Chrome Remote Desktop vs TeamViewer
Updated October 2026 · AppBreakup editorial
Chrome Remote Desktop
Google's free remote access tool that runs from the browser with a Google account.
TeamViewer
The best-known remote access and support tool, free for personal use and sold on annual plans to businesses.
The short answer
TeamViewer and Chrome Remote Desktop both let you reach a computer remotely, but they serve different needs. Chrome Remote Desktop is Google's free, simple option for accessing your own machines or giving quick help with a one-time code. TeamViewer is a full remote support platform with broad platform coverage, file transfer and IT add-ons, free only for personal use. The biggest difference is a basic free tool versus a commercial support product.
Chrome Remote Desktop or TeamViewer: our take
Chrome Remote Desktop installs a small host on Windows, macOS or Linux, protected by a PIN for unattended access, and you connect from a browser or the Android and iOS apps. For one-off help, the other person generates a single-use access code and reads it to you. There are no paid tiers and no commercial-use checks. The trade-off is a thin feature set: no proper file-transfer manager, no session recording, no multi-user administration and limited multi-monitor handling. It requires a Google account on both ends, which rules it out for organisations that avoid Google services or need audit trails.
TeamViewer covers far more ground. It runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, ChromeOS and Raspberry Pi, plus a web app, and has grown into an IT platform with device management, monitoring and endpoint protection as add-ons. It is free for personal use on your own devices or with friends and family, but the free version watches for commercial-looking usage and can flag accounts. Business plans are annual subscriptions, licensed only to the supporting expert, and costs rise with add-ons. Its interface has become crowded as the product widened.
Choose Chrome Remote Desktop if you want free access to your own computers or occasionally help a relative and already use a Google account. Choose TeamViewer if you provide support as part of your work, need file transfer, logging or team administration, or support devices such as phones and Raspberry Pi that Chrome Remote Desktop cannot host.
Which should you pick?
Choose Chrome Remote Desktop if…
- Home users who want free, simple access to their own computers
- Free with no commercial-use restrictions
- Works from any modern browser
Choose TeamViewer if…
- Help desks and families who want the tool the other person most likely already knows
- Runs on almost every desktop and mobile operating system
- Free for genuine personal use
About each app
What is Chrome Remote Desktop?
Chrome Remote Desktop is Google's no-cost way to reach your own computers or briefly help someone else. You set up remote access on a Windows, Mac or Linux machine by installing a small host component from the remotedesktop.google.com site, protect it with a PIN, and then connect from Chrome or another browser, or from the Android and iOS apps. For one-off help the other person generates a one-time access code and reads it to you. There are no paid tiers, no commercial-use checks and no device limits worth worrying about, which makes it a favourite for home users and very small teams. The trade-off is a thin feature set: no proper file-transfer manager, no session recording, no multi-user administration and limited multi-monitor handling. Everything is tied to a Google account, so organisations that avoid Google services or need audit trails usually look elsewhere.
What is TeamViewer?
TeamViewer lets you control another computer or phone over the internet, either with someone on the other end reading you a session code or unattended on devices you have set up in advance. It has been around for two decades, so many people already have it installed, which makes it an easy default for helping family or supporting customers. Beyond the core remote control it has grown into a broad IT platform with device management, monitoring, endpoint protection and augmented-reality support, sold as add-ons. Personal use between your own devices or with friends and family is free, but the free version watches for commercial-looking usage and can flag accounts, which frustrates some home users. Business plans are annual subscriptions licensed to the person giving support, not the people receiving it. Apps exist for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, ChromeOS and Raspberry Pi, plus a web app for starting sessions.
Side by side
| Attribute | Chrome Remote Desktop | TeamViewer |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free plan + paid |
| Open source | No | No |
| Self-hostable | No | No |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web |
| Best for | Home users who want free, simple access to their own computers | Help desks and families who want the tool the other person most likely already knows |
| Status | Active | Active |
Chrome Remote Desktop vs TeamViewer pricing
Chrome Remote Desktop: free
We couldn't verify Chrome Remote Desktop's plan details on its own site yet, so we don't list them.
