TigerVNC vs UltraVNC (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 13, 2026, TigerVNC and UltraVNC share a 2.6 GPA, both are free, so the choice depends on whether you care more about platforms, where TigerVNC grades higher, or ease of use, where UltraVNC does.
Checked Nov 12, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 · graded Nov 12, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA
They get the same grade on value for money, the free plan and features.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
TigerVNC
Free open-source VNC client and server for Linux, Windows and macOS
Which one is for you
Pick TigerVNC if
- Fits if you run Linux and want a free VNC server and viewer
- Works for admins whose distribution already packages it
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you want paid support, as only mailing lists and a wiki are offered
- Not for you if you want phone apps, as none are listed
- Watch out: the man pages cover the Unix programs and are only mostly relevant to Windows
- Too light for one-click remote help, as setup is manual
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
| 2.6GPATigerVNCGood | 2.6GPAUltraVNCGood | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | AFree and open source with no paid plans, well under 60% of the cheaper quarter. | 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 | AFree outright, with no plan, no cap and no account to open. | 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 | CIt does VNC viewing and serving fully, which is a smaller job than a full remote-access suite. No relay or phone apps. | 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 | DSetting up servers and authentication takes command-line work. No store rating on record. | CNo store rating on record. You set up the server, passwords and perhaps the repeater and the encryption plugin yourself. |
| Platforms and integrations | CLinux, Windows and macOS programs for computers, with no phone 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 | a free VNC viewer and server on 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: TigerVNC and UltraVNC. How we grade
Price against what you get
TigerVNC 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 TigerVNC 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.
At a glance
| TigerVNC | 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 |
| macOS | ||
| Windows | ||
| Linux | ||
| Made by | The TigerVNC project | UltraVNC |
| Price read from | tigervnc.org | uvnc.com |
| Checked | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 12, 2026 |
Worth knowing
TigerVNC
- Support is through mailing lists and a wiki; no paid support is offered on the site.
- No iOS or Android apps are listed on the project's pages.
- The man pages describe the Unix programs, and the site says they are only mostly relevant to the Windows ones.
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
TigerVNC
- VNC viewer and servers
- Documented programs include vncviewer, Xvnc, x0vncserver and the newer w0vncserver, plus vncconfig, vncpasswd and vncsession.
- Performance for graphics
- The project says it targets the performance needed to run 3D and video applications remotely.
- Authentication and TLS
- Extensions for advanced authentication methods and TLS encryption are provided.
- Shared look across platforms
- Common code and a similar look and feel are kept across the platforms it supports.
- Distribution packages
- Binaries come from GitHub releases, and the software ships in distributions such as Fedora, openSUSE, FreeBSD, Arch Linux and Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
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
TigerVNC
TigerVNC$0
Free, open-source software; releases are published on GitHub.
UltraVNC
UltraVNC$0
Free for all uses, including commercial, under the GNU General Public License. No paid plans.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, TigerVNC or UltraVNC?
As of Nov 13, 2026, both TigerVNC and UltraVNC are free to use.
Which has a free plan, TigerVNC or UltraVNC?
As of Nov 13, 2026, both TigerVNC and UltraVNC have a free plan.
Which platforms do TigerVNC and UltraVNC run on?
As of Nov 13, 2026, only TigerVNC lists macOS and Linux 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.