ConnectWise ScreenConnect vs MeshCentral

ConnectWise ScreenConnect8.7Visit MeshCentral7.7Visit

Higher score ConnectWise ScreenConnect #8 in Remote Desktop Software 8.7/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit ScreenConnect

vs

MeshCentral #17 in Remote Desktop Software 7.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit MeshCentral

• ConnectWise ScreenConnect fits best

  Professional support teams needing self-hosting

• MeshCentral fits best

  Technical teams wanting a self-hosted open-source tool

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Side by side

Feature	ConnectWise ScreenConnect 8.7/10 Visit ↗	MeshCentral 7.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.7	7.7
Ranking	#8 in Remote Desktop Software	#17 in Remote Desktop Software
Best for	Professional support teams needing self-hosting	Technical teams wanting a self-hosted open-source tool
Pricing model	Paid	Free
Starting price	$30/mo	Free plan
Free plan	—	✓ (best)
Free trial	14 days	—
Deployment	Cloud, Self-hosted	Self-hosted, Mobile
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Support	Live chat, Community, Docs · 24/7	Community, Docs
Compliance	SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI DSS, SSO/SAML, 2FA	SSO/SAML, 2FA
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features ConnectWise ScreenConnect 3/3 · MeshCentral 3/3
File transfer	✓	✓
Session recording	✓	✓
Mobile apps	✓	✓
Specs
Access mode	Both	Both
Supported platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	Windows, Linux, macOS, FreeBSD, Android, web browser
Managed devices	10 devices	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Supports attended and unattended remote access Offers recording, command-line tools, and file transfer Runs across major desktop, mobile, browser, and self-hosted environments	Web remote desktop, terminal, and file access in one tool Multitenancy, permissions, logs, and session recording Intel AMT management, Wake-on-LAN, and port forwarding
Cons	One permits one license, one session, and 10 unattended agents Premium features require higher annual-billing tiers Enterprise licensing uses custom pricing and contract options	Requires teams to install and operate their own server Endpoint agents must be deployed to managed devices Self-hosting places administration and availability responsibilities on the team
Our verdict	ConnectWise ScreenConnect is remote support and remote access software for IT teams, managed service providers, and internal support departments. Technicians can view and control computers and mobile devices, support attended sessions,… Read the review →	MeshCentral is an open-source, self-hosted web application for remotely managing computers on local networks or over the internet. It is designed for technical teams that want control over their remote-access environment rather than a… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• ConnectWise ScreenConnect — where it wins

  • Supports attended and unattended remote access
  • Offers recording, command-line tools, and file transfer
  • Runs across major desktop, mobile, browser, and self-hosted environments

  Where it doesn't

  • One permits one license, one session, and 10 unattended agents
  • Premium features require higher annual-billing tiers
  • Enterprise licensing uses custom pricing and contract options

• MeshCentral — where it wins

  • Web remote desktop, terminal, and file access in one tool
  • Multitenancy, permissions, logs, and session recording
  • Intel AMT management, Wake-on-LAN, and port forwarding

  Where it doesn't

  • Requires teams to install and operate their own server
  • Endpoint agents must be deployed to managed devices
  • Self-hosting places administration and availability responsibilities on the team

• ConnectWise ScreenConnect8.7/10 · 14-day trial

  A broad remote-support platform with self-hosting, mobile apps, recording, and tiered access.

  Visit ScreenConnectFull verdict →
• MeshCentral7.7/10 · Free plan

  A capable free option for teams prepared to run and manage their own remote-access server.

  Visit MeshCentralFull verdict →