TightVNC is a cross-platform open source remote desktop software application that uses and extends VNC’s RFB protocol to control another computer’s screen remotely.
The improvements include bandwidth-friendly “Tight” encoding, file transfers in the Windows version, an enhanced Graphical User Interface, many bugfixes and more.
This software is useful in remote administration, remote customer support, education, and for many other purposes.
Features missing from the standard VNC include:
- Optimized for faster operation on slow network links – efficient “Tight” encoding with optional JPEG compression.
- Highly configurable.
- Automatic SSH tunneling.
- Full compatible with the the standard RFB protocol used in VNC.
- Enhanced web browser access.
- Support for two passwords, full-control and read-only.
Website: www.tightvnc.com
Support: Documentation
Developer: Constantin Kaplinsky and others
License: GNU General Public License v2.0

TightVNC is written in C and C++. Learn C with our recommended free books and free tutorials. Learn C++ with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
| Remote Display Clients | |
|---|---|
| TigerVNC | Platform-neutral implementation of VNC |
| Remmina | GTK+/Gnome Remote Desktop Client |
| KRDC | Connect with RDP or VNC to another computer |
| X2Go | Fast terminal server suite based on NoMachine's NX libraries |
| RustDesk | Works out of the box with no configuration required |
| Veyon | Computer monitoring and classroom management |
| TurboVNC | TightVNC-compatible remote desktop software |
| FreeRDP | Remote Desktop Protocol Implementation |
| TightVNC | Client/server allowing remote network access to graphical desktops |
| noVNC | VNC client web application |
| Connections | Aims at replacing Vinagre as the remote desktop client for GNOME |
| Xpra | Multi-platform persistent remote display server with built-in HTML5 client |
| Guacamole | Clientless remote desktop gateway |
| Dayon! | Easy to use, cross-platform remote desktop assistance solution |
| RustConn | Connection orchestrator for Linux with a GTK4/Wayland-native interface |
| HopToDesk | Remote desktop tool with end-to-end encryption |
| Field Monitor | Remote desktop client designed for GNOME |
| Vinagre | VNC client for the Gnome Desktop |
| rdesktop | Client for Windows Terminal Services |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
| Remote Desktop Servers | |
|---|---|
| TigerVNC | Platform-neutral implementation of VNC |
| GNOME Remote Desktop | Designed for GNOME using pipewire. |
| X2Go | Fast terminal server suite based on NoMachine's NX libraries |
| RustDesk | Works out of the box with no configuration required |
| TurboVNC | TightVNC-compatible remote desktop software |
| FreeRDP | Remote Desktop Protocol Implementation |
| TightVNC | Remote network access to graphical desktops |
| xrdp | Accepts connections from variety of RDP clients |
| Xpra | Multi-platform persistent remote display server |
| Guacamole | Clientless remote desktop gateway |
| OpenSSH | Encrypted communication sessions using the ssh protocol |
| Veyon | Computer monitoring and classroom management |
| KasmVNC | Browser-based VNC server for secure remote desktop access |
| IronRDP | Rust implementation of RDP |
| Dayon! | Easy to use, cross-platform remote desktop assistance solution |
| wayvnc | VNC server for wlroots-based Wayland compositors |
| Lamco RDP Server | Wayland-native RDP server for Linux |
| hypr-rdp | Native RDP server for Hyprland |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
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