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ThinLinc

cendio.com

From $5.50/mo Free plan WebWindowsmacOSLinuxiOSAndroid
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Spec score 9.2 #6 of 135 in Remote desktop software

What it is

ThinLinc centrally hosts Linux applications and desktops in a data center or cloud, then makes them available for remote access from Windows, macOS, Linux, or a web browser. Its server feature list includes high availability, fail-over, clustering, load balancing, multiple sessions per user, and single-application publishing. Authentication options include passwords, one-time passwords, public keys, smart cards, and Kerberos tickets. Traffic passes through SSH tunnels and TLS, with encrypted pixels sent to clients. ThinLinc includes TigerVNC, noVNC, OpenSSH, CUPS, and PulseAudio. The maker describes the software as suitable for demanding EDA and CAD workloads, including access from different locations. The server allows three concurrent graphical sessions by default; a separate free license file raises this to ten concurrent users. ThinLinc offers free time-limited evaluation licenses. Its free plan is listed at free, for 10 concurrent users. Standard is $122 a year per user and Premium is $168 a year per user; both are billed in advance for 12 months and cover 1–10 users.

Spec sheet

What it does
ThinLinc is a Linux remote-desktop server that centralizes Linux desktops and applications for access from remote devices.Read 15 Oct 2026 · cendio.com
Product
ThinLinc centrally hosts Linux applications and desktops in a data center or cloud for remote access.Read 7 Oct 2026 · cendio.com
Free plan
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · cendio.com
Trial
Cendio offers free time-limited evaluation licenses and technical pre-sales support.Read 7 Oct 2026 · cendio.com
Mobile apps
NoRead 20 Sep 2026 · cendio.com
Security
ThinLinc routes traffic through SSH tunnels and TLS, and sends encrypted pixels to clients.Read 7 Oct 2026 · cendio.com
Headquarters
Linköping, SwedenRead 28 Sep 2026 · cendio.com
Founded
1992Read 28 Sep 2026 · cendio.com
Administration
ThinLinc provides web-based administration and command-line administration tools.Read 15 Oct 2026 · cendio.com
Authentication
The feature list includes password, one-time password, public key, smart card, and Kerberos ticket authentication.Read 7 Oct 2026 · cendio.com
Authentication integrations
ThinLinc uses normal Linux system authentication and can integrate with eDirectory, Active Directory and NIS.Read 15 Oct 2026 · cendio.com
Client device support
Native clients support Windows, macOS and Linux, while browser access supports modern browsers and mobile devices.Read 15 Oct 2026 · cendio.com
Client platforms
Client downloads are offered for Windows, Mac, and Linux, while the feature list also includes browser access.Read 7 Oct 2026 · cendio.com
Company adoption
Cendio says more than 500 organizations use ThinLinc and more than 120,000 end users access Linux desktops through it each day.Read 15 Oct 2026 · cendio.com
Company and audience
Cendio says it was founded in 1992 and that its customers are mainly in the industrial, educational, and healthcare sectors.Read 7 Oct 2026 · cendio.com
Company headquarters and size
LinkedIn lists headquarters in Linköping, Sweden and a company size of 11–50 employees.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
Company history
Cendio says it was founded in 1992 by students from Linköping University and changed its legal name to Cendio AB in 2003.Read 15 Oct 2026 · cendio.com
Company legal name
Crunchbase identifies the maker’s legal name as Cendio Aktiebolag, also known as Cendio AB.Read 15 Oct 2026 · crunchbase.com
Deployment model
The server converts a regular Linux distribution into a centralized remote-desktop system and can run standalone or in a cluster.Read 15 Oct 2026 · cendio.com
Developer and IT controls
The tlclient command supports server, username, configuration-file and other command-line controls, while tlctl manages cluster sessions, load and licenses.Read 15 Oct 2026 · cendio.com
Documentation depth
Cendio publishes a versioned Administrator’s Guide covering installation, clients, command-line tools, clustering, configuration and troubleshooting.Read 15 Oct 2026 · cendio.com
Free usage
The server includes three community licences by default and can be raised to ten concurrent users with a separate community licence file.Read 15 Oct 2026 · cendio.com
