Free Remote Desktop Software: 9 Tools Compared by Licence, Security and Upgrade Path

Remote desktop software lets you view and control another computer over a network, either from the same office or across the internet. A small agent or built-in service runs on the target machine, and a client or browser connects through a relay or direct channel, usually with encryption.

"Free" can mean three different things: genuinely free for any use, free for personal use only, or a free trial. Mixing them up is the most common buying mistake. Security matters just as much: the CISA guide to securing remote access software warns that legitimate remote tools are routinely abused by attackers, and NIST SP 800-46 Rev. 2 covers telework and remote access security. This comparison uses the nine tools in the SaaSPodium Remote Desktop Software category, with Splashtop Business Access as a paid reference point (vendor site).

How We Chose These Tools

We started with every product in the SaaSPodium Remote Desktop Software category and sorted by pricing model first, because the question is about free options. The directory currently carries no user ratings for these products, so ranking relies on pricing model, platform coverage and fit.

Listed starting prices are directory figures as of November 2026, with units that differ by vendor, so treat them as comparison markers, not quotes. Always confirm current free-tier limits and commercial-use terms on each vendor site before deploying to staff.

Chrome Remote Desktop: Simplest Truly Free Option

Chrome Remote Desktop is listed as a free product and works through the Chrome browser, which makes it the fastest way to reach your own computer from a phone, tablet or another laptop. It suits personal use and very small teams, not managed fleets.

• Deployment: browser-based client plus a host app on the computer you want to reach
• Security: sign-in through a Google account; enable two-step verification on that account
• Limits: little central administration, reporting or role-based access for larger teams

Microsoft Remote Desktop: Best Free Option for Windows Shops

Microsoft Remote Desktop is listed as free and connects clients to Windows PCs and virtual apps over the Remote Desktop Protocol. It fits organizations already standardized on Windows, but the host edition and network design determine what is possible, and Microsoft has been steering users toward its newer Windows App, so check the current client.

• Architecture: RDP to a host, optionally through a gateway or virtual desktop service
• Security: pair with network-level authentication, MFA and a VPN or gateway; never expose RDP directly to the internet
• Limits: Windows Home editions cannot act as RDP hosts; no built-in support session workflow

AnyDesk: Free Tier With Business Upgrade Path

AnyDesk is listed as freemium, so a free plan exists alongside paid plans. It is a lightweight remote desktop client used for both attended support and unattended access, and businesses should confirm that the free tier's licence terms allow their use.

• Deployment: cloud-connected client for major desktop and mobile platforms
• Security: access controls and encryption are standard in this category; review MFA, allow-lists and session logs in paid tiers
• Pricing model: freemium; confirm commercial terms and device limits with the vendor

TeamViewer: Broad Platform Coverage and Freemium Pricing

TeamViewer is listed as freemium and is one of the most widely recognized remote access products. A free option exists for personal use, while business use normally requires a paid licence, so IT teams should not roll the free version out to staff.

• Architecture: cloud relay with agents for desktop and mobile platforms
• Integrations: commonly paired with help desk and ITSM tools; verify the connector for yours
• Pricing model: freemium; business plans scale by users and concurrent sessions

VNC Connect: Standards-Based and Budget-Friendly

VNC Connect from RealVNC is a paid product with a low listed starting price of 3.39. It builds on VNC, a long-established remote framebuffer protocol, which makes it a natural fit for mixed Windows, macOS and Linux fleets and for embedded or IoT devices that support VNC.

• Architecture: direct and cloud connectivity options; confirm exact modes in vendor documentation
• Security: encryption and authentication options; review SSO and MFA availability by plan
• Pricing model: paid, billed per device or per user depending on plan

RemotePC: Straightforward Paid Access for Small Teams

RemotePC from IDrive is paid, with a listed starting price of 18.38. It focuses on accessing your own computers from anywhere and managing a modest number of devices, so it suits freelancers and small offices that outgrow free tools.

• Deployment: cloud-connected agent with web, desktop and mobile clients
• Security: encrypted sessions and account protection options; check plan limits for team features
• Pricing model: paid subscription; verify trial availability and device caps

Splashtop Business Access: Performance-Focused Paid Option

Splashtop Business Access is paid with a listed starting price of 5, one of the lowest in this group. It targets teams who want responsive remote sessions to office computers and who need basic administration and access controls.

• Deployment: cloud service with agents for Windows and macOS hosts and clients on many platforms
• Security: encrypted connections and account controls; review SSO and logging in the plan you choose
• Pricing model: paid per user; confirm session limits and add-ons

LogMeIn Pro: Established Paid Remote Access

LogMeIn Pro from GoTo is paid with a listed starting price of 30. It targets professionals and businesses that need reliable remote access to their own computers, and it is often evaluated as an alternative to cheaper tools when a recognized vendor matters.

• Deployment: cloud-managed with desktop and mobile clients
• Security: review MFA, session controls and audit options by plan
• Related reading: our LogMeIn alternatives guide

ConnectWise ScreenConnect: Support Desk and MSP Workflows

ConnectWise ScreenConnect is built around remote support and managed service delivery, with unattended access and technician-oriented workflows. It is not a free tool, but it is a common benchmark when a free utility proves too limited for a help desk.

• Deployment: cloud-hosted or self-hosted options; confirm current licensing with the vendor
• Security: role-based permissions and auditing matter most here; review per-technician controls
• Related reading: TeamViewer vs Splashtop vs ConnectWise Control vs RealVNC

How Do You Secure Free Remote Desktop Tools?

Secure any remote desktop tool with multi-factor authentication, unique strong passwords, up-to-date software, restricted user lists and session logging. Disable unattended access you do not need, and never leave tools running on machines nobody monitors.

• Enable MFA on the account or identity provider that controls access
• Limit who can connect and from where; use allow-lists or conditional access
• Keep clients and hosts patched; remote tools are high-value targets
• Log sessions and review unusual connections; consider SIEM forwarding
• Remove the tool from devices when it is no longer needed

When Should You Move From Free to Paid?

Move to a paid tool when you have more than a handful of devices, need audit trails, role-based permissions, unattended access at scale, SSO or support-queue integration, or when the free licence excludes commercial use. Cost comparison should include admin time, not only subscriptions.

A simple estimate helps justify the change:

Support hours saved is the time a better tool removes from each month, hourly cost is the loaded cost of the person doing the work, and annual licence cost is the subscription for all required users. A positive result means the paid tool pays for itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best free remote desktop software for business?
For pure cost, Chrome Remote Desktop and Microsoft Remote Desktop are listed as free in SaaSPodium. Neither offers deep business controls. AnyDesk and TeamViewer have free tiers, but business use typically requires a paid licence, so confirm terms first.

Is free remote desktop software safe?
It can be, if you enable MFA, patch regularly, restrict who can connect and review logs. The risk comes from misconfiguration and unmanaged installs, not from the word free. Follow CISA and NIST remote access guidance.

When should a company switch to paid remote access software?
Switch when you need audit logs, role-based access, unattended access at scale, SSO or ticketing integration, or commercial-use rights. Listed starting prices in SaaSPodium begin at 3.39 as of November 2026, but units vary by vendor.