VPN vs RDP – Which One’s Better For You?
The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has either pushed companies out of business or forced them to shift entirely online. Although some businesses had the necessary solutions to transition into a new operation model, most haven’t been so lucky. Many organizations were left stumped by the pandemic, trying to improvise a working online security system within a short period.
Two security tools have emerged as extremely useful during all of this – Virtual Private Networks and Remote Desktop Protocol. And, while many online users consider these two to be the same, there are several distinct differences between them.
In this Zlog post, we’ll go over the topic of VPN vs RDP in great detail. We’ll also provide you with the necessary information you need to figure out which one’s better based on your individual online security needs.
What is RDP?
Provided that you already know what a VPN is, we won’t waste any of your time explaining it and will jump straight into the topic of RDP. Created by Microsoft, RDP is a secure network communication protocol that enables remote management and access to virtual desktops and applications. Every version from Windows XP onwards includes some version of RDP.
With the Remote Desktop Protocol, everything occurs directly on the remote computer. Only keystrokes, mouse clicks, and screen images are transmitted across the RDP connection. The way this works is that the computer broadcasts its screen to your device and allows you to control it. This provides easy access to files, programs, and computing power even from a PC that is thousands of miles away.
With that in mind, the RDP greatly reduces bandwidth requirements compared to a VPN. This makes it ideal for low-bandwidth environments. Since so little data passes through the connection, you have access to network resources applications and business databases without the limitations of a traditional VPN.
Earlier versions of RDP suffered from numerous security issues. This included a vulnerability that made RDP sessions susceptible to unauthorized access. That said, modern versions of RDP are much more secure because no data is stored on the end-user device. Still, even though RDP is much safer now than before, in terms of security features and user safety, the VPN is always the better choice.
VPN vs RDP – What’s the Difference?
Now that we have a basic grasp of what RDP is and how it works compared to a VPN, what are the main differences between how these two work, and in which cases is one preferred over the other? To better understand this, let’s take a closer look at the instances in which you should choose VPN over RDP and vice versa.
Which One Should You Choose?
When choosing between the two, you should base your decision on your online needs. Also, examine whether you’re looking for an efficient tool for your personal or business needs. From the latter users’ perspective, RDP can be useful if you employ remote workers or are a remote worker yourself. This is because it will allow you seamless access to the central data systems without a physical presence.
On the other hand, if you’re a business owner who wants to provide his workers with a secure and private network or use an internal network to provide private access to the central data server, you should consider a VPN service.
From an individual online user’s perspective, there really aren’t any significant reasons why you should need RDP. In such cases, using a VPN is a no-brainer. It will allow you unrestricted access to any platform of your choice, let you access any content without surveillance and censorship, and protect you when traveling or using unfamiliar Wi-Fi connections.
Get a VPN Today!
Security and privacy remain the VPN’s strongest suits and the most significant reasons this useful tool is so prevalent among today’s online users. RDPs don’t provide the encryption tools and security protocols that VPNs come with and simply can’t offer the same protection level. With that in mind, for most business owners and all individual users, a VPN is still a much better choice over the RDP.
ZoogVPN can keep you private and secure while also helping you access geo-restricted data around the globe. Our robust VPN service is available through three subscription plans. Plus, we also offer a free trial plan, which you can use for an unlimited period. Sign up with ZoogVPN and secure your sensitive information without delay!
- Yaroslav S.CEO at ZoogVPN. Yaroslav is a versatile manager with extensive customer support experience. His historical background and a deep passion for philosophy perfectly complete a real desire to create meaningful content and tech products.
