The Best Remote Desktop Access Software in 2026
We researched remote desktop access software using vendors’ official websites, including pricing pages, plan tables, and product documentation. Rankings focus on the category’s core job, value for money, and verified features, helping buyers compare options for remote work, IT support, and unattended access.
Our top picks
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Top ranked
TeamViewer Remote#1 of 309.4/10A broad remote access platform for personal use, IT support, and enterprise connectivity.
Free plan · 14-day trial
-
Runner-up
AnyDesk#2 of 309.2/10Flexible remote access for individuals and teams, with cloud and self-hosted options.
Free plan
-
Top-ranked free plan
Splashtop#3 of 309.1/10A flexible remote access suite with free home use and paid plans from $6 per user monthly.
Free plan
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
The full ranking 30 tools, best first
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Best forOrganizations needing a mature, full-featured platform
A broad remote access platform for personal use, IT support, and enterprise connectivity.
- Session recording
Free plan · 14-day trial Our TeamViewer Remote verdict → Visit TeamViewerFor vendors Sponsor this spot · #1 · $149/mo →9.4/10★★★★★Visit TeamViewer -
Best forTeams needing flexible deployment and broad device coverage
Flexible remote access for individuals and teams, with cloud and self-hosted options.
- Session recording
9.2/10★★★★★Visit AnyDesk -
Best forBudget-conscious teams needing broad remote access
A flexible remote access suite with free home use and paid plans from $6 per user monthly.
- Session recording
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Splashtop -
Best forTeams needing self-hosted access and granular controls
Flexible remote access with granular controls and an on-premises option.
- Session recording
Free plan · 14-day trial Our RealVNC Connect verdict → Visit RealVNCFor vendors Sponsor this spot · #4 · $69/mo →9.0/10★★★★☆Visit RealVNC -
Best forSupport teams using Zoho or common service desks
A flexible remote support tool with attended and unattended access, plus service-desk integrations.
- Session recording
Free plan · 15-day trial Our Zoho Assist verdict → Visit Zoho AssistFor vendors Sponsor this spot · #5 · $59/mo →8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Zoho Assist -
Best forIT teams managing desktops and Android devices
Remote administration for IT teams, with cloud and self-hosted options.
- Session recording
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit ManageEngine -
Best forTechnical teams preferring free, self-hosted browser access
Free, open-source browser access for teams prepared to host and administer the gateway.
- Session recording
8.7/10★★★★☆Try Apache Guacamole -
Best forSupport teams needing self-hosting and session auditing
A remote access suite with recording, mobile support, and cloud or self-hosted deployment.
- Session recording
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit ISL Online -
Best forIT support teams needing integrations and troubleshooting
A feature-rich remote support tool with cloud or self-hosted deployment and paid plans.
- Session recording
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit ConnectWise -
Best forEnterprise service desks with security and integration needs
Enterprise remote support combines flexible deployment with access controls and session records.
- Session recording
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit BeyondTrust -
Best forIT teams already using N-able management tools
A capable remote support toolkit for teams in the N-able ecosystem.
- Session recording
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit N-able -
Best forIndividuals and teams seeking low-cost paid access
Low-cost paid remote access with both support modes and plans for teams.
- Session recording
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit RemotePC -
Best forTeams wanting browser access with a self-hosted option
Browser-based remote support with unattended access and a self-hosted deployment option.
- Session recording
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Getscreen.me -
Best forIndividuals and small teams needing remote access
Remote access, file transfer and mobile control, with a free plan and paid tiers.
- Session recording
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit AnyViewer -
Best forTeams wanting open-source access and help-desk tools
HopToDesk combines remote control with monitoring, ticketing, and session recording.
- Session recording
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit HopToDesk -
Best forUsers who value open-source, self-hosted remote access
RustDesk pairs open-source remote access with self-hosting and paid administration tools.
- Session recording
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit RustDesk -
Best forUsers wanting free browser-based control and system tools
Free browser-based access pairs screen control with practical remote system tools.
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit DWService -
Best forAdministrators seeking free, self-hosted device management
A free, open-source tool for administrators who want to manage remote devices on their own server.
- Session recording
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit MeshCentral -
Best forUsers prioritizing straightforward host-computer access
Browser and mobile access with file transfer, printing, and multi-monitor support.
- Unattended access
- Mobile device access
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit GoToMyPC -
Best forLarge support teams with high device capacity needs
Remote support with broad session tools and capacity for 500 endpoint agents per license.
