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

Vinagre as a Linux alternative to Microsoft Remote Desktop

Updated October 27, 2026

Our verdict

Vinagre is a functional but discontinued replacement for Microsoft Remote Desktop, suitable only for users who specifically need a GNOME-integrated RDP client and do not mind using legacy software. It handles basic RDP connections, multiple sessions via tabs, and clipboard synchronization effectively. However, because it is no longer maintained, it lacks support for modern RDP features, security updates, and advanced authentication methods like current Kerberos implementations. For most users, GNOME Connections is the recommended successor. Choose Vinagre only if you require specific legacy behaviors or are stuck on an older GNOME version that does not support the newer client.

Feature parity65%

License: GPL-3.0
Price: Free
Latest version: 3.22.0
Rating: —

Install Vinagre Website ↗

What works the same

Connects to Windows machines via RDP protocol
Supports multiple simultaneous remote sessions in a single window
Provides keyboard and mouse integration for remote control
Synchronizes clipboard between local and remote systems
Allows saving and managing connection bookmarks

What is different

Discontinued status means no security patches or modern protocol updates
Lacks support for newer Windows authentication methods and encryption standards
Interface is dated GNOME 2/3 style, not matching modern Windows client aesthetics
No built-in file transfer manager; relies on clipboard or separate tools
Does not support dynamic resolution adjustment as smoothly as modern clients

Opening your Microsoft Remote Desktop files

Vinagre does not natively open .rdp files created by Microsoft Remote Desktop. You will need to manually extract the server address, port, and username from the .rdp file and enter them into Vinagre's connection dialog. There is no automated import function for these files.

Switching from Microsoft Remote Desktop to Vinagre, step by step

Install Vinagre via your distribution's package manager if not already present
Extract server IP, port, and credentials from your existing .rdp files
Create new connection profiles in Vinagre using the extracted details
Test RDP connectivity to ensure authentication works with your Windows setup
Configure clipboard synchronization settings in Vinagre preferences if needed
Bookmark your most-used connections for quick access

Key features of Vinagre

Tab‑based multiple simultaneous connections
Supports VNC, RDP, SSH tunneling and SPICE
Server browsing and bookmarking
Dynamic scaling and color depth adjustment
Clipboard synchronization between client and server
Frame compression control for low‑bandwidth links

How to install Vinagre on Linux

Ubuntu / Mintsudo apt install vinagre

Fedorasudo dnf install vinagre

openSUSEsudo zypper install vinagre

Frequently asked questions

Is Vinagre still receiving security updates?

No, Vinagre is discontinued and no longer receives security patches. Use GNOME Connections instead for a maintained alternative.

Can Vinagre handle Kerberos authentication?

Support is limited and may not work with modern Windows environments. Basic NTLM might work, but complex authentication setups often fail.

Does Vinagre support file transfer like Microsoft Remote Desktop?

No, it does not have a built-in file transfer feature. You can copy and paste small files via the clipboard, but large transfers require separate tools.

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Is it a good replacement for Microsoft Remote Desktop? 6