What is X2Go?

X2Go is a secure, open-source remote desktop solution that allows users to access Linux systems over SSH using the NX protocol, offering persistent sessions, audio support, and seamless app forwarding—ideal for low-bandwidth and multi-user environments.

✅ Key Features of X2Go

1. Secure SSH-Based Access
   ➤ All sessions are encrypted over SSH, ensuring safe remote connections.
2. NX Protocol Compression
   ➤ Delivers smooth performance even on slow or unstable networks.
3. Persistent Sessions
   ➤ Users can disconnect and resume sessions without losing work.
4. Seamless Application Mode
   ➤ Launch individual remote apps as if they were running locally.
5. Multi-User Session Support
   ➤ Each user gets an isolated desktop session on the same host.
6. Audio Forwarding
   ➤ Redirects remote audio via PulseAudio to the local machine.
7. Clipboard Sharing
   ➤ Supports text/image clipboard sync between host and client.
8. Built-in File Transfer
   ➤ Secure file uploads/downloads using the SSH tunnel.
9. Cross-Platform Clients
   ➤ Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux desktops.
10. Low Resource Footprint
    ➤ Lightweight on server and client systems; ideal for legacy hardware.

What is XRDP?

XRDP is an open-source service that allows Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) clients (like Windows Remote Desktop) to connect to Linux systems, enabling GUI access over the network using the native RDP standard.

✅ Key Features of XRDP

1. RDP Protocol Support
   ➤ Allows native RDP clients (e.g., Windows Remote Desktop) to access Linux desktops.
2. Cross-Platform Client Compatibility
   ➤ Works with Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux RDP clients.
3. Multiple Backend Support
   ➤ Compatible with Xvnc, Xorg, and x11rdp as session backends.
4. Multi-User Access
   ➤ Supports concurrent user sessions with isolated Linux accounts.
5. Clipboard Sharing
   ➤ Enables copy-paste between local and remote sessions (text and sometimes files).
6. Audio Redirection
   ➤ Streams remote audio to the client via the RDP audio channel (client-dependent).
7. Drive and Printer Redirection
   ➤ Allows mapping of local drives and printers into the remote session (with compatible clients).
8. Dynamic Display Resizing
   ➤ Adjusts screen resolution automatically based on the client window size.
9. Authentication via PAM
   ➤ Integrates with Linux PAM for local, LDAP, or Active Directory authentication.
10. No Custom Client Needed
    ➤ Leverages standard RDP clients—no need to install third-party tools on the client side.

X2Go is a secure, SSH-based remote desktop solution using the NX protocol, ideal for Linux-to-Linux access with persistent sessions, seamless app support, and excellent performance on low-bandwidth networks.

XRDP enables RDP clients (like Windows Remote Desktop) to connect to Linux desktops using the standard RDP protocol, offering broad cross-platform support, multi-monitor compatibility, and seamless integration with Windows environments.

✅ X2Go excels in SSH-secured, Linux-native environments.
✅ XRDP is best for connecting Linux systems to Windows-based clients without extra Client software.

#1 X2Go vs XRDP – Key Similarities

• Remote Desktop Access
  ➤ Both provide full remote GUI access to Linux desktops.
• Multi-User Support
  ➤ Each supports multiple, isolated user sessions on the same host (via Linux user accounts).
• Clipboard Sharing
  ➤ Enable copy-paste functionality between local and remote systems (mainly text).
• Audio Redirection
  ➤ Support streaming of remote system audio to the client, depending on configuration and client capabilities.
• Cross-Platform Client Support
  ➤ Both allow connections from Windows, macOS, and Linux clients (though with different client tools).
• Session Backend Flexibility
  ➤ Can work with different Linux desktop environments like XFCE, MATE, and KDE (with some limitations).
• Security Capable
  ➤ Both can be secured through SSH tunneling or VPNs (X2Go uses SSH natively; XRDP can be tunneled).
• Open Source Licensing
  ➤ Both are open-source and actively maintained by their respective communities.

#1 X2Go vs XRDP – Key Differences

2.1 Protocol Used

X2Go: Uses the NX protocol, which compresses X11 traffic and streams graphical data efficiently over SSH. It delivers smooth performance, especially in high-latency or low-bandwidth conditions.

