Wondering if anyone has experience using a USB Over Network app with Remote Desktop Protocol. I need to access USB devices remotely while on an RDP session, but I’m not sure if it’s possible or if there are any issues to watch out for. Any advice or solutions would be appreciated!
So, USB Over Network with RDP? Here’s My Rabbit Hole
My Deep Dive Into Networked USB Headaches
Let’s get this out of the way: when I started messing around with USB-over-network solutions, I didn’t exactly sign up for a maze of different apps and hidden costs. I just wanted to plug a device on one computer and use it from another—nothing fancy, right? Apparently not so simple.
Here’s what I ran into: there’s this app for USB over Network, and yeah, it says it does the job, but surprise—you absolutely do not get RDP support unless you buy a separate product. Two products. For one basic function. Wild.
Crunching the Numbers (Because, Seriously?)
Let’s talk turkey. I checked FabulaTech’s pricing. I almost choked on my coffee: $599 gets you just 8 device shares–and still, that doesn’t come with RDP support. I mean, who does this pricing for them? It’s like they’re selling collector’s edition gold-plated USB cables. Meanwhile, there are MUCH better deals if you dare to look around for literally ten minutes.
My Switch: It Actually Works
Eventually, I bailed. Picked up something called USB Network Gate, and it’s so much smoother. Out of the box, you get RDP support without jumping through a million configuration hoops, and I forked out only $160—for ten devices. Ten! Honestly, that’s a no-brainer if you ask me. Why pay for less and struggle more?
TL;DR
- FabulaTech? Feels like paying luxury tax for basic functions.
- USB Network Gate? Half the price, more devices, and it just…works.
- If you’re in the same boat, maybe don’t overcomplicate things. Some alternatives actually get the job done and don’t take your lunch money.
If you’ve found something slicker, spill your secrets—I spent enough time crawling over pricing pages, and maybe the perfect fix is hiding somewhere I haven’t looked!
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Yeah, I’ve wrestled with the USB over Network conundrum during RDP sessions, and it’s honestly a mixed bag. The short answer: some apps play nice with RDP, but it’s hit or miss depending on what you’re using and, annoyingly, how deep your wallet is.
A lot of the time, built-in RDP USB redirection just won’t cut it, especially with anything besides the most basic USB sticks or printers. Anything fancy (like license dongles, smart cards, or audio interfaces) tends to break, or worse, drop connection randomly—super fun in the middle of a demo, let me tell you.
I’ve seen @mikeappsreviewer’s post talking up USB Network Gate. Not gonna lie, it’s probably the option most folks I know landed on, mostly because it supports RDP out of the box rather than giving you the ‘gotta buy the super secret upgrade pack’ runaround. That’s a HUGE point in its favor.
Here’s where I’ll slightly disagree: yes, Network Gate is smoother than FabulaTech’s offering, but it’s still an extra install, and you’re stuck managing yet another background service. Sometimes it causes handshake issues with finicky devices (anyone here rocking ancient USB hardware?), so don’t expect flawless magic every time. On the upside, support is responsive-ish.
My two cents: if you want proper USB redirection via RDP for more than, say, the odd jump drive, your choices basically boil down to trying USB Network Gate or suffering through workarounds. Or if you’re feeling adventurous, dabble in open source land—though that route can turn into a hobby project fast.
BTW, for anyone searching for the best USB over Network alternative, check out this reliable USB sharing solution for remote access. Clean setup, less nickel-and-diming, does what it says on the tin.
So yeah, is it possible? Absolutely—just don’t expect “out of the box” plug-and-play magic unless you’ve got the right app (and paid for the right tier). If anyone has found a truly free way around this, though, drop your wisdom because I’m still salty about all the hoops.
Gotta love how simple questions like “Does USB Over Network app work with RDP?” end up devolving into software chess matches and math lessons, right? Seen some awesome breakdowns already—shoutout to the warriors @mikeappsreviewer and @caminantenocturno for their deep dives. Here’s my slightly sideways angle, because I live to deviate from the script 
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Yes, you can get USB devices passing through an RDP session, but let’s get real: Windows’ built-in USB redirection is about as reliable as public WiFi at a fast food joint. Printers? Maybe. Thumb drives? Sometimes. Security dongles, webcams, specialty interfaces? LOL, good luck.
App-wise, I’ve road-tested a few outside the usual suspects. USB Network Gate has the “it just works” factor for RDP, which is honestly as rare as a bug-free Windows update. Is it perfect? Nope, nothing is. It’ll randomly hiccup with really old devices (think Mad Catz or ancient Zebra scanners), but at least you get support that doesn’t speak in riddles. I low-key hate managing yet another tray icon but that’s the world we live in.
That said… If you wanna avoid paid options and try rolling your own, Linux’s usbip and other open source workarounds exist. But “work” is doing some Olympic level lifting in that sentence. You better enjoy compiling kernels and manual port forwarding. Even then, RDP integration is a stretch—unless you love living dangerously and enjoy debugging for sport.
What I haven’t seen is anything totally free that’s plug-and-play for RDP beyond super basic needs. If some unicorn knows of one, I beg you, drop that wisdom.
In case anyone wants more alternatives (agreeing and disagreeing at the same time with the previous opinions), check out what’s available for sharing USB devices remotely: explore easy remote USB sharing solutions. At least you won’t have to auction your PS5 to pay for a license.
To sum up: possible? Absolutely. Always fun? LOL no. Sometimes you just pick the least annoying option, and USB Network Gate is often it—unless you’re feeling extra masochistic today.
RDP & USB sharing is kind of like herding caffeinated cats: sometimes elegant, often a circus. Several folks already pointed out the main pain points: built-in Windows redirection is about as reliable as a weather app in a hurricane, and most high-end third-party solutions charge Monopoly money for anything beyond “printer support.”
Now, if you want the “just works” vibe without binging on absurd software bundles, USB Network Gate consistently turns up on the shortlist. Main pros: RDP works out of the box, no BS with separate editions, and pricing is sane enough for individuals or small teams (better price per device compared to the typical alternatives). Sharing a fingerprint scanner, IDE dongle, or legacy POS hardware? USB Network Gate handles those like a champ.
Cons? You’re still running another background service, and with really ancient USB gear (hello, ‘90s barcode scanners), stability isn’t flawless. Compared to those “pro” tools with scary price tags, it’s way less hassle, but it’s not open source—so tinkerers might find it less flexible than rolling their own with usbip, for example.
As for the other contributions—folks here have shared real-world pricing nightmares (looking at you, gold-plated-USB-cable firms) and even tossed in open-source hacks. From my side, if you’re after a practical, RDP-friendly solution that won’t mug your wallet, USB Network Gate is tough to beat. If you’d rather debug kernel modules for fun, there’s always a DIY adventure. What’s your tolerance: easy, paid, mostly stable, or free/experimental/eats-your-weekend? Choose your own headache!