Remote desktop software is a tool that allows users like businesses and IT professionals to access and manage a computer or device from a remote location, which ensures seamless operations from anywhere. The most effective remote desktop software solutions offer features like unattended access, secure file transfer, multi-monitor support, multi-platform compatibility, and real-time collaboration. To help you find the best fit, we’ve compared the leading options.
Here are the six best remote desktop software solutions for managed service providers (MSPs):
- TeamViewer: Best overall for core features, security, and intuitiveness
- VNC Connect: Best for a mix of cost efficiency and customizability
- RemotePC: Best remote desktop software for user support options
- Zoho Assist: Best remote software for Zoho ecosystem integration
- Splashtop: Best desktop software for cross-platform compatibility
- ConnectWise ScreenConnect: Best for advanced session control options
Featured Partners: Remote Monitoring & Management Software
Top remote desktop software comparison
For a quick look at some of the top capabilities to expect in the best remote desktop software, here’s a table comparing the top six solutions, with features and starting prices.
| File transfer capability | Multi-monitor support | Unattended access | Session usage recording | Starting price (annually) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TeamViewer | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | $11.90/user/month |
| VNC Connect | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | — | $9.32/user/month |
| RemotePC | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | $22.12/ computer/year |
| Zoho Assist | ✔ | — | ✔ | ✔ | $8/technician/month |
| Splashtop | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | $5/user/month |
| ConnectWise ScreenConnect | — | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | $28/technician/month |
✔ = Yes, — = Limited
Note: All per-user prices are based on a one-year commitment unless otherwise noted.
TeamViewer
Best overall for core features, security, and intuitiveness
Overall rating: 4.3/5
- Core features: 4.7/5
- Cost: 3.9/5
- Ease of use: 4/5
- Customization and compatibility: 4.8/5
- Security: 5/5
- Customer support: 3.6/5
TeamViewer is our top remote desktop software pick due to its extensive features and robust security. These features include file transfer, multi-monitor support, remote sound, proxy support, and wake-on-LAN among many others. It also offers secure remote access with advanced encryption, two-factor authentication, and granular access management to safeguard user data. TeamViewer also has a user-friendly interface, making it easy to use for new users.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Advanced security features | Higher cost for commercial use |
| User-friendly interface | Performance issues on low bandwidth |
| Extensive remote access features | Limited free version |
Pricing
- Free: Supports personal use for 3 managed devices
- Remote Access: $11.90 per user month
- Business plan: $25.90 per user month
- Premium plan: $52.90 for 15 licensed users per month
- Corporate plan: $102.90 for 30 licensed users per month
- Enterprise plan: Contact for quote
- Free trial: 14 days
Key features
- Remote multi-device control: Quickly fix your users’ issues by remotely controlling a computer, tablet, or smartphone.
- Secure unattended access: Allow approved users to securely access unattended devices without needing approval.
- Cross-platform access: Provide access to other devices via PC, mobile, or tablet for seamless connectivity.
- iOS and iPad OS screen sharing: Mirror iPhone and iPad screens to a remote device to enhance your remote support.
While TeamViewer’s core features offer quantity and quality, it might be overkill for users seeking cost-effective solutions. I found RemotePC to be a viable alternative, especially for those looking for reliable remote access at a lower cost as it offers better value for money for small to medium-sized businesses without the higher cost of TeamViewer.