XRDP: Relies on the RDP protocol, the same protocol used by Windows Terminal Services, allowing out-of-the-box support with native RDP clients across all major platforms.

✔ X2Go offers bandwidth-optimized remote sessions, while XRDP delivers seamless interoperability with existing RDP-compatible clients.

2.2 Client Requirement

X2Go: Requires the X2Go client to connect to the server. This client is available for Linux, Windows, and macOS, and is specifically designed to support features like session persistence, seamless mode, and SSH tunneling.

XRDP: Compatible with any standard RDP client, including Microsoft Remote Desktop (mstsc), Remmina, rdesktop, FreeRDP, and mobile apps on Android and iOS.

✔ X2Go mandates a dedicated client for full feature access, while XRDP provides flexibility by supporting a wide range of native RDP clients across platforms.

2.3 Session Persistence

X2Go: Supports native session suspension and resumption, allowing users to disconnect and later reconnect to the exact same desktop state without losing open applications or data.

XRDP: By default, sessions are terminated upon disconnect. However, persistent sessions are possible with proper backend configuration using Xvnc or Xorg, but require additional setup.

✔ X2Go offers out-of-the-box session persistence, while XRDP requires manual configuration to achieve similar continuity.

2.4 Audio Support

X2Go: Provides audio redirection using PulseAudio, streaming sound from the remote Linux server to the local client seamlessly. It’s enabled by default and works reliably across supported platforms.

XRDP: Supports RDP audio redirection, but its functionality depends heavily on the RDP client being used and the backend setup. Full audio support may require additional modules like xrdp-pulseaudio-installer.

✔ X2Go offers consistent audio redirection natively via PulseAudio, while XRDP supports it conditionally, based on client capabilities and additional configuration.

2.5 File Transfer

X2Go: Supports secure file transfer using the built-in SFTP channel over SSH. Users can upload/download files directly through the X2Go client without needing additional setup.

XRDP: File transfer is not natively supported by XRDP itself. It relies on the capabilities of the RDP client, such as Windows Pro clients that support drive redirection. Even then, functionality can be inconsistent and may require backend tweaks.

✔ X2Go offers integrated, reliable file transfer via SSH, while XRDP provides limited file transfer functionality that depends entirely on the connecting RDP client.

2.6 Security and Encryption

X2Go: All connections are fully encrypted over SSH by default, including desktop data, audio, file transfers, and authentication. It uses standard SSH ports and supports key-based login for enhanced security.

XRDP: Does not provide native encryption. It transmits session data over plain RDP (TCP/3389), which can be vulnerable unless secured via SSH tunneling, VPN, or TLS configurations applied manually.

✔ X2Go is secure out-of-the-box with built-in SSH encryption, whereas XRDP requires additional tunneling or network-level security to protect session data.

2.7 Low Bandwidth Performance

X2Go: Uses the NX protocol, which employs aggressive compression, caching, and minimal X11 round-trips—delivering a smooth and responsive experience even on low-speed or high-latency networks.

XRDP: Transmits screen updates using the RDP protocol, which is less efficient on limited bandwidth, especially when using Xvnc backend, as it sends raw pixel data without advanced compression.

✔ X2Go is significantly more optimized for low-bandwidth scenarios, while XRDP may require tuning or backend adjustments to avoid lag on slower connections.

2.8 Multi-User Isolation

X2Go: Designed for true multi-user environments, it creates separate, fully isolated desktop sessions per Linux user account—each user can connect concurrently without session interference.

XRDP: Supports per-user session isolation, but the level of separation depends on the backend used (Xvnc or Xorg). Misconfiguration may lead to session collisions or overwritten displays.

✔ X2Go provides native, robust multi-user session isolation, while XRDP supports it but relies on backend setup and careful session management for consistency.

2.9 Clipboard Synchronization

X2Go: Provides bidirectional clipboard support, allowing you to copy and paste text and images between the local and remote systems. The clipboard functionality is stable across all supported platforms via the X2Go client.

