In 2025, your computer could be down the hall or in Antarctica. Either way, getting fast and sure access to it shouldn’t require a support ticket or a degree in network engineering. 

Over the years, VNC tools have typically offered a viable and powerful solution for remote machine access. These remote control solutions allow you to connect to other machines, take operational control of them, and get work done like you’re sitting in front of the screen.

Of all the VNC solutions, two names tend to stand out: RealVNC and UltraVNC. Unlike the stripped-down and often unsecure VNC tools available, these two solutions offer powerful and highly configurable features.

This article explores RealVNC and UltraVNC across core areas like security, features, and performance. It also weighs both options in terms of ease of use and showcases specific use cases so you can choose the right tool for your needs with confidence.

What Exactly is VNC? Understanding the Core Technology

VNC, short for “Virtual Network Computing,” is a protocol that allows you to remotely view and control another computer over a network and the Internet. It works by transmitting screen data, keyboard strokes, and mouse movements. 

VNC is platform-agnostic, which means it runs happily on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Modern versions like RealVNC Connect can even run on Android and iOS.

For IT professionals and system administrators, VNC is essential for remote support, configuration, and monitoring. It’s been around long enough to support remote access on Windows 3.11 and is backward compatible to the degree that obsolete operating systems can still be accessed from modern versions.

A Quick Overview of RealVNC and UltraVNC

UltraVNC and RealVNC are two of the most prominent options when it comes to VNC remote access. Let’s take a quick look at how they became so popular.

Real VNC Connect – A Modern VNC Solution

RealVNC has been a leader in the remote access space since its inception in 2002. It was founded by the original developers of the VNC protocol and has been evolving ever since. RealVNC quickly gained recognition for providing secure and reliable remote access, especially for network and computer security. 

Nowadays, RealVNC is a trusted solution for businesses and IT professionals. It offers strong security features like 256-bit encryption by default and multi-factor authentication. RealVNC Connect supports multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and Raspberry Pi. This makes it one of the most versatile cross-platform remote access solutions for desktop management.

Ultra VNC – A Reliable and Practical VNC Solution

Launched in 2004, UltraVNC is an open-source VNC solution that has become popular due to its cost-effective nature and non-nonsense interface. Its primary appeal lies in its customizability with extensions and plugins. 

UltraVNC is also popular in business cases where backward compatibility is important when managing legacy Windows systems. The latest client can still connect with very old versions of the server, making it suitable for lightweight setups that don’t necessarily require strict security out of the box. 

Comparison Criteria

When making a comprehensive comparison between RealVNC and UltraVNC, five core factors define their real-world value: 

1. Features: These reveal how much control and flexibility each tool provides.
2. Performance: Highlights how fast and stable the connection remains when using it under various network conditions.
3. Security: Assesses how well each tool protects your data and credentials at rest and in transit.
4. Ease of use: How easy is it to set up and get running out of the box.
5. Use cases: Explores which environments the tool is best suited to.

Feature Comparison

Both RealVNC and UltraVNC offer more than basic screen sharing. However, the differences are worth noting depending on your environment and goals.

RealVNC: RealVNC Connect brings a refined and enterprise-ready toolkit. It supports multi-platform deployment, including Windows 7-11, Windows Server, macOS, Linux, Raspberry Pi, Android, and iOS. It also offers the ability to connect to machines via a direct connection (LAN or VPN), and a cloud-based platform that can work behind firewalls, NAT, and CGNAT. 

For IT teams who need mass-deployment options, RealVNC Connect makes it easy to deploy across multiple endpoints with centralized control and compatibility across newer and older systems alike. 

Other typical VNC solution features are also present:

• Real-time chat
• File sharing and transfer across multiple platforms
• Session recording

UltraVNC: In contrast, UltraVNC favors flexibility and compatibility. It runs a server on Windows and a viewer on Windows and Linux (with Javaviewer support on any system that supports Java). 

Its biggest feature is backward compatibility. It can establish VNC sessions with other VNC servers and retains support for Windows 95 and 98 legacy machines. UltraVNC also supports a plugin and extension market, allowing for deep customization. 

Performance Comparison

Performance matters. Especially when you’re working with time-sensitive tasks that need fast refresh rates, like CAD or terminal work. 

RealVNC: Delivers exceptionally fast, stable remote sessions across all supported platforms. When remotely accessing Linux, Windows, and macOS, the experience is seamless with no pixelation or artifacts, even allowing for high-speed video streaming. Adjusting the resolution on the client device is as easy as resizing the window, regardless of the host’s aspect ratio and native resolution. 

You can allow RealVNC to detect the connection and type and tune performance automatically, or take control with manual appearance settings.

UltraVNC: Performs quite well, particularly on lightweight or older hardware. For this reason, it’s well-suited to personal use or small-office setups where system resources are limited. It does however lack dynamic display scaling. When establishing a session the native resolution of the host is what you get, which can be problematic if your native resolution is lower and you lose access to desktop icons.

Users can fine-tune aspects such as Zlib compression levels and JPEG quality, which can noticeably improve responsiveness when dealing with resource constraints on either end. 