VNC Connect
Best for a mix of cost efficiency and customizability
Overall rating: 4.1/5
- Core features: 3.5/5
- Cost: 4.4/5
- Ease of use: 3.5/5
- Customization and compatibility: 4.8/5
- Security: 4.5/5
- Customer support: 4.5/5
VNC Connect is a versatile solution that offers remote support features at an affordable price. It approaches pricing as either per device or per user to offer flexibility in choosing plans that provide the most value. VNC Connect is also highly customizable as it instantly affords you granular control, including setting permissions at individual, role, or group levels. Plus, it supports platforms like Windows, macOS, Linux, Raspberry Pi, Solaris, HP-UX, and AIX.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Cost-effective solution | Limited free version |
| Broad platform support | Limited advanced features |
| Highly customizable | Basic user interface |
Pricing
- Essentials: $3.69 per device per month, or $9.32 per user per month
- Plus: $4.19 per device per month, or $16.49 per user per month
- Premium: $5.49 per device per month, or $24.99 per user per month
- Enterprise: Contact for quote
- Free trial: 14 days
Key features
- Various connectivity options: Offer your users both cloud-brokered and direct (IP) connectivity.
- Multi-platform support: Provide your devices with support for all major desktop and mobile operating systems.
- True Zero Trust: Ensure your devices are securely accessed with multifactor authentication and granular user permissions.
- On-Demand Assist: Grant your users rapid remote support without requiring user-side configuration or installation.
Though VNC Connect stands out in cost efficiency and customization, I felt as if it lacked some advanced features. Zoho Assist is worth considering as it offers a variety of features and can be easier to use, especially for those already using Zoho’s ecosystem.
RemotePC
Best for user support options
Overall rating: 4/5
- Core features: 4.2/5
- Cost: 3.7/5
- Ease of use: 2.6/5
- Customization and compatibility: 4.5/5
- Security: 4.3/5
- Customer support: 5/5
RemotePC stands out for its user support options as it offers dedicated lines for technical support available 24/7 and for billing and sales available Monday through Friday from 6 am to 6 pm. They have email support options for those who prefer mail to calls, alongside live chat that’s also available 24/7. Additionally, RemotePC delivers a support form for either RemotePC users or partners to correctly categorize the kind of support needed by a customer.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Effective customer support | Limited advanced features |
| Transparent pricing options | Basic interface |
| High customizability | Can feel complex |
Pricing
- Free: For personal use to access one computer
- Consumer: $22.12 per year for 1 computer
- Consumer: $44.62 per year for 2 computers
- SOHO: $74.62 per year for 10 computers
- Team: $224.62 per year for 50 computers
- Enterprise: $449.62 per year for 100 computers
- Free trial: 7 days
Key features
- Always-ON Remote Access: Set up your computers for remote access anytime for complete control of your PCs.
- Attended access: Share session codes to facilitate secure and instant access to your computers.
- File transfer: Seamlessly move files and folders, even from mapped drives, across your computers.
- Remote reboot: Reboot your remote computers in normal or safe mode from your desktop app or web dashboard.
Even though RemotePC’s support options are impressive, I felt that it wouldn’t be the right fit for users looking for something with a gentle learning curve. For an option that offers effective customer support and that’s easier to use than RemotePC, VNC Connect is worth considering.
Zoho Assist
Best for Zoho ecosystem integration
Overall rating: 3.9/5
- Core features: 4.2/5
- Cost: 4.1/5
- Ease of use: 3.7/5
- Customization and compatibility: 4.4/5
- Security: 4.3/5
- Customer support: 2.3/5
Zoho Assist is an effective choice for users who are already in the Zoho ecosystem. It provides a unified experience since it offers seamless integration with other Zoho products like Zoho Desk, Zoho SalesIQ, and Zoho CRM. Its integrations don’t end there, however, as it also integrates with applications like Slack, Jira, Microsoft Teams, and Google Suite to ease concerns that you should consider Zoho Assist only if you use other Zoho products.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Seamless integration with Zoho ecosystem | Limited advanced features |
| User-friendly interface | Basic customer support |
| Competitive pricing | Few integration options |
Pricing
- Free: Supports 1 technician and 5 unattended computers
- Standard: $8 per month per technician
- Professional: $13 per month per technician
- Enterprise: $21 per month per technician
- Standard Unattended Access: $8 for 25 computers
- Professional Unattended Access: $13 for 25 computers
- Free trial: 15 days
Key features
- Unattended access: Raise the efficiency of your devices by accessing remote computers without user intervention.
