Best Remote Desktop Alternatives in 2026
The top Remote Desktop alternatives are StarDesk, TeamViewer Remote and Splashtop: 15 remote desktop software our editors would look at instead of Remote Desktop, in our ranking order.
Remote Desktop: A broad-platform remote-access tool with generous device limits on paid plans. Where it falls short: free plan is limited to personal, non-commercial use.
Switching from Remote Desktop? For most remote desktop software buyers the best Remote Desktop alternative is StarDesk, built for playing your PC games, or carrying on PC work, from a phone or tablet. On a budget, Zoho Assist starts at $10/user/mo. HopToDesk offers the most managed devices (120 devices).
Why People Look for a Remote Desktop Alternative
- Free Plan is limited to personal, non-commercial use
- Licensed users and concurrent connections vary by plan
- Advanced permissions and deployment start on higher tiers
- Managed devices: 100 devices — up to 120 devices with HopToDesk
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallStarDesk9.7
Playing your PC games, or carrying on PC work, from a phone or tablet
Visit StarDesk - Lowest priceZoho Assist9.0
Paid plans from $10/user/mo
Visit Zoho Assist - Best free optionStarDesk9.7
Has a free plan
Visit StarDesk - Most managed devicesHopToDesk8.3
120 devices
Visit HopToDesk
All 15 Remote Desktop Alternatives, Ranked
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.
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StarDeskVerified
Best forPlaying your PC games, or carrying on PC work, from a phone or tablet
- Better than Remote Desktop:
- Editor score 9.7 vs 7.2
A remote desktop app: reach your own Windows PC or Mac from Windows, macOS, Android or iOS.
9.7/10★★★★★Visit StarDesk -
Best forEstablished teams needing integrations and AI
- Better than Remote Desktop:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 7.2
A mature remote support platform with broad coverage, integrations, and AI features.
- Session recording
- Mobile apps
- File transfer
9.4/10★★★★★Visit TeamViewer -
Best forBudget-conscious teams needing deep integrations
- Better than Remote Desktop:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 7.2
A paid remote-access suite with low entry pricing, broad platforms, and deep integrations.
- Session recording
- Mobile apps
- File transfer
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Splashtop -
Best forEstablished teams needing endpoint management
- Better than Remote Desktop:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 7.2
A broad remote-access suite for teams managing attended support and unattended endpoints.
- Session recording
- Mobile apps
- File transfer
9.1/10★★★★★Visit AnyDesk -
Best forTeams wanting broad, affordable support features
- Better than Remote Desktop:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 7.2
A broad remote-support toolkit with a free edition and a $10 annual entry tier.
- Session recording
- Mobile apps
- File transfer
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Zoho Assist -
Best forTeams needing free access and device administration
- Better than Remote Desktop:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 7.2
A broad remote administration suite with free access and flexible cloud or on-premises plans.
- Session recording
- Mobile apps
- File transfer
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit ManageEngine -
Best forSmall teams wanting established remote access
- Better than Remote Desktop:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 7.2
Established remote access with a free personal tier and scalable paid plans.
- Session recording
- Mobile apps
- File transfer
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit RealVNC -
Best forProfessional support teams needing self-hosting
- Better than Remote Desktop:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 7.2
A broad remote-support platform with self-hosting, mobile apps, recording, and tiered access.
- Session recording
- Mobile apps
- File transfer
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit ScreenConnect -
Best forOrganizations needing self-hosting and enterprise controls
- Better than Remote Desktop:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 7.2
A broad remote-access suite for organizations that need self-hosting and enterprise controls.
- Session recording
- Mobile apps
- File transfer
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit ISL Online -
Best forEnterprise support teams needing privileged access
- Better than Remote Desktop:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 7.2
A broad remote-support suite for enterprise teams managing sensitive device access.
- Session recording
- Mobile apps
- File transfer
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit BeyondTrust -
Best forPrivileged access to complex infrastructure
- Better than Remote Desktop:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 7.2
A specialized choice for controlled access to complex infrastructure.
