• Stay Informed
    • All News
    • Big Tech
    • Business Trends
    • Diversity
    • Opinion & Analysis
    • Privacy & Security
    • Product News
    • Remote Working
    • Social Media
  • Work Smarter
    • Accounting Software
    • Asset Tracking
    • Business Phone Systems
    • CRM Software
    • Dash Cams
    • Field Service Management
    • Fleet Management
    • HR Software
    • POS System
    • Project Management Software
    • Web Conferencing
  • Stay Secure
    • Antivirus Software
    • Password Managers
    • Remote Access Software
    • VPN
  • Grow Your Business
    • Digital Marketing
    • Web Design
    • Web Hosting
    • Website Builders
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • linkedin
Home Remote Access Software

Best Remote Desktop Software

If your business is shifting to a flexible, work-from-home setup, remote desktop software can keep your business secure.
Written by Adam Rowe
Updated on January 11, 2023

Our content is funded in part by commercial partnerships, at no extra cost to you and without impact to our editorial impartiality. Click to Learn More

Are you in the midst of transitioning your team, or even your entire company, to remote working? You're not alone.

Remote work is on the rise. That means companies need software that lets them stay in touch with a fully distributed workforce, securing their laptops and rapidly addressing IT concerns.

Tech.co has matched the core features needed against the best pricing available, in order to figure out all the top remote desktop software options on the market today. While we'd recommend TeamViewer due to its range of features and ease of use, all the services below are worth considering.

In this guide:

  • Best Remote Access Software Reviewed
  • What is Remote Access Software?
  • Verdict: What is the Best Remote Access Software
  • Remote Access Software FAQs
0 out of 0
Starting price
Licensed users
Maximum accessible devices
Pros
Cons
FEATURED

Zoho Assist

TeamViewer

ManageEngine

Freshservice

Pro by GoTo

Anydesk

GoToMyPC

RemotePC

ConnectWise

SplashTop

Iperius Remote

Parallels

$10/month

$6.95/month

$100/month

$19/user/month

$30/month

$10.99/month

$35/month

$2.46/month

$19/month

$5 per month

$10.17 per month

$1.67 per month

1

1-30+

5

Unlimited

Unlimited

1-unlimited

1-50

1-unlimited

1

2-10

Unlimited

1-unlimited

25

200-500

25

Unlimited

2-10

1-unlimited

Unlimited

2-100

10-unlimited

2-10 per user

Unlimited, but 2-100 concurrent connections

5 computers, unlimited mobile devices

  • Integrates with Zoho software
  • No installs or downloads needed
  • Intuitive mobile app
  • Supports 200-500 devices
  • Has mass remote deployment
  • Easy to use and set up
  • Offers advanced remote-control functionality
  • Robust free plan for small businesses
  • Supports multiple languages
  • Provides excellent help desk features
  • Lots of third-party integrations
  • Supports unlimited users
  • 1TB file storage
  • Bundled with a free password manager
  • Supports 28 languages
  • Updates automatically
  • Free version available
  • Wide range of bandwidth settings
  • 24/7 support
  • Little-to-no lag time
  • Inexpensive
  • On-demand Helpdesk support
  • Remote-play audio files
  • Unlimited devices
  • Custom branding
  • Good pricing
  • Tiered pricing is attractive to enterprises
  • Multi t0 multi Chromebook support
  • No installation needed
  • Supports custom passwords for each device
  • Unlimited users
  • Unlimited mobile devices
  • Starts at $1.67/mo
  • Features are limited
  • Base plan only supports 1 user
  • Paid plans are quite expensive
  • Starting plan is quite limited
  • Only supports between 2 and 10 devices
  • No group collaboration features
  • Outdated interface
  • Occasionally buggy, particularly with bad connection
  • Not all plans offer remote deployment
  • $66/month for every 2 devices
  • Not all plans offer single sign-on
  • Concurrent devices are capped
  • Interface is clunky
  • No video conferencing
  • Functionality is more limited with non-Windows computers
  • No phone support
  • Only supports five remote computers
  • Some features only work on Android devices

Remote access software programs vary significantly when it comes to costs – and if price is the most important thing to you, check out the deals offered by the providers listed below:

Best Remote Access Software Reviewed

Here's what to know about each top remote service. And once you're informed, take the next step today with a taster trial of one of the brands below.

