NoMachine

NoMachine is remote desktop software for Windows, macOS, Linux and Raspberry Pi, used by admins, developers and home users who need a fast graphical session on a distant machine. If you are here for a NoMachine download, the most important news is licensing: with version 10 (2026) NoMachine discontinued its long-standing free edition and replaced it with the NoMachine Personal Edition, a commercial product. NoMachine is now shareware (conditionally free): you can evaluate it, but ongoing server-side use needs a licence.

NoMachine is developed by NoMachine S.à r.l. in Luxembourg and is built on its NX protocol, known for smooth video and low latency even over slower links. The client side is still easy to get: the NoMachine Enterprise Client, a client-only package, is free to download and use to connect to a machine running a NoMachine server product or the Personal Edition.

NoMachine at a glance

What it does

• Gives full graphical remote sessions to Windows, macOS and Linux desktops over the NX protocol, with audio and video streaming.
• Transfers files, forwards printers and USB devices, and records sessions.
• Since version 10, opens remote terminal sessions: NoMachine includes its own SSH server on Windows, Linux and Mac and can also connect to external SSH services.
• Supports Wayland on GNOME and VA-API hardware encoding on AMD, Intel and NVIDIA GPUs on Linux (new in v10).
• Maps its port through UPnP/NAT-PMP routers automatically, and NoMachine Network provides access through NAT and firewalls without port forwarding.
• Enterprise products add single sign-on over OAuth and OpenID Connect (Microsoft Entra ID, Okta, Google Identity), plus multi-user terminal server and cloud server editions.

How sysadmins use it

Install the server on an Ubuntu or Debian workstation

1. Get the DEB package for your architecture and install it:

   sudo dpkg -i nomachine_<version>_amd64.deb

   On RPM-based systems use sudo rpm -i nomachine_<version>_x86_64.rpm. Everything installs under /usr/NX/.

2. Activate the licence (evaluation or purchased) from your NoMachine account’s User Area, as described on the official site.
3. Check that the server is running:

   sudo /usr/NX/bin/nxserver --status

4. Open the firewall for NX (TCP for the connection, UDP for multimedia; both use port 4000 by default since v8):

   sudo ufw allow 4000/tcp
   sudo ufw allow 4000/udp

Connect from another computer on the LAN

1. Install NoMachine or the free Enterprise Client on your own PC or Mac.
2. Type the target’s private IP address in the search field and connect with protocol NX, port 4000.
3. Log in with the target machine’s operating system account; the remote desktop opens in a window you can scale or make full screen.
4. Use the in-session menu (Ctrl+Alt+0) to transfer files, change display settings or disconnect.

Reach a machine over the internet

1. On the server, open Server settings > Ports, select the NX service and click Configure.
2. Enable Use UPnP to map the port and set the start mode to automatic.
3. The Server Status window then shows a public address such as nx://203.0.113.20:29382; use it from the client.
4. Better practice for business machines: keep NX off the internet and connect through a VPN, or use NoMachine Network.

Restart a stuck server

1. On Linux or macOS run:

   sudo /usr/NX/bin/nxserver --restart

2. On Windows, restart the NoMachine service from services.msc or reboot.
3. If sessions fall back to slow TCP-only mode, check that UDP to port 4000 is allowed on both firewalls.

Install and first run

Windows: run the EXE installer as administrator; NoMachine runs as a Windows service. For SSH-based connections NoMachine’s own SSH server listens on port 4022 on Windows. macOS: install the DMG, then grant Screen Recording and Accessibility permissions in System Settings, otherwise remote users see a black screen or cannot control the mouse. Linux: DEB, RPM and TAR packages exist for x86, x64 and ARM, plus Raspberry Pi builds; on Linux and macOS SSH connections use the system SSH server on port 22.

Default ports: TCP and UDP 4000 for NX, TCP 4443 for NoMachine’s HTTPS web access, UDP 5353 for mDNS discovery on the LAN. After installation, the server needs a valid licence, either an evaluation generated from a NoMachine account or a purchased one. The 8.x and 9.x branches still received security fixes in September 2026, so older installations should at least be updated within their branch.

Limitations

• No longer free on the server side since version 10; the free edition cannot be used for new v10 installations.
• Proprietary and closed source.
• Activating an evaluation or a licence requires a NoMachine account.
• Exposing port 4000 directly to the internet is a security risk; use a VPN, strong passwords or key authentication.
• Terminal server, multi-user and SSO features are reserved for Enterprise products.

NoMachine vs alternatives

For a free and open-source replacement on Linux, TigerVNC offers fast VNC with virtual desktops, though without NX’s multimedia performance. On Windows, TightVNC remains free and simple. RustDesk is another open-source option with its own relay server. If you manage many RDP, VNC and SSH connections, organise them in mRemoteNG. Compared with Windows RDP, NoMachine works the same way on Linux and macOS, while RDP is built into Windows Pro and Server.

FAQ

Is NoMachine still free?

No. Version 10 discontinued the free edition. NoMachine is now shareware (conditionally free): the Personal Edition is a commercial product with an evaluation licence, while the client-only Enterprise Client stays free.

How do I download NoMachine for Windows, Mac or Linux?

Use the Download button on this page. Release notes, the Knowledge Base and licence activation are on nomachine.com.

What is a good free NoMachine alternative?

TigerVNC and TightVNC are free and open source; RustDesk is another open-source choice. On Windows, built-in Remote Desktop works for Pro and Server editions.

NoMachine vs RDP: which is faster?

On Windows-to-Windows links RDP is well optimised and built in. NoMachine’s advantage is consistent performance across Linux, macOS and Windows, especially for video and graphics.

How do I connect to NoMachine over the internet?

Enable UPnP port mapping for the NX service in Server settings > Ports, then use the public address shown in Server Status. A VPN or NoMachine Network is safer than an open port.

How do I transfer files with NoMachine?

Open the in-session menu with Ctrl+Alt+0 and use the file transfer option to send or receive files.

Does NoMachine work on Raspberry Pi and ARM64?

Yes. There are dedicated Raspberry Pi packages and Linux ARM builds.

Which ports does NoMachine use?

TCP and UDP 4000 for NX by default, TCP 4443 for web access, and SSH on port 22 (Linux/macOS) or 4022 (Windows).

Last checked against official sources: 30 September 2026 (developer website: nomachine.com). Versions and licence terms change — confirm on the developer's site before deploying in production.