Security Comparison

The stakes are always high when it comes to security. This is especially true for support teams and MSPs managing sensitive data and remote connections.

RealVNC: Security is RealVNC Connect’s strong point. It offers end-to-end encryption by default, meaning that even RealVNC itself can’t see your activities. It supports 256-bit AES encryption, multi-factor authentication, and Single Sign On (SSO). 

RealVNC Connect’s security and authentication are geared for peace of mind in enterprise environments. It features granular access control, you can fine-tune who sees what, adding even more layers of security to an already robust remote access solution. 

UltraVNC offers decent encryption options, but they require additional setup on both the server and client end. Users must install the VNCSecure plugin, manually generate the encryption keys, and install the .pkey in the executable directory of the installation. 

UltraVNC application showing the manual configuration for encryption certificate creation for the server-side.

While it’s great for personal use and smaller environments, this level of setup makes it not ideal for mass deployments in enterprise environments. It lacks the out-of-the-box security features and centralized control that RealVNC provides.

Ease of Use

When comparing which solution is the easiest to use, RealVNC Connect definitely stands out. Installation is simple and easy with a combined server and viewer installer. Even on Linux, which is notoriously difficult to get VNC servers up and running, the installation is clean and simple. 

The interface is intuitive and polished, making it easy for anyone to get started without issue. Businesses looking for a hassle-free solution will appreciate how smoothly everything integrates right away.

In contrast, UltraVNC offers a lot of flexibility, but it comes at the cost of complexity. Setting up encryption or additional features like file transfer requires a fair amount of technical know-how. With so many options to configure, new users will likely be overwhelmed. Advanced users, however, will absolutely appreciate the level of control they have over the setup.

Use Cases

The choice between remote access solutions can come down to what exactly you need it for. 

RealVNC is a powerhouse. It’s perfect for enterprise environments, businesses with strict security policies, and remote support teams that need something that scales easily. It excels in situations where ease of deployment is essential, especially in businesses that use SCCM or Endpoint Manager MSI packaging. 

UltraVNC is ideal for users who need legacy support more than plug-and-play security and configuration. If your business is the proud owner of a Windows NT server still humming along in the back office, UltraVNC is definitely your go-to. It’s perfect for those who just want a low-cost and flexible tool, albeit with a bit of extra configuration. 

The Pros and Cons: UltraVNC vs RealVNC

Choosing between RealVNC and UltraVNC can also come down to what matters the most to you and your business: security, flexibility, ease of use, and, of course, cost. Here is a more detailed look at their pros and cons:

How to Choose: RealVNC vs UltraVNC

When deciding between UltraVNC, RealVNC, or any remote access solution for that matter, consider your specific needs:

• Security: If secure connections (both in transit and at rest) are a top priority, RealVNC is the clear winner with its enterprise-grade security and encryption.
• Technical expertise: If you prefer a setup that’s simple and straightforward, RealVNC is the easiest option. If you have the technical skills and enjoy customization and tinkering, UltraVNC has you covered—just be prepared for a bit of work. 
• Use case: UltraVNC is an effective choice for personal use or businesses that need legacy system support. If you need something purpose-built for corporate environments, RealVNC Connect is a better fit. 

Ultimately, it comes down to what problem you need the solution for. RealVNC Connect is a better choice for enterprises and SMBs, while UltraVNC is better suited for enthusiasts or tech professionals needing to remotely access legacy, physical Windows servers. 

Conclusion: RealVNC vs UltraVNC – Which One Is Right for You?

In the battle of RealVNC vs UltraVNC, both tools have their strengths. RealVNC is your go-to for secure, enterprise-level solutions. It’s perfect for the professional who needs peace of mind and reliability. On the other hand, if you’re a DIY-er, a personal user, or running a small operation that doesn’t need all the bells and whistles, UltraVNC offers plenty of flexibility and value.

So, what’s the difference? It’s simple—if security and ease of use are your top priorities, RealVNC wins. If you’re fine with getting your hands dirty and just need something that works on a shoestring, UltraVNC might be your best bet.

Ready to make a decision? Test out RealVNC for free here and see if the VNC solution is just right for you.

FAQs

What is the main difference between RealVNC and UltraVNC?

RealVNC focuses heavily on high-end security, enterprise features, and a polished UI. UltraVNC is open-source and tends to work better for smaller setups or tech enthusiasts. 

Is UltraVNC secure enough for business use?

UltraVNC can be made secure, but it requires some manual configuration. Out-of-the-box, connections are not secured beyond a simple VNC password.

Does RealVNC support mobile devices?

Yes, RealVNC does support mobile devices like iOS and Android. It allows team members in the field and on the move to fully control a Windows, macOS, or Linux machine.

Which tool is better for beginners, RealVNC or UltraVNC?

With its very user-friendly interface, simple setup, and enterprise-level support, RealVNC is the better tool for absolute remote access beginners. 

Can both tools be used for cross-platform remote access?

UltraVNC only supports connections to Windows machines, but does support a Linux viewer. RealVNC Connect offers truly cross-platform support with remote access to and from Linux, Windows, macOS, Raspberry Pi, and mobile operating systems.