Graphics acceleration
The server lists VirtualGL integration for server-side OpenGL acceleration.Read 15 Oct 2026 · cendio.com
High availability
The server supports failover, clustering and load balancing for Linux deployments.Read 15 Oct 2026 · cendio.com
Installation
The server is installed from a downloaded bundle with install-server and configured through tl-setup, including master or agent cluster roles.Read 15 Oct 2026 · cendio.com
Licence
ThinLinc is proprietary software licensed per concurrent user; its EULA separately identifies third-party open-source components and their own licences.Read 15 Oct 2026 · cendio.com
Limit: gaming and frame rate
A Reddit sysadmin discussion reports that ThinLinc prioritizes image quality and can show frame skips or weaker game performance for demanding interactive use.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Limit: macOS multi-monitor experience
A Software Advice reviewer reported that the macOS client feels less native and that its full-screen multi-monitor handling is awkward.Read 15 Oct 2026 · softwareadvice.com
Mac support
The Mac client runs natively on Intel chips and works with Apple chips through Rosetta.Read 7 Oct 2026 · cendio.com
Open-source components
The published component list includes BSD, Apache 2.0, MIT-derived, GPLv2 and other open-source licences for bundled components such as noVNC, OpenSSL, PulseAudio, RRDtool and TigerVNC.Read 15 Oct 2026 · cendio.com
OpenID Connect
Web Access includes OpenID Connect support for automated authentication integrations.Read 15 Oct 2026 · cendio.com
Praise: device flexibility
Reviewers on Software Advice praise being able to reach work from desktops, phones and other devices.Read 15 Oct 2026 · softwareadvice.com
Praise: reliability and low bandwidth
Software Advice reviewers repeatedly describe ThinLinc as dependable, secure and usable over slow or low-bandwidth connections.Read 15 Oct 2026 · softwareadvice.com
Rating on Capterra
4.8 out of 5 from 6 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · capterra.com
Rating on GetApp
4.8 out of 5 from 6 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · getapp.com
Rating on Software Advice
4.8 out of 5 from 6 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · softwareadvice.com
Release note
ThinLinc 4.19.0 replaced its load-balancer algorithm, added mouse back/forward support and dropped support for several obsolete Linux distributions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · cendio.com
Security reporting
Cendio says it will acknowledge vulnerability reports within two working days to discuss a recovery plan and potential publication.Read 7 Oct 2026 · cendio.com
Security update
ThinLinc 4.21.0 patched a vulnerability that could let a user bypass a ForceCommand restriction and obtain a remote shell.Read 15 Oct 2026 · cendio.com
Server features
The server feature list includes high availability, fail-over, clustering, load balancing, multiple sessions per user, and single application publishing.Read 7 Oct 2026 · cendio.com
Server limit
The server supports three concurrent graphical sessions by default, and a separate free license file enables up to ten concurrent users.Read 7 Oct 2026 · cendio.com
Session features
Administrators can allow multiple sessions per user, select desktop environments, publish a single application and enforce idle timeouts.Read 15 Oct 2026 · cendio.com
Support limit
Free users receive community support; email support requires a support agreement, while evaluation support is available through the pre-sales team.Read 7 Oct 2026 · cendio.com
Supported platforms
Windows,macOS,Linux,web browsersRead 20 Sep 2026 · cendio.com
System requirements
The documented minimum server requirements are x86_64-compatible CPU, GLIBC 2.28 or newer, Python 3.6 or newer, RPM or DEB package support and an SSH server.Read 15 Oct 2026 · cendio.com
Transport security
Native clients use SSH encryption and Web Access uses TLS; both support strong algorithms such as AES-256.Read 15 Oct 2026 · cendio.com
Use cases
Cendio describes ThinLinc as suited to demanding EDA and CAD workloads, including access from any location.Read 7 Oct 2026 · cendio.com
Web Access limitation
Browser security prevents direct clipboard integration, so Web Access uses a separate clipboard dialog.Read 15 Oct 2026 · cendio.com
Web client
ThinLinc Web Access is an HTML5 client based on noVNC and requires no browser plug-in or extension.Read 15 Oct 2026 · cendio.com

