Best remote desktop software
Remote access and remote support tools for controlling computers from afar, from free personal apps and VNC/RDP clients to IT help-desk suites and self-hosted options.
34 apps, ordered by visits from AppBreakup and how often our research lists each one as an alternative. Open any app to see its alternatives.
All remote desktop software
- Alternatives to RustDesk
Open-source remote desktop software you can run on your own relay server instead of a vendor's cloud.
Open sourceSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted - Alternatives to TeamViewer
The best-known remote access and support tool, free for personal use and sold on annual plans to businesses.
Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web - Alternatives to Chrome Remote Desktop
Google's free remote access tool that runs from the browser with a Google account.
FreeWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android - Alternatives to Splashtop
Remote access and IT support plans that undercut the big names on price, with a free home-network edition.
Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android - Alternatives to AnyDesk
A fast, lightweight remote desktop client with a free personal tier and tiered business licences.
Free plan + paidSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android - Alternatives to Zoho Assist
Cloud remote support and unattended access from Zoho, with a lasting free plan and low per-technician prices.
Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android - Alternatives to Parsec
Low-latency remote desktop built for gaming and creative work, free for personal use.
Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Linux, Android, Web - Alternatives to ConnectWise ScreenConnect
Remote support and access software popular with managed service providers, in cloud or self-hosted form.
PaidSelf-hostableWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android - Alternatives to Jump Desktop
Fast remote desktop for Mac, iOS, Windows and Android, with its own Fluid protocol plus RDP and VNC.
Free plan + paidmacOS, iOS, Windows, Android, Web - Alternatives to Apache Guacamole
Open-source, self-hosted gateway that puts RDP, VNC and SSH sessions in a web browser.
Open sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Self-hosted - Alternatives to NoMachine
Fast remote desktop built on the NX protocol, strong on Linux, with personal and enterprise editions.
PaidWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android - Alternatives to TigerVNC
High-performance open-source VNC server and viewer for Linux, Windows and macOS.
Open sourceLinux, Windows, macOS - Alternatives to MeshCentral
Free, self-hosted web portal for remote desktop, terminal and file access to your fleet of devices.
Open sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Self-hosted, Windows, macOS, Linux - Alternatives to Windows App
Microsoft's client for connecting to Windows PCs, Cloud PCs and virtual desktops, replacing the Remote Desktop app.
FreeWindows, macOS, iOS, Android, Web - Alternatives to Remmina
Open-source remote desktop client for Linux that speaks RDP, VNC, SPICE, SSH and more.
Open sourceLinux - Alternatives to Remote Desktop Manager
Devolutions' connection manager that keeps RDP, SSH, VNC and other remote sessions and credentials in one place.
Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android - Alternatives to HelpWire
Simple remote support tool from Electronic Team with a free plan that allows commercial use.
Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Linux - Alternatives to GoTo Resolve
IT support and endpoint management from GoTo, with remote access, help desk and RMM in one product.
Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, Android - Alternatives to X2Go
Open-source remote desktop for Linux servers that works well over slow links and resumes sessions.
Open sourceSelf-hostableLinux, Windows, macOS, Self-hosted - Alternatives to xrdp
Open-source RDP server that lets Linux machines accept connections from standard Remote Desktop clients.
Open sourceSelf-hostableLinux, Self-hosted - Alternatives to DWService
Free, open-source remote access that runs entirely in the browser, with paid plans only for more bandwidth.
Free plan + paidOpen sourceWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux - Alternatives to RealVNC Connect
Remote access from the original VNC company, with cloud or direct connections and a free non-commercial tier.
Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android - Alternatives to Supremo
Lightweight Italian remote desktop tool that runs without installation, with cheap Solo and Business plans.
Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, iOS, Android - Alternatives to BeyondTrust Remote Support
Enterprise remote support with strict access controls and auditing, deployed in the cloud or on an appliance.
PaidSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android - Alternatives to Royal TS
Connection manager for Windows and Mac that organises RDP, VNC, SSH and web sessions, with a free Lite edition.
Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, iOS, Android - Alternatives to Moonlight
Free, open-source game streaming client that pairs with the Sunshine host for low-latency remote play.
Open sourceSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android - Alternatives to Screens
Polished VNC remote desktop client for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Vision Pro from Edovia.
PaidmacOS, iOS - Alternatives to TightVNC
Free, lightweight VNC server and viewer for Windows, licensed under the GPL.
FreeOpen sourceWindows - Alternatives to UltraVNC
Open-source VNC suite for Windows with a repeater, single-click support tool and encryption plugins.
Open sourceWindows - Alternatives to ISL Online
Remote support licensed by concurrent session, available as cloud, self-hosted server or private cloud.
PaidSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android - Alternatives to Getscreen.me
Browser-based remote desktop with a free tier, a lifetime personal licence and a self-hosted server option.
Free plan + paidSelf-hostableWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, Browser extension - Alternatives to AnyViewer
Free remote desktop app from AOMEI with low-cost yearly plans for professionals and teams.
Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, iOS, Android - Alternatives to LogMeIn Pro
Paid remote access to your own PCs and Macs, sold by the number of computers you need to reach.
PaidWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android - Alternatives to Quick Assist
The remote help app built into Windows for helping someone over a shared six-digit code.
FreeWindows
Our picks by need
Best for most people
RustDeskBest for a free option
Chrome Remote DesktopBest for open source
Apache GuacamoleBest for self-hosting
AnyDeskBest for Mac
TeamViewerBest for Windows
SplashtopBest for Linux
Zoho AssistBest for iPhone and Android
ConnectWise ScreenConnectPopular comparisons
Common questions
What is the best remote desktop software?
Based on how often our research lists them as alternatives and visits from AppBreakup, the leading remote desktop software options right now are RustDesk, TeamViewer, Chrome Remote Desktop, Splashtop and AnyDesk.
Is there free remote desktop software?
Yes. RustDesk (open source), TeamViewer (free plan + paid), Chrome Remote Desktop (free), Splashtop (free plan + paid) and AnyDesk (free plan + paid) have a free option, out of 28 free or freemium apps we track.
Which remote desktop software is open source?
RustDesk, Apache Guacamole, TigerVNC, MeshCentral, Remmina and X2Go, and 5 more.