Top 13 Remote Desktop Solutions to Unlock Seamless Access in 2025

Zoho Assist is a cloud-based solution designed to provide remote IT and customer support. It allows technicians to initiate support sessions on-demand, simply by sending a direct email invitation, eliminating the need for software installation. Additionally, it enables quick setup of remote access to Windows and Mac computers, whether inside or outside the local network. This makes troubleshooting and support more flexible and efficient.

Zoho Assist is ideal for organizations aiming to deliver remote support to their customers or internal teams, offering easy and immediate assistance without complex setup procedures.

With options for remote access and even unattended support, Zoho Assist stands out as a comprehensive remote desktop software solution.

Create role-based access and assign different control levels to your team members while seamlessly switching between remote and local access with just one click.

ConnectWise offers a free trial for users to familiarize themselves with the platform. After testing, you can choose from three different subscription plans:

– The Basic plan costs $24 per month when billed annually and allows a single user to establish one connection.
– The Standard plan is priced at $39 per month (annually billed), enabling one user to manage up to three connections simultaneously.
– The Premium plan, at $49 per month paid annually, supports one user with up to ten concurrent connections.

RemotePC is a cloud-based remote desktop application that provides secure connections through AES-256 encryption. Its user-friendly drag-and-drop interface makes it accessible even to beginners with no technical background, streamlining task execution.

It’s ideal for both individual users and small enterprises. Features include unlimited user licenses, the ability to create user groups for better organization, a function that blanks out the remote screen for privacy purposes during live sessions, and tools for drawing directly on the remote screen to facilitate collaboration—making it suitable for professionals like architects, designers, and artists.

Additional advantages are secure user addition via ID and key, support for remote helpdesk functions, easy configuration via web applications, scalability for managing multiple devices efficiently, remote printing, file transfers through drag-and-drop, real-time chat, audio playback from remote machines, session recording, and compliance with relevant regulations. However, it does have some drawbacks, such as the inability to display multiple monitors in a single window and occasional minor lag issues during use.

RemotePC offers five subscription plans geared toward different needs and budgets:

– The Consumer plan costs $29.62 for the first year, covering one user license to access two computers.
– The Soho plan is priced at $44.62 annually and includes unlimited user licenses for five computers.
– The same Soho plan can also be purchased for $59.62 per year to expand access to ten computers.
– The Team plan, at $224.62 annually, provides unlimited licenses for up to fifty computers, with a free 7-day trial without needing a credit card.
– The Enterprise plan costs $449.62 per year and supports unlimited licenses for one hundred computers, also with a 7-day free trial.

TeamViewer is another well-known remote desktop solution, offering robust features suitable for various users.

TeamViewer is among the top remote desktop tools worldwide, boasting over 2 billion active users. It supports a wide variety of platforms and enables remote access to PCs from devices like Samsung smartphones, facilitating cross-platform control.

TeamViewer is ideal for large organizations prioritizing security without compromising on service quality.

A free version suitable for individuals with basic needs is available, while paid plans start at $50.90 per month and can go up to $206.90 monthly.

Remote Utilities for Windows is a powerful free remote desktop tool that packs many premium features usually found in paid software. It is suitable for individuals and small businesses seeking affordable yet capable remote desktop solutions.

Ideal for personal users and small enterprises that need a budget-friendly but sophisticated remote desktop program.

Advantages:

This software is available for free.

Remote Desktop Manager is a comprehensive remote desktop tool suitable for both individual users and organizations. It provides a secure platform to control multiple computers remotely and offers a wide range of features that can be set up quickly for immediate use.It is especially effective for medium to large businesses aiming for dependable remote management. Key functionalities include account brokering to conceal actual credentials, virtualized consoles for quick system status overviews, real-time activity logging, and automated connection launching for secure access.Its user-friendly interface and support for numerous protocols, VPNs, and enterprise-grade password management tools make it a versatile option. The software also supports multiple licenses, including site-wide options for larger organizations, and offers a free edition with limited features. Session management, real-time user tracking, mobile control, offline access, and vaults for sensitive data are additional benefits.A 30-day free trial is available. However, performance may sometimes lag, and the enterprise subscription costs can be high.Pricing begins at $249 annually for a single user license, with a site license priced at $5,999 per year. Custom quotes are available for more extensive deployments.