  • TeamViewer: Best overall
  • LogMeIn: Best for unlimited users
  • Anydesk: Best for small businesses
  • GoToMyPC: Best for performance
  • Zoho Assist: Best for Zoho integrations
  • RemotePC: Best for affordability
  • ConnectWise: Best for custom branding
  • Splashtop: Best for enterprises
  • Iperius Remote: Best for Windows users
  • Parallels: Best for mobile devices

TeamViewer

Best Overall

Starts at: $49/month

TeamViewer supports a large number of remotely managed devices (including PC, Mac, Linux and mobile), with plans starting at 200 devices and going as high as 500.

The constraints that a business is likely to run up against are TeamViewer's more limited number of licensed users, as well as the cap on the number of participants per meeting. Here's how the differences shake out across TeamViewer's three plans.

0 out of 0
Plan
Price
Users
Accessible devices

Remote Access

Business

Premium

Corporate

Enterprise

$6.95/month

$38.90/month

$112.90/month

$229.90 per month

Contact sales

1

1

15

30

Customizable

3

200

300

500

Customizable

Need a tailored quote for your business today? Compare Plans

TeamViewer meets reasonable security standards, with its 2048-bit RSA key exchange and 256-bit AES session encoding. The interface is intuitive, and thanks to the service's mass remote deployment feature, it's easy to quickly set up across multiple devices. Features include desktop sharing, online conferencing, and remote file transfers.

Support channels include email, phone, and live chat during business hours, alongside online resources such as FAQs and video tutorials. The pricing is average for the industry, and the large number of devices supported makes TeamViewer particularly attractive for large or medium-sized businesses in need of a way to remotely support hundreds of employees.

Team Viewer
TeamViewer logo
Remote access software with plenty of features
In Short

Pros

  • Supports 200-500 devices
  • Has mass remote deployment
  • Easy to use and set up

Cons

  • Base plan only supports 1 user
Gallery Click to expand
Compare Prices

LogMeIn

Best for unlimited users

Starts at: $30/month

LogMeIn Pro is a flexible solution, great for a small business or startup with a team that frequently travels. With it, users can easily access their work computer remotely from just a mobile device. However, the number of managed devices is small, with just two, five, or ten computers made remotely accessible through LogMeIn Pro's three plans.

0 out of 0
Plan
Price
Users
Accessible devices
Storage

Individuals

Power Users

Small Business

$30 per month

$70 per month

$129 per month

Unlimited

Unlimited

Unlimited

2

5

10

1 TB

1 TB

1 TB

Ready to explore your Pro by GoTo options? Try Pro by GoTo

All plans include remote access, remote printing, 1TB file storage, and a multi-monitor display ability. LogMeIn Pro offers plenty of support across email, phone, tickets, live chat, and online resources, including a database and community forum. It comes with a unique perk, too: All LogMeIn Pro plans offer at least one free license to LastPass Premium, the company's password management service.

Pro by GoTo
GoTo logo
An adaptable remote solution with no user limit
In Short

Pros

  • Supports unlimited users
  • 1TB file storage
  • Bundled with a free password manager

Cons

  • Only supports between 2 and 10 devices
  • No group collaboration features
Gallery Click to expand
Compare Prices

Anydesk

Best for small businesses

Starts at: $9.99/month

Anydesk is the option small businesses or freelancers may want to consider, both because of its low $9.99 a month starting cost, and because it includes a free plan. However, this plan is only for individuals, and for private use rather than a work environment. Here's what to expect from each of Anydesk's three pricing plans, all of which are billed annually.

