Searching for the best remote access software? This independent, hands-on review provides the clarity you need.
We don’t sell these tools, so our analysis is based purely on real-world use. Below, we compare critical features and costs to help you make an informed decision.
Here are the top contenders, presented in no particular order:
Remote Access Software Comparison:
| Utility | Pros | Cons | Cloud/DirectLAN | Full SDK | OS | Our View |
| Remote Utilities | A feature-rich tool with a one-time perpetual license, avoiding recurring subscription costs. | The user interface can feel more complex and less modern than its slicker competitors. | Both | Yes | Win/Mac/Linux/iOS/Android | The best option! All the features available at all levels. No contract. Really good. |
| Chrome Remote Desktop | Completely free and incredibly simple to use for basic access from any Chrome browser. | Lacks professional features like advanced file transfer, session reporting, or multi-monitor support. | Cloud | No | Win/Mac/Linux/iOS/Android | Good for home users or quick support. Free! Supports unattended but not rock solid solution. |
| Microsoft Remote Desktop (RDP) | Built into Windows Pro, offering a high-performance, native experience at no extra cost. | Requires technical setup (port forwarding) for internet access and cannot connect to Windows Home editions. | Direct (Very risky if port forwarded online) | No | Host: Win Pro. Client: All | Good if used via corporate VPN to VPN. Very dangerous if exposed to the internet. |
| TightVNC | Free, open-source, and lightweight, offering basic and reliable control with no frills. | Slower performance and less secure out-of-the-box compared to modern proprietary protocols. | Direct | Yes (Open Source) | Win/Linux | Good for internal use or via a corporate VPN. Importantly lightweight and Free. |
| RustDesk | Open-source with a self-hosting option, giving you complete control over data privacy and security. | Could do with some feature upgrades and usage improvements. Self-hosted is limited. High cost. | Both | Yes (Open Source) | Win/Mac/Linux/iOS/Android | Could be a winner if they dropped their prices and improved their user interface a bit. Good option. |
| AnyDesk | Extremely fast performance and low latency, making it ideal for graphically intensive applications. | Free use is aggressively monitored for commercial activity, and it suffered a significant security breach in 2024. | Both | Yes (Enterprise) | Win/Mac/Linux/iOS/Android | Not bad software. However frequently used by scammers. Not known for its security. Costly. |
| RealVNC | A highly secure, stable, and reliable solution from the original inventors of VNC technology. | The free version is very limited, and paid plans can be more expensive than competitors. | Both | Yes | Win/Mac/Linux/Pi/iOS/Android | Unfortunately auto deploy locked behind enterprise edition which is too expensive. |
| Zoho Assist | Excellent integration with the broader Zoho ecosystem (CRM, Desk, etc.) for existing customers. | Can feel less compelling as a standalone tool if you are not invested in the Zoho software suite. | Cloud | Yes | Win/Mac/Linux/iOS/Android | Troubling communications with this company on a whole. Software is okay but overall not our pick. |
| GoToMyPC | Very simple and user-friendly setup, making it an excellent choice for non-technical users. | Tends to be one of the most expensive options for the feature set it provides. | Cloud | No | Win/Mac (Host) | If you like throwing money away, this is it. Really expensive. Once great company is now one to avoid. |
| Splashtop | Delivers high-performance remote sessions at a very competitive price point, offering great value. | The product line is segmented and can be confusing to navigate to find the right package. | Both | Yes | Win/Mac/Linux/iOS/Android | Not the greatest product. Also we didn’t trust it fully. Unusual subscriptions. |
| TeamViewer | The most widely known tool with a massive feature set and broad cross-platform compatibility. | It is significantly more expensive than most competitors for a comparable feature set. | Both | Yes | Win/Mac/Linux/iOS/Android | Latest update bad, lost auto license deploy pack for business. Rip off contract tactics! |
Choosing the right remote access software can be complex. The market is often filled with unexpected costs, features that fall short of their promises, and restrictive annual contracts. To provide clarity, we have conducted hands-on tests of each leading option. This allows us to share our direct findings, helping you navigate the industry’s often misleading claims and make a well-informed decision.
Feature Comparison at a Glance
The following table offers a side-by-side look at key features across the selected software. This allows for a quick assessment of which solutions meet specific technical and security requirements, noting where features are restricted to higher-tier plans.
Note: Many features are locked behind expensive higher tiered options like enterprise. So read carefully.