Chrome Remote Desktop provides a cloud-based platform with all necessary features to control your computer remotely. It is accessible from both desktop and mobile devices, making remote access straightforward and free of charge.

For whom is it ideal: It is most suitable for individuals needing a simple, no-cost method to remotely access their computers without complexity or extra features.

Main features include: a dependable and user-friendly remote desktop service that includes password management, shared databases, vaults, role-based access controls, and more. It also supports multiple users logging into the same machine, requires only a Chrome browser and a Google account for setup, and is completely free.

Advantages of using Chrome Remote Desktop: you can set a PIN for secure access, its interface is easy-to-use, and there are dedicated apps for Android and iOS that enhance the user experience. Built with Google’s security and reliability, it works seamlessly across different devices, including Apple and Android platforms.

Drawbacks include its dependence solely on Chrome, the necessity of a Google account for access, and the limited features that might not suit business needs.

This service is available at no cost.

13. GoToAssist.

GoToAssist provides secure, reliable remote support solutions suitable for both professionals and small organizations. It offers an efficient and smooth remote connection experience, helping to maintain consistent communication with employees and clients.

Best suited for: It is an adaptable tool that meets the needs of individual users and small enterprises, offering comprehensive support features.

Key features encompass annotation tools for collaboration—allowing users to draw, highlight, and point on screens—and unlimited live support support, with easy transitions from chat or calls to direct remote assistance. You can start remote sessions with a simple browser plugin and access detailed session reports that include customer details, session length, and notes.

Pros include: secure remote control of keyboards and mice, the ability to transfer files during sessions, support for up to eight simultaneous connections, and advanced annotation capabilities. You can also view detailed hardware and software information to troubleshoot issues, share screens mutually, transfer sessions between team members instantly, record sessions, and add layered security easily. It supports Single Sign-On for managing multiple users efficiently and offers remote access on iOS devices. A free trial for seven days is available.

Cons involve: cloud-based recordings only lasting 90 days and support limited to iOS 11 and later versions.

Pricing: The service is offered through a single plan priced at $55 annually.

14. VNC Connect.

VNC Connect is an intuitive and secure remote desktop tool that provides a variety of customized plans tailored to different user needs and budgets.

This affordable and adaptable solution caters to both individual users and large enterprises, offering plans suited for a wide range of requirements.

The subscription plans start from $3.39 per month and go up to $33.49 per month when billed annually.

Goverlan Reach provides a secure and dependable platform for remote machine access. It is ideal for mid-sized organizations needing efficient remote support, offering features like remote IT management, automation, and Active Directory integration. The software’s scalability and real-time system monitoring make it a strong choice for supporting multiple devices and managing IT infrastructure remotely. Its “pay as you grow” plans allow organizations to expand seamlessly as their needs evolve, and it supports managing domain memberships and device identities efficiently. The software also offers on-premises credentials management and centralized auditing for enhanced security and control.

Subscription plans start at $35 per month and can go up to $150 per month when billed annually. Additionally, incident management can be added as a feature for an extra $55 per month, billed yearly.

Note: Other remote support tools, like Dameware Remote Support and RealVNC, are not yet reviewed here.

Remote desktop software uses Virtual Network Computing (VNC) technology to allow one computer to remotely control another from different locations via LAN or the internet. It operates on a client-server model, connecting the controlling device (client) to the remote system (server) and enabling management. The server is the machine being accessed remotely, while the client is the device used to gain control. The client’s interface displays the remote machine’s screen, allowing the user to operate it with mouse and keyboard inputs, which are transmitted in real-time and reflected on the remote system’s interface.

This technology is useful for various purposes, including troubleshooting IT issues, working remotely from home, providing help desk support, or accessing personal files while on the move.

