Freedom251 › Remote desktop software
Arcen
What Arcen is
Arcen lets a Mac user view and control a Linux, Windows, or Mac workstation while its apps and project files stay on that computer. Deck connects to a Pier over a LAN or VPN operated by the customer, so the connection does not require internet access. It supports one to four displays, keyboard, trackpad, and Wacom pen input. Video presets are Auto, Speed, Grading, and HDR, with H.264, HEVC, or AV1 negotiated according to supported hardware. Audio, microphone, clipboard, and time-zone features are on by default and can be controlled in host settings. Connections use QUIC over UDP port 18444 with TLS 1.3, and there is no unencrypted or TCP fallback. The host certificate is checked before credentials are sent; authentication uses existing system accounts. Storage, file permissions, backups, and project security remain within the customer's systems and workstation account. Arcen describes use in VFX and media, engineering and CAD, and legal or government document workflows. A Pier licence is €199 a year per workstation.
Who it suits
Arcen suits Mac users who need to operate a workstation for media, engineering, CAD, or document workflows over a LAN or VPN. It may suit teams that want storage and project security to remain on their own systems.
What it does well
- Connects over a customer-operated LAN or VPN without internet.
- Supports one to four displays and Wacom pen input.
- Uses TLS 1.3 with no unencrypted or TCP fallback.
- Uses existing system accounts for host authentication.
What to know first
- A Pier supports one session at a time.
- Webcam redirection and general USB passthrough are unsupported.
- No staffed support or other maintainers are available today.
- Documented hardware encoding is limited to NVIDIA NVENC and VideoToolbox preview.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Arcen Pier | One annual licence per workstation · 1 workstation | €199 a year |
| Arcen Pier licence | €199 per Pier, per year · Node-locked to workstation HostID · licence check works offline | €199 a year |
As arcen.tech lists them, read 20 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Arcen combines remote workstation control with a connection designed for customer-operated networks and systems. Consider its one-session limit, missing webcam and general USB redirection, and limited support before choosing it.
Facts from Arcen's own pages
- Audio and clipboard
- Audio, microphone, clipboard, and time-zone features are enabled by default, with controls available in host settings. · arcen.tech, 11 Oct 2026
- Authentication
- The host certificate is verified before credentials are sent, and host authentication uses existing system accounts rather than an Arcen user list. · arcen.tech, 11 Oct 2026
- Compatibility limit
- AMD and Intel hardware encoders are not implemented; the documented hardware encoder support is NVIDIA NVENC on Linux and Windows and VideoToolbox on macOS Pier preview. · arcen.tech, 11 Oct 2026
- Compliance
- Arcen does not claim certification, regulatory approval, guaranteed latency, or suitability for a specific classified environment. · arcen.tech, 11 Oct 2026
- Current limits
- A Pier supports one session at a time, and webcam redirection and general USB passthrough are not supported. · arcen.tech, 11 Oct 2026
- Direct connection
- Deck connects to a Pier over a LAN or VPN using infrastructure the customer operates; an internet connection is not required. · arcen.tech, 11 Oct 2026
- Displays and input
- Arcen supports one to four displays, keyboard, trackpad, and Wacom pen input. · arcen.tech, 11 Oct 2026
- Encryption
- Arcen uses QUIC over UDP port 18444 with TLS 1.3 and has no unencrypted or TCP fallback. · arcen.tech, 11 Oct 2026
- File transfer
- No · arcen.tech, 20 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- No · arcen.tech, 20 Sept 2026
- License
- Pier and Deck are free software under the AGPL-3.0 license. · arcen.tech, 11 Oct 2026
- Managed devices
- 1 · arcen.tech, 20 Sept 2026
- Mobile apps
- No · arcen.tech, 20 Sept 2026
- Privacy boundary
- Storage, file permissions, backups, and project security remain under the customer's systems and workstation account. · arcen.tech, 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker says there are no other maintainers or staffed support today. · arcen.tech, 11 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- macOS,Linux,Windows · arcen.tech, 20 Sept 2026
- Supported workflow
- Arcen describes use for VFX and media, engineering and CAD, and legal or government document workflows. · arcen.tech, 11 Oct 2026
- Video
- The product offers Auto, Speed, Grading, and HDR presets and negotiates H.264, HEVC, or AV1 based on supported hardware. · arcen.tech, 11 Oct 2026
- What it does
- Arcen lets a Mac user view and control a Linux, Windows, or Mac workstation while applications and project files remain on that workstation. · arcen.tech, 11 Oct 2026
Where Arcen stands on Freedom251
- Remote desktop software#67 of 135