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Chrome Remote Desktop alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Chrome Remote Desktop: few admin, logging or team features, and basic file transfer and multi-monitor support. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Chrome Remote Desktop, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. RustDesk currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1RustDesk logoRustDeskOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +34 of 466.5
2TeamViewer logoTeamViewerFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS, Linux +35 of 562.6
3Windows App logoWindows AppFreeNoWindows, macOS, iOS +24 of 459.6
4AnyDesk logoAnyDeskFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS, Linux +25 of 557.2
5Parsec logoParsecFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS, Linux +25 of 555.3
  1. RustDesk logo

    1. RustDeskTop pick

    Best for: Admins and privacy-minded users who want TeamViewer-style access on their own server

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Chrome Remote Desktop

    Also free, but open-source and self-hostable with more features like file transfer.

    Pros

    • Free, open-source client and server
    • Traffic can stay entirely on your own relay
    • Familiar ID-and-password workflow
    • Affordable Pro server for teams

    Cons

    • Self-hosting the server takes some setup and upkeep
    • Admin console and user management need the paid Pro server
    • No vendor-hosted SaaS option
    Visit RustDesk Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is RustDesk a good Chrome Remote Desktop alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    AGPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free self-hosting
    $0/month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026rustdesk.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Individual Pro server
    $11.88/month, billed annually
    Checked Oct 25, 2026rustdesk.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Hosted service
    No, self-hosted only
    Checked Oct 25, 2026rustdesk.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. TeamViewer logo

    2. TeamViewer

    Best for: Help desks and families who want the tool the other person most likely already knows

    Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Chrome Remote Desktop

    Far more features for supporting others, still free for personal use.

    Pros

    • Runs on almost every desktop and mobile operating system
    • Free for genuine personal use
    • Only the person giving support needs a licence
    • Large set of IT add-ons once you outgrow plain remote control

    Cons

    • Free users can be flagged for suspected commercial use
    • Business plans are annual only and add up quickly with add-ons
    • Interface has become crowded as the product widened
    Visit TeamViewer Compare with Chrome Remote DesktopDetails and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is TeamViewer a good Chrome Remote Desktop alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Free for personal use
    Yes, own devices or friends and family
    Checked Oct 25, 2026teamviewer.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Billing
    Annual subscriptions
    Checked Oct 25, 2026teamviewer.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Who needs a licence
    Only the supporting expert
    Checked Oct 25, 2026teamviewer.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, ChromeOS, Raspberry Pi
    Checked Oct 25, 2026teamviewer.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Add-on trial
    30 days
    Checked Oct 25, 2026teamviewer.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Windows App logo

    3. Windows App

    Best for: People and companies connecting to Windows PCs, Azure Virtual Desktop or Windows 365

    FreeWindows, macOS, iOS, Android, Web

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Chrome Remote Desktop

    Microsoft's client for connecting to Windows PCs over RDP without a third-party service.

    Pros

    • Free client using native RDP for smooth Windows sessions
    • One app for Cloud PCs, virtual desktops and regular PCs
    • Available on desktop, mobile, web and VR headsets

    Cons

    • Only connects to Windows targets
    • Personal Microsoft accounts can't sign in to the cloud features
    • Not designed for ad-hoc support of someone else's machine
    Visit Windows App Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Windows App a good Chrome Remote Desktop alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Connects to
    Azure Virtual Desktop, Windows 365, Dev Box, RDS, PCs
    Checked Oct 25, 2026learn.microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS, iOS/iPadOS, Android/ChromeOS, web, Meta Quest
    Checked Oct 25, 2026learn.microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Replaces
    Microsoft Remote Desktop client
    Checked Oct 25, 2026learn.microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Account for sign-in
    Work or school account
    Checked Oct 25, 2026learn.microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. AnyDesk logo

    4. AnyDesk

    Best for: Freelancers and small IT teams wanting a quick, light client at a lower price than TeamViewer

    Free plan + paidSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Chrome Remote Desktop

    Better performance and file transfer when you outgrow the browser-based setup.

