StarDesk vs ConnectWise ScreenConnect

StarDesk9.7Visit ConnectWise ScreenConnect8.7Visit

Higher score StarDesk #1 in Remote Desktop Software 9.7/10 Free ✓ 0 of 3 features Visit StarDesk

vs

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

• StarDesk fits best

  Playing your PC games, or carrying on PC work, from a phone or tablet

• ConnectWise ScreenConnect fits best

  Professional support teams needing self-hosting

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Side by side

Feature	StarDesk 9.7/10 Visit ↗	ConnectWise ScreenConnect 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.7	8.7
Ranking	#1 in Remote Desktop Software	#8 in Remote Desktop Software
Best for	Playing your PC games, or carrying on PC work, from a phone or tablet	Professional support teams needing self-hosting
Pricing model	Free	Paid
Starting price	Not checked yet	$30/mo
Free plan	Not checked yet	—
Free trial	—	14 days
Features StarDesk 0/3 · ConnectWise ScreenConnect 3/3
File transfer	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Session recording	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Mobile apps	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Specs
Access mode	Not checked yet	Both
Supported platforms	Not checked yet	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Managed devices	Not checked yet	10 devices
Our review
Pros	Made for both games and work: play PC games on a phone or tablet, or reach a work PC Apps for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS Says it streams up to 4K at 144 FPS with 4:4:4 colour and needs no VPN	Supports attended and unattended remote access Offers recording, command-line tools, and file transfer Runs across major desktop, mobile, browser, and self-hosted environments
Cons	In Free Early Access (public beta): free to use for now, with no paid plans announced yet No Linux app is listed on its download page	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
Our verdict	StarDesk is a remote desktop app: you install it on your Windows PC and connect back to that computer from another device (its FAQ says controlling a Mac is in development; a Mac works as the client). Its download page lists apps for… Read the review →	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 →

Strengths and trade-offs

• StarDesk — where it wins

  • Made for both games and work: play PC games on a phone or tablet, or reach a work PC
  • Apps for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS
  • Says it streams up to 4K at 144 FPS with 4:4:4 colour and needs no VPN

  Where it doesn't

  • In Free Early Access (public beta): free to use for now, with no paid plans announced yet
  • No Linux app is listed on its download page

• 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

• StarDesk9.7/10 · Free

  A remote desktop app: reach your own Windows PC from Windows, macOS, Android or iOS; its FAQ says controlling a Mac is in development.

  Visit StarDeskFull verdict →
• ConnectWise ScreenConnect8.7/10 · 14-day trial

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

  Visit ScreenConnectFull verdict →