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open-source project · GPL-2.0 · tigervnc.org

TigerVNC

For a virtual Linux desktop, run the server on the computer that hosts the session and the viewer on the computer you use to connect. Check the platform limits and package versions below before choosing a download.

TigerVNC is an open-source VNC server for Linux with viewers for Windows, macOS and Linux, licensed under GPL-2.0. The Windows server is unmaintained, so check the server platform before downloading. The latest release listed in this page’s spec card is 1.16.2, released 26 March 2026.

  • Good for: personal Linux desktops and home labs where you manage the network path, authentication and updates.
  • Consider RealVNC Connect when: your business depends on remote access and you need end-to-end encryption, centralised management and commercial support.

What does TigerVNC provide?

What are its limits?

  • No connection brokering. You connect by address and port. Reaching machines behind NAT means SSH tunnels, a VPN, or your own infrastructure; there is no relay/cloud service. TigerVNC 1.16.2 viewer manual.
  • The TigerVNC 1.16.2 README warns that the Windows server, winvnc, is unmaintained and may not function correctly. TigerVNC 1.16.2 README.
  • TigerVNC 1.16.2 w0vncserver shares an existing Wayland display. It needs a compositor based on wlroots or one implementing the RemoteDesktop portal. TigerVNC 1.16.2 w0vncserver manual.
  • No file transfer or chat. TigerVNC 1.16.2 viewer manual.

Where can I get TigerVNC?

Use the viewer on the computer you connect from. The server runs on the computer hosting the desktop. Download from the project’s own channels:

Platform Download and format
Windows TigerVNC 1.16.2 Windows downloadsFormat: Windows installers (.exe)
macOS TigerVNC 1.16.2 macOS downloadFormat: TigerVNC-1.16.2.dmg
Linux TigerVNC 1.16.2 Linux downloadsFormat: tigervnc-1.16.2.x86_64.tar.gz
Fedora packages

Written for TigerVNC 1.16.2 on Fedora 44. Install the server packages on the desktop host and the viewer on the connecting computer. These commands require administrator rights through sudo.

# Fedora desktop host
sudo dnf install tigervnc-x11-server tigervnc-server-common
# Fedora viewer computer
sudo dnf install tigervnc

Run Xvnc -version and vncpasswd --version on the desktop host (on Fedora; Debian and Ubuntu name it tigervncpasswd). Confirm that both report 1.16.2. Stop if a command is missing or reports a different version.

Fedora 43 and 44 package the viewer as tigervnc and the X11 server as tigervnc-x11-server; the common tools are packaged as tigervnc-server-common. Fedora package index.

Debian trixie and Ubuntu 24.04: tigervnc-standalone-server installs tigervncserver, tigervnc-tools installs tigervncpasswd, and tigervnc-viewer installs xtigervncviewer. See the TigerVNC project site.

In TigerVNC 1.16.2, Xvnc defaults to SecurityTypes=TLSVnc,VncAuth. TLSVnc uses anonymous TLS without a certificate; VncAuth remains available. X.509 types need explicit enabling and certificate files. TigerVNC 1.16.2 Xvnc manual.

Which comparisons can I read?

Project bugs go to the TigerVNC upstream tracker. Usage questions go to the tigervnc-users group.
Questions about a TigerVNC setup? The community’s Using VNC Technology group covers setup and troubleshooting, and Security and Remote Access covers safe exposure patterns.

Sources accurate as of 30 September 2026.

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.

Start a free trial ↗ See plans and pricing ↗ Download RealVNC Connect ↗

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