VNC stands for Virtual Network Computing. It's a system (and protocol) that lets you remotely view and control another computer's desktop over a network — basically remote desktop software. You see the other computer's screen in (almost) real time, and whatever you do with your mouse & keyboard happens on the remote machine.
| Feature | VNC | RDP (Windows native) |
|---|---|---|
| Cross-platform | Excellent | Mostly Windows-to-Windows |
| Speed | Usually slower (pixel-based) | Usually faster |
| Audio forwarding | Usually no | Yes |
| Clipboard sharing | Varies by client | Very good |
| Encryption | Often needs extra setup (SSH tunnel or paid versions) | Built-in strong encryption |