can't say how far it gets you. | 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 | CConnections by Internet-ID or IP address, a self-hosted server, resumable file transfer, power controls, screen blanking and detailed address books. It covers the basics of administering machines, but the listing shows no on-demand support sessions or recording. | 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 App Store rating on record. Host modules, Internet-IDs, address book templates and an optional server of your own: it's an admin's tool, and there's a learning curve before it's any use. | CNo store rating on record. You set up the server, passwords and perhaps the repeater and the encryption plugin yourself. |
| Platforms and integrations | BHosts on Windows, Mac and Linux, and free viewer apps for iPhone, iPad and Android. There's no web app, integration list or API on record. | DThe supported-systems list names Windows versions, plus an embedded Java viewer for other systems. No phone apps or integrations are listed. |
| Best for | administering many computers through your own server | 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: Remote Utilities and UltraVNC. How we grade
Where they differ
- UltraVNC is open source, according to its own site.
- UltraVNC also covers file sharing.
In commonFree planWindowsSelf-hostableRemote desktop
At a glance
| Remote Utilities | UltraVNC | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free plan | Free |
| Starts at | Not published | Free |
| Free plan | The Host module and the mobile Viewer apps are free to install, and the mobile app is free for personal and business use. How many computers a free licence covers could not be read. | Free for all uses, including commercial use, under the GNU General Public License. |
| Free trial | None listed | None listed |
| macOS | ||
| Windows | ||
| Linux | ||
| iOS | ||
| Android | ||
| Made by | Remote Utilities Pty (Cy) Ltd. | UltraVNC |
| Price read from | Not confirmed | uvnc.com |
| Checked | Oct 18, 2026 | Nov 12, 2026 |
Worth knowing
Remote Utilities
- The vendor's website answered with a bot check from the US and a notice from India, so no prices or licence terms could be read; this listing has none.
- Remote Utilities says its software and services are not available in some locations; visitors from India were told it is not sold there.
- The Host module runs on Windows, macOS and Linux; the iPhone, iPad and Android apps are for connecting to those computers.
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
Remote Utilities
- Internet-ID connections
- Connect to a Host by its Internet-ID with no router or firewall setup, or directly by IP address on a local network.
- Self-hosted server
- Run your own Remote Utilities server for address book sync, server-based sign-in and relaying connections through your own infrastructure.
- File transfer and power control
- Copy files both ways with resumable transfers, and shut down, restart, lock, sleep or hibernate the remote computer.
- Privacy controls
- Blank the remote screen and block local input while you work, then lock the computer and end the session in one step.
- Address book
- Folders, per-connection settings and templates, with several local or synced address books and full import and export.
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
Remote Utilities
Pricing could not be confirmed. See remoteutilities.com.
UltraVNC
UltraVNC$0
Free for all uses, including commercial, under the GNU General Public License. No paid plans.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, Remote Utilities or UltraVNC?
As of Nov 12, 2026, Remote Utilities has no price we could confirm, and UltraVNC is free.
Which has a free plan, Remote Utilities or UltraVNC?
As of Nov 12, 2026, both Remote Utilities and UltraVNC have a free plan.
Which platforms do Remote Utilities and UltraVNC run on?
As of Nov 12, 2026, only Remote Utilities lists macOS, Linux, iOS and Android apps. Both list 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.