12 Best (FREE & Paid) Remote Desktop Software for Personal Use and Small Business 2024

What is Remote Desktop Software?

Remote desktop software allows a user to seamlessly connect to and interact with a computer in another location via an internal network or the internet. Remote desktop software enables the user to see and control a connected PC or laptop as though they were sitting directly in front of it. 

Remote desktop software is for business purposes like file transfer, desktop sharing, application access, customer support, troubleshooting, etc.

Remote Desktop Use-cases

• Work from home: If you are working from home, you can leverage the software to connect to your work environment with safety and compliance.

• Troubleshooting: A remote desktop solution is leveraged by IT admins widely because it helps them troubleshoot technical issues when an employee is stuck with something problematic in their machines.

• Help Desk: Support teams and help desk solutions, find greater usage of remote desktop software to resolve the issues their customers face.

• While traveling: The software comes in handy while you are traveling, and you urgently need to access important files or documents saved on your computer back at home or office desk.

Benefits of Remote Desktop Software

• A decent remote desktop software helps increase your productivity as you can access your files the moment you want without commuting to the office.

• It adds convenience as you can work from anywhere, be it home, beach, traveling, feeling sick, or any other important thing that needs you to be at home.

• It’s cost-efficient because your company does not need to invest a hefty sum of money on buying new employees or servers for that matter.

• Effortless data transmission is what you can expect, provided your network is doing fine.

That was all about the software and how it can help you. Now, the next challenge is to find a good one that can meet your unique requirements.

Top 12 Remote Desktop Software:

1. Chrome Remote Desktop

2. Microsoft Remote Desktop

3. TeamViewer
   

4. Parallels Access（get up to 15% canshback）

5. AnyDesk

6. Splashtop 

7. Zoho Assist

8. RemotePC

9. GoToMyPC

10. LogMeIn

11. NoMachine

12. GoToAssist

Money Saving Tips First:

No matter which of the best remote desktop software is right for you, you can get a free trial or a free version. Don’t forget to Sign up at Extrabux before shopping online, (What is Extrabux?), then you can earn up to 45+% cashback on your purchase!

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#1.       Chrome Remote Desktop

If you use Chrome and are looking for a free remote desktop software, Chrome Remote Desktop is worth considering. It is cross-platform and works as an extension, meaning the tool can be used on any device supporting Chrome. Apps for Android and iOS are also available to provide remote access to devices through smartphones.

With Chrome Remote Desktop, you can either control your personal or work computer over a distance, or access someone else’s system to provide remote technical support. For Chrome Remote Desktop to work, ensure the Chrome browser is installed on both computers and sign into your Google account. You also need to install and configure the Remote Access extension on all computers that you want to access.

The tool is fairly easy-to-use, you don’t need to be tech-savvy to set up and run Chrome Remote Desktop on your computer. On top of that, this app offers useful features, including unattended access and multi-monitor support. However, the tool lacks drag-and-drop file transfer, remote printing and live chat, making it less efficient in some cases.

Price: Free

#2.       Microsoft Remote Desktop

Microsoft Remote Desktop is a utility that lets you quickly connect and control a remote office PC from anywhere. Working in apps, managing files and accessing network resources: you can do anything on the remote PC as if it was a physical PC.

Microsoft Remote Desktop is compatible with Mac, Windows, and has clients for iOS and Android mobile devices, so you can use it on almost any device. 

To connect to your PC from Mac, you need to enable the remote desktop on the PC being accessed, install and run the Microsoft Remote Desktop application on Mac, and then enter the IP address and login credentials. 

The mobile app is well-designed and allows the use of keyboard shortcuts with keys that replicate the control, option, and alt keys. Users can easily share or print files stored on remote computers from any location with an Internet connection.

Besides, the tool features a sleek interface, secure connection and audio/video streaming.

Price: Free

#3.       TeamViewer 

TeamViewer is well-known throughout the computing community as an excellent remote desktop application. 

TeamViewer owes its popularity to multi-platform support, ease of use, and plenty of features that increase productivity and efficiency.

It is easy to use, enabling new users to easily connect to remote desktop computers or servers. The tool is widely used by remote support technicians or individuals to implement screen sharing. TeamViewer is considered both a collaborative and remote management tool.

