{"id":22689,"date":"2023-09-07T11:56:04","date_gmt":"2023-09-07T11:56:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.realvnc.com\/en\/?post_type=blog&#038;p=22689"},"modified":"2026-10-13T11:15:30","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T10:15:30","slug":"rdp-vs-rdc","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.realvnc.com\/en\/blog\/rdp-vs-rdc\/","title":{"rendered":"RDP vs RDC: What&#8217;s the difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"22689\" class=\"elementor elementor-22689\" data-elementor-post-type=\"blog\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c962d91 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c962d91\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c6e7da4\" data-id=\"c6e7da4\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9dfc439 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9dfc439\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Remote desktop technologies are essential tools for modern businesses, enabling seamless <a href=\"\/en\/discover\/remote-work-from-home-access\/\">remote work<\/a>, efficient support, and effective collaboration.<\/p><p>Two common terms you may hear in this space are Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) and Remote Desktop Connection (RDC). While these acronyms may appear interchangeable at first glance, they refer to distinct components within remote access. Understanding the nuances between these technologies can help you make informed decisions to meet your specific needs.<\/p><p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-127652 size-full\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/rdp-authentication-methods.webp\" alt=\"Illustration of a tablet with a security shield, padlock and login icons representing authentication methods\" width=\"1200\" height=\"820\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.realvnc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/rdp-authentication-methods.webp 1200w, https:\/\/www.realvnc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/rdp-authentication-methods-300x205.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.realvnc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/rdp-authentication-methods-1024x700.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.realvnc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/rdp-authentication-methods-768x525.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p><h2>What is Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)?<\/h2><p>Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is a proprietary protocol developed by Microsoft that <a href=\"\/en\/discover\/remote-desktop\/\">provides access<\/a> to remote PCs and remote servers. You can control a remote machine to perform tasks as if you were sitting in front of it.<\/p><p>Here are the key features of RDP:<\/p><ul><li><strong>Secure: <\/strong>RDP uses strong encryption and multi-factor authentication. It also supports Network Level Authentication (NLA), which adds an extra layer of security by requiring the user to authenticate before a remote session is established.<\/li><li><strong>Flexible: <\/strong>RDP works with various Windows operating systems and can also work with other operating systems using third-party software.<\/li><li><strong>Fast: <\/strong>Optimized for high performance with low latency, RDP ensures a smooth remote experience even when the local machine is on a low-bandwidth connection.<\/li><li>RDP can handle tasks over remote connections even in low-bandwidth situations.<\/li><\/ul><p>RDP is used by system administrators for remote administration, virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), and remote support. It\u2019s particularly useful in environments where secure and fast remote access to a network or system is critical.<\/p><h2>What is remote desktop connection (RDC)?<\/h2><p><a href=\"\/en\/blog\/remote-desktop\/\">Remote Desktop<\/a> Connection (RDC) is a feature built into Windows that uses RDP to connect to remote computers. It provides a graphical interface that allows users to gain full desktop control by transmitting mouse input data and keyboard strokes to the remote machine in real time.<\/p><p>Here are the key features of RDC:<\/p><ul><li><strong>Simple: <\/strong>RDC has a user-friendly interface built into Windows, so users can set up and use it without extensive technical knowledge.<\/li><li><strong>Accessible:<\/strong> You can access from any Windows device, so users can connect to their work computers from home or other remote locations.<\/li><li><strong>Integrated:<\/strong> Seamlessly integrates with other Microsoft services, providing a cohesive and secure remote experience.<\/li><\/ul><p>RDC is perfect for individual users who want to connect to their work computers from home, or for IT professionals <a href=\"\/en\/discover\/ios-and-android-remote-access-software\/\">managing multiple devices<\/a> on a network. Its simplicity and integration with Windows make it a great choice for many users.<\/p><h2>Key differences between RDP and RDC<\/h2><p>While RDP and RDC are related, they are not the same. Here are the differences:<\/p><ul><li><strong>Technology and architecture: <\/strong>RDP is the underlying technology (the protocol) under the remote connection, and RDC is the client application that uses RDP.<\/li><li><strong>User experience:<\/strong> RDC has a simplified interface for nontechnical users. RDP offers the underlying protocol capabilities that allow administrators to manage an active RDP session and perform critical system changes.<\/li><li><strong>Performance:<\/strong> Both RDP and RDC are high performance but RDP\u2019s advanced features can be more optimized in complex environments. RDP\u2019s performance is enhanced by RemoteFX, which improves the graphical experience when interacting with a remote system.<\/li><li><strong>Security: <\/strong>Both have robust security features, including encryption and multi-factor authentication. But RDP has NLA (Network Level Authentication), which adds an extra layer of security. Best practices for secure usage are necessary to mitigate vulnerabilities.