XRDP: Clipboard sync is supported, but functionality depends on the RDP client. Most clients support text, and some support rich formats like RTF or HTML, but image or file-based clipboard may not work consistently.

✔ X2Go offers reliable clipboard syncing for text and images, while XRDP supports clipboard transfer with variable format support depending on the RDP client used.

2.10 Display Backend Support

X2Go: Fully supports only the X11 display server. It does not work with Wayland, and modern desktop environments running exclusively on Wayland are incompatible.

XRDP: Supports both Xorg and Xvnc backends under X11. Experimental support for Wayland exists via community patches, but it is currently unstable and not recommended for production use.

✔ X2Go is limited to X11-based environments, while XRDP supports Xorg and offers emerging, though unstable, compatibility with Wayland sessions.

#3 X2Go vs XRDP – Advanced Differences

3.1 Multi-Monitor Support

X2Go: ❌ Does not support multiple monitors. Sessions are limited to a single display, and there is no built-in ability to span or switch across monitors within a session.

XRDP: ✅ Supports multi-monitor setups when used with the Xorg backend and a compatible RDP client like Microsoft Remote Desktop. Users can span sessions across multiple screens with proper resolution handling.

✔ XRDP enables full multi-monitor functionality with Xorg, while X2Go remains restricted to single-display sessions.

3.2 Session Shadowing / Collaboration

X2Go: ❌ Does not support shared sessions or remote session control. Each user gets an isolated session with no option for viewing or co-controlling another user’s desktop.

XRDP: ❌ Also lacks native support for session shadowing, broadcasting, or collaborative control. Unlike Windows RDP servers, XRDP does not include tools for screen delegation or multiple users sharing the same session.

✔ Neither X2Go nor XRDP provides built-in session shadowing or collaborative access—both focus on isolated, single-user sessions.

3.3 Desktop Environment Compatibility

X2Go: Works best with lightweight X11-based environments like XFCE, MATE, and LXDE. Heavier desktops such as GNOME or KDE may experience performance issues or graphical glitches, especially due to their dependency on advanced compositing and Wayland.

XRDP: Supports a wide range of desktop environments including GNOME, KDE Plasma, XFCE, and LXDE. For Wayland-based desktops, additional configuration or fallback to Xorg is required to avoid session failures.

✔ X2Go is optimized for lighter desktop environments under X11, while XRDP offers broader DE compatibility, including heavier desktops—provided Wayland is disabled or configured correctly.

3.4 Printer Redirection

X2Go: ✅ Offers built-in printer redirection through CUPS integration. Remote printers can be made available locally with minimal setup, and print jobs are tunneled over the secure SSH connection.

XRDP: Supports RDP printer redirection, but it requires proper configuration and a compatible RDP client. Users must install and configure components like cups-xrdp and enable redirection channels for printer passthrough to function.

✔ X2Go provides native and secure printer redirection out of the box, while XRDP supports it through RDP channels but needs extra configuration and compatible client setups.

3.5 Remote Application Execution (Seamless Mode)

X2Go: ✅ Supports seamless mode, allowing users to launch individual remote applications that appear as native windows on the local desktop—ideal for app virtualization and workflow integration.

XRDP: ❌ Does not support seamless or single-application mode. It only delivers full desktop sessions, meaning the entire remote environment is presented, not individual apps.

✔ X2Go enables streamlined app-level access through seamless mode, whereas XRDP is limited to full desktop session delivery with no application-level redirection.

3.6 USB Device Redirection

X2Go: ❌ Does not support USB device redirection. Remote access to local USB peripherals (e.g., flash drives, webcams, printers) is not possible through the X2Go client.

XRDP: ✅ Supports USB redirection when used with compatible RDP clients and proper backend configurations. Devices such as drives, smart cards, and printers can be mapped into the session using RDP virtual channels.

✔ XRDP enables USB redirection with suitable RDP clients, while X2Go lacks native support for accessing client-side USB peripherals.

3.7 GUI Configuration Tools

X2Go: ✅ Includes a user-friendly graphical session manager in its client. Users can easily create, edit, and manage session profiles, enabling features like file sharing, audio, and app mode without touching config files.