- Remote printing: Print documents from a remote computer to a local printer without initiating a file transfer.
- Wake-on-LAN: Improve accessibility of your devices by powering on remote devices that are turned off.
- Rebranding options: Customize the application with your logo and branding for a personalized experience.
Zoho Assist is great within the Zoho ecosystem, but it may lack quantity in terms of integrations. For a tool with a broader variety of integrations, TeamViewer is a worthy consideration.
Splashtop
Best for cross-platform compatibility
Overall rating: 3.9/5
- Core features: 4.2/5
- Cost: 4.1/5
- Ease of use: 2.3/5
- Customization and compatibility: 4.5/5
- Security: 4.3/5
- Customer support: 3.8/5
Splashtop excels in high-performance cross-platform compatibility. It’s quite adaptable to a variety of environments as it supports various operating systems, including Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, and even virtual machines. This makes it very flexible as users can access their desktops from virtually any device alongside high-performance connections like streaming ranging between 60fps for 1080p resolution and 40 to 60fps for 4K.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Extensive cross-platform support | Basic user interface |
| Thorough security features | Limited advanced features in lower-tier plans |
| Transparent pricing | Occasional connectivity issue |
Pricing
- Free: For non-commercial use on up to 5 computers
- Business Access Solo: $5 per user per month
- Business Access Pro: $8.25 per user per month
- Business Access Performance: $13 per user per month
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
- SOS: $17 per month per technician
- SOS+10: $19 per month per technician
- SOS Unlimited: $34 per month per technician
- Free trial: 7 days
Key features
- High-performance streaming: Leverage 4K streaming at 60fps and 4:4:4 color mode for accurate colors and high-fidelity audio.
- Broad device support: Access your remote devices from any Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, or Chromebook device.
- Secure managed access: Manage access permissions for your team members directly from the web console.
- USB device redirection: Use USB devices from your local computer on the remote computer as if they were physically connected.
While Splashtop offers excellent cross-platform compatibility, I noticed it might not be the easiest tool to use. For an option that feels easier to use and offers high performance, have a look at TeamViewer.
ConnectWise ScreenConnect
Best for advanced session control options
Overall rating: 3.8/5
- Core features: 4.2/5
- Cost: 4.1/5
- Ease of use: 2.7/5
- Customization and compatibility: 3.8/5
- Security: 4.6/5
- Customer support: 3.3/5
ConnectWise ScreenConnect delivers extensive customization and management capabilities during remote sessions. They include advanced machine management for administrators to monitor and maintain remote devices and script execution, which lets technicians run scripts to automate tasks and resolve issues efficiently. Additionally, it offers comprehensive session recording and a backstage feature that lets technicians solve issues without user interruption.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Powerful session control options | Complex to use |
| Strong security features | Complex pricing structure |
| Seamless integration with IT management tools | Requires setup and configuration expertise |
Pricing
- One: $28 per user month
- Standard: $43 per user month
- Premium: $53 per user month
- Remote Unattended Access: $31 for 25 agents
- Volume pricing options: Range from $31 per month for 25 agents to $1,291 per month for 2,500 agents
- Free trial: 14 days
Key features
- Advanced machine management: Remotely monitor, maintain, and view system information of your remote devices.
- Backstage: Solve your users’ issues discreetly by executing scripts and commands from a command center.
- Session recording: Record your remote sessions and generate detailed reports for training and compliance purposes.
- Drag & drop file transfer: Easily transfer files by dragging and dropping them into the client window.
Regardless of its thorough session control options, ConnectWise ScreenConnect comes off as a complex tool, as its capabilities lean towards advanced remote support use cases and its pricing tiers can be complicated. For those seeking a more straightforward solution with simple pricing, have a look at Zoho Assist.
Top 5 features of remote desktop software
Remote desktop software solutions are feature-rich with the aim of enhancing remote access and management. Regardless of how many features a solution offers, some of the must-haves are file transfer features, multi-monitor support, unattended access, real-time collaboration, and high performance and speed.
