FreeRDP vs Microsoft Remote Desktop: is it a good Linux alternative?

FreeRDP as a Linux alternative to Microsoft Remote Desktop

Updated October 27, 2026

Our verdict

FreeRDP is a solid, native Linux replacement for Microsoft Remote Desktop. It handles the core job well: connecting to Windows machines via RDP with full input integration. If you need to manage multiple Windows servers or access corporate desktops from Linux, this is the standard choice. It lacks some of the polished GUI features of the Windows client, but the underlying protocol support is strong. Best for sysadmins and power users comfortable with command-line configuration or simple GUIs like Remmina. Don't expect a one-click identical experience; you will spend time tuning settings for optimal performance.

Feature parity85%

License: Apache-2.0
Price: Free
Latest version: 3.32.2
Rating: —

Install FreeRDP

What works the same

Connects to Windows and Linux hosts using the RDP protocol
Supports standard Windows authentication methods like NTLM and Kerberos
Allows clipboard sharing and file transfer via drive redirection
Handles keyboard and mouse input mapping for remote sessions

What is different

No built-in, polished graphical interface by default; often used as a backend for other apps
Lacks the automatic discovery and simple 'Add PC' workflow of the Windows client
Configuration is often done via command-line arguments or config files rather than a unified GUI
Missing some advanced Windows-specific features like dynamic session reconnection polish found in newer Windows clients

Opening your Microsoft Remote Desktop files

FreeRDP does not natively open Microsoft Remote Desktop (.rdp) files directly in a way that preserves all complex settings automatically. While you can manually map the parameters from an .rdp file to FreeRDP command-line arguments, there is no official one-click import tool. You will likely need to re-enter connection details, resolution, and redirection settings manually in your preferred frontend like Remmina or via CLI flags.

Switching from Microsoft Remote Desktop to FreeRDP, step by step

Install FreeRDP and a frontend like Remmina or xfreerdp from your distro repository
Export your current .rdp files to document connection targets and settings
Create new connections in your frontend, entering the IP address and username
Configure drive redirection and clipboard sharing in the connection settings
Test the connection to verify audio, video, and input responsiveness
Save the profile for quick access in the future

Key features of FreeRDP

Supports RDP 5.0 through 8.0 standards
Multi-monitor support with independent scaling
Audio and video redirection
Clipboard synchronization between local and remote
Drive redirection for file access
Keyboard layout mapping
Session reliability and network optimization
Integration with common Linux GUIs like Remmina

How to install FreeRDP on Linux

Ubuntu / Mintsudo apt install freerdp3

Debiansudo apt install freerdp3

Fedorasudo dnf install freerdp

Arch / Manjarosudo pacman -S freerdp

openSUSEsudo zypper install freerdp

Frequently asked questions

Can I use FreeRDP without a GUI?

Yes. The xfreerdp command-line tool allows you to launch sessions directly from the terminal, which is useful for scripting or minimal environments.

Does it support multi-monitor setups?

Yes, FreeRDP supports multi-monitor configurations with independent scaling, allowing you to map specific local monitors to the remote desktop.

Is it secure for corporate networks?

Yes, it supports standard RDP encryption and authentication methods. However, you should ensure your server-side RDP settings are configured correctly for your security policies.

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Is it a good replacement for Microsoft Remote Desktop? 8