Prices checked: November 2026. Prices change often and can differ by region, so always confirm on the vendor’s website before you buy. We do not earn a commission from any tool on this page.
Choosing remote desktop software looks easy until you compare the pricing pages. One vendor charges per user, the next per connection, a third per technician, and two of the best-known names quietly block their free version as soon as you use it for work. This comparison cuts through that for teams of one to twenty people.
The short answer
For most small teams, Splashtop offers the best value for paid remote access. If you need a free tool for business use, choose Chrome Remote Desktop for simplicity or RustDesk if someone on your team can run a server. TeamViewer and AnyDesk are strong products, but they cost noticeably more for small teams.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free for business use? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Splashtop | Best value for small teams | $6/month (Solo, billed annually) | No |
| Zoho Assist | Supporting customers and colleagues | Free plan, paid from $10 per technician/month (annual) | Yes, limited free plan |
| TeamViewer | Broad IT support and device management | $24.90/month (Remote Access) | No, personal use only |
| AnyDesk | Fast, lightweight sessions | $28.90/month list price (Solo, billed annually) | No, personal use only |
| ConnectWise ScreenConnect | IT providers and support desks | Around $30/month (One, billed annually) | No |
| Chrome Remote Desktop | Simple free access | Free | Yes |
| RustDesk | Free and self-hosted | Free (paid server edition available) | Yes |
| Windows Remote Desktop | Windows Pro offices | Included with Windows Pro | Yes, with Windows Pro |
How the pricing models differ
Before you look at individual tools, it helps to understand what you are actually paying for, because this matters more than the headline price.
- Per user: you pay for each person who connects, often with a limit on the number of computers. Splashtop works this way.
- Per connection: you pay for how many sessions can run at the same time, regardless of how many people share the licence. This is the TeamViewer and AnyDesk model, and it can get expensive as soon as two people need to work at once.
- Per technician: common in support tools such as Zoho Assist and ScreenConnect. You pay for each person giving support, not for the computers being supported.
Also note that several vendors, including Splashtop and AnyDesk, only offer annual billing on their remote access plans.
The tools in detail
1. Splashtop: best value for small teams
Splashtop’s Remote Access Solo plan costs $6 per month, billed annually, for one user and two computers. The Pro plan is $8.25 per user per month and covers more computers per user, which suits a small office where each person needs to reach their own desktop. Performance is strong, it runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS and Android, and the per-user model stays predictable as you grow.
Choose it if: you want reliable, affordable access to your own work computers. Skip it if: you need a free option.
2. Zoho Assist: best for supporting others
Zoho Assist is built for helping people, whether that is a colleague or a customer. Its free plan covers one technician and five unattended computers. Paid plans start at $10 per technician per month when billed annually, or $12 when billed monthly. If you already use Zoho Desk or another help desk, the integrations save time.
Choose it if: you regularly support clients or a small team. Skip it if: you mainly need access to your own computers.
3. TeamViewer: the broadest feature set
TeamViewer is the best-known name in remote access and covers everything from quick support sessions to device management for larger IT teams. Its Remote Access plan starts at $24.90 per month for a single user. The free version is for personal use only, and TeamViewer actively detects commercial use.
Choose it if: you need its advanced management features or your clients already use it. Skip it if: budget matters and you only need basic access.
4. AnyDesk: fast and lightweight
AnyDesk is known for responsive sessions, even on slower connections. The Solo plan lists at $28.90 per month and is billed annually. As with TeamViewer, the free version may not be used for work.
Choose it if: speed on weak connections is your priority. Skip it if: you need several people to connect at the same time on a small budget.
5. ConnectWise ScreenConnect: built for IT providers
ScreenConnect is a favourite of managed service providers and in-house support desks. The One plan costs around $30 per month on annual billing, with higher tiers that add session recording and more concurrent sessions. It offers a lot of control, but it is more than most freelancers need.
Choose it if: you run IT support for several clients. Skip it if: you just want to reach your own desktop.
6. Chrome Remote Desktop: the simplest free option
Chrome Remote Desktop is free, has no paid tier and works on Windows, Mac and Linux through a browser. You only need a Google account. It lacks features such as detailed permissions and session history, so it suits solo workers and quick help sessions better than growing teams.
7. RustDesk: free, open source and self-hosted
RustDesk is open-source software you can run on your own server, which keeps your connection data under your control and makes it free for business use. A paid server edition adds management features. You do need someone comfortable with setting up and maintaining a server.
8. Windows Remote Desktop: already included in Windows Pro
If your office computers run Windows Pro, Microsoft’s Remote Desktop is already paid for. It works well inside a company network or over a VPN. Never make it reachable directly from the internet, because exposed Remote Desktop ports are a favourite target for attackers.
Which one should you choose?
- Solo freelancer reaching your own office PC: Splashtop Solo, or Chrome Remote Desktop if you want free
- Small office of 3 to 20 people: Splashtop Pro
- You support clients or colleagues: Zoho Assist, or ScreenConnect if you are an IT provider
- You want full control over your data: RustDesk, self-hosted
- Your clients already standardised on a tool: follow them, usually TeamViewer or AnyDesk
How we compared these tools
We looked at published pricing and plan limits, the rules for free and commercial use, supported platforms and the security features each tool offers, such as two-factor authentication and access controls. Prices were checked in November 2026 using vendor pages and independent pricing trackers. We will update this page as prices change.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free remote desktop software for business?
Chrome Remote Desktop and RustDesk are both free for business use. Chrome Remote Desktop is easier to set up, while RustDesk gives you more control because you can host it yourself. The free versions of TeamViewer and AnyDesk are for personal use only.
Is Splashtop cheaper than TeamViewer?
Yes, for most small teams. Splashtop starts at $6 per month for one user, while TeamViewer’s Remote Access plan starts at $24.90 per month. The gap grows when several people need to connect at the same time.
Do I need remote desktop software if I use Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace?
Often not for daily work, because your files and apps are already online. Remote desktop software remains useful for software that only runs on one office computer, and for supporting colleagues.
Which remote desktop software is the most secure?
Security depends more on how you set up a tool than on the brand. Choose a tool that supports two-factor authentication and access logs, then follow our remote access security checklist.
Next step
Picked a tool? Before you install it on your team’s computers, take ten minutes for our remote access security checklist. It covers the settings that stop most attacks. New to the topic? Start with our practical guide to remote access.