0 out of 0
Plan
Price
Users
Accessible devices

Solo

Standard

Advanced

$14.90/month

$29.90/month

$79.90/month

1

20

50

100

3,000

Unlimited

Check out AnyDesk prices now with our handy comparison tool Compare Plans

All plans offer the core remote access functionality, as well as remote printing, file transfers, and an on-screen whiteboard feature. A 14-day free trial can help users figure out if it's for their team, as well. One drawback to this software is the limits on the number of devices and sessions, which are capped at just one of each for the most inexpensive plan. That said, the Power plan offers unlimited devices and users, while remaining inexpensive relative to similar services' highest priced plans. It supports all major devices, and offers email and phone support as well.

AnyDesk
AnyDesk Logo
Best for small to mid sized businesses
In Short

Pros

  • Supports 28 languages
  • Updates automatically
  • 14-day free trial

Cons

  • Outdated interface
  • Occasionally buggy, particularly with bad connection
Gallery Click to expand
Compare Prices

GoToMyPC

Best for performance

Starts at: $35/month/computer

GoToMyPC remotely connects computers with no visible lag time, allowing mouse movements and keystrokes to feel fluid. It offers a range of bandwidth settings as well, though you're unlikely to need them as long as your connection isn't terrible. The service's pricing plans vary in what they offer: The $35/month starting price is specifically for one user, letting them access unlimited devices, while the $66/month Pro plan starts with two computers per month. The Corporate plan is designed for ten or more users, and starts at $140/month.

0 out of 0
Plan
Price
Users
Accessible devices

Personal

Pro

Corporate

$35 per device per month

$33 per device per month

$28 per device per month

1

2-50

5+

Unlimited

Unlimited

Unlimited

Get started with GoToMyPC Try GoToMyPC

Features include handy file transferring and syncing abilities as well as multiple monitors, and the software installs quickly and easily. Costs increase quickly as users increase, so larger companies may want to think twice, but GoToMyPC is a high performing service great for small and medium remote businesses.

GoToMyPC
GoToMyPC logo
A strong performing remote access software
In Short

Pros

  • Wide range of bandwidth settings
  • 24/7 support
  • Little-to-no lag time

Cons

  • Not all plans offer remote deployment
  • $66/month for every 2 devices
Gallery Click to expand
Compare Prices

Zoho Assist

Best for Zoho integrations

Starts at: $10/month

Zoho Assist is a feature-rich remote access solution. It's a good option for larger businesses and an even better option for businesses that already use Zoho software, given the many straightforward integrations it offers. Features include the typical core abilities: File transfers, multiple monitors, remote reboots, and voice, video, or instant chat. Remote support sessions can be scheduled ahead of time through the software as well, a plus for large companies that need the infrastructure to pack in plenty of remote IT sessions.

A bulk deployment ability makes Zoho Assist easy to get up and running. It's entirely web-based – which helps keep it secure, since no installs or downloads are required – and idle sessions can be set to timeout once they've been inactive for a specific period of time. The end-to-end SSL and AES 256-bit encryption help with security as well.

Zoho Assist is available in three pricing plans, plus a more limited free one. The Standard plan costs $10/user/month, the Professional plan costs $15/user/month, and the Enterprise plan costs $24/user/month. That said, you'll only get a handful of particularly useful features with the Professional and Enterprise plans, including session scheduling, screensharing, and the mobile app, available on iOS and Android.

Zoho Assist
Zoho Assist Logo Small
An easy-to-use remote access software that integrates with Zoho
In Short

Pros

  • Integrates with Zoho software
  • No installs or downloads needed
  • Intuitive mobile app

Cons

  • Features are limited
Gallery Click to expand
Try Zoho Assist

RemotePC

Best for affordability

Starts at: $2.46/month

RemotePC offers four plans. There's the Consumer plan, which costs just $29.50/year ($2.46/month) for one user and access to two computers, then the SOHO plan, which costs $69.50/year ($5.79/month) and includes unlimited users and access to ten computers. The Team plan costs then $249.50/year ($20.79/month) with unlimited users and 50 computers, while the Enterprise plan costs $499.50/year ($41.63/month) for unlimited users and 100 computers.

