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rdesktop VS ThinLinc

Compare rdesktop VS ThinLinc and see what are their differences

rdesktop

rdesktop is a free and open source remote desktop protocol client designed to make the users able to manage their PCs in a new way.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
Alternatives Is it good?
ThinLinc

ThinLinc Download. Download ThinLinc Server Bundle.

Rating
0 reviews
Alternatives Is it good?
SetMe
Remote support software that just works. Securely access attended or unattended computers from anywhere. sponsored

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, ThinLinc seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 13 times since March 2021.

social mentions
0 vs 13
Remote Desktop popularity
51% vs 49%
alternatives listed
94 vs 104

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

rdesktop
ThinLinc
Website rdesktop.org cendio.com
Pricing
Open source
Official pricing
Listed in
Remote Desktop Group Chat & Notifications Remote PC Access Remote Control +1
Remote Desktop Group Chat & Notifications Remote PC Access Remote Control +1

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

rdesktop 5 features
ThinLinc 5 features
  • Open Source
    rdesktop is an open-source software, which means it is free to use and has a community of developers contributing to its improvement.
  • Lightweight
    The application is lightweight, requiring minimal system resources, which makes it suitable for older hardware or systems with limited resources.
  • Compatibility
    rdesktop is compatible with multiple versions of the RDP protocol, allowing users to connect to different versions of Windows operating systems without issues.
  • Cross-Platform
    It is designed to work on various Unix-based operating systems, including Linux and BSD, giving users flexibility in their choice of operating system.
  • Simple Configuration
    The configuration and setup of rdesktop are straightforward, making it accessible for users with varying levels of technical expertise.

Possible disadvantages

  • Lack of Active Development
    rdesktop has seen a decline in active development and updates, which might lead to vulnerabilities or incompatibilities with newer systems.
  • Limited Features
    Compared to other RDP clients, rdesktop provides a more basic set of features, lacking modern enhancements like multimedia redirection.
  • Security Concerns
    Being an older software, rdesktop may not support the latest security protocols and features, potentially making it less secure.
  • No GUI by Default
    rdesktop primarily operates through the command line, which might be challenging for users who prefer a graphical user interface (GUI).
  • Potential Compatibility Issues
    There might be compatibility issues with newer Windows features or versions as development has waned, limiting connectivity options.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    ThinLinc supports a variety of operating systems including Linux, Windows, and macOS, allowing users to access remote desktops from potentially any device.
  • Efficient Resource Usage
    ThinLinc is designed to optimize the use of server resources, making it suitable for environments where efficient resource allocation is crucial.
  • Security Features
    ThinLinc offers strong security measures such as SSH for encrypted communication, which helps protect sensitive data during remote desktop sessions.
  • Scalability
    ThinLinc can effectively scale from a small number of users to thousands, making it suitable for organizations of various sizes.
  • Easy Integration
    ThinLinc integrates well with existing IT infrastructure, including directory services like LDAP and Active Directory, facilitating ease of deployment and management.

Possible disadvantages

  • Complex Configuration
    Setting up ThinLinc may require experienced IT personnel due to its complex configuration options, especially in larger, more complex networks.
  • Cost
    While there is a free version of ThinLinc, enterprise features and large-scale deployments require a paid license, which might be a consideration for budget-conscious organizations.
  • Limited Non-Linux Features
    ThinLinc's primary focus on Linux might result in limited feature sets or optimization for non-Linux environments compared to solutions designed specifically for Windows or macOS.
  • Dependency on Internet Connectivity
    Like other remote desktop solutions, ThinLinc requires a stable internet connection for optimal performance, which may be a limitation in areas with unreliable internet access.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

rdesktop
ThinLinc

Overall verdict

  • rdesktop can be considered a decent choice if you are looking for a basic, open-source RDP client. However, newer alternatives like FreeRDP or Remmina might offer better performance, security, and features due to more active development and support for modern RDP features.

Why this product is good

  • rdesktop is an open-source client for Microsoft's RDP protocol, historically used for accessing remote desktops on Windows machines. It is lightweight and has been a popular choice for Linux users who need to connect to Windows servers. However, development activity has slowed down, and it may lack some of the more advanced features found in other RDP clients. It is still a viable option for users seeking a straightforward, no-frills remote desktop connection.

Recommended for

    rdesktop is recommended for users who need a simple and lightweight RDP client on Linux platforms, particularly for accessing older Windows servers or when minimal configuration is desired. Users requiring advanced features or handling of modern Windows environments may want to explore other options.

No analysis of ThinLinc yet.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

rdesktop 2 videos + Add
ThinLinc 3 videos + Add

Difference between Rdesktop and Freerdp

More videos

  • - rdesktop - Remote Desktop to Windows OS from Linux - Linux CLI

ThinLinc Linux Remote Desktop Server Tech Deep Dive

More videos

  • - ThinLinc Graphical Capabilities
  • - VirtZine #37 -- "Cendio ThinLinc Demo"

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
rdesktop
ThinLinc
51% 51%
Remote Desktop
49% 49%
58% 58%
Office & Productivity
42% 42%
47% 47%
Remote PC Access
53% 53%
100% 100%
Network & Admin
0% 0%

User comments

Share your experience with using rdesktop and ThinLinc. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

rdesktop 0 mentions
ThinLinc 13 mentions

Tracking rdesktop since Mar 2021.

  • Remote, secure, high-resolution remote desktop access.
    ThinLinc is free for up to 5 concurrent users (users logged in at same time on same domain) and has a license fee if you need more users. So, you can test it to see if it meets your needs. Here's a sample of what I'm doing (I can even... Source: almost 5 years ago
  • Any good Linux alternatives to teradici and splashtop remote?
    I was going to recommend ThinLinc https://cendio.com but its server part is also for Linux. You could try TigerVNC (Cendio is one of the TigerVNC's maintainers) and TigerVNC works on windows... There are other VNCs client/server also.... Source: about 5 years ago
  • Question: Remote Access Solution
    ThinLinc (cendio.com) would help you... It's based on TigerVNC, but by default each user gets its own full desktop session when connecting remotely and can also resume later from somewhere else. Its picture quality and responsivness are... Source: about 5 years ago

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Alternatives to rdesktop and ThinLinc

When comparing rdesktop and ThinLinc, you can also consider the following products.

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