File transfer capability
Efficient file transfer is key in remote work environments. It’s typical of advanced remote desktop solutions to offer seamless transfer of large and multiple files without restrictions as this is one of the pillars of smooth and productive workflows in the work environment today.
Multi-monitor support
Support for multiple monitors enhances productivity by allowing users to manage multiple screens simultaneously. A robust remote desktop solution will provide full multi-monitor support with seamless switching and minimal limitations.
Unattended access
With unattended access, a remote user, often an IT professional, can control devices remotely without having a user on the other end intervening. This feature is essential for performing maintenance, updates, and troubleshooting outside of regular working hours to ensure a user experiences minimal disruptions.
Real-time collaboration tools
Collaboration tools set the conditions for effective communication and teamwork. Features such as chat, video conferencing, and annotation allow users to collaborate in real-time. This makes remote work more interactive and efficient.
Performance and speed
Performance is non-negotiable for remote desktop software. The top solutions strive to offer seamless connection without delays or interruptions. They provide minimal latency and high-speed connections for a smooth and responsive remote access experience, especially for tasks that need real-time responses.
How I evaluated the best remote desktop software
To shortlist the top remote desktop software for 2024, I assessed several options using six weighted categories. Each software could score up to five points per category, with the highest scorer in each being the category winner. I chose the provider with the highest cumulative score across all categories as my top pick. Additionally, I also identified what uniqueness each product offered to determine a use case.
Evaluation criteria
I prioritized core features as they define the kind of remote desktop software a user will get and their quality determines how effective remote access and management will be. Cost was the next significant criterion as price instantly tells you whether or not that tool is within your budget, followed by equal emphasis on ease of use, security, customization, and compatibility and then by customer support as these tools are straightforward to use, especially for technical users.
- Core features (25%): I assessed file transfer capability, multi-monitor support, unattended access, real-time collaboration tools, and performance and speed.
- Criterion winner: TeamViewer
- Cost (20%): My consideration was affordability, including free trials, flexible pricing plans, pricing transparency, additional costs, starting cost per user, and license types.
- Criterion winner: VNC Connect
- Ease of use (15%): I evaluated user-friendliness, ease of setup, and the availability of knowledge base resources and user training.
- Criterion winner: TeamViewer
- Security (15%): This criterion covered encryption standards, two-factor authentication, secure remote access protocols, access controls and permissions, and compliance certifications.
- Criterion winner: TeamViewer
- Customization and compatibility (15%): My focus was on mobile device access, cross-platform compatibility, branding options, deployment flexibility, and third-party integrations.
- Criterion winner: Multiple winners
- Customer support (10%): I examined the availability and quality of support options, including live chat, phone, and email.
- Criterion winner: RemotePC
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What is remote desktop software?
Remote desktop software is technology that enables users to access and control a computer or network from a remote location. It’s commonly used for technical support, remote work, and accessing files and applications on a different device.
Are there free remote desktop software solutions?
Yes, several remote desktop software solutions offer free versions with basic features. Examples include TeamViewer and Zoho Assist. However, these free versions may have limitations compared to their paid counterparts.
Are remote desktop solutions safe and secure?
Remote desktop solutions can be safe and secure if they use robust encryption, secure access protocols, and multi-factor authentication. As this is dependent on the provider, it’s essential to choose a reputable one and follow best practices for security to protect your data and privacy.
Bottom Line: Choosing the best remote desktop software
Selecting the right remote desktop software depends on your needs and environment. Sign up for free trials of the tools that appeal to you most across features, cost, and your user case to get a hands-on feel that’ll heavily influence your choice. Also, make sure the features available in the trial are available in the product tier you’re considering. Only after both these steps should you subscribe to a remote software solution.
Should your use case go beyond remote desktop tools to need remote monitoring and management (RMM), see our best RMM tools for MSPs.