QVD vs ThinLinc
QVD
theqvd.com
ThinLinc
cendio.comSide by side
| Figure | QVD | ThinLinc |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $5.50/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 8 | 13 |
| Spec score · Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Software | 8.8 (#4) | 8.7 (#5) |
| Authentication | QVD can use authentication plugins, and its documentation describes LDAP and Active Directory integration. | The feature list includes password, one-time password, public key, smart card, and Kerberos ticket authentication. |
| Authentication integrations | LDAP and Microsoft Active Directory authentication are supported through QVD integration mechanisms. | ThinLinc uses normal Linux system authentication and can integrate with eDirectory, Active Directory and NIS. |
| Client platforms | Download materials list clients for Linux, Windows, macOS, Raspberry Pi, iOS and Android. | Client downloads are offered for Windows, Mac, and Linux, while the feature list also includes browser access. |
| Company legal name | QVD is developed by Qindel Group, a privately held IT-services and consulting company. | Crunchbase identifies the maker’s legal name as Cendio Aktiebolag, also known as Cendio AB. |
| Documentation depth | The documentation site provides release notes, architecture, installation, administration, WAT, client and API guides, plus upgrade and patching procedures. | Cendio publishes a versioned Administrator’s Guide covering installation, clients, command-line tools, clustering, configuration and troubleshooting. |
| Product | QVD is an open-source VDI solution for Linux desktops that offers on-site and cloud desktop services. | ThinLinc centrally hosts Linux applications and desktops in a data center or cloud for remote access. |
| Security | The vendor lists encrypted connections, backup and restore simplification, device-connection controls and connection traceability. | ThinLinc routes traffic through SSH tunnels and TLS, and sends encrypted pixels to clients. |
| System requirements | Current macOS client documentation specifies macOS Sequoia 15 or Tahoe 26 on Apple Silicon M1 or later, with Intel unsupported. | 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. |
| Trial | The site offers a free 30-day QVD trial with no commitment. | Cendio offers free time-limited evaluation licenses and technical pre-sales support. |
| What it does | QVD is a Linux-focused virtual desktop infrastructure platform for delivering remote Linux desktops. | ThinLinc is a Linux remote-desktop server that centralizes Linux desktops and applications for access from remote devices. |
Plans
QVD
- Community EditionFree
- QVD Community EditionFree
- Enterprise Edition€76 a year
- Online Edition$76 a year
- Education EditionPriced on request
- QVD Education EditionPriced on request
- QVD Enterprise EditionPriced on request
- QVD Online EditionPrice not published
ThinLinc
- FreeFree
- Standard$122 a year
- Premium$168 a year
- Community licenseFree
- FreeFree
- ThinLinc Standard (500+ users)$66 a year
- ThinLinc Premium (500+ users)$91 a year
- ThinLinc Standard (11–49 users)$103 a year
- ThinLinc Standard (1–10 users)$122 a year
- ThinLinc Premium (11–49 users)$142 a year
In their own words
ThinLinc
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.