Best XP/VS Terminal Server Alternatives in 2026
The top XP/VS Terminal Server alternatives are StarDesk, TeamViewer Remote and Splashtop: 15 remote desktop software our editors would look at instead of XP/VS Terminal Server, in our ranking order.
XP/VS Terminal Server: A focused Windows RDP server with flexible connection tiers and broad session features. Where it falls short: windows-only platform support.
Switching from XP/VS Terminal Server? For most remote desktop software buyers the best XP/VS Terminal Server 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 an XP/VS Terminal Server Alternative
- Windows-only platform support
- No verified mobile apps, file transfer or session recording
- Perpetual license prices exclude VAT
- No free plan — 8 of the alternatives below have it
- Managed devices: 1 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 (XP/VS Terminal Server has none)
Visit StarDesk - Most managed devicesHopToDesk8.3
120 devices
Visit HopToDesk
All 15 XP/VS Terminal Server 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 XP/VS Terminal Server:
- Editor score 9.7 vs 5.4
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 XP/VS Terminal Server:
- Free plan
- Managed devices: 3 devices vs 1 devices
- Editor score 9.4 vs 5.4
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 XP/VS Terminal Server:
- Free plan
- Managed devices: 2 devices vs 1 devices
- Editor score 9.2 vs 5.4
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 XP/VS Terminal Server:
- Free plan
- Managed devices: 100 devices vs 1 devices
- Editor score 9.1 vs 5.4
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 XP/VS Terminal Server:
- Free plan
- Editor score 9.0 vs 5.4
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 XP/VS Terminal Server:
- Free plan
- Managed devices: 25 devices vs 1 devices
- Editor score 8.9 vs 5.4
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 XP/VS Terminal Server:
- Free plan
- Managed devices: 3 devices vs 1 devices
- Editor score 8.8 vs 5.4
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 XP/VS Terminal Server:
- Managed devices: 10 devices vs 1 devices
- Editor score 8.7 vs 5.4
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 XP/VS Terminal Server:
- Managed devices: 10 devices vs 1 devices
- Editor score 8.6 vs 5.4
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 XP/VS Terminal Server:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 5.4
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 XP/VS Terminal Server:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 5.4
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 XP/VS Terminal Server:
- Free plan
- Managed devices: 120 devices vs 1 devices
- Editor score 8.3 vs 5.4
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 XP/VS Terminal Server:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.2 vs 5.4
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 XP/VS Terminal Server:
- Editor score 8.0 vs 5.4
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 XP/VS Terminal Server:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 5.4
A Windows-focused remote management suite with broad control and administration tools.
- Session recording
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit NetSupport
XP/VS Terminal Server Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to XP/VS Terminal Server?
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 XP/VS Terminal Server?
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 XP/VS Terminal Server?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Zoho Assist starts lowest, at $10/user/mo.
Why do people look for XP/VS Terminal Server alternatives?
Windows-only platform support; No verified mobile apps, file transfer or session recording; Perpetual license prices exclude VAT.
Which XP/VS Terminal Server alternative has the most managed devices?
HopToDesk, with 120 devices.
How do I switch from XP/VS Terminal Server?
Export your data from XP/VS Terminal Server (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 XP/VS Terminal Server.
How to Switch from XP/VS Terminal Server
- Export your data from XP/VS Terminal Server (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 XP/VS Terminal Server.
XP/VS Terminal Server vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Access mode | Supported platforms | File transfer | Session recording | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 79 | XP/VS Terminal Server | No | $54/device one-time | Windows | 5.4 | |||
| 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