StarDesk vs RealVNC Connect

StarDesk9.7Visit RCRealVNC Connect8.8Visit

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

vs

RC RealVNC Connect #7 in Remote Desktop Software 8.8/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit RealVNC

• StarDesk fits best

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

• RealVNC Connect fits best

  Small teams wanting established remote access

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Side by side

Feature	StarDesk 9.7/10 Visit ↗	RCRealVNC Connect 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.7	8.8
Ranking	#1 in Remote Desktop Software	#7 in Remote Desktop Software
Best for	Playing your PC games, or carrying on PC work, from a phone or tablet	Small teams wanting established remote access
Pricing model	Free	Free plan + paid
Starting price	Not checked yet	—
Free plan	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Free trial	—	14 days
Features StarDesk 0/3 · RealVNC Connect 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, Raspberry Pi OS, iOS/iPadOS, Android
Managed devices	Not checked yet	3 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	Free non-commercial plan with support for 3 devices Remote access, file transfer, recording, chat, and administration Windows, macOS, Linux, Raspberry Pi, iOS, and Android support
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	Lite is limited to non-commercial use Paid pricing is billed annually, not monthly Offers few integrations with other software
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 →	RealVNC Connect is remote access and support software for individuals, organizations, IT teams, and service desks. It combines attended and unattended access with tools for remote control, file transfer, in-session chat, session recording,… 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

• RealVNC Connect — where it wins

  • Free non-commercial plan with support for 3 devices
  • Remote access, file transfer, recording, chat, and administration
  • Windows, macOS, Linux, Raspberry Pi, iOS, and Android support

  Where it doesn't

  • Lite is limited to non-commercial use
  • Paid pricing is billed annually, not monthly
  • Offers few integrations with other software

• 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 →
• RCRealVNC Connect8.8/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

  Established remote access with a free personal tier and scalable paid plans.

  Visit RealVNCFull verdict →