| Feature | Remote Utilities | TeamViewer | RealVNC | RustDesk | AnyDesk |
| Automated Custom Unattended Mass Deployment Package Signed | Yes | Yes (Corporate Plan & above) | Yes (Enterprise Plan) | Yes | Yes (Performance Plan & above) |
| Client Side Screen Blanking | Yes | Yes (Corporate Plan & above) | Yes (Enterprise Plan) | Yes | Yes (Performance Plan & above) |
| Lock Client Application with Password, Stop End Users Modifying | Yes | Yes (Corporate Plan & above) | Yes (Enterprise Plan) | Yes | Yes (Performance Plan & above) |
| Set Access Password | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2FA Security | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Address Book | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fast Connection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Screen Recording | Yes | Yes (Corporate Plan & above) | Yes (Enterprise Plan) | Yes | Yes (Performance Plan & above) |
| File Transfer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| iOS and Android Viewer App | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Refund Days on Initial Purchase | 30 | 14 | 14 | Not Applicable | 14 |
| Subscription Cancellation Notice | On Renewal | 28 Days Prior | 30 Days Prior | Not Applicable | 30 Days Prior |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes | Yes (Requires BAA, high-tier plans) | Yes (Enterprise Plan, requires BAA) | Yes (Self-Hosted with BAA) | Yes (Enterprise Plan, requires BAA) |
| Feature | Chrome Remote Desktop | Microsoft RDP | TightVNC | Zoho Assist | GoToMyPC |
| Automated Unattended Mass Deployment | Yes (Via Admin Console) | Yes (Via GPO) | Yes | Yes | Yes (Corporate Plan) |
| Client Side Screen Blanking | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lock Client Application with Password | No | Yes (Via GPO) | No | Yes | Yes (Corporate Plan) |
| Set Access Password | Yes (PIN) | Yes (OS Password) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2FA Security | Yes (Google Account) | Yes (Via Integrations) | No | Yes | Yes |
| Address Book | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Fast Connection | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Screen Recording | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| File Transfer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| iOS and Android Viewer App | Yes | Yes | No (3rd party only) | Yes | Yes |
| Refund Days on Initial Purchase | N/A | N/A | N/A | 45 | 7 |
| Subscription Cancellation Notice | N/A | N/A | N/A | On Renewal | On Renewal |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes (With BAA) | Yes (With BAA) | No | Yes (With BAA) | No (Will not sign BAA) |
TEAMVIEWER WARNING
Important Considerations Before Subscribing to TeamViewer
While TeamViewer’s software is functionally solid, we have found their business practices concerning, particularly regarding their subscription model. Based on our experience and numerous public reports, potential customers should be prepared for the following:
- Forced telephone cancellation: They deliberately omit any online cancellation method, requiring you to engage directly with their retention team, who will do and say anything to ensure you stay with them. Often using delay tactics to make sure you fall within their 28 day entrapment period.
- Unreliable verbal agreements: Assurances or cancellation confirmations made by their staff over the phone may not be actioned, leading to unexpected or forced contract renewals.
- Strict and unforgiving contracts: Any deviation from their precise, time-sensitive cancellation rules can result in your request being denied.
We believe in supporting ethical companies, and for these reasons, we advise caution.
[The following is a Google AI summary when asking about Teamviewers cancellation issues]
The main con of TeamViewer’s auto-renewal is its complex and mandatory notice period, requiring a written cancellation request at least 28 days before the renewal date. Failing to meet this deadline results in being charged for another term, with customers often facing difficulties in canceling or getting refunds for unused periods, as detailed in multiple customer complaints and community discussions on platforms like Reddit and Spiceworks, and even TeamViewer’s own support pages.Specific Cons of TeamViewer Auto-Renewal
- Strict 28-Day Cancellation Window: You must submit a written request at least 28 days before the end of your initial or renewal term to avoid automatic renewal.
- Difficult to Cancel: The cancellation process often involves a written support ticket, and some users report difficulties or delays in getting responses or processing their requests, according to Splashtop and community discussions.
- Unlikely to Receive Refunds: Even if you cancel promptly after a renewal, TeamViewer may refuse to provide a refund for the unused portion of the service.
- Deceptive Practices: Some users describe the auto-renewal process as deceptive, especially if they are not well-informed about the lengthy notice period and the lack of easy cancellation options in their account portal, notes Spiceworks.
- No Option to Pause or Easily Cancel: Unlike some other services, there isn’t a simple button or immediate option to pause or quickly cancel your subscription, forcing customers into the more complex written notification process, according to Splashtop.
[End of Google AI summary]
In-Depth Cost Comparison
The financial investment required for a remote access solution is a primary consideration. The following table provides an estimated annual cost for a single user (or minimum they will supply) with the ability to manage a varying number of unattended servers, with the capacity for five concurrent connections and unlimited on-demand sessions.
Note: Prices are ex tax/ex vat – If errors are found please let us know as they can change without notice.
Chrome Remote Desktop, TightVNC and Microsoft Remote Desktop are all free!
GoToMyPC is expensive at $492/£364 per 50 unattended devices.
Zoho Assist is $389/£288 per 50 unattended devices.
| Number of Unattended Servers | Remote Utilities | TeamViewer | RealVNC | RustDesk (Self-Hosted) | AnyDesk |
| 50 | ~$249/£185/once | ~$580/£430/year | ~$200/£150/year | ~$238/year + Hosting | ~$1312/£972/year |
| 150 | ~$499/£369/once | ~$580/£430/year | ~$337/£249/year | ~$299/year + Hosting | ~$1312/£972/year |
| 200 | ~$499/£369/once | ~$580/£430/year | ~$2161/£1600/year | ~$359/year + Hosting | ~$1312/£972/year |
| 300 | ~$499/£369/once | ~$2998/£2219/year | ~$2701/£2000/year | ~$468/year + Hosting | ~$1312/£972/year |
| One-Time Only! | Yearly Contract | Yearly Contract | Yearly Contract | Yearly Contract |
Our best remote desktop software picks are:
- Cloud: Remote Utilities, Chrome Remote Desktop and RustDesk.
- LAN: Microsoft Remote Desktop and TightVNC.
Also note you can easily combine a LAN based remote desktop solution with something that offers secure access.
We recommended looking at Tailscale.com and Wireguard.
For hardware firewalls we would say Ubiquity gateways/routers are very easy to setup, allow for easy remote Wireguard VPN’s and offer instant one click multi-site connections across a range of Ubiquiti gateways for multi office use.
