In a recent article, I covered The Best Open Source Software in 2018 (Users’ Choice). Today, I’m covering the best remote desktop access clients for Linux.

TeamViewer is proprietary multi-platform software that enables users to control computers remotely and enjoy other features like desktop sharing, web conferencing, file transfer, and online meetings.

In the true spirit of open source, there are a thousand and one similar software options that are just as good, thus, here is my list of the 10 best TeamViewer alternatives of 2019 for Linux users.

1. Ammyy Admin

Ammyy Admin is a proprietary remote desktop access software with a focus on stability, security, and simplicity with a record of 80,000+ personal and corporate users. It is free for personal use.

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Ammyy Admin is excellent for system administration tasks, remote office actions e.g. file sharing, and online conference meetings. It runs as a portable execution file so it does not require any installation.

2. AnyDesk

AnyDesk is a modern proprietary multi-platform remote desktop software that is free for private use and offers subscription packages for Lite, Professional, and Enterprise versions.

It features high frame rates, real-time collaboration, effect bandwidth use, fail-safe Erlang network, low latency, session recording, automated updates, custom aliases, etc. It also offers various security, administration, and flexibility features.

You are free to take it for a test drive – no installation required.

3. RealVNC

RealVNC is a multi-platform proprietary remote desktop solution for professionals, OEMs, managed service providers, system administrators, IT experts, and family use with a range of products at its clients’ disposal.

RealVNC is an enterprise-grade remote desktop access solution with tons of features, 250+ million downloads, 90+ thousand enterprise customers, 100+ major OEMs, and it is available for free private use.

4. TightVNC

TightVNC is a free, cross-platform, and open source remote desktop control software suitable for administration, educational, and tech support purposes.

Its features also include a Java client, compatibility with standard VNC software, adherence to RFB protocol specifications, reliable security, etc.

5. Remmina

Remmina is a feature-rich POSIX (Portable Operating System Interface) software that enables users to remotely access any Operating System with Linux.

It developed with the aim of serving system administrators as well as travellers whether they’re working from small netbooks or large monitors. It has support for several network protocols including RDP, VNC, NX, SSH, EXEC, SPICE, and XDMCP.

Remmina also features an integrated and consistent UI and is free to use for both personal and commercial purposes.

To install Remmina on Ubuntu, simple copy and paste the following commands on a terminal window.

$ sudo apt-add-repository ppa:remmina-ppa-team/remmina-next $ sudo apt update $ sudo apt install remmina remmina-plugin-rdp remmina-plugin-secret

To install Remmina from Debian Backports, simple copy and paste the following commands on a terminal window.

$ echo 'deb http://ftp.debian.org/debian stretch-backports main' | sudo tee --append /etc/apt/sources.list.d/stretch-backports.list >> /dev/null $ sudo apt update $ sudo apt install -t stretch-backports remmina remmina-plugin-rdp remmina-plugin-secret

On Fedora and CentOS, simple copy and paste the following commands on a terminal window.

--------- On Fedora ----------- # dnf copr enable hubbitus/remmina-next # dnf upgrade --refresh 'remmina*' 'freerdp*' --------- On CentOS ----------- # yum install epel-release # yum install remmina*

6. Chrome Remote Desktop

With Chrome Remote Desktop, you can access a Chromebook or any other computer through the Google Chrome browser – a process unofficially referred to as Chromoting. It streams the desktop using VP8 which makes it responsive with good quality.

Chrome Remote Desktop is a free proprietary extension, but it doesn’t exactly replace Team Viewer because you can only use it for remote access. No meetings, file sharing, etc, so consider it if you’re on a budget or need only remote desktop access and control.

7. DWService

DMService is a lightweight, free, cross-platform and open source remote desktop access software with emphasis on ease of use, security, and performance.

It can be installed on all popular desktop platforms or run completely from your web browser – all you will have to do is log in. Its features include support for terminal sessions, an inbuilt text editor, resource management, log watch, and file sharing.

8. TigerVNC

TigerVNC is a free and open source high-performance, platform-independent remote desktop access application. It uses encryption by default and is capable of running 3D and video applications over the network.

TigerVNC has an almost uniform UI across platforms and is extensible with plugin extensions which can be used to add TLS encryption and advanced authentication methods, among other features.

It is important to note that TigerVNC isn’t a centralized service given that its servers are owned by a different company. And also unlike TeamViewer, it requires port forwarding.

TigerVNC is available to install from the default distribution repository on Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, OpenSUSE, FreeBSD, Arch Linux, Red Hat Enterprise Linux and SUSE Linux Enterprise.

9. X2Go

X2Go is a free, open source, and cross-platform remote desktop software that works using a modified NX 3 protocol and it works excellently even over low bandwidths.

You can use it to access any Linux’s GUI and that of a Windows system via a proxy. It also offers sound support, reconnect to a session from another client, file sharing.

10. Apache Guacamole

Apache Guacamole is a free and open source HTML5 web-based remote desktop gateway for accessing any computer from anywhere – all you need is an internet connection.

Apache Guacamole offers users the convenience of accessing both physical and cloud systems in true cloud computing fashion.

It supports all the standard protocols not excluding RDP and VNC protocols, can be used at enterprise levels, does not require any plugins whatsoever, and administrators can monitor/kill connections in real time as well as manage user profiles.

That wraps up our list of the best TeamViewer alternatives for Linux in 2019. Which one have you chosen? Also, feel free to add your suggestions in the discussion section below.