The development of remote desktop technology has made it straightforward to access your home or office computer as if you were physically present. You can establish connections within the same platform or across different operating systems.

For Windows 10 and newer versions, follow these steps: Go to the device you wish to connect to, then navigate to Start > Settings > System > Remote Desktop > Enable remote desktop, and note the device name. On your local Windows system, open the Remote Desktop Connection app, enter the device name, and click Connect. This process is very simple and commonly used.

On a Windows computer, enable remote connections by opening system properties, clicking the Remote tab, and selecting ‘Allow remote connections to this computer.’ Then, on your Mac, install the Microsoft Remote Desktop app. When you attempt to connect, you’ll see a screen similar to this, where you can specify the Windows machine you want to access, establishing a remote session.

Source: HowToGeek

Finally, click “Continue.”

In this situation, you can’t rely on remote desktops alone. Fortunately, you can use specialized remote desktop applications for this purpose.

Follow these steps:

Go to your Mac device, open the ‘Sharing’ options in System Preferences. Then, select ‘Screen Sharing’ and click on ‘Computer Settings.’

Next, ensure you check the box for “Allow access for” and set a simple password for easier connection.

Now, install a remote desktop application of your choice. Enter the IP address of your Mac in the client app, then go back to your connection and input the password you set earlier.

Finally, click “Connect.”

You can also set up remote access between two Mac devices. In most cases, you can also connect to a desktop from smartphones and tablets.

When choosing the best remote desktop solution for your needs, it’s important to understand what features are essential. Since requirements differ depending on your business goals and usage, you should prioritize what matters most to you.

Below are some features commonly found in effective remote desktop tools:

For businesses that handle multiple clients or tasks simultaneously, multi-window control is vital. It allows you to manage several remote sessions at once, improving efficiency.

Real-time communication is often necessary when providing support or collaborating remotely. Having a chat feature within your remote desktop software enables quick, direct messaging, reducing reliance on emails or calls, and enhancing customer engagement.

The ability to reboot a remote system and automatically re-establish the connection is crucial for troubleshooting and maintenance. This feature ensures minimal downtime during technical issues.

This feature allows users to view and switch between multiple monitors remotely. It enhances productivity, especially for users who work with multiple screens or require complex workflows.

Since remote sessions might involve screens of different sizes, the ability to resize and scale displays ensures a seamless experience, regardless of device or monitor resolution.

In many organizations, especially those linking performance to compensation, monitoring KPIs and activity metrics is essential. Reporting features allow real-time tracking, helping managers assess performance effectively.

Transferring files directly through the remote desktop session simplifies workflows. Whether installing new programs, updating scripts, or sharing documents, this feature reduces reliance on third-party file-sharing tools and streamlines client support.You might also want to explore additional features such as clipboard transfer, safe mode restarting, two-way desktop sharing, branding options, and more.

Using Single Sign-On (SSO) simplifies remote desktop access by allowing you to log in with just one password. This not only reduces the frequency of password updates but also enhances security by minimizing potential vulnerabilities. Plus, it streamlines the login process, saving you time and making your workflow smoother.

SSO providers can help you with setup and configuration, so you don’t need to worry about handling technical details yourself.

This guide has covered the top 15 remote desktop software options to consider in 2023. These tools enable real-time collaboration with your team from anywhere and assist in delivering effective customer support.

Before making a final decision, assess your budget, business needs, ease of use, and other important factors. Carefully compare features and subscription costs to find the best value. Balancing cost, functionality, and your specific requirements will help you choose the most suitable software.

For example, freelancers might find Remote Utilities for Windows appealing because it’s available at no cost. On the other hand, larger organizations seeking advanced features and trusted enterprise solutions could opt for options like TeamViewer, AnyDesk, Zoho Assist, and others.

Further Reading on StepThroughThePortal.com: For more remote tools, check out my reviews of the best webinar software for online meetings and my selections for the best data recovery software to use this year.