Guacamole – clientless remote desktop gateway

Apache Guacamole is a clientless remote desktop gateway that makes remote systems available through a web browser. Users need a sufficiently modern browser rather than a locally installed RDP, VNC or SSH client.

Guacamole sits between the browser and remote machines, translating the underlying remote access protocols into its browser-facing protocol. This architecture makes it possible to centralize remote connections behind one web application and apply common authentication, authorization and auditing controls to otherwise different types of systems.

This is free and open source software.

Key Features

  • Provides browser-based access to remote systems using RDP, VNC and SSH.
  • Requires no protocol-specific client software on the user’s computer beyond a web browser.
  • Supports file transfer through compatible RDP, VNC and SSH connections.
  • Can record graphical remote desktop sessions for auditing or later review.
  • Provides browser-based playback of recordings produced by Guacamole sessions.
  • Allows configured connections to be shared temporarily with other users through generated links.
  • Provides authentication extensions for databases, LDAP and several single sign-on technologies.
  • Supports multi-factor authentication mechanisms including TOTP and Duo.
  • Can apply permissions to users and groups for access to individual connections and connection groups.
  • Maintains connection history and allows administrators to inspect active remote sessions.
  • Provides documented APIs that can be used when integrating Guacamole with other applications and infrastructure.

Website: guacamole.apache.org
Support:
Developer: The Apache Software Foundation
License: Apache License 2.0

The client is written in JavaScript. Learn JavaScript with our recommended free books and free tutorials.

The server is written in C and Java. Learn C with our recommended free books and free tutorials. Learn Java with our recommended free books and free tutorials.


Related Software

Remote Desktop Servers
TigerVNCPlatform-neutral implementation of VNC
GNOME Remote DesktopDesigned for GNOME using pipewire.
X2GoFast terminal server suite based on NoMachine's NX libraries
RustDeskWorks out of the box with no configuration required
TurboVNCTightVNC-compatible remote desktop software
FreeRDPRemote Desktop Protocol Implementation
TightVNCRemote network access to graphical desktops
xrdpAccepts connections from variety of RDP clients
XpraMulti-platform persistent remote display server
GuacamoleClientless remote desktop gateway
OpenSSHEncrypted communication sessions using the ssh protocol
VeyonComputer monitoring and classroom management
KasmVNCBrowser-based VNC server for secure remote desktop access
IronRDPRust implementation of RDP
Dayon!Easy to use, cross-platform remote desktop assistance solution
wayvncVNC server for wlroots-based Wayland compositors
Lamco RDP Server Wayland-native RDP server for Linux
hypr-rdpNative RDP server for Hyprland

Read our verdict in the software roundup.

Remote Display Clients
TigerVNCPlatform-neutral implementation of VNC
RemminaGTK+/Gnome Remote Desktop Client
KRDCConnect with RDP or VNC to another computer
X2GoFast terminal server suite based on NoMachine's NX libraries
RustDeskWorks out of the box with no configuration required
VeyonComputer monitoring and classroom management
TurboVNCTightVNC-compatible remote desktop software
FreeRDPRemote Desktop Protocol Implementation
WaypipeForward individual Wayland applications over SSH connections
Moonlight QtStream games and desktop applications from remote computers
noVNCVNC client web application
ConnectionsAims at replacing Vinagre as the remote desktop client for GNOME
XpraMulti-platform persistent remote display server with built-in HTML5 client
GuacamoleClientless remote desktop gateway
Dayon!Easy to use, cross-platform remote desktop assistance solution
RustConnConnection orchestrator for Linux with a GTK4/Wayland-native interface
electermTerminal emulator supporting SSH, SFTP and RDP connections
HopToDeskRemote desktop tool with end-to-end encryption
Field MonitorRemote desktop client designed for GNOME

Read our verdict in the software roundup.


Best Free and Open Source Software LinuxLinks helps you discover the best free and open source software for Linux. Explore our extensive collection of recommended applications, including alternatives to popular proprietary software.

We also publish software reviews, Linux tutorials, hardware reviews, free programming books and articles covering the wider open source community. Browse our Linux resources to discover more.

Know a useful free and open source Linux application we haven't covered? Suggest a program for inclusion.

Has your software been featured on LinuxLinks? Display one of our Featured on LinuxLinks badges on your website or GitHub README.
Subscribe

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.

Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted