x11vnc is an open-source server that shares an existing X display, including its physical monitor, keyboard and mouse, with a VNC viewer. x11vnc README (accessed 5 October 2026).
- Good for: personal Linux/Unix setups where you need to share an existing X display and can manage exposure, authentication and updates.
- Consider RealVNC Connect when: your business depends on remote access and you need end-to-end encryption, centralized management and commercial support.
What does x11vnc provide?
x11vnc includes SSL/TLS, VeNCrypt and UNIX account login through -unixpw. x11vnc README (accessed 5 October 2026).
Components and platform limits
x11vnc is a Linux/Unix server with no viewer of its own; SSVNC is a separate package. It polls the framebuffer. x11vnc README (accessed 5 October 2026).
What you must provide
x11vnc runs without a password unless one is configured; -nopw only silences the warning. Configure authentication with -rfbauth, -usepw, -passwdfile or -unixpw. x11vnc manual (accessed 5 October 2026).
Control exposure with -localhost and -allow, and configure SSL/TLS with -ssl or -stunnel. x11vnc README (accessed 5 October 2026).
With no maintainer and source-only releases, updates depend on distribution packages. x11vnc README (accessed 5 October 2026); x11vnc 0.9.17 release (accessed 5 October 2026).