KasmVNC vs TigerVNC
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted remote access & vpn options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | KasmVNC | TigerVNC |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 90 · Excellent | 89 · Excellent |
| Category | Remote Access & VPN | Remote Access & VPN |
| License | GPL-2.0 | GPL-2.0 |
| Language | C++ | C++ |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | bare-metal, binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 5,272 | ★ 7,504 |
| First released | 2020 | 2009 |
| Replaces | TightVNC, RealVNC | RealVNC |
What are KasmVNC and TigerVNC?
KasmVNC
KasmVNC is a VNC server that delivers remote Linux desktops directly to a web browser without any client software. It offers improved performance and security over traditional VNC implementations.
- Browser-based VNC client
- No native client needed
- Encrypted connections
- Improved performance
TigerVNC
TigerVNC is a high-performance, open-source implementation of VNC for remote desktop access. It offers server and client components for Windows, Linux, and macOS.
- High-performance VNC
- Cross-platform server and client
- TLS encryption
- Per-user virtual desktops
KasmVNC vs TigerVNC: key differences
Both projects are written in C++. TigerVNC is the lighter option, starting around 128 MB of RAM against 512 MB for KasmVNC. TigerVNC is the more established project (first released 2009), while KasmVNC arrived in 2020. KasmVNC lists first-class Docker deployment; TigerVNC does not.
Why pick each one
Choose KasmVNC if…
- Released under the GPL-2.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Mature project with 5.3k GitHub stars
- Written in C++
Choose TigerVNC if…
- Released under the GPL-2.0 license
- Mature project with 7.5k GitHub stars
- Written in C++
- Tiny footprint — runs in 128 MB RAM
Frequently asked questions
Is KasmVNC or TigerVNC better?
Neither is universally better. TigerVNC has the larger community; both share a medium setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are KasmVNC and TigerVNC free and open-source?
Yes. KasmVNC is licensed under GPL-2.0 and TigerVNC under GPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run KasmVNC and TigerVNC with Docker?
KasmVNC: yes. TigerVNC: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, KasmVNC or TigerVNC?
TigerVNC has the smaller minimum footprint at 128 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for KasmVNC. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.