    Pros

    • Small client that starts quickly and stays responsive on weak links
    • Free tier for personal use
    • Supports very old Windows versions
    • On-premises option on the top tier

    Cons

    • Free sessions time out and need restarting
    • Many useful management features sit in higher tiers
    • Widely abused by tech-support scammers, so some firms block it
    Visit AnyDesk Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is AnyDesk a good Chrome Remote Desktop alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Licence tiers
    Solo, Standard, Advanced, Ultimate
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.anydesk.com(opens source in a new tab)
    On-premises
    Yes, with the Ultimate licence
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.anydesk.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Oldest Windows supported
    Windows XP SP2
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.anydesk.com(opens source in a new tab)
    macOS support
    macOS 11 Big Sur and later
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.anydesk.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free version limits
    Session timeouts
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.anydesk.com(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Parsec logo

    5. Parsec

    Best for: Gamers and creative teams who need smooth, high-frame-rate remote sessions

    Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Linux, Android, Web

    55.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Chrome Remote Desktop

    Much smoother video and input for gaming or creative work on a home PC.

    Pros

    • Very low latency and high frame rates
    • Free personal tier works well for remote gaming
    • Drawing-tablet and multi-monitor support on paid plans

    Cons

    • Hosting requires Windows or macOS, not Linux
    • Needs a decent GPU and connection on the host
    • Team plans cost more than general remote access tools
    Visit Parsec Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Parsec a good Chrome Remote Desktop alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Free plan
    Personal use
    Checked Oct 25, 2026parsec.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Warp (individual) price
    $8.33 per user/month, paid annually
    Checked Oct 25, 2026parsec.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Teams price
    $30 per user/month, paid annually
    Checked Oct 25, 2026parsec.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Host OS
    Windows 10+ or macOS 10.15+
    Checked Oct 25, 2026parsec.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Frame rate
    Up to 240 FPS (60 FPS at 4K)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026parsec.app(opens source in a new tab)

The best Chrome Remote Desktop alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

RustDesk logo

Best Chrome Remote Desktop alternative for most people

RustDesk

Also free, but open-source and self-hostable with more features like file transfer.

Windows App logo

Best Chrome Remote Desktop alternative for a free option

Windows App

Microsoft's client for connecting to Windows PCs over RDP without a third-party service.

TeamViewer logo

Best Chrome Remote Desktop alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

TeamViewer

Far more features for supporting others, still free for personal use.

RustDesk logo

Best Chrome Remote Desktop alternative for open source

RustDesk

Also free, but open-source and self-hostable with more features like file transfer.

AnyDesk logo

Best Chrome Remote Desktop alternative for self-hosting

AnyDesk

Better performance and file transfer when you outgrow the browser-based setup.

Parsec logo

Best Chrome Remote Desktop alternative for Mac

Parsec

Much smoother video and input for gaming or creative work on a home PC.

RustDesk logo

Best Chrome Remote Desktop alternative for Windows

RustDesk

Also free, but open-source and self-hostable with more features like file transfer.

RustDesk logo

Best Chrome Remote Desktop alternative for Linux

RustDesk

Also free, but open-source and self-hostable with more features like file transfer.

RustDesk logo

Best Chrome Remote Desktop alternative for iPhone and Android

RustDesk

Also free, but open-source and self-hostable with more features like file transfer.

TeamViewer logo

Best Chrome Remote Desktop alternative for working in the browser

TeamViewer

Far more features for supporting others, still free for personal use.

Chrome Remote Desktop alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Chrome Remote Desktop?

RustDesk ranks first right now. Also free, but open-source and self-hostable with more features like file transfer. TeamViewer and Windows App follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Chrome Remote Desktop?

Yes. RustDesk (open source), TeamViewer (free plan + paid), Windows App (free) and AnyDesk (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Chrome Remote Desktop?

Yes: RustDesk. RustDesk can also be self-hosted.

Which Chrome Remote Desktop alternatives work on Linux?

RustDesk, TeamViewer, AnyDesk and Parsec run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Chrome Remote Desktop?

The complaints we hear most: few admin, logging or team features; basic file transfer and multi-monitor support; requires a Google account on both ends.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Chrome Remote Desktop, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.