Comparison

VNC alternative

Name: RudyDesk
Author: RudyDesk

TightVNC is free and open source. But according to its own FAQ, only the password is encrypted, while the screen and input go as is. RudyDesk encrypts the whole session and connects without port forwarding on your router.

Download RudyDesk

Why people look for a VNC replacement

According to the TightVNC FAQ, only the password is encrypted and the rest is sent unencrypted — a risk over the internet.
A VNC password is at most 8 characters: that is how standard VNC authentication works.
For connections over the internet the FAQ recommends an SSH tunnel — which you have to set up yourself.
You connect to the computer’s address: behind a home router there is no connection without port forwarding.

Facts side by side

What we compare	RudyDesk	TightVNC
Free plan	2 devices forever	Free
Account required	Not needed	Not needed
Open source	No	Yes (GPL)
Session encryption	Whole session (DTLS-SRTP)	Password only

Competitor data is from their official site, checked on: 2026-10-04 · www.tightvnc.com

Product names are trademarks of their owners. Prices are for yearly billing, excluding taxes.

People who connect over the internet and do not want to configure the router and SSH.

People who help relatives by link, with no installation and no addresses.

Anyone who connects from a phone or someone else’s computer right in the browser.

What RudyDesk cannot do yet

There is no self-hosted server yet — the service runs through our server.
The Windows sign-in screen and “Allow changes?” prompts are not visible remotely yet.
From an iPhone or iPad you can control other devices, but you cannot share the phone’s own screen — Apple does not allow it.

Frequently asked questions

When is it better to stay with VNC?

If all computers are on one local network and you do not need the internet: RudyDesk cannot connect without reaching our server.

Does RudyDesk encrypt the whole session?

Yes. Screen, sound, input and files go directly between devices and are encrypted (DTLS-SRTP).

Is RudyDesk free like TightVNC?

Yes, on two devices — forever and including for work. You need a paid plan only for more devices.

Is RudyDesk’s code open like TightVNC’s?

No, RudyDesk’s code is closed. TightVNC’s code is open under the GPL.

Try RudyDesk for free

No sign-up, no card. Two devices free forever — including for work.