Sometimes, you have to access a remote desktop system from home and use its resources to complete a certain task. At times, you may have to take control of your client’s desktop system to fix an issue. However, these feats can be achieved by various tools or protocols, including the well-known Virtual Network Computing and Remote Desktop Protocol.
These two technologies can let you make your remote access tasks easier and simpler. However, when it comes to understanding VNC or RDP, which can work best for you, then you can’t decide what to choose on the go. Instead, you have to learn about Virtual Network Computing vs remote desktop Protocol to understand things better in this regard.
✅ So, here we go:
Virtual Network Computing vs remote desktop Protocol: Which one is best to choose?
Let’s explore more about different aspects of both remote access tools to understand VNC vs RDP better. So, let’s have a look at the following information to get a better idea about the things in this regard:
- Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)
Remote Desktop Protocol is a Microsoft build protocol that allows users to take graphic control of any remote desktop they want without any hassle. RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) servers are meant to work with Windows operating system only. However, the RDP client is available for virtually any operating system such as Linux, Android, Mac, etc.
Even more, RDP is a real semantic tool. It is because the data transferred through RDP goes deeper compared to what is happening visually. RDP makes the data transfer efficient and faster. It is because RDP isn’t only being used to share desktops and share the target computer’s resources via different profiles.
- Virtual Network Computing (VNC)
Virtual Network Computing (VNC) is another desktop sharing solution based on a protocol known as RFB. It can let its users control a computer remotely, while the primary user can interact and watch what’s happening there.
Virtual Network Computing (VNC) is based on the pixel. It means the tool rarely gets involved with the graphic layout. It enhances its flexibility more effectively. This solution is more commonly used in the case of technical support or educational purposes as well.
VNC vs RDP: Similarities & Differences
Similarities Between VNC and RDP
- Both VNC and RDP let their users access remote desktop systems.
- Technologies of both tools require server and client-side software for communication support.
- Both of these tools are based on the peer-to-peer communication model. It means you can connect to a remote computer directly without any problem.
- Both of these tools enable secure access, support software, and let admin manage users.
Differences between VNC vs remote desktop you must know:
VNC vs XRDP: screen sharing capabilities
Both user and administrator on the desktop system can see the user’s screen at the same time. It can make VNC an ideal solution for handholding sessions, such as educational demos, remote customer support, etc.
However, on the other hand, users with RDP won’t be able to share screens. While assigning different users’ profiles, you can use Remote Desktop Protocol to share whatever resources you want on the server.
VNC vs RDP performance
Comparatively, Remote Desktop Protocol is an ideal and faster tool for virtualization. It is mainly because RDP comes up with a smaller instruction set. This will let it use less bandwidth as compared to what is required to transfer pixels over VNC. Ultimately, RDP enhances network efficiency. All of these benefits make RDP an ideal option for virtualization.
Platform-independence rdp
Well, VNC is a platform-independent tool. However, RDP is just catching up. As framebuffers are a part of almost every operating system, but the user experience with VNC will remain the same with any of your preferred operating systems. It is because the tool is platform-independent. However, on the other hand, we can’t ignore the fact that RDP also has worked with great strides to become Operating System inclusive, even though the implementations of it other than Windows aren’t that mature yet as compared to VNC.
Security
RDP is securer as compared to VNC. It is because RDP supports SSL / TLS and comes up with enhanced security improvements in each update. However, the previous versions of this were suspectable to security problems. At the same time, the majority of these security holes have been covered in the subsequent versions of RDP.
However, on the other hand, VNC doesn’t come up with strong security implementation. It is because the tool offers full access to remote desktop systems to the users.
Quick tools comparison:
| Tools Name | Speed | Can run on different OS | Main Use Case | Security channel |
| VNC | Slow | Linux, macOS, Windows | Screen sharing platform | SSH tunnel |
| RDP | Fast | Linux, Android, Windows, macOS | Resource sharing platform | SSL/TLS |
Conclusion
As work from home is the new norm at present. However, people work from different devices with different operating systems a well. So, the need for cross-platform communication is definitely at its peak currently. So, VNC and RDP seem to be the better choice in this regard.
However, when it is about to choose between VNC or RDP, then the major decision depends upon which of these can fulfill your requirements. So, understand what you exactly want to get from a remote desktop access platform and then plan accordingly.
FAQs ❓
When is it best to use VNC?
VNC is a cross-platform tool that works well on all operating systems that makes it a great choice for functional environments.
When should you prefer to use RDP?
RDP is a native remote connection method that can be used for Windows environments only. However, if you want more efficient and faster access, RDP is going to be the best bet in this regard.
Can I switch between VNC and RDP?
Do you have an existing script created via one connection method; you can easily switch the method for the same test’s execution. Always remember both tools use different ways to capture screen, so you have to take new images every time.