<\/li><li><strong>Compatibility:<\/strong> RDP supports many devices and operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile platforms through various third-party clients. RDC is designed for Windows environments but can also be used with the Microsoft Remote Desktop app on macOS.<\/li><\/ul><h2>Benefits of remote connection tools<\/h2><p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-127653 size-full\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/team-working-on-laptops.webp\" alt=\"Group of people working together on laptops\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.realvnc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/team-working-on-laptops.webp 1200w, https:\/\/www.realvnc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/team-working-on-laptops-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.realvnc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/team-working-on-laptops-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.realvnc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/team-working-on-laptops-768x512.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p><p>Remote connection tools like RDP and RDC have many benefits:<\/p><p><strong>Cost reduction:<\/strong> Remote connection tools can reduce the need for physical office space and travel expenses. Employees can work from anywhere, without the need for permanent desks or large office spaces.<\/p><p><strong>Increased security:<\/strong> While remote work brings new security challenges, remote connection tools with <a href=\"\/en\/connect\/security\/\">advanced security features<\/a> can protect sensitive data. Encryption, multi-factor authentication, and secure access protocols are necessary to maintain security.<\/p><p><strong>Flexible working: <\/strong>These tools allow employees to work from anywhere, increasing productivity and job satisfaction. Flexible working can also make a business more resilient to disruptions such as natural disasters or pandemics.<\/p><p><strong>Better collaboration: <\/strong>Facilitate remote team collaboration. Features like real-time screen sharing, file transfer, and integrated chat can improve communication and teamwork.<\/p><h2>Remote access methods<\/h2><p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-127654 size-full\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/desktop-computer-vpn.webp\" alt=\"Man working at a desktop computer with a VPN shield symbol on the screen\" width=\"1200\" height=\"746\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.realvnc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/desktop-computer-vpn.webp 1200w, https:\/\/www.realvnc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/desktop-computer-vpn-300x187.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.realvnc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/desktop-computer-vpn-1024x637.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.realvnc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/desktop-computer-vpn-768x477.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p><p>Knowing the different remote access methods can help you choose the right one for you:<\/p><p><strong>Direct access:<\/strong> Connects local and remote devices directly. Users can control the device as if they are physically present. This method is simple and good for simple remote control scenarios.<\/p><p><strong>Indirect access:<\/strong> Uses an intermediary server to relay data between devices. This method is good for complex environments where a direct connection is not possible.<\/p><p><strong>VPN (Virtual Private Network):<\/strong> A virtual private network (VPN) enables secure data exchange by creating a secure private connection between two devices. In simple terms, it builds a private tunnel between the two devices whereby all exchanged data is protected by a layer of encryption.<\/p><h2>Types of remote access technology<\/h2><h3>RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol)<\/h3><p>Optimized for the Windows environment, RDP provides robust remote control and supports multiple devices and operating systems.<\/p><h3>VPN (Virtual Private Network)<\/h3><p>As we mentioned earlier, a VPN connection is sometimes understood as providing the remote user with a tunnel into an organization&#8217;s internal IT ecosystem. Once the connection is established from the local machine, users can then access tools and run applications as they would in-house.<\/p><p>VPNs have been around for a while now and are understandably very popular. They offer security via encryption, balancing it with flexibility. The result is that it\u2019s easier to shift files between local and remote networks.<\/p><p>However, VPNs can be difficult to set up, sometimes requiring significant technical expertise.<\/p><p>Furthermore, a VPN doesn\u2019t give remote users access to the remote desktop of a specific device. Instead, users can access the tools and resources on a remote network more generally.<\/p><h3>Secure remote access<\/h3><p>Secure remote access provides users with direct control of a device that\u2019s elsewhere, allowing them to interact with that device as if they\u2019re sitting in front of it. At the same time, someone else literally sitting in front of that device would be able to watch the remote user\u2019s actions.<\/p><p>With a VPN connection, a remote user connects to a network rather than a specific device. But with secure remote access (and RDP, as well), you can view and control a specific device.<\/p><h4>Business applications for secure remote access<\/h4><p>This makes secure remote access a powerful business tool. For instance, remote workers can access their office computers even when they\u2019re working from home, and IT support staff can troubleshoot or resolve issues on an employee\u2019s computer (or mobile, tablet, or other device) no matter where either individual is based. This supports flexibility and keeps employees productive.<\/p><p>Secure remote access connections are generally facilitated by specialist software. <a href=\"\/en\/blog\/best-remote-access-software\/\">Remote access software<\/a> takes care of the technical steps involved in remote connection, making it a convenient option for a wide range of users.<\/p><p>Of course, for security reasons, keeping any remote access software up to date is essential, and ensuring all the latest patches are installed.