KasmVNC vs x11vnc
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 | x11vnc |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 90 · Excellent | 22 · At risk |
| 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 | 64 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | bare-metal, binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 5,272 | ★ 857 |
| First released | 2020 | 2002 |
| Replaces | TightVNC, RealVNC | TightVNC, RealVNC |
What are KasmVNC and x11vnc?
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
x11vnc
x11vnc is a VNC server that allows remote access to an existing X11 display, letting you view and control a physical desktop session over the network. It is a long-standing tool for remote Linux desktops.
- Access existing X11 sessions
- View physical desktops
- SSH tunneling support
- Lightweight
KasmVNC vs x11vnc: key differences
KasmVNC is written in C++, while x11vnc is built with C. X11vnc is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 512 MB for KasmVNC. X11vnc is the more established project (first released 2002), while KasmVNC arrived in 2020. KasmVNC has the considerably larger community, at 5,272 GitHub stars versus 857. KasmVNC lists first-class Docker deployment; x11vnc 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 x11vnc if…
- Released under the GPL-2.0 license
- Written in C
- Tiny footprint — runs in 64 MB RAM
Frequently asked questions
Is KasmVNC or x11vnc better?
Neither is universally better. KasmVNC has the larger community; both share a medium setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are KasmVNC and x11vnc free and open-source?
Yes. KasmVNC is licensed under GPL-2.0 and x11vnc under GPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run KasmVNC and x11vnc with Docker?
KasmVNC: yes. x11vnc: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, KasmVNC or x11vnc?
x11vnc has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for KasmVNC. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.