5 free remote desktop apps that are better than Chrome Remote Desktop

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If you ever want to access your PC remotely, you have probably heard of Chrome Remote Desktop. It is an extension for Chrome that allows you to connect to your PC from anywhere in the world. It is a very simple tool But It gets the job done and allows for very easy control from your phone or another computer. However, there are alternatives that are definitely better, even if they require a bit more work to get them working.




Windows Remote Desktop

However, it is only available for Windows 11 Pro

RD Session App

The best option for Windows users who only want to access their desktop from within the same network is probably Windows Remote Desktop. However, one of the biggest drawbacks is that you need Windows 11 Pro to use it. You'll need to configure it, but once you do that, it's a pretty straightforward process.


The biggest downside to Windows Remote Desktop is the amount of setup required, especially if you want to access your computer from outside your home network. If you have multiple computers on your local network that you want to connect to remotely, it may work, but that's about it. Otherwise, the other options on this list may serve you better.

TeamViewer

The one everyone knows

Join a session in TeamViewer

Almost everyone has heard of TeamViewer, and there's a reason for that. It's a very simple program: you install it on your computer, get a username and password, and then someone else connects to your computer using those details. With TeamViewer, you can install it on your computer and log in from a client, and then see that your computer is remotely accessible from anywhere in the world.


TeamViewer is free for personal use, but the company itself is not the most trustworthy. There have been many security breaches and allegations of cover-ups have caused users to lose trust in the company as a result. Their treatment of users who bought lifetime licenses also caused many consumers to switch to alternatives. It is a more than suitable program for remote desktop work, but I wouldn't trust it with much else.

AnyDesk

Free for personal use

Anydesk logo on multiple devices

Source: AnyDesk


One remote connection software that has gained a lot of traction is AnyDesk. It is very similar to TeamViewer, except that you have to set up and configure unattended access, otherwise you have to be physically present at the computer every time to approve the connection.

With unattended access, you set a password and connect to your computer's AnyDesk address using the AnyDesk client. You will then be asked for your password. Once you enter it, you will have full access to your computer. There are also other features such as Wake-on-LAN, although some other features require payment.


Microsoft Quick Assist

Although there is no unattended access

Screenshot of the Quick Assist user interface for the assistant

If you want something where you don't mind having to click a button to accept the connection, Microsoft's Quick Assist is a great option. It's more useful for helping others with their PCs than for personal use, but you can get started by simply typing Quick Assist into the search bar on your PC and entering the code provided by the other person trying to connect.

One of the best aspects of Microsoft Quick Assist is the options it gives you to interact with the PC you are remotely controlling. It offers some great features to help friends or family members, such as:


  • Requirements management: Ask the other user to allow you to control their PC using the mouse and keyboard. The other user must approve the request.
  • Laser pointer: Use your mouse to highlight an area or button on the other person's screen.
  • note: Use your mouse or touch to draw on the other person's screen.
  • Chat: Send and receive messages from the user you are helping.

The laser pointer and annotations are especially important because these features allow you to help someone find something on their screen or learn something yourself. It's built into Windows, so while there's no unattended access, it's a great option for some use cases.


RustDesk

Self-hosted and open source

Rustdesk Tremote Web Console

If you want something that you completely control, RustDesk is a great option. You can host it yourself on a NAS, your computer, or another device and let it manage the connections for you, but you don't even have to host it yourself if you don't want to. It's significantly more technical if you want it to be, and requires many more steps than even Microsoft's Remote Desktop, but the advantages are that it's completely free and You check it.


The documentation for RustDesk is incredibly comprehensive, so you don't have to worry about finding the answer to what you're looking for. There's a Docker container ready to use out of the box, and you just need to make sure you port it so you can access it from outside your network. Alternatively, you can just use RustDesk's servers if you want, but hosting it yourself is a great option.

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