What is a Remote Desktop Client?
A Remote Desktop Client lets users remotely operate a computer or device across a network. The user may manage files, execute apps, and do administrative activities as if they were at the device. These clients create safe and efficient connections using RDP, VNC, or proprietary protocols.
How Does a Remote Desktop Client Work?
Remote access requires particular software on the host computer, which might be anywhere. Credentialed client computers connect to and administer hosts. Remote desktop clients display the host machine’s operating system on the client’s PC. Client keyboard and mouse inputs are sent to the host by the program.
A software program called a remote desktop client enables you to connect to and manage another computer over the internet or an internal network.
Users may connect to their desktops and access data, apps, and resources just like they would if they were physically present with remote desktop clients, which offer safe and effective access to PCs or servers from distant places.
Use remote desktop clients:
- Tech support
- File transfer
- Sharing screens
- Monitor networks
- Manage devices
- Working remotely
- Collaboration in real time
You may choose a lightweight or feature-rich RDP client for Windows, macOS, or Linux. Windows Quasar, macOS, Avica, and Linux Remmina are prominent RDP clients.
This article will review the top free (mRemoteNG, RustDesk, MobaXterm) and premium (SupRemo, Avica) RDP clients for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
mRemoteNG
Open-source RDP client mRemoteNG supports VNC, SSH, Telnet, and more. A tabbed interface lets users organise their remote connections and navigate between sessions.
For security, mRemoteNG offers credential management, session window thumbnails, and connection limitations. It improves user experience with keyboard shortcuts and themes. Panels and tabs allow you organise and customise your duties with this RDP client.
Like Nmap, mRemoteNG’s Port Scan capability scans IP addresses and active protocols. The notice screen shows connection issues and lost connections. Connect lets you easily connect to a remote computer using multiple network protocols. SSH lets you export/import connections and securely transfer data via SCP or SFTP. You can also use other tools to improve efficiency.
SupRemo
SupRemo is a flexible and affordable RDP client for remote PC and server control. It supports Windows, macOS, Linux (via Wine), Android, and iOS. For non-professional usage, this RDP client is free, simple, and requires no installation. Download it from the website and run it to start.
Enter the controller device’s identifying number and password into your SupRemo RDP client to connect and take control. Using SupRemo as a service lets you connect to remote PCs even when no one is there.
Companies and professionals may customise the program interface with a logo, use a free limitless Address Book, and send data securely using TLS 1.2.
Based on the maximum number of simultaneous connections, SupRemo subscriptions are economical and flexible. Quarterly or yearly licenses provide unrestricted usage on numerous PCs.
RustDesk
The customisable and secure RDP client RustDesk is ideal for individuals and small enterprises. Its clear and intuitive UI lets users connect to faraway devices with a few clicks. It enables several simultaneous connections, making it ideal for managing many distant workstations.
Use their relay/rendezvous server and set up or handle everything yourself using RustDesk. Your desktop is protected by the newest TLS 1.3 end-to-end encryption.
Server-side relay and ID server tools from RustDesk are easy to install and configure. Setting relay/ID server addresses on the client side is simple. The built-in file manager transfers files between desktops.
Avica
A safe and easy-to-use RDP client, Avica has several capabilities for individuals and organisations. This RDP client gives designers, engineers, and gamers secure access to IT systems from anywhere and supports numerous simultaneous connections, including 4K resolution with 4:4:4 colour and multi-monitor compatibility.
Remote printing from a remote machine to a local printer is one of Avica’s best capabilities.
Avica delivers engaging gameplay with high-quality visuals and seamless performance every time. Multiple controllers may be connected to it for multiplayer gaming anywhere.
Several Avira features simplify networking, monitoring, control, and file transfer. Fast connections and copy-paste across devices are supported by its sophisticated transfer mechanism. It also supports numerous virtual screens on distant devices and streaming several displays from one primary screen while blacking out others to prohibit watching work.
