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X2Go

Open-source remote desktop for Linux servers that works well over slow links and resumes sessions.

Open sourceSelf-hostableRemote desktop software
Visit X2GoSee 5 alternatives
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About X2Go

X2Go gives you a full graphical Linux desktop on a remote server over SSH. It uses NoMachine's older NX3 technology under the hood, which compresses the display efficiently, so sessions stay usable on slow or high-latency connections where VNC struggles. Each user gets their own desktop session by default, and you can disconnect and later reconnect from another client with your applications still running. Sound, printing and folder sharing are supported, and desktop sharing lets you assist someone in an existing session. The server runs on Linux and installs from most distributions' repositories; clients are available for Windows, macOS and Linux. Because it rides on SSH, there is no extra service to expose and authentication uses existing SSH keys or passwords. It is free and community-developed. Some modern desktop environments with heavy compositing work poorly, so lighter desktops like XFCE or MATE are usually recommended.

Best for: Linux admins and teams who need responsive remote desktops on servers over slow connections.

Pros and cons

What works

  • Efficient over low-bandwidth links
  • Sessions survive disconnects and can be resumed elsewhere
  • Uses SSH, so no extra port to expose

Why people leave

  • Server is Linux only
  • Some modern desktop environments work poorly
  • Development pace is slow

Top X2Go alternatives

See all 5
  1. 1NoMachine logo
    NoMachine

    The modern commercial NX product with faster performance and support.

    66.5
  2. 2xrdp logo
    xrdp

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

    62.6
  3. 3TigerVNC logo
    TigerVNC

    Standard VNC server for Linux virtual desktops.

    59.6
  4. 4Remmina logo
    Remmina

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

    57.2
  5. 5Apache Guacamole logo
    Apache Guacamole

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

    55.3

Why people left X2Go

In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.

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X2Go: common questions

Is X2Go free?

Yes. X2Go is free, open-source software that you can host yourself.

Is X2Go open source?

Yes. You can also run it on your own server.

What platforms does X2Go run on?

X2Go is available for Linux, Windows, macOS and Self-hosted.

What are the best alternatives to X2Go?

The highest-ranked X2Go alternatives right now are NoMachine, xrdp and TigerVNC. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

See all 5 X2Go alternatives