KasmVNC vs noVNC
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted remote access & vpn options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Not the right match-up?
KasmVNC
Modern VNC server with a browser-based client
VS
noVNC
VNC client that runs entirely in the browser
| Feature | KasmVNC | noVNC |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Remote Access & VPN | Remote Access & VPN |
| License | GPL-2.0 | MPL-2.0 |
| Language | C++ | JavaScript |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 64 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | bare-metal, docker, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 5,167 | ★ 13,911 |
| First released | 2020 | 2010 |
| Replaces | TightVNC, RealVNC | RealVNC |
Why pick each one
Choose KasmVNC if…
- Released under the GPL-2.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Mature project with 5.2k GitHub stars
- Written in C++
Choose noVNC if…
- Released under the MPL-2.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Mature project with 13.9k GitHub stars
Frequently asked questions
Is KasmVNC or noVNC better?
noVNC is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider KasmVNC if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are KasmVNC and noVNC free and open-source?
Yes. KasmVNC is licensed under GPL-2.0 and noVNC under MPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run KasmVNC and noVNC with Docker?
KasmVNC: yes. noVNC: yes.