Extensive operating system support makes TeamViewer a versatile solution. In addition to the standard Windows, Linux, and macOS support, the software can be installed on mobile devices utilizing Android, iOS, or Raspberry Pi. A new feature is TeamViewer Pilot that enables remote maintenance to be conducted with the assistance of augmented reality.

TeamViewer offers a free version (for non-commercial use only), but also provides multiple plan options supporting one-man teams up to massive organizations.

For personal use, the free version is sufficient. Of course, it lacks all the bells and whistles of the premium version and includes ads, but still, you can get the most out of features like remote printing, file sharing.

On the other hand, for those who wish to offer remote support to numerous individuals with differing OS, TeamViewer has the features, tools, and flexibility a larger organization needs.

Pros	Cons
Free version available (non-commercial-use only)	To get more features, you’ll need to upgrade to premium versions which are quite pricey;
Feature-rich and user-friendly;	It’s difficult to share the screen in sleep mode.
Fast connection speed	Additional cost for mobile access
Provides multi-level security;
Serves as both a remote access app and an online meeting platform.
OS Support for: Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome OS, Android, iOS, and Blackberry OS

Price: Free or Paid

The TeamViewer Single-User Plan costs $50.90 per month, and supports up to 3 devices .

The Multi-User Plan is $102.90 per month, and supports up to 50 users licensed to create a single session.

The For Teams Plan is $206.90 per month, and supports up to 200 users, 3 of whom can use the service simultaneously.

The TeamViewer Tensor Plan costs (roughly) $500,000 per year, and was designed for users requiring concurrent remote access for teams of 200 (this plan is ideal for enterprise-level organizations).

Try for free

#4.       Parallels Access

Parallels Access is designed primarily to enable users to access and control remote computers from mobile devices. Most of its features are focused on providing mobile access, though the tool also supports connectivity between computers. It is an economical solution for users needing access to corporate or private machines from their smartphones or tablets.

The tool enables you to run desktop applications on your mobile devices without sacrificing clarity or usability. Access and manage files on remote machines or in the cloud from anywhere with an intuitive interface optimized for mobile devices.

You can access remote computers from any web browser without any additional software installation.

Parallels Access Pricing

Prices quoted are per user per year with the Standard version being a one-time purchase.

#5.       AnyDesk

Launched in 2014, AnyDesk is a proprietary remote desktop software. As the name suggests, AnyDesk provides remote control from anywhere, anytime. Although the tool is available both for individuals and branched companies, it is free only for personal use. Any Desk runs across all common platforms – Windows, Linux and macOS, Android and iOS.

AnyDesk offers a lightweight option that only requires about 2.8 MB of space on your device. In spite of its minimal size, this app acts as a high-performance recording and collaboration vehicle.

AnyDesk has a built-in address book feature that keeps track of connections and contacts and allows the user to see the online status of those connections. There is also a drag and drop feature to transfer files and documents between devices. Among other things, AnyDesk is much faster compared to other similar products, offers unattended access, remote printing, as well as enables online collaboration and session recordings.

Pros	Cons
Compatible on all major mobile platforms;	Not cost-effective for small enterprises that don't need to access thousands of unattended machines;
User-friendly interface;	Organizations must pay for both tech support functionality and unattended computer acces;
Lots of keyboard shortcuts;	There are subscription add-on fees for mobile functionality.
No time caps on sessions;	Low-quality video recording.
Lightweight installation file;
Fast connectivity thanks to low latency.




AnyDesk Pricing

Prices quoted are per user per month.

Plan	Price	Licenses/Users	Managed devices	Unattended devices
Essentials	$9.90	1	1	1
Performance	$19.90	1	3	3000
Enterprise	Custom pricing	On demand	On demand	On demand

*On the official website, AnyDesk states that the software is free for personal use.

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#6.       NoMachine

NoMachine provides screen sharing and remote access solutions for individuals and large companies. The software is based on its proprietary NX technology and supports all popular operating systems (Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, and Android).

Non-commercial users can enjoy the application free of charge with no restrictions or ads. NoMachine enables users to access and transfer files from remote computers. Sessions can be recorded for later use. Video and audio streaming capabilities allow real-time communication.

For business and commercial customers, a wide choice of paid subscriptions is available. There are so many plan options, and prices vary as well, ranging from $44.50 up to thousands of dollars per year, so choosing the right one can be confusing. The features available in a paid NoMachine subscription depend on the plan you are subscribed to. Actually, these features are sector-specific.

