The difference between Remote Desktop (RDP) and VPN

While people are constantly connecting to remote servers to browse the web, talk to friends, and play games, gaining uncontrolled access comes from one of two ways: Remote Desktop and Virtual Private Network, also known as VPN.

Did you know that you can access and use the computer system from another computer or the device you are using right now? Sound strange, right?

In fact, this is quite simple. While people are constantly connecting to remote servers to browse the web, talk to friends, and play games, gaining uncontrolled access comes from one of two ways: Remote Desktop and Virtual Private Network, also known as VPN.

Interestingly, though, these are 2 very different things. Both have obvious differences, as well as some pros and cons. In this article, TipsMake.com will go into detail explaining the difference between Remote Desktop and VPN to help you decide which solution is best for your needs.

Remote Desktop (RDP) price, marketcap, chart, and fundamentals info

Remote Desktop, also known as RDP and screen sharing, is software that allows you to connect wirelessly to other computer systems, so that you have complete access to that computer.

It doesn't matter whether the computer is in the same building, or thousands of miles away, you can easily connect and use it as if you were there. All you need is a Remote Desktop tool or software and some popular options include RealVNC, Netviewer, LogMeIn, Teamviewer, Citrix, and Apple Screen Sharing.

On Remote Desktop, you effectively take full control of the system. This also means that it is often not available to the actual person sitting in front of the computer, but instead watching how you remotely control the system. All keystrokes and mouse movements are sent to the remote computer via the Internet. On the other hand, the screen is also sent to the other person so they can see what's going on.

What is a VPN?

A VPN differs greatly from RDP. While using a VPN service, your device connects to the VPN server. You cannot control a VPN server directly, like Remote Desktop. A VPN works like a communication tunnel and allows you to change your IP address so you can maintain security and anonymity while online.

Once connected to the VPN, you continue to use your device instead of the external one. However, your device is still protected from many online threats and virtual location changes offer many other advantages.

The security aspect is the most important advantage of using a VPN over RDP. Remote Desktop doesn't have features like encryption, while every major VPN brand offers up to 256-bit encryption.

The difference between Remote Desktop (RDP) and VPN

When it comes to comparing Remote Desktop (RDP) and VPN, there are 4 main concerns that include:

Security

RDP uses encrypted channels to provide a secure remote environment. However, some clients (especially old options) may not be compatible with this encryption.

Flexibility

If you want access to your network and its resources from anywhere, a VPN can help. However, RDP gives you complete control of a local computer remotely, unlike a VPN. So RDP is better than a VPN in terms of flexibility.

But it should be considered that a VPN is not only about screen sharing, enhancing privacy and security online, but also providing remote access to the network. So in the end it all depends on your needs.

Usability

However, a VPN can be used on any device of your choice, as there are user-friendly apps available for all major platforms. Most of them can also be used in the browser as extensions or add-ons. They slow down your connection to some extent, but can also help speed things up in some cases.

Cost

VPNs are generally more cost-friendly than RDP (since the cost is mostly based on a device-by-device basis). Many VPN providers also offer seasonal deals, allowing users to get subscriptions at a reasonably discounted price.

RDP, VPN or both?

This depends on your situation and whether you are a business or a person.

For Businesses

Employees should use a VPN to provide secure Internet access when using a shared WiFi network.

VPNs must be deployed by employees to ensure secure remote access to the corporate network and its resources.

If your employees need to access and use a remote independent system, use RDP.

If the IT team requires remote access to employee computers, they can easily perform troubleshooting and maintenance operations using RDP.

For individuals

- If you want to access the Internet securely, privately and freely, use a VPN.

- To stream content not available from anywhere, use a VPN.

- To avoid surveillance, use a VPN.

There may be a rare instance where you need to access your home computer remotely or let a trusted acquaintance do it. In this case, you should use RDP.

VPN is the best solution as it offers the right features for your daily browsing needs. A VPN protects your online privacy and doesn't let other organizations access your network. You cannot do these with RDP.

As for RDPs, they can only be set up and used on a desktop or laptop computer. They also require high Internet speeds to function properly, but in most cases lag is common.