RemminaLinux
vs
Microsoft Remote DesktopWindows
Remmina as a Linux alternative to Microsoft Remote Desktop
Updated
Our verdict
Remmina can replace Microsoft Remote Desktop for most users who need to connect to Windows machines via RDP from Linux. It offers a tabbed interface, saved profiles, file transfer, clipboard sharing, fullscreen, multi‑monitor support, and secure connections via SSH tunneling. It works well for individual users, sysadmins, and developers who use Linux desktops. However, it lacks some enterprise‑specific features such as advanced group policy integration or native Windows authentication handling beyond basic NTLM/Kerberos.
Feature parity
- License
- GPL-2.0+
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 1.4.43 (February 20, 2026)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Both use the RDP protocol to display a Windows desktop on a remote client.
- Both support file transfer between local and remote systems.
- Both provide clipboard sharing and full‑screen mode.
- Both allow secure connections (RDP encryption or SSH tunneling).
What is different
- Remmina runs natively on Linux; Microsoft Remote Desktop is a Windows client.
- Remmina supports additional protocols (VNC, SSH, X2Go) beyond RDP.
- Remmina uses a tabbed UI; Microsoft Remote Desktop uses a single‑window interface.
- Remmina relies on external plugins for extended functionality; Microsoft Remote Desktop has built‑in Windows integration.
- Remmina does not natively handle Windows group policies or advanced authentication like Smart Card or certificate‑based logins without extra configuration.
- file_compat
Key features of Remmina
- Supports RDP, VNC, SSH, and X2Go protocols
- Tabbed interface for managing multiple connections
- Connection profiles with saved settings and credentials
- Support for external plugins to extend functionality
- Clipboard sharing and file transfer between local and remote machines
- Fullscreen and multi-monitor support
- Keyboard shortcut mapping across sessions
- Integrated SSH tunneling for secure RDP/VNC
How to install Remmina on Linux
Flatpak (Flathub)
flatpak install flathub org.remmina.RemminaUbuntu / Mint
sudo apt install remminaDebian
sudo apt install remminaFedora
sudo dnf install remminaArch / Manjaro
sudo pacman -S remminaopenSUSE
sudo zypper install remmina4 other alternatives to Microsoft Remote Desktop
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