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NoMachine alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave NoMachine: free edition discontinued from version 10, and internet access without port forwarding needs a Network subscription. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces NoMachine, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. X2Go currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1RustDesk logoRustDeskOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +34 of 462.6
  1. RustDesk logo

    1. RustDeskTop pick

    Best for: Admins and privacy-minded users who want TeamViewer-style access on their own server

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from NoMachine

    Free open-source alternative now that NoMachine's free edition is gone.

    Pros

    • Free, open-source client and server
    • Traffic can stay entirely on your own relay
    • Familiar ID-and-password workflow
    • Affordable Pro server for teams

    Cons

    • Self-hosting the server takes some setup and upkeep
    • Admin console and user management need the paid Pro server
    • No vendor-hosted SaaS option
    Visit RustDesk Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is RustDesk a good NoMachine alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    AGPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free self-hosting
    $0/month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026rustdesk.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Individual Pro server
    $11.88/month, billed annually
    Checked Oct 25, 2026rustdesk.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Hosted service
    No, self-hosted only
    Checked Oct 25, 2026rustdesk.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best NoMachine alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

X2Go logo

Best NoMachine alternative for most people

X2Go

Free open-source Linux remote desktop based on older NX technology.

RustDesk logo

Best NoMachine alternative for a free option

RustDesk

Free open-source alternative now that NoMachine's free edition is gone.

Parsec logo

Best NoMachine alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Parsec

Lower latency for gaming and creative work, free for personal use.

TigerVNC logo

Best NoMachine alternative for open source

TigerVNC

Free VNC server for Linux virtual sessions.

xrdp logo

Best NoMachine alternative for self-hosting

xrdp

Open-source RDP server so Linux boxes accept standard RDP clients.

X2Go logo

Best NoMachine alternative for Mac

X2Go

Free open-source Linux remote desktop based on older NX technology.

X2Go logo

Best NoMachine alternative for Windows

X2Go

Free open-source Linux remote desktop based on older NX technology.

X2Go logo

Best NoMachine alternative for Linux

X2Go

Free open-source Linux remote desktop based on older NX technology.

RustDesk logo

Best NoMachine alternative for iPhone and Android

RustDesk

Free open-source alternative now that NoMachine's free edition is gone.

Parsec logo

Best NoMachine alternative for working in the browser

Parsec

Lower latency for gaming and creative work, free for personal use.

NoMachine alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to NoMachine?

X2Go ranks first right now. Free open-source Linux remote desktop based on older NX technology. RustDesk and TigerVNC follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to NoMachine?

Yes. X2Go (open source), RustDesk (open source), TigerVNC (open source) and Parsec (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to NoMachine?

Yes: X2Go, RustDesk, TigerVNC and xrdp. X2Go, RustDesk and xrdp can also be self-hosted.

Which NoMachine alternatives work on Linux?

X2Go, RustDesk, TigerVNC, Parsec and xrdp run on Linux.

Why do people switch from NoMachine?

The complaints we hear most: free edition discontinued from version 10; internet access without port forwarding needs a Network subscription; product line-up is complex.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces NoMachine, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.