Plans and prices

Free Free 10 concurrent users Read 20 Sep 2026 · cendio.com
Standard $122 a year Price per 12 months per user; subscriptions are paid in advance 1–10 users Read 20 Sep 2026 · cendio.com
Premium $168 a year Price per 12 months per user; subscriptions are paid in advance 1–10 users Read 20 Sep 2026 · cendio.com
Community license Free Up to 10 concurrent users · No official support Read 15 Oct 2026 · cendio.com
Free Free 10 concurrent users · community support · full featured software · upgrades Read 7 Oct 2026 · cendio.com
ThinLinc Standard (500+ users) $66 a year 12 months, paid in advance 500+ concurrent users · Standard subscription Read 15 Oct 2026 · cendio.com
ThinLinc Premium (500+ users) $91 a year 12 months, paid in advance 500+ concurrent users · Premium subscription Read 15 Oct 2026 · cendio.com
ThinLinc Standard (11–49 users) $103 a year 12 months, paid in advance 11–49 concurrent users · Standard subscription Read 15 Oct 2026 · cendio.com
ThinLinc Standard (1–10 users) $122 a year 12 months, paid in advance 1–10 concurrent users · Standard subscription Read 15 Oct 2026 · cendio.com
ThinLinc Premium (11–49 users) $142 a year 12 months, paid in advance 11–49 concurrent users · Premium subscription Read 15 Oct 2026 · cendio.com
ThinLinc Premium (1–10 users) $168 a year 12 months, paid in advance 1–10 concurrent users · Premium subscription Read 15 Oct 2026 · cendio.com
Standard $49,122 a year per user and year 1 to unlimited users · support tickets answered within two business days · upgrades Read 7 Oct 2026 · cendio.com

Every ThinLinc plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Offers browser access and Windows, Mac, and Linux clients.
  • Supports clustering, load balancing, and fail-over.
  • Includes several authentication methods, including smart cards.
  • Free license file allows up to ten concurrent users.
  • Free, Standard, and Premium plans are listed.

Limits

  • No mobile apps are listed.
  • Default server limit is three concurrent graphical sessions.
  • Email support requires a support agreement.
  • Mac client uses Rosetta on Apple chips.

Who it suits

ThinLinc suits organizations that need remote access to centrally hosted Linux applications or desktops, including users with demanding EDA or CAD workloads. Its listed customer sectors include industrial, educational, and healthcare organizations.

ThinLinc in depth

Read the full write-up

ThinLinc centrally delivers Linux desktops and applications to people working remotely, with a particular fit for organizations running demanding CAD or EDA workloads. It is strongest when Linux hosting, server resilience and flexible authentication matter; its free license has a concurrent-user ceiling, and there are no mobile apps.

Overview

ThinLinc places Linux applications and desktops in a data center or cloud rather than on each user’s machine. That makes it a considered choice for industrial, educational and healthcare organizations that need to give distributed users access to shared Linux workloads. It is not a general-purpose remote-control tool for someone who simply wants to reach one personal computer.

Connections use SSH tunnels and TLS, with encrypted pixels sent to clients. Server capabilities include high availability, fail-over, clustering and load balancing, alongside multiple sessions per user and single-application publishing. Those features suit managed multi-user deployments, though they also point to a server-based setup rather than a lightweight individual utility.

Key features

Central Linux access: Users can reach hosted desktops and individual applications remotely, including resource-demanding CAD and EDA work. This is useful when workloads need to stay centralized rather than run on users’ own devices.

Resilience and session options: Clustering, load balancing, high availability and fail-over support deployments that need continuity. Multiple sessions per user and single-application publishing give administrators options beyond presenting a full desktop.

Authentication choices: Password, one-time password, public key, smart card and Kerberos ticket authentication are supported, allowing organizations to use different sign-in methods.

Open-source components: ThinLinc includes TigerVNC, noVNC, OpenSSH, CUPS and PulseAudio. Cendio also says it will acknowledge vulnerability reports within two working days to discuss recovery planning and possible publication.