#7.       SplashTop

SplashTop offers targeted remote access tools that deliver features developed for specific use cases, but several of its global features are worth noting, too. Two of which being an easy-to-use UI, and the capability to access customer/client computers remotely (without the customer/client needing to download/install additional software.)

The SplashTop app allows users to access and manage unmanned machines from any device, allowing for easy control over multiple unattended desktops, and the important information they house.

SplashTop also offers an array of extra features that vary based on the user’s specific plan, like file transferring, session recording (where applicable), or support packages with built-in chat modules.

While a free version isn’t available, SplashTop Business Access is a reliable and affordable tool for small businesses or sole-proprietors (like freelancers.) However, accessing more exceptional features (like session recording and chat), requires the purchase of a higher-tiered plan.

The great news is, the SplashTop Business Access plan only costs $99/per year (per user), and offers a plethora of great features like multi-screen display, remote wake-ups, and so much more! So there’s a lot to work with in the base plan.

SplashTop’s Solo Plan is great for individual users, as it allows access to up to two computers! Most competing single-user plans only allow access to just one computer. Additionally, SplashTop supports larger businesses with IT and customer support teams by providing enterprise-tier plans.

Splashtop Pricing

Splashtop Business Access- $60-$99/per year (per user): offers remote access to computers from any location

Splashtop Remote Support- starts at $299/per year (up to 25 computers): allows access to a specific number of remote, unmanned Mac/Windows computers for an unlimited quantity of licensed technicians

Splashtop SOS- starts at $199/per year (per the technician): developed for on-demand support scenarios for a licensed amount of technicians (pricier plans offer remote access to unattended computers)

Splashtop Education- $29.99/per year (per teacher): provides screen sharing tools created specifically for educational settings

#8.       LogMeIn

LogMeIn helps improve customer satisfaction and loyalty by offering remote support for iOS, Android, and macOS devices. Developed and owned by the company responsible for the collaborative tool “GoToMeeting”, LogMeIn Pro offers reliable solutions for larger business entities.

LogMeIn Pro provides incredible bonus perks that users won’t find in competitor software, such as LastPass Premium(password management service), and 1TB of storage space! These bonuses come with every LogMeIn Pro plan.

LogMeIn lets users access most of its features via app or web browser, but no longer provides a free version of their software.

LogMeIn offers many features that make securely accessing files on a remote machine simple, easy, and safe. The LogMeIn File Manager provides quick access to host computer file systems- while IT pros enjoy split display options that make drag-and-drop file sharing easy! All in all, it’s a fantastic way to transmit large company files that cannot be sent via email.

The Wake On LAN feature means the end of struggling with host computers falling asleep, ensuring users can control remote computers quickly and easily. The Whiteboard Drawing feature enables IT pros to facilitate support sessions by easily drawing attention to specific items or areas on the screen. Screen Record has AVI outputs, and enables users to prepare for demonstrations ahead of time.

Lastly, anyone who utilizes multiple desktops (like web devs and graphics designers) will find the Multiple Monitor support flexible, helpful, and intuitive. It even allows users to view individual monitors on one “master” screen, or replicate an exact workstation thanks to multi-monitor host-to-client support.

Files, apps, and programs stay organized to the user’s preference, allowing for efficiency regardless of where the user is working from.

LogMeIn Pricing

LogMeIn “Individuals” Subscription- $349.99/per year: provides access to 2 computers from the web, a computer, or mobile device with iOS or Android operating systems.

LogMeIn “Power User” Subscription- $839.99/ per year: offers access for up to 5 computers.

LogMeIn “Small Business” Subscription- $1,539.99/per year: enables remote access for up to 10 computers.

#9.       Zoho Assist

Zoho cloud software company has Zoho Assist as part of its suite of products. Zoho Assist allows for easy on-demand remote support for companies to service their customers easily and cost effectively. 

Zoho Assist includes voice and video chat – allowing you to provide better remote support to your customers. Zoho Assist supports multi screens during a session and session recording is available allowing you to keep a log of all session activities which is integral for training and providing historical client/support communications.

Zoho Assist uses Two Factor Authentication (2FA) such as OTP and SMS. All communications are secure and encrypted using SSL and AES 256-bit encryption. Zoho Assist is also firewall-friendly.

Zoho Assist is cloud based so requires no installation and it includes a 14-day free trial. Thereafter, there is a number of pricing options available to suit your business requirements.

