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DWService alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave DWService: free plan bandwidth is capped, and browser-based screen is less smooth than native apps. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces DWService, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. MeshCentral currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1MeshCentral logoMeshCentralOpen sourceYesWeb, Self-hosted, Windows +23 of 366.5
2Chrome Remote Desktop logoChrome Remote DesktopFreeNoWeb, Windows, macOS +33 of 362.6
3RustDesk logoRustDeskOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +34 of 459.6
4Getscreen.me logoGetscreen.meFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +34 of 457.2
5Apache Guacamole logoApache GuacamoleOpen sourceYesWeb, Self-hosted3 of 355.3
  1. MeshCentral logo

    1. MeshCentralTop pick

    Best for: Small IT teams and home-labbers wanting a free self-hosted remote management portal

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Self-hosted, Windows, macOS, Linux

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from DWService

    Same browser-based idea, but on a server you host yourself.

    Pros

    • Free with no per-device or per-technician fees
    • Remote desktop, terminal and files in one web console
    • Agents for Windows, Linux, macOS and FreeBSD

    Cons

    • You run, secure and update the server
    • Interface is dated and dense
    • Less polished mobile support than commercial tools
    Visit MeshCentral 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 MeshCentral a good DWService alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    License
    Apache-2.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Agent platforms
    Windows, Linux, macOS, FreeBSD
    Checked Oct 25, 2026meshcentral.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Distribution
    Free on npm
    Checked Oct 25, 2026meshcentral.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Chrome Remote Desktop logo

    2. Chrome Remote Desktop

    Best for: Home users who want free, simple access to their own computers

    FreeWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from DWService

    Free browser-based access with smoother screen streaming.

    Pros

    • Free with no commercial-use restrictions
    • Works from any modern browser
    • One-time codes make quick help sessions easy

    Cons

    • Few admin, logging or team features
    • Basic file transfer and multi-monitor support
    • Requires a Google account on both ends
    Visit Chrome Remote Desktop Details 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 Chrome Remote Desktop a good DWService alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    Host platforms
    Windows, macOS, Linux
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.google.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Support codes
    Single-use access codes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.google.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Unattended access
    PIN-protected
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.google.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. RustDesk logo

    3. RustDesk

    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

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from DWService

    Native apps with faster screen updates, still free and open-source.

    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 ×0.377
    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 RustDesk a good DWService 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)
  4. Getscreen.me logo

    4. Getscreen.me

    Best for: Support teams and individuals who want to connect from any browser without installing a viewer

    Free plan + paidSelf-hostableWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, Browser extension

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from DWService

    Browser-based remote desktop with more business features and paid plans.

    Pros

    • Connect from any browser with no viewer install
    • Free tier and a one-time lifetime personal licence
    • Self-hosted server and API available

    Cons

    • Browser streaming can lag on heavy workloads
    • Free tier covers only a few devices
    • Smaller company and community than market leaders
    Visit Getscreen.me 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 Getscreen.me a good DWService alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free version
    Yes, no card needed
    Checked Oct 25, 2026getscreen.me(opens source in a new tab)
    Lifetime licence
    One-time payment for personal use
    Checked Oct 25, 2026getscreen.me(opens source in a new tab)
    Self-hosted
    Yes, self-hosted server version
    Checked Oct 25, 2026getscreen.me(opens source in a new tab)
    Directory sync
    LDAP / Active Directory
    Checked Oct 25, 2026getscreen.me(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Apache Guacamole logo

    5. Apache Guacamole

    Best for: Admins who want browser-based access to internal RDP, VNC and SSH hosts through one gateway

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Self-hosted

    55.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from DWService

    Self-hosted browser gateway for machines with RDP, VNC or SSH.

    Pros

    • Nothing to install for end users beyond a browser
    • One gateway for RDP, VNC and SSH
    • Free under the Apache licence
    • Supports MFA, LDAP and session recording

    Cons

    • You must run and secure the server yourself
    • Targets still need RDP, VNC or SSH enabled
    • Setup and configuration are fiddly for beginners
    Visit Apache Guacamole 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 Apache Guacamole a good DWService alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    License
    Apache-2.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Protocols
    VNC, RDP, SSH
    Checked Oct 25, 2026guacamole.apache.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Client install
    None, browser only
    Checked Oct 25, 2026guacamole.apache.org(opens source in a new tab)

The best DWService alternative for…

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

MeshCentral logo

Best DWService alternative for most people

MeshCentral

Same browser-based idea, but on a server you host yourself.

Chrome Remote Desktop logo

Best DWService alternative for a free option

Chrome Remote Desktop

Free browser-based access with smoother screen streaming.

Getscreen.me logo

Best DWService alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Getscreen.me

Browser-based remote desktop with more business features and paid plans.

RustDesk logo

Best DWService alternative for open source

RustDesk

Native apps with faster screen updates, still free and open-source.

Apache Guacamole logo

Best DWService alternative for self-hosting

Apache Guacamole

Self-hosted browser gateway for machines with RDP, VNC or SSH.

MeshCentral logo

Best DWService alternative for Mac

MeshCentral

Same browser-based idea, but on a server you host yourself.

MeshCentral logo

Best DWService alternative for Windows

MeshCentral

Same browser-based idea, but on a server you host yourself.

MeshCentral logo

Best DWService alternative for Linux

MeshCentral

Same browser-based idea, but on a server you host yourself.

Chrome Remote Desktop logo

Best DWService alternative for iPhone and Android

Chrome Remote Desktop

Free browser-based access with smoother screen streaming.

MeshCentral logo

Best DWService alternative for working in the browser

MeshCentral

Same browser-based idea, but on a server you host yourself.

DWService alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to DWService?

MeshCentral ranks first right now. Same browser-based idea, but on a server you host yourself. Chrome Remote Desktop and RustDesk follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to DWService?

Yes. MeshCentral (open source), Chrome Remote Desktop (free), RustDesk (open source) and Getscreen.me (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to DWService?

Yes: MeshCentral, RustDesk and Apache Guacamole. MeshCentral, RustDesk and Apache Guacamole can also be self-hosted.

Which DWService alternatives work on Linux?

MeshCentral, Chrome Remote Desktop, RustDesk and Getscreen.me run on Linux.

Why do people switch from DWService?

The complaints we hear most: free plan bandwidth is capped; browser-based screen is less smooth than native apps; few team or admin features.

How is this list ranked?

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