HostDock vs Royal TSX
Royal TSX is a commercial multi-protocol connection manager for macOS (RDP, VNC, SSH, web and more), part of the Royal TS family. HostDock is a Mac app for Linux servers that combines SSH, SFTP, monitoring, Docker and an AI assistant with an MCP server. Here's how they differ, including where Royal TSX is the better choice.
Facts about Royal TSX checked on against the sources listed below.
Choose Royal TSX if…
You manage mixed Windows and Linux fleets and need RDP and VNC next to SSH.
Choose HostDock if…
You mostly work on Linux servers over SSH and want monitoring, Docker and AI assistance in one Mac app.
Side by side
| HostDock | Royal TSX | |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | macOS 12+ (Windows and Linux planned) | macOS (Royal TS on Windows, iOS, Android) |
| Price | Free download; sync has a free plan, paid plan planned | Free Lite (10 connections); Individual €49 one-time |
| Open source | No | No |
| Protocols | SSH | RDP, VNC, SSH, Telnet, web and more |
| SFTP | Yes, with transfer queue and in-place editing | Yes, FTP, SFTP and SCP |
| Port forwarding | Local, remote, dynamic (SOCKS5 + HTTP) | Via SSH tunnels on connections |
| Jump hosts | Yes, up to 3 chained | Secure Gateway |
| Server monitoring | Yes, agentless (Linux servers) | No |
| Docker management | Yes: list, start/stop/restart, logs, shell | No |
| AI assistant | Built in; HostDock-provided AI service or any OpenAI-compatible model; approval modes and command log | Only AI-generated object icons (V26 beta) |
| MCP server for AI tools | Built in, local, with per-tool tokens and approvals | No |
| End-to-end encrypted sync | Yes for servers, credentials and forwarding rules (free); notes, scripts and files are not E2E | Encrypted document files you share yourself, or paid Royal Server |
Where Royal TSX is stronger
- Manages RDP, VNC, web and other connection types alongside SSH, in one document.
- Documents work across the Royal TS family on Windows, iOS and Android.
- A one-time license with no subscription.
Where HostDock is stronger
- Built for Linux server work: monitoring, Docker and port-forwarding screens rather than a generic connection list.
- An AI assistant and an MCP server that can work on your servers under rules you set.
- Hosted, end-to-end encrypted sync without sharing files or running a server.
- No connection limit on the free version.
Frequently asked questions
Can HostDock open RDP or VNC connections like Royal TSX?
No. HostDock is focused on SSH: terminal, SFTP, monitoring, Docker and port forwarding for Linux servers. If you need RDP or VNC alongside SSH, Royal TSX covers that.
Sources
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Bring your servers into one window
Free download for macOS 12 Monterey or later.