The most important thing about the difference between VPN and remote desktop solution is that they are functionally different. There are other differences, like security vulnerabilities and levels of flexibility and control, but understanding each will help you decide which solution is best.
VPN
VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. Essentially, a VPN creates a smaller, private network on top of a larger public network — most commonly the public Internet. The VPN can have specific settings and allow for more shared access among the devices connected to it.
A VPN also allows applications that only work on local networks to be accessed through the Internet once a user is logged into the VPN. So, let’s say you have a special printer in your office that is connected to your office’s local network. If you’re away from your desk and need to print something, typically you’d have to wait until you’re back and can connect to the network directly.
With a VPN, you’d be able to virtually login to your office’s local network and print as if you were there. One thing to keep in mind as you consider is that VPNs only offer access to resources that are already shared on the network. There isn’t much flexibility.
Once you set up shared resources on the VPN — like printers, servers, or shared folders — you would have remote access to them. But if you forget to share a folder you need remote access to before you leave the office, you won’t be able to retroactively share the folder remotely with your VPN. Once it’s set up, that’s the way it stays.
RDP
RDP stands for Remote Desktop Protocol and is sometimes just referred to as Remote Desktop. It’s the commonly used name for a group of applications that allow you to access computers or devices from a remote location.
Remote desktop solutions are becoming more and more common with the increased prevalence of distributed workforces and more employees regularly working from home. It’s perfect for people who are frequently on the go, work out of a home office, or are often out in the field and need access to their local desktop computer.
Sometimes referred to as “screen sharing,” remote desktop can give you full access to your desktop computer from anywhere with an Internet connection. When thinking about VPN versus remote desktop, this can come in handy if you don’t foresee needing access to certain files stored locally.
RDP even allows you to launch applications, change administrator settings, and perform other tasks as if you were using your computer from your desk. Remote desktop gives you access to shared network resources in addition to the resources on the computer or device that is being controlled.
VPN versus RDP
When comparing VPN versus RDP, there are two main concerns: flexibility and security.
Flexibility
While having some similarities, VPN and RDP are functionally different things. A VPN will give you access to a network while RDP will give you control of an entire computer.
When you think about VPN versus RDP and what will be the right solution for your company or personal setup, you have to consider what you ultimately need. If you want to have full control over a local computer from a remote location, VPN won’t let you achieve that. If you don’t want to have to pre-plan and pre-emptively share all the folders and files you might need access to in the field, then a remote desktop is the way to go.
Since remote desktop gives you full access to your device from wherever you are, it’s better than a VPN when it comes to flexibility.
Security
As you consider the best way to provide remote access to a network or device, security needs to be a top priority. Any time you open up personal or sensitive data to an outside resource, you have to take into account the security vulnerabilities of your options.
When it comes to VPN versus RDP, security experts recommend using a VPN over a remote desktop connection because of the level of access that remote access connections provide.