Pricing

ThinLinc has a free plan and two paid plans, with paid subscriptions charged in advance for one-to-ten users. The stated paid prices are per user per year.

PlanPriceTerms and fitFreefreeUp to 10 concurrent users under a separate free license file; suitable for a small deployment that can work within the concurrency cap.Standard$122 a yearPer user, billed every 12 months and paid in advance; 1–10 users.Premium$168 a yearPer user, billed every 12 months and paid in advance; 1–10 users.The server supports three concurrent graphical sessions by default; the free license file raises the allowance to ten concurrent users. That distinction matters if a deployment expects more than three people to be connected at once. Free users receive community support, while email support requires a support agreement. Cendio offers time-limited evaluation licenses and technical pre-sales support, so prospective buyers can assess the product before committing.

The plan details do not distinguish Standard from Premium by features, so the price difference alone is not a basis for choosing between them. Organizations that need email support should account for the separate support agreement rather than assume it comes with free use.

Platforms

ThinLinc supports Windows, macOS and Linux clients, as well as browser access; the platform range also includes self-hosted deployment. There are no mobile apps, so it is a poor fit for teams that require native phone or tablet clients. The Mac client runs natively on Intel Macs and supports Apple-chip Macs through Rosetta.

Who it's for

ThinLinc is best suited to organizations that centrally host Linux desktops or applications for remote users, especially those with demanding EDA or CAD workloads. Its authentication breadth and availability features make it relevant to managed environments in industrial, education and healthcare settings. It is less suitable when mobile apps are essential, or when users need only straightforward access to an individual desktop.

Pros and cons

Pro — Built around remote Linux workloads: Central hosting and single-application publishing address organizations delivering Linux applications, including demanding CAD and EDA tools.

Pro — Server-side continuity features: High availability, fail-over, clustering and load balancing support multi-user deployments where interruptions matter.

Pro — Multiple authentication methods: Password, one-time password, public key, smart card and Kerberos ticket options accommodate different access requirements.

Con — Concurrent-session limits need attention: The default is three graphical sessions, and even the free license file caps concurrent users at ten.

Con — No mobile apps: Access is through desktop clients or a browser, not native mobile applications.

Con — Support is not all included: Free users get community support; email support requires a support agreement.

Alternatives

For other deployment models, compare the Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Software and Remote desktop software categories. QVD is another freemium option with a free plan and a broader stated platform range that includes Android and iOS; consider it when mobile access matters. Amazon WorkSpaces is a paid service with a free plan and a Windows single-session user fee priced at $4.19 a month, plus provisioned instance-hour charges, making it an option to examine for that Windows-oriented pricing model.

Leostream Platform uses custom pricing and has a one-year commitment with a 25-user minimum, so it is a candidate for larger deployments willing to seek a quote. UDS Enterprise has a paid plan priced at €78 a year for 50–700 concurrent users, which may suit buyers evaluating that concurrency range. Hive Fabric offers a free Community Edition described as a perpetual license for one physical host with unlimited VMs, a different model for those prioritizing that host-and-VM arrangement.

Inuvika OVD Enterprise has a five-year subscription priced at $7.50 a year per concurrent user per month, for buyers considering a long-term concurrent-user commitment. Hydra has a free Community Edition with limited tenants and host pools and a Windows 365 plan at $1 a month; it is worth comparing for those constraints. NComputing VERDE VDI offers a 30-day, 10-seat trial, a straightforward option for evaluating a concurrent-seat license.

Verdict

Choose ThinLinc if your organization needs to deliver centrally hosted Linux desktops or applications to remote users and values server-side resilience and varied authentication methods. Its free license gives small deployments a way to start, but the three-session default, ten-user free cap, lack of mobile apps and separate email-support agreement are meaningful constraints. Look elsewhere if native mobile access or a different deployment and licensing model is central to your decision.

Verdict

ThinLinc specifies its remote Linux hosting, server capabilities, access methods, and authentication options. Check the concurrent-session terms and support conditions against your needs before choosing a plan.

Where Specifiction places it

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