<\/p><h2>What are remote desktop services (RDS)?<\/h2><p>Remote Desktop Services (RDS) are a set of components in the Microsoft Windows operating system. It\u2019s underpinned by Microsoft\u2019s <a href=\"\/en\/blog\/what-is-rdp\/\">Remote Desktop Protocol<\/a> (RDP), mentioned above.<\/p><p>A core benefit of these components is that they allow users to manage multiple virtual desktops from a single interface. Once connected, users can interact (remotely) with that desktop. RDS allows multiple users to maintain their own separate user sessions on a single server.<\/p><p>RDS system permissions dictate the experience, however, in theory, individuals can use the remote desktop (including access to all its software, files, and tools) as if it\u2019s installed on the machine they\u2019re sitting at.<\/p><p>However, RDS does have limitations. One is that it doesn\u2019t support effective screen-sharing, which can limit its business applications. Screen-sharing technology benefits collaboration and tech support, for example.<\/p><h2>Remote access software from RealVNC<\/h2><p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-127655 size-full\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/realvnc-remote-access-dashboard.webp\" alt=\"RealVNC remote access dashboard on a laptop screen\" width=\"1200\" height=\"706\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.realvnc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/realvnc-remote-access-dashboard.webp 1200w, https:\/\/www.realvnc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/realvnc-remote-access-dashboard-300x177.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.realvnc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/realvnc-remote-access-dashboard-1024x602.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.realvnc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/realvnc-remote-access-dashboard-768x452.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p><p>RealVNC offers powerful remote access software that enables users to control computers remotely. It\u2019s a convincing alternative to both RDS and VPN.<\/p><p>RealVNC\u2019s flagship product, <a href=\"\/en\/connect\/\">RealVNC Connect<\/a>, makes it easy for businesses to provide secure remote access and support from anywhere. The system is platform agnostic, working across a wide range of operating systems and other platforms to provide businesses with complete access and secure support from anywhere.<\/p><h3>Enhancing the user experience with RealVNC Connect<\/h3><p>RealVNC Connect delivers high-quality, smooth, and responsive remote connections. You\u2019ll feel like you\u2019re right in front of the host device, especially with its remote desktop capabilities.<\/p><p>Additionally, RealVNC\u2019s software makes <a href=\"\/en\/discover\/screen-sharing\/\">screen-sharing collaboration<\/a> across your teams easy. For instance, IT support staff can access an employee\u2019s device and fix an issue while the employee watches. Want to explore RealVNC\u2019s capabilities for yourself? <a href=\"https:\/\/manage.realvnc.com\/en\/auth\/sign_up\">Get started with a free trial<\/a>!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>RDP vs RDC: learn how Microsoft&#8217;s Remote Desktop Protocol differs from the Remote Desktop Connection client, including features, security and use.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":31,"featured_media":22691,"template":"","blog_category":[369],"class_list":["post-22689","blog","type-blog","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","blog_category-remote-desktop"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.7 (Yoast SEO v28.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>RDP vs RDC: What&#039;s the Difference? - RealVNC\u00ae<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"RDP vs RDC: learn how Microsoft&#039;s Remote Desktop Protocol differs from the Remote Desktop Connection client, including features, security and use.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.realvnc.com\/en\/blog\/rdp-vs-rdc\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"RDP vs RDC: What&#039;s the difference?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"RDP vs RDC: learn how Microsoft&#039;s Remote Desktop Protocol differs from the Remote Desktop Connection client, including features, security and use.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.realvnc.com\/en\/blog\/rdp-vs-rdc\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"RealVNC\u00ae\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/realvnc\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-10-13T10:15:30+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.realvnc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/image1-1024x683.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"683\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@realvnc\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.realvnc.com\\\/en\\\/blog\\\/rdp-vs-rdc\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.realvnc.com\\\/en\\\/blog\\\/rdp-vs-rdc\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"RealVNC\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.realvnc.com\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/505d415578d7c153d5d004b19f33b53f\"},\"headline\":\"RDP vs RDC: What&#8217;s the difference?\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-09-07T11:56:04+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-10-13T10:15:30+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.realvnc.com\\\/en\\\/blog\\\/rdp-vs-rdc\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1506,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.realvnc.com\\\/en\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.realvnc.com\\\/en\\\/blog\\\/rdp-vs-rdc\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.realvnc.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/09\\\/image1.png\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.realvnc.com\\\/en\\\/blog\\\/rdp-vs-rdc\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.realvnc.com\\\/en\\\/blog\\\/rdp-vs-rdc\\\/\",\"name\":\"RDP vs RDC: What's the Difference? 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