All plans come with core features including file transfer, remote reboot, remote printing, video conferencing, and a whiteboard feature. Audio files can be remotely played as well. 24/7 support is available for email and chat, with more limited phone support – and, for the Team and Enterprise plans, a Helpdesk offers on-demand remote support, too.

Security comes through a TLS v 1.2/AES-256 encryption for transferring authentication data, as well as “Personal Key,” a feature that gives each device a unique password set for extra protection. Single sign-on is available, but only for the Team and Enterprise plans.

RemotePC
RemotePC logo
An affordable, scalable remote access solution
In Short

Pros

  • Inexpensive
  • On-demand Helpdesk support
  • Remote-play audio files

Cons

  • Not all plans offer single sign-on
Gallery Click to expand
Compare Prices

ConnectWise

Best for custom branding

Starts at: $19/month

ConnectWise Control's three plans start with One, which gives a single user access to ten devices remotely (one at a time) for $19/month. The Standard plan lets one user access unlimited devices, with a cap of three concurrent ones, for $35/month. Lastly, the Premium plan lets one user access unlimited devices with a cap of ten concurrent ones, and costs $45/month.

Features available across all plans include remote meetings, file transfer, remote printing, and remote support. Custom branding is also available on all plans, a perk that helps a business keep its professional brand front and center. This level of customizability is rarely included on all plans, making ConnectWise's otherwise fairly stripped-down service a cost-effective way to stay professional.

ConnectWise
ConnectWise logo
A remote access software best for small yet professional companies
In Short

Pros

  • Unlimited devices
  • Custom branding
  • Good pricing

Cons

  • Concurrent devices are capped
  • Interface is clunky
Gallery Click to expand
Compare Prices

Splashtop

Best for enterprises

Starts at: $5/month

The web-based Splashtop Business Access has two plans, with tiered pricing for the second. The first plan, Solo, costs $5/month for a single user accessing a maximum of two computers. Most businesses will prefer the second plan, Pro, which starts at $8.25/month/user, and lets each user access ten computers. This drops 20% to $6.60/user/month if the business has between 4 and 9 users. If the business is paying for 10 or more users, the cost for these users drops 25% to it's lowest price, $6.19/month/user.

All plans offer file transfer, remote printing, and remote audio, but you'll need to spring for Pro to get multiple monitors, remote waking and rebooting, and instant chat. One nice Pro perk that not all remote access software offers: Two users can remotely access the same computer simultaneously. That said, Splashtop doesn't offer some moderately common bells-and-whistles features like video conferencing.

SplashTop
SplashTop logo
In Short

Pros

  • Tiered pricing is attractive to enterprises
  • Web-based, no installs needed

Cons

  • No video conferencing
Gallery Click to expand
Compare Prices

Iperius Remote

Best for Windows users

Starts at: $9.47/month

Iperius Remote is available in three plans, all of which offer the same features and unlimited remote devices. They are differentiated entirely by how many concurrent connections are allowed in each: The Small plan costs €8,39/month (about $10.17) for two connections, while the Medium plan costs €19,99/month (about $24.23) for five connections. Then there's the Large plan, which starts at €33,99/month (about $41.14) for 10 connections, but which can be modified to support even more connections at a greater price. The number of connections goes as high as 200, for €583,99/month (about $712.03).

The service is installable as a Windows service. This means that, while operators will be able to connect from Windows, Mac, and Linux machines alike, only computers running on Windows can be automatically accessed remotely.

Features include file transfer, instant chat, screensharing, historical data, multiple monitors, and multiple connections allowed to the same computer. Support is limited to email and online documentation, which includes an FAQ and tutorials. The software is fully portable, with no installation or firewall configuration needed. Security measures include integrated encryption and HTTPS, and custom passwords can be set on each remotely accessed device.