Avica supports Windows, MAC, Android, and iOS. Pro and Enterprise editions cost money, however the basic version is free for one user.
FreeRDP
Rapid and powerful, FreeRDP is an open-source RDP client. Highly customisable, it lets users tailor their remote desktop experience to their needs. It supports Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it useful for multi-OS users.
Quasar
Quasar, a Windows-based RDP client, simplifies remote machine connections and multitasking. It offers remote access via RDP, VNC, SSH, and Telnet. It has a TCP network stream with IPv4 and IPv6 compatibility, TLS encryption, and high-speed network serialisation.
Quasar offers sophisticated features including file transfer, remote printing, session recording, task management, UPnP support, startup management, remote shell, and remote execution. Quasar is famous among IT experts due to its registry editor, keylogger, system power commands including shutdown, restart, and standby, reverse proxy, password recovery, and more.
Quasar supports Windows 10, 8, 8.1, Server 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2019 and the.NET framework (4.5.2 or above).
Royal TS
Royal TS, a strong RDP client, offers significant customisation. Setting up customised connections with individual settings and configurations makes managing a large number of remote connections easier.
Royal TS supports RDP, VNC, SSH, and others, making it a versatile remote access tool. Credential management, automation scripting, and remote session recording make it a powerful RDP client for IT professionals.
Royal TS automates repetitive activities using the Key Sequence Task and Command Task, secure team-sharing, and credential management.
Dynamic Folders allow dynamic data import from other sources. Remote desktops based on Microsoft RDP ActiveX control, terminals like Rebex.net and PuTTY-based telnet and SSH, UltraVNC and TightVNC VNC, and Chrome and Internet Explorer-based web are available.
Real-time performance monitoring, VMware and Hyper-V instance management, and Windows event analysis are possible with Royal TS. SFTP, SCP, and FTP can be used to transfer data, while TeamViewer can manage sessions.
Royal TS allows you to communicate team data and preserve personal credentials in a password-protected document. Use ribbon commands, connection tabs, and dock panels to customise your workspace.
MobaXterm
A lightweight RDP client, MobaXterm upgraded Windows terminals with tabbed SSH clients, network utilities, X11 servers, and more. File transfer, remote command execution, and session recording make it useful for IT experts and power users.
MobaXterm’s tabbed UI lets users manage many remote connections. It includes essential network utilities including X11, SSH, MOSH, VNC, FTP, RDP, and Unix commands like cat, Is, bash, grep, rsync, sed.
MobaXterm’s user interface makes remote server access easy across platforms and networks. Xservers may show remote apps on Windows desktops. MobaXterm may be enhanced with plugins and add-ons by exporting DISPLAY from Unix to local Windows.
MobaXterm has a graphical SFTP browser, multi-execution, embedded servers and tools, SSH gateway, SSH tunnels, package manager, text editor, macro support, password management, terminal syntax highlighting, and professional customisation options.
Remmina
Remmina, a lightweight RDP client, is perfect for basic remote access. A tabbed design, credential management, and rapid connection profiles make it a beginner-friendly RDP client.
Remmina supports file and screen sharing. The program remembers your last view mode and may be adjusted with a double click. Keystrokes, screenshots, toolbar visibility, etc. Configure full-screen and tabs to avoid screenshots.
Remmina allows host key customisations including auto-fit window, switch tab pages, grab keyboard, fullscreen, and scaled. Users can add RDP, VNC, SSH, SFTP, SPICE, EXEC, NX, Simple Terminal, and XDMCP plugins to improve program functionality. Set usernames and passwords and manage quality, security, sound, and domain settings using these plugins.
Users may also setup a remote desktop gateway server, login, password, domain, starting route, client name, startup program, load balance, and more. You may also view the SSH session log folder, file name, and proxy command. Remmina offers kiosk mode and other features to simplify work. Install the app with access, security, and performance features.