TeamViewer: free plan + paid
- Who needs a licence: Only the supporting expert source
- Free for personal use: Yes, own devices or friends and family source
- Add-on trial: 30 days source
Platforms
| Platform | Chrome Remote Desktop | TeamViewer |
|---|---|---|
| Web | ||
| Windows | ||
| macOS | ||
| Linux | ||
| iOS | ||
| Android |
Chrome Remote Desktop facts
3 of 3 verified- Host platforms
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- Checked Oct 25, 2026support.google.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Set up remote access to your computer You can set up remote access to your Mac, Windows, or Linux computer.”
- Support codes
- Single-use access codes
- Checked Oct 25, 2026support.google.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “The access code will only work one time.”
- Unattended access
- PIN-protected
- Checked Oct 25, 2026support.google.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Enter the PIN required to access another computer.”
TeamViewer facts
5 of 5 verified- Who needs a licence
- Only the supporting expert
- Checked Oct 25, 2026teamviewer.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Does every session participant need a paid license? No, only an expert needs a license.”
- Free for personal use
- Yes, own devices or friends and family
- Checked Oct 25, 2026teamviewer.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “This means if you are making connections between your own personal devices at home or are connecting to friends and family to assist or communicate with them.”
- Billing
- Annual subscriptions
- Checked Oct 25, 2026teamviewer.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “At TeamViewer, we offer our customers annual subscriptions, which are paid for and renewed on an annual basis.”
- Platforms
- Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, ChromeOS, Raspberry Pi
- Checked Oct 25, 2026teamviewer.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “\r\nAvailable for all major operating systems: Windows | macOS | Linux | Android | iOS | ChromeOS | Raspberry Pi”
- Add-on trial
- 30 days
- Checked Oct 25, 2026teamviewer.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Add-ons can be selected at checkout. 30-day free trial”
Pros and cons of Chrome Remote Desktop
- Free with no commercial-use restrictions
- Works from any modern browser
- One-time codes make quick help sessions easy
- Few admin, logging or team features
- Basic file transfer and multi-monitor support
- Requires a Google account on both ends
Pros and cons of TeamViewer
- 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
- 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
Other apps to consider
RustDeskInstead of Chrome Remote Desktop
Also free, but open-source and self-hostable with more features like file transfer.
Windows AppInstead of Chrome Remote Desktop
Microsoft's client for connecting to Windows PCs over RDP without a third-party service.
AnyDeskInstead of Chrome Remote Desktop
Better performance and file transfer when you outgrow the browser-based setup.
SplashtopInstead of TeamViewer
Usually much cheaper per user for the same unattended access and support features.
Zoho AssistInstead of TeamViewer
Lower-priced remote support with a lasting free plan, handy for small IT teams.
ConnectWise ScreenConnectInstead of TeamViewer
Popular with managed service providers and available as an on-premises install.
Chrome Remote Desktop vs TeamViewer: common questions
Is Chrome Remote Desktop better than TeamViewer?
TeamViewer and Chrome Remote Desktop both let you reach a computer remotely, but they serve different needs. Chrome Remote Desktop is Google's free, simple option for accessing your own machines or giving quick help with a one-time code. TeamViewer is a full remote support platform with broad platform coverage, file transfer and IT add-ons, free only for personal use. The biggest difference is a basic free tool versus a commercial support product.
Is Chrome Remote Desktop free?
Yes, Chrome Remote Desktop is free.
Is TeamViewer free?
TeamViewer has a free plan, with paid plans for more features. See its verified pricing facts above for current limits.
Is Chrome Remote Desktop or TeamViewer open source?
Neither is open source.
Which platforms do Chrome Remote Desktop and TeamViewer support?
Chrome Remote Desktop: Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android. TeamViewer: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android and Web.