Iperius Remote
Iperius Remote logo
A solid remote access software aimed at Windows users
In Short

Pros

  • No installation needed
  • Supports custom passwords for each device

Cons

  • Functionality is more limited with non-Windows computers
  • No phone support
Gallery Click to expand
Compare Prices

Parallels

Best for mobile devices

Starts at: $1.67/month

Parallels Access has a personal plan and a business plan. The one-user personal plan offers five remote computers plus unlimited mobile devices, and is available in a one-year subscription for $19.99 ($1.67/month) or for a two-year $34.99 subscription ($2.92/month). The business plan is $49 per year ($4.08/month), and includes unlimited users, but still caps remote computers at just five, although mobile devices are unlimited. Additional five-computer packs will cost another $49/year each.

In other words, while this is the cheapest service on our list, the fact that it only supports five remote computers makes it limited enough that we didn't list it as our affordable pick. It's best for small businesses or startups with tiny teams, and it offers a great set of features for mobile devices.

Parallels is available for both iOS and Android, although some abilities (opening desktop applications while on mobile, support for Samsung S Pen) are specific to Android devices. Adding it to mobile is a quick process, too, using an installation link or QR code rather than an app download.

Parallels
Parallels logo
A limited remote access solution, but great for mobile use
In Short

Pros

  • Unlimited users
  • Unlimited mobile devices
  • Starts at $1.67/mo

Cons

  • Only supports five remote computers
  • Some features only work on Android devices
Gallery Click to expand
Compare Prices

What Is Remote Access Software?

Remote access software applications allow a business's IT team to remotely view and interact with files and programs across all work computers used by their distributed workforce. This allows them to monitor and assist their entire team, no matter where they are in the world.

Remote Access Software Benefits

Remote access software helps a business meet its employees wherever they are, reducing stress in a variety of ways while saving on their bottom line as well. Here are the core benefits you can expect:

  • Increased flexibility is a top reason to adapt remote access software. With it, teams can work entirely or partially from home, setting the hours that work best for them rather than shoehorning themselves into a strict nine-to-five job.
  • Reduced distractions can improve workers' focus, as their meetings can be turned into emails and their home environment won't include chatty coworkers.
  • Reduced travel costs can help a company save funds, while letting employees avoid the rush hour commute.
  • Minimized office space overhead, as the physical office is another big budget item that can be reduced or cut out entirely thanks to a distributed workforce.

And, thanks to the mass deployment functionality available through many remote access services, IT departments will be able to automate some of their workload as well.

Who Needs Remote Desktop Software?

You won't be surprised to hear that any business which is making remote work a part-time or full-time option for their employees should adapt remote access software as a way to assist them. And furthermore, any business should consider a flexible work schedule policy: indeed, 100% remote work was the most popular flexible work option in one 2019 survey.

But the software remains a useful tool for businesses that aren't remote: It helps IT teams resolve software issues from their desks, streamlining the entire process. In short, remote desktop software can help any modern business.

Need to handle a remote workforce?

Stay secure with a top-rated remote access solution:

Try TeamViewer
Try LogMeIn

Verdict: What's the Best Remote Desktop Software?

TeamViewer and LogMeIn Pro are our two top picks – they're both easy and intuitive to use, while offering all the core abilities most businesses look for in remote access software. Their support teams are also both strong.

So which should you chose? They're differentiated by their limits. TeamViewer supports fewer users, while LogMeIn Pro supports fewer devices. Thus, if you have a vast number of employees working remotely but a smaller IT team, TeamViewer is for you. If you have a small team, LogMeIn Pro is a great fit. Plus, LogMeIn Pro lets non-IT users remotely access their work files or programs, a benefit that goes beyond the traditional use of remote access software but opens up more collaboration opportunities for remote workers.

We've broken down the differences between the two services in more depth in this TeamViewer vs LogMeIn comparison article. And in the end, all of the ten services listed here are worth considering, so don't feel as though you can't roam outside of our chosen few.

Try Teamviewer
Try LogMeIn

Remote Access Software FAQs

Yes, remote access software is safe and secure – provided you meet safety standards and ensure your employees take all needed precautions.

