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Splashtop is our best overall pick for most buyers: it covers personal access, small-team support and IT add-ons, with a listed starting price of $2.50. RemotePC is the lower-entry-price choice at $1.84, while RustDesk fits teams willing to self-host. These products solve different jobs: home-PC access, help desk support and connection management are not interchangeable. Shortlist by deployment model, device or connection caps, and billing terms—not by headline price alone. Several vendors leave key costs or limits unpublished.
Quick picksThe shortlist
SplashtopSplashtopBest overall · $2.50/mo
RemotePCRemotePCBest budget option · $1.84/mo
AnyDeskAnyDeskBest for access controls · €19.92/mo
ConnectWise ScreenConnectConnectWise ScreenConnectBest for IT support · $30/mo
ParsecParsecBest for home access · $8.33/mo
RustDeskRustDeskBest self-hosted option · $11.88/mo
Jump DesktopJump DesktopBest for Mac access · $6.39/mo
Devolutions Remote Desktop ManagerDevolutions Remote Desktop ManagerBest connection manager · $4/mo
Royal TSRoyal TSBest one-time license · Free
UltraViewerUltraViewerBest free support · $3.99/mo
01Compared at a glance
| Tool | Score | From | Free plan | Trial |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SplashtopSplashtop | 7.2 | $2.50/mo | Yes | — |
| RemotePCRemotePC | 7.1 | $1.84/mo | No | 7 days |
| AnyDeskAnyDesk | 6.2 | €19.92/mo | Yes | — |
| ConnectWise ScreenConnectConnectWise ScreenConnect | 6.5 | $30/mo | No | Yes |
| ParsecParsec | 7.2 | $8.33/mo | Yes | 14 days |
| RustDeskRustDesk | 7.5 | $11.88/mo | Yes | — |
| Jump DesktopJump Desktop | 7.5 | $6.39/mo | Yes | 14 days |
| Devolutions Remote Desktop ManagerDevolutions Remote Desktop Manager | 7.3 | $4/mo | Yes | 14 days |
| Royal TSRoyal TS | 7.4 | Free | Yes | 30 days |
| UltraViewerUltraViewer | 6.8 | $3.99/mo | Yes | — |
02The picks, in detail
- Best overallSplashtopSplashtop
Splashtop is our best overall starting point because it spans unattended personal access, small-team device support and IT endpoint-management add-ons. Its listed starting price is $2.50, but our comparison does not give the tier’s device allowance. Check device limits and renewal terms before moving a team; the entry price alone is not enough to judge the fit.
What works
- Solo includes unattended access, file transfer and remote print
- Pro adds multi-monitor support, chat and session recording
- SOS supports on-demand computer and mobile-device support
What doesn't
- Enterprise licensing prices are not published
- Endpoint management and several add-ons have no published price
- SOS pricing varies by managed-computer allowance
- Best budget optionRemotePCRemotePC
RemotePC makes the budget shortlist with a listed starting price of $1.84 and support for one-computer access, multi-computer setups, file transfer and printing. That makes it a practical fit for everyday access rather than a broader IT platform. The comparison warns buyers to check computer caps, so confirm how many hosts the plan you’re considering supports before switching.
What works
- Connects to Windows, Mac and Linux computers
- Includes file transfer and remote printing
- Supports switching between remote monitors
What doesn't
- No free plan is listed
- Solo covers only one computer
- The free trial lasts 7 days
- Best for access controlsAnyDeskAnyDesk
AnyDesk suits teams that value remote-access controls and manage devices. Its listed starting price is $19.92, and our comparison flags plan limits, annual billing and reported connection friction. Those caveats matter: check the exact plan caps against your device count and support workflow before treating AnyDesk as an upgrade.
What works
- Remote access works across desktops, servers, machines and mobile devices
- Session collaboration includes chat, screen highlighting and recording
- Permissions, SSO and 2FA options are listed
What doesn't
- All plans are billed annually
- Listed monthly equivalents include a first-year-only 20% discount
- Solo is capped at one connection
- Best for IT supportConnectWise ScreenConnectConnectWise ScreenConnect
ConnectWise ScreenConnect is aimed at IT teams needing remote support and unattended-device management, with cloud or on-prem hosting options. Its listed starting price is $30, so it is not our budget pick. The comparison also flags reported client friction. Consider it when deployment choice and support controls matter, and verify the actual plan and price before moving a service desk.
What works
- Remote support and unattended access
- Privileged access without sharing passwords
- Camera-based support for troubleshooting
What doesn't
- Monthly billing prices are not published
- One includes only one session
- Standard and Premium are licensed per concurrent tech
- Best for home accessParsecParsec
Parsec is a fit for remote access to a home computer, co-op sessions and live collaboration. Its listed starting price is $8.33, and the comparison also identifies centralized access controls for teams. If gaming latency is the priority, the published guidance says to compare Moonlight. Parsec’s appeal here is flexible access and collaboration, not a blanket claim that it is best for every remote session.
What works
- Free plan for personal, non-commercial use
- Streams up to 4K at 60 FPS
- Supports up to 240 FPS at lower resolutions
What doesn't
- Free plan is limited to personal, non-commercial use
- Individuals costs $9.99 monthly or $8.33 annually
- Teams costs $35 monthly or $30 annually per user
- Best self-hosted optionRustDeskRustDesk
RustDesk is the clearest choice here for teams that want self-hosted remote access or are replacing paid tools. A free plan is listed, alongside a starting price of $11.88. The comparison says small teams may need SSO or LDAP and cautions that RustDesk suits buyers seeking control, not a hands-off support setup. Make sure your team is prepared to manage the deployment.
