Rdesktop
rdesktop is an open source remote desktop client that allows users to connect to computers running Microsoft Windows RDP services. It provides functionality similar to Microsoft's own Remote Desktop Connection client.
remote
desktop
rdp
windows
rdesktop: Open Source Remote Desktop Client for Windows RDP
rdesktop is an open source remote desktop client that allows users to connect to computers running Microsoft Windows RDP services. It provides functionality similar to Microsoft's own Remote Desktop Connection client.
What is Rdesktop?
rdesktop is an open-source client software that provides Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) connectivity from Linux, macOS, or UNIX systems to computers running Microsoft Windows. It allows users to access Windows desktop environments and applications hosted on remote systems as if they were directly logged into that machine.
Some key features of rdesktop include:
- Supports RDP versions 5.0 - 8.1 for connecting to a wide range of Windows operating systems
- Provides access to Windows desktops, applications, sound, local resources, printing, file system redirection and more
- Open source implementation compatible with GPL v3 license
- Available for installation through most Linux distribution repositories making it easy to set up
- Supports connecting through proxies and gateway servers
- Includes command line and graphical user interface options
- Customizable with scripts to automate connections and configurations
Overall, rdesktop serves as a useful open-source alternative to Microsoft's proprietary RDP client software for accessing Windows machines remotely from Linux and UNIX-based operating systems.
Rdesktop Features
Features
- Remote desktop client for Microsoft Windows systems using RDP
- Supports RDP 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 6.0, 6.1, 7.0, 7.1 and 8.0 protocols
- Supports connecting to Windows Terminal Server and Windows XP / Vista / 7 / 8 / 10 desktops
- Supports NTLM and Kerberos authentication
- Supports NLA security
- Supports TLS encryption
- Supports clipboard synchronization
- Supports file transfer between client and server
- Supports connecting to multiple sessions simultaneously
- Supports changing screen resolution on the fly
- Supports connecting through SSH tunnels and SOCKS proxies
Pricing
- Open Source
Pros
Free and open source
Cross-platform - works on Linux, macOS, Unix and other systems
Lightweight and fast
Supports advanced RDP features
Actively developed and maintained
Cons
User interface is basic and lacks some polish
File transfer can be slow compared to other clients
Does not support audio redirection
Lacks support for some advanced features like collaboration
Official Links
The Best Rdesktop Alternatives
Top Remote Work & Education and Remote Desktop and other similar apps like Rdesktop
Here are some alternatives to Rdesktop:
Suggest an alternative ❐
Remmina
Remmina is an open-source application for connecting to remote desktops and applications. It supports multiple protocols including RDP, VNC, NX, XDMCP, and SSH. Some key features of Remmina include:Intuitive graphical user interface with a tabbed interface allowing multiple remote connections.Supports resolution scaling, clipboard synchronization, file transfers, and SSH tunnels.Highly customizable...
RealVNC Connect
RealVNC Connect is a popular remote desktop software that enables users to remotely access and control computers over the internet or local network. It uses the VNC (Virtual Network Computing) protocol to establish remote connections.Some key features of RealVNC Connect include:Secure remote access using encryption over SSH and HTTPSRemote control...
MRemoteNG
mRemoteNG is an open-source, tabbed, multi-protocol, remote connections manager for Windows. It allows you to view all your remote connections in one place with an easy to use interface.Some key features of mRemoteNG include:Supports many protocols like RDP, VNC, SSH, Telnet, rlogin, and RAW SocketOrganize connections into folders/groups using a...
AnyDesk
AnyDesk is a proprietary remote desktop software developed by the German software company AnyDesk Software GmbH. It enables users to access one computer from another computer or mobile device remotely. AnyDesk is lightweight, easy to use and works across multiple operating systems.Some key features of AnyDesk include:Remote control of computers...
UltraVNC
UltraVNC is an open-source, cross-platform remote desktop software that allows users to remotely control computers over a network. It uses the RFB (Remote Framebuffer) protocol to transmit graphics and input between the remote and local computers.Some key features of UltraVNC include:Compatible with Windows, Linux, and Mac operating systemsSecure authentication with...
TightVNC
TightVNC is a popular free and open source remote desktop software application used to access and control remote computers. It uses the RFB (Remote Framebuffer) protocol, which is an open protocol standard for remote access to graphical user interfaces, to allow users to view and interact with remote desktop environments.Some...
Chrome Remote Desktop
Chrome Remote Desktop is a cross-platform remote access tool developed by Google. It allows users to securely access another computer or virtual machine remotely through the Chrome browser or a Chromebook.Some key features of Chrome Remote Desktop include:Easy remote access - Users can remotely connect to another PC or Chrome...
Vinagre
Vinagre is a remote desktop client application for Linux and UNIX systems running the GNOME desktop environment. It provides users with the ability to view or control the screen and input devices on another computer over a network.Some key features of Vinagre include:Supports connections using VNC, RDP, SSH, and Spice...
GoTo Resolve
GoTo Resolve is a cloud-based help desk software solution designed for IT support teams and customer service organizations. It provides a variety of features to help manage customer inquiries, IT tickets, tasks, assets, and knowledge in one central platform.Key features of GoTo Resolve include:Ticketing system to track customer inquiries and...
RemoteApp Tool
RemoteApp Tool is a feature-rich remote desktop software used to access and control computers remotely. It allows users to connect to a remote computer and use all its applications, files, and network resources as if they were sitting in front of that computer.Some of the key features of RemoteApp Tool...
MyRDP
MyRDP is a user-friendly and full-featured remote desktop client software for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS and Android. It allows users to securely access Windows computers remotely through the RDP protocol. Some of the key features of MyRDP include:Secure encrypted RDP connections with support for NLA and TLSAudio redirection for VoIP...
Dayon!
Dayon! is a free and open-source time tracking application designed to help users track how they spend their time on projects and tasks. With Dayon!, users can:Easily create projects and tasks to track time againstStart timers to track time as they workAdd manual time logs for tasks worked on away...
Remote Utilities
Remote Utilities is remote desktop software used to remotely access, control, manage, and support PCs and servers. It allows IT support professionals, system administrators, and business users to securely access and control remote computer systems as if they were in front of them.Key features of Remote Utilities include:Remote desktop control...
KRDC
KRDC (KDE Remote Desktop Connection) is an open-source remote desktop client application included in the KDE desktop environment for Linux. It allows users to access Windows or other Linux computers remotely using the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) and various RDP extensions.Some key features of KRDC include:Supports RDP versions 4 to...
Oko Szefa
Oko Szefa is an employee monitoring and surveillance software designed specifically for small and medium businesses based in Poland. It gives employers visibility into how employees are spending their time on work computers by tracking web browsing activities, monitoring which applications are used, and providing productivity analytics.Some key features of...
GeekStein
GeekStein is an open-source media server software application designed to help users manage and access their personal media libraries. It provides a centralized platform to organize, catalog, and stream video, music, and photo collections to a variety of devices.Some key features of GeekStein include:Automatic media identification and metadata retrievalIntuitive web-based...