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The clearest reason to reconsider strongDM in the Reddit threads we read is renewal cost: one poster reported a quote more than doubling, while strongDM’s CEO said that was unusual and could reflect more licenses or a package change. strongDM’s starting price is listed as n/a, so compare quotes carefully. Teleport is the closest match for infrastructure access. Royal TS and the remote-access tools below address narrower needs; they are not one-for-one replacements for strongDM’s access controls and audit trails.
01Why people leave strongDM
Renewal quote shock
One r/devops poster said their renewal price more than doubled; strongDM’s CEO disputed that as typical and cited license-count or package changes.
SSH is the main need
A commenter suggested a simpler SSH-focused option might fit teams that mostly need SSH access control, rather than broader infrastructure access.
A different access model
A cloud-focused commenter preferred API-based discovery over a proxy approach; the thread also distinguishes basic access from session recording and L7 features.
02The alternatives, ranked by fit
- Infrastructure access
TeleportTeleportTeleport is the closest fit if you want to replace strongDM’s infrastructure access controls rather than just connect to a remote computer. It is listed for teams consolidating access controls and replacing standing privileges, with self-hosting available to qualifying teams. One Reddit account described a failed older rollout; Teleport’s co-founder replied that RBAC and a first-class API had since been added.
Trade-off: Enterprise pricing is opaque, and a Reddit user reported a difficult rollout.
6.3/10from
Freefree plan - Multi-protocol connections
Royal TSRoyal TSRoyal TS is worth considering when the immediate need is managing varied remote connections, not reproducing strongDM’s full access-control and audit setup. It has a free plan and a $65 one-time license listed. Our comparison describes it as a multi-protocol manager, making it a more relevant fit for IT admins than consumer-focused remote desktop tools.
Trade-off: The free tier has a strict connection cap; its exact limit is not published here.
7.4/10from
Freefree plan - Remote device access
SplashtopSplashtopSplashtop is a lower-cost option to assess if your team’s actual need is unattended access to computers or support for remote devices. Its listed starting price is $2.50, and the comparison notes endpoint-management add-ons. That is a narrower job than managing varied infrastructure access, so confirm it covers your targets before treating it as a strongDM replacement.
Trade-off: Check device limits and renewal terms; the published material gives no exact caps.
7.2/10from
$2.50/mofree plan - Remote access controls
AnyDeskAnyDeskAnyDesk may fit teams moving from infrastructure access governance to remote-device access with controls, or organizations considering on-premises hosting. The listed starting price is $19.92, with a free plan also noted. It is not presented as a replacement for strongDM’s broader infrastructure coverage, so use it only if remote-device access is the core requirement.
Trade-off: Annual billing and plan limits may weaken its value.
6.2/10from
€19.92/mofree plan - Low-cost computer access
RemotePCRemotePCRemotePC is a budget option if you need to reach one or several computers, rather than manage access across infrastructure types. It is listed from $1.84 and includes remote file transfer and printing in its best-for summary. Those needs are narrower than strongDM’s access-control use cases, but the low listed entry price makes it a candidate for small setups.
Trade-off: Computer caps apply; the exact limits are not published here.
7.1/10from
$1.84/mo - Remote support and IT
TeamViewerTeamViewerTeamViewer is an adjacent choice for teams that need remote support and IT tools or want to manage many devices. Our comparison lists support for organizations managing hundreds of devices and a starting price of $24.90. It does not establish that TeamViewer matches strongDM’s infrastructure controls, so compare the specific access workflows before switching.
Trade-off: Check plan limits and user complaints before committing.
5.0/10from
$24.90/mofree plan
03Side by side
| Tool | Score | From | Free plan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 strongDM strongDM (current) | 7.1 | Custom | No | Teams managing varied infrastructure access |
| Teleport Teleport | 6.3 | Free | Yes | Teams consolidating infrastructure access controls |
| Royal TS Royal TS | 7.4 | Free | Yes | IT admins managing varied remote connections |
| Splashtop Splashtop | 7.2 | $2.50/mo | Yes | Individuals needing unattended computer access |
| AnyDesk AnyDesk | 6.2 | €19.92/mo | Yes | Teams managing remote devices |
| RemotePC RemotePC | 7.1 | $1.84/mo | No | Individuals accessing one computer |
| TeamViewer TeamViewer | 5.0 | $24.90/mo | Yes | Teams needing remote support and IT tools |
Questions people ask
Why are teams leaving strongDM?
The Reddit discussion we read includes one report of a renewal quote more than doubling. strongDM’s CEO replied that increases of that size were not typical and said license-count or package changes could affect renewals. The thread also suggests some teams may need only SSH access, not strongDM’s broader feature set.
Is Teleport the closest strongDM alternative?
Teleport is the closest match among these options because it is listed as an infrastructure access platform for consolidating access controls and replacing standing privileges. A Reddit user described an unsuccessful earlier rollout, while Teleport’s co-founder said RBAC and a first-class API had been added. Enterprise pricing is not listed here.
Which strongDM alternative has the lowest listed starting price?
RemotePC has the lowest listed starting price among these picks at $1.84, followed by Splashtop at $2.50. The published material does not specify billing periods or show that their plans cover strongDM’s infrastructure-access features, so treat these as entry-price comparisons, not like-for-like quotes.