GoToMyPC, TeamViewer, Splashtop, LogMeIn Pro, and Anydesk all offer fluid, seamless keystrokes and mouse movements across remote connections in typical conditions.

If you're concerned about security, a password manager can ensure your employees stay safe without the added pressure of remembering all their passwords. We've rounded up all the top password keepers to consider.

Antivirus software is another way to stay safe, and we have a guide to the top antivirus vendors as well. Finally, a virtual private network, or VPN, can add a layer of security and anonymity to your online browsing activity. And, as you may have guessed, we have a VPN guide that we think you'll like.

Yes, more than a few of the remote access desktop services listed in the above article offer a limited free plan. Typically, these free offerings are kept to a single user and just two remotely accessible devices.

This means free remote access software isn't great for remote IT support. It's still a fine option for a freelancer that wants to work on two different computers, or one who wants to access their personal computer from their mobile device while on the go. However, a business that needs to supply remote IT support to more than just a couple of employees will likely find a paid service suits their needs better.

Good remote desktop access software should work as well as your existing internet connection. If your computer has a laggy connection, the IT pro viewing it remotely will see the same lag. A high speed connection of at least 10 Mb/s of download speed and upload speed is needed. Lowering your latency will help as well. However, this is unlikely to be a problem for typical internet connections.

Remote access software allows one user's device to remotely connect directly to another device, to access data that would typically be accessed on that second device. Terminal emulation software lets multiple users remotely connect to a single central server, viewing data that is designed to be accessible primarily through this terminal emulation process.

Common features of remote access software include file transfer, multiple monitors, and remote reboots. Other useful abilities include remote audio playback and video conferencing, or instant chat functions. Larger companies might also prioritize software that is easy to deploy and to use, so that all their employees will be able to benefit from it without a time-consuming training session.

Role-based access ensures that each user of a software will only have access to the features, data, and – in the case of remote access software – other devices that are relevant to them. If every IT worker has access to every device, the entire group can be compromised with a security breach of any account. But when the security settings offer more contained access, a bad actor can only compromise a limited amount of data.

Yes, it's fairly safe to use remote desktop software when on a public wifi, as long as the service has encrypted its data – as any trustworthy remote access software does. However, we'd recommend a VPN as well. While your data will be safe, the network itself could be compromised, and a VPN adds a layer of protection.
About our links

If you click on, sign up to a service through, or make a purchase through the links on our site, or use our quotes tool to receive custom pricing for your business needs, we may earn a referral fee from the supplier(s) of the technology you’re interested in. This helps Tech.co to provide free information and reviews, and carries no additional cost to you. Most importantly, it doesn’t affect our editorial impartiality. Ratings and rankings on Tech.co cannot be bought. Our reviews are based on objective research analysis. Rare exceptions to this will be marked clearly as a ‘sponsored' table column, or explained by a full advertising disclosure on the page, in place of this one. Click to return to top of page

Share this post
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • flipboard
  • twitter
  • whatsapp
Did you find this article helpful? Click on one of the following buttons
We're so happy you liked! Get more delivered to your inbox just like it.

Verifying

Please fill in your name
Please fill in your email
Please verify before subscribing.

We're sorry this article didn't help you today – we welcome feedback, so if there's any way you feel we could improve our content, please email us at contact@tech.co

Written by:
Adam Rowe Writer

Adam is a writer at Tech.co and has worked as a tech writer, blogger and copy editor for more than a decade. He was a Forbes Contributor on the publishing industry, for which he was named a Digital Book World 2018 award finalist. His work has appeared in publications including Popular Mechanics and IDG Connect, and his art history book on 1970s sci-fi, 'Worlds Beyond Time,' is out from Abrams Books in July 2023. In the meantime, he's hunting down the latest news on VPNs, POS systems, and the future of tech.

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • linkedin
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • CCPA – Privacy Notice
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Terms
techco-logo

© Copyright 2023

Back to top