XRDP: ❌ Offers no native GUI configuration interface. Server-side settings must be manually edited through config files such as xrdp.ini, sesman.ini, and session-specific scripts.

✔ X2Go provides an intuitive GUI for managing sessions, while XRDP requires manual configuration via text files—better suited to sysadmins comfortable with terminal-based setups.

3.8 Installation Complexity

X2Go: ⚠ Requires installation of both the X2Go server and an SSH server on the host system. Additional setup may be needed for desktop environment support, printing, and sound forwarding.

XRDP: ✅ Typically easier to install using package managers (e.g., apt install xrdp). However, the backend selection (Xorg vs Xvnc) and optional features (like audio or printer redirection) can introduce setup complexity.

✔ XRDP is simpler to get running initially, but backend configuration can complicate advanced setups—X2Go demands more from the start but offers tighter integration for Linux-native environments.

3.9 Customizability & Scripting

X2Go: ✅ Built on SSH, making it highly scriptable and automation-friendly. Sessions, file transfers, and even application launches can be controlled via command-line tools or custom scripts—ideal for sysadmins and DevOps workflows.

XRDP:  Offers basic customization through .ini files and backend selection, but lacks direct scripting interfaces or automation hooks. Most changes require manual edits and restarts.

✔ X2Go offers deeper scripting and automation potential via SSH, while XRDP is more configuration-driven with limited extensibility.

3.10 Authentication Method

X2Go: ✅ Authenticates via SSH, supporting both password and key-based login. This leverages standard Linux SSH security and can easily be integrated with firewalls and hardened access policies.

XRDP: ✅ Uses PAM (Pluggable Authentication Modules), allowing flexible integration with local Linux users, LDAP, or Active Directory. Authentication flows mirror system logins and can be extended with MFA tools.

✔ X2Go relies on SSH-based authentication for strong security and simplicity, while XRDP provides more flexible identity integration through PAM, making it ideal for centralized enterprise environments.

3.11 Port Exposure

X2Go: ✅ Operates exclusively over port 22 (SSH), which is secure by design, widely supported by firewalls, and easily protected using key-based auth, rate-limiting, and fail2ban.

XRDP: ⚠ Uses port 3389 (RDP), which is a common target for brute-force and scanning attacks. Without proper hardening (e.g., firewall rules, fail2ban, SSH tunneling, or VPN), it can pose a security risk.

✔ X2Go runs on the inherently secure SSH port, while XRDP exposes a higher-risk port that must be secured through additional network protections.

3.12 Session Type Handling

X2Go: Primarily supports virtual desktop sessions, where each user is assigned a new, isolated X11 session. While connecting to the physical (console) desktop is technically possible through manual configuration, it is not officially supported and may introduce permission or stability issues.

XRDP: ✅ Supports both virtual sessions and physical desktop sessions, depending on the backend used (e.g., Xorg or x11rdp). It’s commonly used for both remote work and remote support scenarios requiring access to an actively logged-in desktop.

✔ XRDP offers robust support for both virtual and physical session access, while X2Go focuses on virtual sessions with only limited, unofficial support for connecting to the physical display.

3.13 Disk Redirection (Drive Mapping)

X2Go: ❌ Does not support client-side drive mapping. While file transfers are possible via SFTP over SSH, there is no way to mount or access the local client’s file system directly within the remote session.

XRDP: ✅ Supports disk redirection through the RDP protocol. If the client (e.g., Windows Remote Desktop) supports drive sharing, local drives can be mapped into the remote Linux session, appearing as mounted directories.

✔ XRDP enables local drive access inside the remote session via RDP, whereas X2Go limits file interaction to secure transfers—without full drive mapping capabilities.

3.14 Windows Workflow Integration

X2Go: ❌ Not tailored for Windows-centric environments. While the X2Go client runs on Windows, it lacks native integration with Windows RDP infrastructure, Group Policy, or Active Directory tools.

XRDP: ✅ Designed to work natively with Microsoft’s Remote Desktop ecosystem. Seamlessly integrates into Windows IT workflows, including use with Active Directory, Remote Desktop Gateway, and standard RDP clients.

