illphated
RealVNC Review 2025: From 100% Free to 1/10 Frustration
Once upon a time, RealVNC was the go-to solution for remote desktop access—simple, free, and reliable. But in 2025, the story has changed. After paying $300 for a business plan, I expected solid performance and ease of use. Instead, I’m stuck managing a broken system that barely works when I need it most.
“Viewer Must Be Updated” — Except There’s No Update
Here’s the lie RealVNC tells you:
“Viewer must be updated to use…”
In reality? There is no update. What it really means is:
You’ve hit your maximum concurrent sessions.
And now you’re screwed until you log into their clunky web portal and manually force-quit sessions—even ones you already closed.
Sessions That Won’t Die
Even after carefully clicking “close session” from the app, the RealVNC web portal still shows those sessions as open.
You hit refresh.
Still open.
You try again.
Still open.
Now you’re locked out of starting new sessions in the field until you “end session” manually from the portal.
This is ridiculous for a paid tool. You’re telling me I can’t end a session from the app I’m paying to use in the field? What is this—2005?
Remote Work Shouldn’t Be This Hard
Imagine needing to access your machine in an emergency—only to find out that RealVNC is blocking you because of zombie sessions that won’t go away. You’re stuck fumbling through a web portal, praying it registers your clicks, instead of doing your actual work.
And let me guess… the “end session from the remote device” feature? Probably another paid add-on.
Final Verdict: 1/10
RealVNC used to be a 10/10 solution when it was 100% free. Now it’s a paid headache with artificial limitations and a terrible UX. For $300, I expect better. Much better.
If you’re considering RealVNC for your business in 2025—look elsewhere.