- Session recording
- Mobile apps
- File transfer
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit BeyondTrust -
Best forOpen-source teams needing broad deployment options
- Better than Remote Desktop:
- Managed devices: 120 devices vs 100 devices
- Editor score 8.3 vs 7.2
A flexible open-source remote access platform with free and self-hosted deployment options.
- Session recording
- Mobile apps
- File transfer
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit HopToDesk -
Best forBrowser-first users needing self-hosted access
- Better than Remote Desktop:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 7.2
Remote access with browser control, self-hosting, and a free plan.
- Session recording
- Mobile apps
- File transfer
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Getscreen.me -
Best forOrganizations wanting self-hosted fleet management
- Better than Remote Desktop:
- Editor score 8.0 vs 7.2
A broad remote-management suite for organizations that want hosting and deployment control.
- Session recording
- Mobile apps
- File transfer
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit MyRemoting -
Best forWindows-heavy IT administration teams
- Better than Remote Desktop:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 7.2
A Windows-focused remote management suite with broad control and administration tools.
- Session recording
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit NetSupport
Remote Desktop Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Remote Desktop?
StarDesk: #1 in our Remote Desktop Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.7 out of 10. A remote desktop app: reach your own Windows PC or Mac from Windows, macOS, Android or iOS.
Is there a free alternative to Remote Desktop?
Yes. StarDesk, TeamViewer Remote, Splashtop, AnyDesk and Zoho Assist have a free plan or a free tier (9 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
What is the cheapest paid alternative to Remote Desktop?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Zoho Assist starts lowest, at $10/user/mo.
Why do people look for Remote Desktop alternatives?
Free Plan is limited to personal, non-commercial use; Licensed users and concurrent connections vary by plan; Advanced permissions and deployment start on higher tiers.
Which Remote Desktop alternative has the most managed devices?
HopToDesk, with 120 devices.
How do I switch from Remote Desktop?
Export your data from Remote Desktop (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Remote Desktop.
How to Switch from Remote Desktop
- Export your data from Remote Desktop (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Remote Desktop.
Remote Desktop vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Access mode | Supported platforms | File transfer | Session recording | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | Remote Desktop | Yes | $99.50/yr | Both | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome OS, Raspberry Pi | Yes | Yes | 7.2 |
| 1 | StarDesk | Free | 9.7 | |||||
| 2 | TeamViewer Remote | Yes | Both | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, ChromeOS | Yes | Yes | 9.4 | |
| 3 | Splashtop | Yes | $72/user/yr | Both | Windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook, iOS, Android | Yes | Yes | 9.2 |
| 4 | AnyDesk | Yes | Both | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, ChromeOS, web browser | Yes | Yes | 9.1 | |
| 5 | Zoho Assist | Yes | $10/user/mo | Both | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome OS, Raspberry Pi, web browser | Yes | Yes | 9.0 |
| 6 | ManageEngine Remote Access Plus | Yes | $75/yr | Both | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, web | Yes | Yes | 8.9 |
| 7 | RealVNC Connect | Yes | Both | Windows, macOS, Linux, Raspberry Pi OS, iOS/iPadOS, Android | Yes | Yes | 8.8 | |
| 8 | ConnectWise ScreenConnect | No | $30/mo | Both | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Yes | Yes | 8.7 |
| 9 | ISL Online | No | $16.90/user/mo | Both | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Yes | Yes | 8.6 |
| 10 | BeyondTrust Remote Support | No | Both | Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome OS, iOS, Android | Yes | Yes | 8.5 | |
| 11 | BeyondTrust Privileged Remote Access | No | Both | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, web | Yes | Yes | 8.4 | |
| 12 | HopToDesk | Yes | $180/yr | Both | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Raspberry Pi, FreeBSD, ChromeOS, browser | Yes | Yes | 8.3 |
| 13 | Getscreen.me | Yes | $149 one-time | Both | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, web browser | Yes | Yes | 8.2 |
| 14 | MyRemoting | No | $75/yr | Both | Windows, macOS, Linux, iPad, iPhone, modern browsers | Yes | Yes | 8.0 |
| 15 | NetSupport Manager | No | desktop | Yes | 7.9 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update