- Session recording
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit SolarWinds -
Best forWindows-focused teams needing advanced remote tools
A Windows-oriented remote access toolkit with attended and unattended control, recording, and admin modes.
- Session recording
7.5/10★★★★☆Try Remote Utilities -
Best forLinux and server users needing remote administration
A broad remote-access suite with low-cost entry pricing and a 14-day server evaluation.
- Session recording
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit NoMachine -
Best forLinux environments needing shared desktop sessions
A self-hosted Linux desktop access system with persistent sessions and SSH tunneling.
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit X2Go -
Best forUsers needing free VNC access with file transfer
A VNC-based remote access tool for direct control and file transfer, with Windows service mode.
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit TightVNC -
Best forTechnical users who need a basic VNC viewer or server
A self-hosted VNC toolkit for technical teams that can manage their own remote access.
7.0/10★★★★☆Visit TigerVNC -
Best forWindows users wanting a free, simple VNC solution
A free Windows VNC tool for remote control and file transfer, with a focused platform range.
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit UltraVNC -
Best forSmall teams needing remote access and RMM basics
Paid remote access with file tools and an RMM tier for small teams.
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit Supremo -
Best forDesktop users needing lightweight remote control
AeroAdmin pairs free remote support with paid file transfer and session recording.
- Session recording
6.7/10★★★☆☆Visit AeroAdmin -
Best forOrganizations hosting Linux desktops and applications
A focused Linux hosting server with browser access, clustering and a free community tier.
6.6/10★★★☆☆Visit ThinLinc -
Best forAdministrators managing a fleet of Mac computers
A focused Mac administration tool with remote control, deployment, reporting, and automation.
6.5/10★★★☆☆Visit Apple
No tools match those filters.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TeamViewer Remote | Yes | 9.4 | |
| 2 | AnyDesk | Yes | 9.2 | |
| 3 | Splashtop | Yes | $72/user/yr | 9.1 |
| 4 | RealVNC Connect | Yes | 9.0 | |
| 5 | Zoho Assist | Yes | $10/user/mo | 8.9 |
| 6 | ManageEngine Remote Access Plus | Yes | $75/yr | 8.8 |
| 7 | Apache Guacamole | Yes | Free | 8.7 |
| 8 | ISL Online | No | $16.90/user/mo | 8.6 |
| 9 | ConnectWise ScreenConnect | No | $30/mo | 8.5 |
| 10 | BeyondTrust Remote Support | No | 8.4 | |
| 11 | N-able Take Control | No | 8.3 | |
| 12 | RemotePC | No | $2.46/mo | 8.2 |
| 13 | Getscreen.me | Yes | $149 one-time | 8.1 |
| 14 | AnyViewer | Yes | 8.0 | |
| 15 | HopToDesk | Yes | $180/yr | 7.9 |
| 16 | RustDesk | Yes | $11.88/mo | 7.8 |
| 17 | DWService | Yes | 7.7 | |
| 18 | MeshCentral | Yes | Free | 7.6 |
| 19 | GoToMyPC | No | 7.5 | |
| 20 | Dameware Remote Everywhere | No | $972/user/yr | 7.5 |
| 21 | Remote Utilities | Yes | $99/user one-time | 7.5 |
| 22 | NoMachine | No | $24.50/yr | 7.4 |
| 23 | X2Go | Yes | Free | 7.2 |
| 24 | TightVNC | Yes | Free | 7.1 |
| 25 | TigerVNC | Yes | Free | 7.0 |
| 26 | UltraVNC | Yes | Free | 6.9 |
| 27 | Supremo | No | €7.37/mo | 6.8 |
| 28 | AeroAdmin | Yes | $69.90/seat/yr | 6.7 |
| 29 | ThinLinc | Yes | $122/user/yr | 6.6 |
| 30 | Apple Remote Desktop | No | $79.99 one-time | 6.5 |
Head-to-head All 7 comparisons →
- TeamViewer Remote vs Apache Guacamole
- AnyDesk vs Apache Guacamole
- Splashtop vs Apache Guacamole
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How we rank remote desktop access software
Every tool on this page was researched by iTechGuides Editors from its official website — pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. We rank on how well each one does this category's core job, what the free or entry plan includes, and where it falls short. Where we have enough verified facts, the score out of 10 is a rubric — job fit, value and how much we could verify — shown with its breakdown on every tool's page; a tool we have not verified enough to score yet shows its rank without a number. Scores are re-checked when a product changes its plans. Read the full editorial policy, or submit a tool we missed.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update