Sources accurate as of 30 September 2026.
For a Windows home lab needing file transfer and text chat, consider UltraVNC. For a virtual X11 desktop on a Linux host, consider TigerVNC Xvnc.
For business use: evaluate RealVNC Connect for centralised management and commercial support. Start a free trial.
Which should you choose?
This comparison covers desktop components and transport options.
For Windows file transfer and text chat, consider UltraVNC. Its repeater copies bytes and adds no cipher; protection is whatever the endpoints negotiate. UltraVNC repeater/socket_functions.cpp.
For a virtual X11 desktop, consider TigerVNC Xvnc. In v1.16.2, TLSVnc is first in the default SecurityTypes list TLSVnc,VncAuth. The default TLS type is anonymous; VncAuth is also offered. X.509 types need explicit enabling and certificate files. TigerVNC SecurityServer.cxx (v1.16.2).
How do UltraVNC and TigerVNC compare?
License sources: UltraVNC LICENSE; TigerVNC LICENCE.TXT (v1.16.2) and TigerVNC CSecurityTLS.cxx headers (v1.16.2).
| Dimension | UltraVNC | TigerVNC |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms |
Windows server and viewer builds. UltraVNC downloads . |
Viewer on Windows, macOS, and Linux; Xvnc server for Unix. The Windows server winvnc is unmaintained and may not function correctly. TigerVNC README (v1.16.2) . |
| Session extras |
File transfer, text chat, and SingleClick support module. UltraVNC features ; UltraVNC SingleClick . |
Screen, keyboard, and pointer. File transfer is an open feature request. TigerVNC issue #419 . |
| NAT traversal |
Repeater component for relaying connections. UltraVNC repeater/socket_functions.cpp . |
Repeater support is an open feature request. TigerVNC issue #451 . |
| Session encryption |
The server default is no DSM plugin. Session-stream encryption is available through a configured DSM plugin. UltraVNC SettingsManager.cpp . |
In v1.16.2, TLSVnc is first in the default SecurityTypes list TLSVnc,VncAuth. The default TLS type is anonymous; VncAuth is also offered. X.509 types need explicit enabling and certificate files. TigerVNC SecurityServer.cxx (v1.16.2) . |
| Authentication |
VNC password authentication is present in the source. UltraVNC common/d3des.c . |
The v1.16.2 default SecurityTypes list is TLSVnc,VncAuth. TigerVNC SecurityServer.cxx (v1.16.2) . See the session-encryption row for its limits. |
| Virtual X11 desktop (Xvnc) |
No Linux server build. UltraVNC downloads . |
Xvnc creates a virtual X11 desktop. TigerVNC README (v1.16.2) . |
Where each one wins, in depth
UltraVNC’s case
UltraVNC offers Windows file transfer, text chat, and a repeater. UltraVNC features lists the session tools. Its Windows server does not provide a Linux desktop. UltraVNC SettingsManager.cpp and repeater/socket_functions.cpp describe those source paths.
TigerVNC’s case
TigerVNC has a viewer for Windows, macOS, and Linux and Xvnc for virtual X11 desktops. TigerVNC README (v1.16.2) distinguishes the components. File transfer is an open feature request. TigerVNC issue #419. The session-encryption row states the TLS defaults and their limits.
Where both lose
Neither includes cloud brokering, and neither supplies its own mobile viewers. Sources: UltraVNC official site and TigerVNC official site. These are observations of the published features and downloads, not guarantees that no other access path exists.
Choose by situation
Choose UltraVNC if
- The computers you control and view from run Windows
- You need file transfer or text chat
Choose TigerVNC if
- You need a virtual X11 desktop on the Linux computer you control
- You want built-in TLS and can configure its security types. In v1.16.2, the default TLS type is anonymous and VncAuth is also offered; X.509 types need explicit enabling and certificate files.
Before choosing, identify the operating system on each computer and whether you need a virtual desktop. Read the UltraVNC and TigerVNC profiles for your platform. All comparisons are in the vendor directory.
After you choose, see Get UltraVNC or Get TigerVNC.
Open-source VNC suits personal projects and home labs. When your business depends on remote access, RealVNC Connect adds end-to-end encryption, centralised management and commercial support from the team that created VNC.