clientless

Clientless describes computing or access models that do not require installing or running a dedicated client application on the end user’s device. In this approach, the user interacts with resources through a standard web browser or other lightweight components, while the core processing and data reside on servers. Clientless access is commonly associated with remote access and application delivery, where a gateway or portal provides access to internal resources via HTTP or HTTPS.

One well-known use is clientless VPN, also called SSL VPN, where users connect to a VPN gateway through a web browser to reach internal networks or applications without an installed VPN client. Modern clientless VPNs typically rely on HTML5 or browser capabilities and may support browser-based terminals or desktop access via remote desktop gateways, without requiring full client software on the user device.

Clientless approaches are also employed for application delivery, enabling users to access software through a web portal rather than a traditional desktop client. In broader software architecture and integration, “clientless” can describe scenarios where clients are replaced by service interfaces, web services, APIs, or middleware, allowing access to functionality without device-specific software.

Advantages include cross-platform compatibility, simpler deployment and maintenance, easier updates, and reduced support overhead. Limitations can include lower interactivity or feature parity compared with native clients, dependence on browser capabilities, potential performance bottlenecks, and security considerations such as robust authentication, session management, and the exposure of gateway surfaces to browsers.

Examples and related technologies include SSL VPN gateways and web-based portals for remote access, such as remote desktop web gateways and browser-based remote desktop solutions.