# UltraVNC review (2026): is it any good? > Free open-source VNC remote control for Windows computers Checked Nov 12, 2026 ยท graded Nov 12, 2026 by ToolGPA. UltraVNC is a free VNC program that shows another computer's screen on your own and lets you control it with your mouse and keyboard. A server runs on the shared Windows PC and a viewer connects to it, and add-ons cover the Repeater, a Single Click helper for support sessions and a mirror driver. The vendor says it is free for all uses, including commercial use. - **Category:** Remote Desktop - **Made by:** UltraVNC (since 2002) - **Website:** https://uvnc.com - **Runs on:** Windows - **Who should skip it:** Skip it if you want encryption built in, because it comes from a plugin. - **Facts last checked:** Nov 12, 2026 ## Pricing As of Nov 12, 2026, UltraVNC is free to use. - **Pricing model:** Free - **Free plan:** Free for all uses, including commercial use, under the GNU General Public License. - **Free trial:** None listed. | Plan | Price | What you get | | --- | --- | --- | | UltraVNC | $0 | Free for all uses, including commercial, under the GNU General Public License. No paid plans. | Read from https://uvnc.com on Nov 12, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with UltraVNC before buying. ## Key features - **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. ## Good for - Windows administrators who want a free VNC server and viewer - Help desks and consultants that need free tools for commercial support work - Anyone who wants an open-source option under the GPL ## Worth knowing - 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. ## ToolGPA grades **GPA: 2.6 out of 4**, graded Nov 12, 2026. UltraVNC is a free, open-source VNC server and viewer for Windows with file transfer, chat and a repeater for support sessions. Encryption is a plugin, the default password is 8 characters, and it is a two-person project that runs on Windows only. - **Value for money: A.** Free 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: A.** Free for everyone with no caps or time limit. The licence does not allow bundling it with non-GPL commercial software in one installer. - **Features: C.** Server 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: C.** No store rating on record. You set up the server, passwords and perhaps the repeater and the encryption plugin yourself. - **Platforms and integrations: D.** The supported-systems list names Windows versions, plus an embedded Java viewer for other systems. No phone apps or integrations are listed. These are ToolGPA's own grades. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from UltraVNC's own pages on 12 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews. ## Where it stands among remote desktop apps - UltraVNC's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 49 of the 85 other remote desktop apps we grade, and level with 19. - It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 71 of 85) and worst on platforms and integrations (D, above 0). - UltraVNC has no paid plan. - On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 1.7 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price. The category's chart of price against score: https://toolgpa.com/charts/remote-access ## Keep it, or make your own? **Keep it.** UltraVNC is free, so making your own would save you nothing. And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces. - You could not: A fast, secure link to another computer through any network. - You could not: Storing and serving files for other people. - You could not: A real app for Windows. Something home-made would be a web page. A judgement by ToolGPA from this listing, by rules that are the same for every tool. Nothing was built to test it. **Tags:** Remote desktop, Open source, Self-hostable, File sharing ## Alternatives - [TightVNC](https://toolgpa.com/tools/tightvnc): Free VNC remote desktop for Windows, with paid Pro encryption. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/tightvnc-vs-ultravnc) - [RealVNC Connect](https://toolgpa.com/tools/realvnc-connect): Remote access from the makers of VNC, with end-to-end encryption. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/realvnc-connect-vs-ultravnc) - [Radmin](https://toolgpa.com/tools/radmin): Windows remote control software sold as a one-time license per PC. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/radmin-vs-ultravnc) - [Remote Utilities](https://toolgpa.com/tools/remote-utilities): Remote administration tool with a self-hosted server option. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/remote-utilities-vs-ultravnc) - [Remmina](https://toolgpa.com/tools/remmina): Free Linux remote desktop client for RDP, VNC and SSH. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/remmina-vs-ultravnc) ## Sources The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Nov 12, 2026: - https://uvnc.com Page: https://toolgpa.com/tools/ultravnc Listed by ToolGPA (toolgpa.com).