Zoho Assist is the best overall remote access solution for small businesses due to its affordable plans and extensive features. It’s a suitable tool for IT departments that perform remote support as well as for employees needing to connect to corporate servers while working from home.

ZoHo Pricing

It offers a 15 days free trial without any credit card. Monthly paid plans start from around $10 and go up to $24 for remote support while there are two plans ($10-$15) for unattended access.

#10.       GoToAssist

GoToAssist is a cloud-based remote desktop solution that was developed specifically to help IT and customer support teams.

GoToAssist allows IT and tech support teams to exceed their goals for efficiency and productivity. While tech support was once solely done over audio communication, GoToAssist enables support professionals to access customer machines and control the computer themselves.

Eliminating client and tech frustration, and greatly expediting fixes and customer satisfaction.

Moreover, if an issue arises that stretches beyond the current specialization of a support professional, they can invite additional specialists to assist or forward the issue to another technician entirely, without customers needing to wait in additional queue times, or call back.

GoToAssist also allows a single technician to help up to 8 individual customers at the same time. Conveniently, these features are available on mobile devices, ensuring efficiency is always within arm’s reach.

By running installers on remote devices, GoToAssist enables full access to unmanned devices and servers. Additionally, it’s beloved for its screen sharing and mouse/keyboard control capabilities, allowing for more efficient customer service and troubleshooting.

GoToAssist can create a session via desktop application or internet browser and is used almost exclusively by Windows operators (most GoToAssist features work on Mac, as well.) Thanks to the app, RA also lets users connect via iOS and Android devices.

GoToAssist Pricing

Pricing scales based on the number of technicians, and while GoToAssist does not have a free version, it offers a free 30-day trial.

Option 1: $69/per month, per 1 technician.

Option 2: $345/per month, per 5 technicians.

Option 3: $690/per month, per 10 technicians.

Mobile accessibility costs an additional $20/per month.

#11.       RemotePC

Developed by IDrive Inc. (a cloud-storage, remote access, and online backup company founded in 1995), RemotePC is a remote access tool beloved by many. In fact, the Better Business Bureau gives IDrive Inc., an A+ rating! 

RemotePC makes it easy to access computers remotely, and runs on Windows, Mac, Linux (along with Android, and iOS devices with secure AES-256 encryption). Users are given two options for remote sharing: one is the “always on access”, which provides remote access to a computer 24/7- or they can provide one-time access with a sharing key.

RemotePC doesn’t even require installation and can be simply accessed from the browser.

Offering easy file transfer and remote printing, all data transfers are secured using TLS v1.2/ AES-256 encryption. With an option for Always-On access or Attended access, the latter has the additional security level of a secure access code.

You can also remotely reboot the host machine and send and receive chat messages between the host and client machine. These are very useful features for remote technical support sessions.

For online collaboration sessions, RemotePC includes a whiteboard function, the ability to play sound on the host machine, and record all remote sessions.

RemotePC has four different pricing options – each with specific features included so it’s important to determine which are paramount to your business requirements and to select your package accordingly.

RemotePC Pricing

The quoted prices are introductory rates that go up to regular rates after the first year.

#12.       GoToMyPC

GoToMyPC has been a popular choice as a remote desktop solution for years. The tool provides a synthesis of features, security, and ease-of-use that makes it appropriate for general users requiring remote access. Users don’t need to learn a standalone app interface, as the tool can be controlled from a web browser or a desktop shortcut to immediately access a remote computer. GoToMyPC is the best app we have found for furnishing mobile access and is an excellent solution for small businesses.

GoToMyPC has all the basic features you need in a viable remote access solution including а file transfer, multi-monitor, and sound support while protecting your connections with 256-bit AES encryption, multi-factor authentication, dual passwords, and host access codes.

GoToMyPC’s basic version includes file syncing and transfer capabilities, simplified file accessing, editing, and deletion on remote computers.

GoToMyPC Pro accounts offer central billing features, also simplifying management over user payments. All aforementioned features are included in the Small Business plan (as well as additional options.)

One of which is “Wake on LAN”, which enables remote users to turn on a computer, or wake it up from sleep mode at any time.

One of the nice advanced features that are included in all plans is the LogMeIn antivirus protection to help keep you safe. Other advanced features include the ability to lock the remote keyboard and black the screen on your PC to protect your privacy and Real-Time Diagnostics.

GoToMyPC Pricing

Prices quoted are per computer per month.

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