VPN or Remote Desktop? What Works Better for Secure Access

In a world where many of us work from home a lot, a question keeps popping up: Should you use a VPN or switch to Remote Desktop for secure access? At first, they sound pretty similar; they let you access your office from anywhere. They work in very different ways, however, and picking the wrong one can compromise your entire network. 

Before settling on how your team works, shares files, or accesses company servers, it is essential to understand the real difference between VPN connections and remote desktop access.

A] Understanding the Core Difference Between VPN and Remote Desktop

1. How a VPN Connection Works

A VPN connection works by creating an encrypted tunnel, which masks the user’s real IP address and assigns them a new IP address that aligns with the changed location. Once connected, the user appears as a LAN (Local Area Network) user with broad visibility of network resources. However, the activity data of users’ travels through the VPN connection, which ultimately makes it easier to hack. 

2. How Remote Desktop (RDP) Works

Remote desktop (RDP) is a highly secure connection that lets users connect between the local (client) and remote computer (host) through an encrypted network protocol, known as TCP/IP. Unlike VPN, RDP transfers only screen updates and commands, which ultimately reduces exposure. The connection between the host and client is operated through a cloud deployment model, typically a dedicated cloud server, which makes the connection extra secure and speedy.

3. Fundamental Functional Difference

There is a fundamental difference between VPN and RDP connections. VPN provides access to the network and acts as a LAN. On the other hand, RDP allows access to a specific machine without exposing the entire network. 

TSPlus remote desktop software, powered by the RDP technology, is an industry-leading RDP service provided by the Absolute Cloud, a trusted cloud computing solutions provider. Reliability and the performance provided by this software makes it the most used RDP software across industries, fulfilling their requirement for remote access to their data.

B] VPN vs Remote Desktop: Which Is Better for Remote Work?

1. Security

Most popularly used VPN applications, which are marketed as “secure tools”, can be easy targets because they provide broad access to the whole network. If a VPN is breached, attackers can reach the whole network.

In particular, RDP through the use of TSPlus stays in a tighter setup. It opens up access to only one computer and not to the whole network, reducing the risk. TSPlus also adds multiple login checks, blocking some IPs, and encryption of communication, making it one of the safest ways to use remote access compared with VPN.

2. Performance and Bandwidth

VPNs use more bandwidth since they route all network traffic through encrypted channels, thus slowing them down. In contrast, RDP sends only the screen and keystrokes. This uses much less bandwidth, offering faster, steadier remote work.

3. Ease of Use for Employees

Configuration of VPNs typically involves manual processes, updates, and troubleshooting, which can be challenging for employees who have less technical knowledge.

RDP feels and works a lot like a desktop; users simply log in and, in most cases, immediately begin accessing files, servers, or key apps. Ease of use is the reason most companies are using RDP for seamless remote work and see it as advantageous over VPN.

C] VPN or Remote Desktop for Small Business Networks?

1. Access to Office Files and Company Servers

For small businesses, access to office files and internal servers needs to remain secure. VPNs grant access to shared drives but expose the whole network to increased risk.

Remote Desktop keeps data on the office computer or a cloud server. Nothing gets downloaded to the employee’s personal device. This central system helps keep your files in a protected space, thus making it much safer for companies that deal in sensitive data. That is why many small businesses choose RDP when deciding between VPN versus remote desktop for access to office files.

2. Scalability & Cost Considerations

As the scale of small businesses increases, scaling VPN also becomes increasingly complex and expensive. Each additional user requires setup, more bandwidth, and enhanced security.

RDP, especially with TSPlus, is easier and less expensive to scale. Since all computing happens on one server, server capacity enhancement is needed, not the device.

Predictable scaling, controlled access, and safe connectivity are provided by TSPlus on Absolute Cloud’s dedicated servers. This is a good fit for businesses weighing remote desktop or VPN to connect to company servers without overspending.

D] Comparing VPN and Remote Desktop for Remote Employees

1. Productivity & Workflow Differences

When comparing VPN and remote desktop, productivity is a significant factor. VPN speed depends very much on the user’s device and the internet. Any lag or hardware limit results in slow work.

All processing with RDP happens on the cloud server. Users only use the remote screen, making it the best software for demanding apps like design software, accounting tools, CRMs, and big enterprise systems. With RDP, performance always remains consistent regardless of the device used by the employee.

2. Cybersecurity Risks versus Benefits

With LAN-level access, VPNs expand the attack surface. This increases vulnerability, particularly over unsecured networks.

On the other hand, RDP keeps the data inside a protected space by restricting access to the remote machine. TSPlus offers an enterprise-grade secure access setup together with RDP. Ready to improve your remote security and performance? Contact us and get solutions today.

Conclusion

VPNs are great for general internet security or even accessing company networks from the public internet. RDP really shines when you need secure, high-performance access to office systems, servers, and apps. It keeps data centralised, lowers risk, and speeds up work for remote staff.

When it comes to VPN vs remote desktop for remote work, RDP stands out with its reliability and controlled access, especially when TSplus is combined with an Absolute Cloud. Contact us now for TSplus remote software.