Apache Guacamole vs ISL Online

Apache Guacamole8.7Visit ISL Online8.6Visit

Higher score Apache Guacamole #7 in Remote Desktop Access Software 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Try Apache Guacamole

vs

ISL Online #8 in Remote Desktop Access Software 8.6/10 15-day trial Free trial✓ 1 of 3 features Visit ISL Online

• Apache Guacamole fits best

  Technical teams preferring free, self-hosted browser access

• ISL Online fits best

  Support teams needing self-hosting and session auditing

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Side by side

Feature	Apache Guacamole 8.7/10 Visit ↗	ISL Online 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.7	8.6
Ranking	#7 in Remote Desktop Access Software	#8 in Remote Desktop Access Software
Best for	Technical teams preferring free, self-hosted browser access	Support teams needing self-hosting and session auditing
Pricing model	Free	Paid
Starting price	Free plan	$16.90/user/mo
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	15 days
Deployment	Self-hosted	Cloud, Self-hosted, Mobile, Desktop
Platforms	Web	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support	Community, Docs	Email, Live chat, Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs · 24/7
Compliance	SSO/SAML, 2FA	ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, SSO/SAML, 2FA
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Apache Guacamole 1/3 · ISL Online 1/3
Unattended access	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Mobile device access	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Session recording	✓	✓
Specs
Supported operating systems	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Concurrent sessions	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Deployment options	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Access VNC, RDP, SSH, Telnet, and Kubernetes from a browser Includes file transfer, session recording, SSO, and MFA API supports embedding or integrating remote access into applications	Offers attended support and unattended access, with RDP and SSH connections Records screen, chat, audio, and video during support sessions Supports cloud, self-hosted, and managed private cloud deployment
Cons	Requires self-hosting rather than providing a vendor-hosted service Teams handle gateway deployment and ongoing administration Support is through community resources and documentation	No ongoing free plan; Starter begins at $16.90 per user per month, billed annually Starter covers one licensed user and 10 managed devices Higher tiers add complexity for teams that need only occasional remote access
Our verdict	Apache Guacamole is a free, open-source remote desktop gateway for teams that want browser-based access to remote computers without installing client software or browser plugins on the accessing device. It runs as a self-hosted web… Read the review →	ISL Online is remote desktop software for IT professionals, help desks, managed service providers, and organizations that need either attended support or unattended access. It combines remote screen control with file transfer, mobile… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Apache Guacamole — where it wins

  • Access VNC, RDP, SSH, Telnet, and Kubernetes from a browser
  • Includes file transfer, session recording, SSO, and MFA
  • API supports embedding or integrating remote access into applications

  Where it doesn't

  • Requires self-hosting rather than providing a vendor-hosted service
  • Teams handle gateway deployment and ongoing administration
  • Support is through community resources and documentation

• ISL Online — where it wins

  • Offers attended support and unattended access, with RDP and SSH connections
  • Records screen, chat, audio, and video during support sessions
  • Supports cloud, self-hosted, and managed private cloud deployment

  Where it doesn't

  • No ongoing free plan; Starter begins at $16.90 per user per month, billed annually
  • Starter covers one licensed user and 10 managed devices
  • Higher tiers add complexity for teams that need only occasional remote access

• Apache Guacamole8.7/10 · Free plan

  Free, open-source browser access for teams prepared to host and administer the gateway.

  Try Apache GuacamoleFull verdict →
• ISL Online8.6/10 · 15-day trial

  A remote access suite with recording, mobile support, and cloud or self-hosted deployment.

  Visit ISL OnlineFull verdict →