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X2Go alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave X2Go: server is Linux only, and some modern desktop environments work poorly. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces X2Go, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. NoMachine currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1NoMachine logoNoMachinePaidNoWindows, macOS, Linux +24 of 466.5
  1. NoMachine logo

    1. NoMachineTop pick

    Best for: Linux and mixed-OS users who want fast, multimedia-friendly remote desktops

    PaidWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from X2Go

    The modern commercial NX product with faster performance and support.

    Pros

    • Efficient NX protocol for video and audio
    • Excellent Linux and Raspberry Pi support
    • Enterprise terminal server options

    Cons

    • Free edition discontinued from version 10
    • Internet access without port forwarding needs a Network subscription
    • Product line-up is complex
    Visit NoMachine Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    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 NoMachine a good X2Go alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free edition
    Discontinued from version 10
    Checked Oct 25, 2026nomachine.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Protocol
    NX
    Checked Oct 25, 2026nomachine.com(opens source in a new tab)
    SSH client
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026nomachine.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Network trial
    7 days
    Checked Oct 25, 2026nomachine.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best X2Go alternative for…

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

NoMachine logo

Best X2Go alternative for most people

NoMachine

The modern commercial NX product with faster performance and support.

xrdp logo

Best X2Go alternative for a free option

xrdp

Lets Linux servers accept standard RDP clients, including Windows' built-in one.

TigerVNC logo

Best X2Go alternative for open source

TigerVNC

Standard VNC server for Linux virtual desktops.

Apache Guacamole logo

Best X2Go alternative for self-hosting

Apache Guacamole

Browser access to Linux desktops through a self-hosted gateway.

NoMachine logo

Best X2Go alternative for Mac

NoMachine

The modern commercial NX product with faster performance and support.

NoMachine logo

Best X2Go alternative for Windows

NoMachine

The modern commercial NX product with faster performance and support.

Remmina logo

Best X2Go alternative for Linux

Remmina

Linux client that can open X2Go sessions alongside RDP and VNC.

NoMachine logo

Best X2Go alternative for iPhone and Android

NoMachine

The modern commercial NX product with faster performance and support.

Apache Guacamole logo

Best X2Go alternative for working in the browser

Apache Guacamole

Browser access to Linux desktops through a self-hosted gateway.

X2Go alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to X2Go?

NoMachine ranks first right now. The modern commercial NX product with faster performance and support. xrdp and TigerVNC follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to X2Go?

Yes. xrdp (open source), TigerVNC (open source), Remmina (open source) and Apache Guacamole (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to X2Go?

Yes: xrdp, TigerVNC, Remmina and Apache Guacamole. xrdp and Apache Guacamole can also be self-hosted.

Which X2Go alternatives work on Linux?

NoMachine, xrdp, TigerVNC and Remmina run on Linux.

Why do people switch from X2Go?

The complaints we hear most: server is Linux only; some modern desktop environments work poorly; development pace is slow.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces X2Go, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.