✔ XRDP is ideal for Windows-based networks and IT teams, while X2Go is better suited to Linux-native setups without deep Windows infrastructure dependencies.

3.15 Session Lifecycle Control

X2Go: ✅ Offers full lifecycle management via its GUI client. Users can easily start, suspend, resume, or terminate sessions at will—ideal for long-running tasks or switching between networks.

XRDP: ⚠ Limited visibility and control over session states. Once a session is active, lifecycle operations (like suspending or reconnecting to a specific session) require backend support and are not exposed through a native interface.

✔ X2Go provides robust session control through its client UI, while XRDP lacks direct lifecycle tools and relies on session backends or scripts for managing active connections.

3.16 Windows Terminal Server Access via X2Go Client

X2Go: ✅ Can function as a frontend to RDP clients like rdesktop or xfreerdp, enabling users to connect to Windows Terminal Servers through an SSH-encrypted tunnel. This mode, though lesser known, allows secure access to Windows desktops from within the X2Go client interface.

XRDP: ❌ Designed solely as an RDP server for Linux, XRDP accepts RDP connections but cannot initiate or forward them to Windows machines.

✔ X2Go can securely tunnel RDP sessions to Windows servers through its client, while XRDP strictly serves Linux desktops to incoming RDP clients.

3.17 Seamless Application Integration

X2Go: ✅ Supports published application mode (also known as seamless mode), where individual remote applications are launched and displayed as native windows on the client system—blending in with the local desktop environment.

XRDP: ❌ Does not support seamless or app-only sessions. All connections provide access to a full desktop environment, and there's no built-in method for launching individual apps independently.

✔ X2Go offers true application-level integration for a seamless user experience, while XRDP is limited to full desktop delivery with no support for single-app sessions.

3.18 Mobile Device Compatibility

X2Go: ❌ Does not offer an official mobile client for Android or iOS. Workarounds exist using third-party SSH and X11 apps, but the experience is fragmented and not optimized for mobile use.

XRDP: ✅ Fully compatible with mobile RDP clients, including Microsoft Remote Desktop for Android and iOS, as well as other third-party RDP apps like Jump Desktop and Remotix—offering touch support, gesture control, and resolution scaling.

✔ XRDP offers reliable and user-friendly mobile access, while X2Go lacks a native mobile solution, making it unsuitable for mobile-first workflows.

3.19 Performance with Modern Desktop Environments

X2Go: ⚠ Performs best with lightweight desktops like XFCE, LXDE, and MATE. It may struggle with resource-heavy environments such as GNOME 3 or KDE Plasma, especially due to their reliance on 3D acceleration and Wayland, which X2Go does not support.

XRDP: ✅ Offers more consistent performance with modern desktop environments when used with the Xorg backend. While Wayland is still experimental, XRDP handles GNOME, KDE, and others more smoothly in X11-based setups.

✔ X2Go is ideal for lightweight desktops, while XRDP provides more reliable performance across modern environments when properly configured with Xorg.

3.20 Session Broker Support

X2Go: ✅ Includes a Session Broker feature that supports load balancing, centralized user session management, and automatic session reconnects across multiple servers—beneficial for terminal server farms and enterprise deployments.

XRDP: ❌ Does not include a native session broker. Any brokering or load balancing must be implemented externally using third-party tools or custom scripts; it lacks built-in multi-server session coordination.

✔ X2Go provides built-in session brokering for scalable multi-server setups, while XRDP lacks native support and requires external solutions for load-balanced environments.

#4 Use Case

✅ X2Go – Ideal For:

1. Linux-centric environments where SSH is already used.
2. Multi-user Linux servers (labs, classrooms, research clusters).
3. Low-bandwidth scenarios that need high performance and session persistence.
4. Remote software development or app usage with seamless single-application mode.
5. Users needing secure file transfer and session management via GUI.

✅ XRDP – Ideal For:

1. Windows-first environments that require RDP access into Linux.
2. Enterprise networks with Active Directory integration.
3. Remote support or desktop mirroring on existing Linux desktops.
4. Multi-monitor, cross-platform access including mobile, macOS, and thin clients.
5. Users seeking easy access using standard RDP tools without installing extra clients.