What works
- Open source with a free self-hosting plan
- Keep data under your own control
- Custom client can use your branding
What doesn't
- Paid plans are billed annually only
- Individual plan caps at 20 managed devices
- Free plan lists community support
- Best for Mac accessJump DesktopJump Desktop
Jump Desktop stands out for individuals wanting free remote access and iPad users accessing a Mac desktop. The comparison also lists centralized access controls for teams. Its free-tier caps and app costs are the main checks before switching; the published material does not give their exact amounts. It is a targeted pick for Mac and iPad workflows, rather than a general help desk platform.
What works
- Free plan allows unlimited computers and connections
- Teams plans include Access Groups and cloud access logs
- Enterprise supports up to four virtual displays
What doesn't
- Free plan is limited to one virtual display
- Free and Pro plans cap speed at 20 Mbps
- Mac and iPhone/iPad apps cost extra on Free
- Best connection managerDevolutions Remote Desktop ManagerDevolutions Remote Desktop Manager
Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager is built for IT teams managing varied connection types and centralized sessions, and it offers a free individual edition. The comparison lists team IT management at $33.33 per user per month on annual billing. That price makes the distinction between solo use and team management important: confirm which edition you need before comparing it with basic remote-access tools.
What works
- Supports RDP, SSH, VNC and 150+ connection types
- Centralizes remote sessions in one workspace
- Automatically injects credentials when sessions launch
What doesn't
- IT operations plan costs $33.33/user/month, billed annually
- $4 starting tier is password management, not IT operations
- Free Edition lacks team features and shared vaults
- Best one-time licenseRoyal TSRoyal TS
Royal TS is a capable multi-protocol manager for IT admins, with a free Lite edition for home labs and a $65 one-time license for solo users. The main catch is Lite’s strict connection cap; our comparison does not state the number here. It belongs on the shortlist if you want a one-time purchase and its connection limit fits your workload.
What works
- Free Lite plan has no time limit
- Individual license costs $65 one-time
- One user can use the license across multiple devices
What doesn't
- Lite is capped at 10 connections
- Lite allows only 10 credentials
- Lite is limited to one document
- Best free supportUltraViewerUltraViewer
UltraViewer covers basic free remote support and helping someone on Windows, with a listed starting price of $3.99 for paid use. The comparison flags endpoint, file-size and session caps on paid plans, but does not provide the exact limits. It is a reasonable fit for modest needs; check those caps before relying on it for a team workflow.
What works
- Homepage describes the software as freeware
- Chat and file sharing are built in
- Recipient can observe and take control
What doesn't
- Monthly-billing prices are not published
- Lite caps remote endpoints at three per month
- Lite file transfers max out at 2 GB
03How we chose
We compare remote access tools using the evidence buyers need before switching: published pricing, plan limits, product documentation, and Reddit sentiment. We look for differences that affect fit, such as the access model, user or device caps, and whether the vendor publishes the details needed to price a deployment. We do not claim hands-on testing. No tool-specific pricing pages, plan details, documentation, or Reddit posts were included in the published material for this draft, so we cannot verify rankings or make product-by-product claims here.
04Choose the access model before the brand
Start with what you need to reach: a user’s computer, a server, a virtual desktop, or a managed fleet. Those are different buying jobs, even though vendors may describe them all as remote access. Write down who connects, which systems they need to reach, whether access is attended or unattended, and what security controls your organization requires. Then check each candidate’s documentation against that list. Do not assume a tool covers your full workflow because it supports one kind of remote connection. The published materials for this guide do not establish which listed products support particular protocols, operating systems, or access patterns. Confirm those details with the vendor before shortlisting. If several teams will use the software, include their workflows now; replacing a tool that only fits one team can create another migration later.
05Compare the full cost and switching work
Compare the published price with the plan limits that could change your bill: users, devices, sessions, or other metered units. Check whether the vendor publishes those limits and whether the plan includes the features your security and support teams require. If a price or cap is not stated, treat it as unconfirmed and ask for it in writing rather than filling the gap with an estimate. Before switching, inventory saved connections, access policies, user permissions, and any workflows tied to the current tool. Ask the replacement vendor what can be imported and what must be recreated; the published material does not confirm migration support for any product on this list. Include setup, retraining, and parallel-running costs in your comparison. A lower headline price is not enough if the plan or transition does not fit.
Questions people ask
How should we compare remote access software prices?
Compare the vendor’s published price alongside the billing unit and plan limits, such as users, devices, or sessions. Check whether required security and administration features are included. No vendor pricing pages or plan details were published for this draft, so we cannot state or compare current prices.
What information should we check before choosing a tool?
Confirm that the product supports the systems and access patterns you need, then check its documentation for security controls, administration, and connection requirements. Verify plan caps and any unlisted terms with the vendor. The published material does not establish feature support for individual products.
Can we move saved connections and settings to a new tool?
That depends on the products and the data involved. Ask the prospective vendor which settings, credentials, policies, and connection records can be imported, and which need manual recreation. No migration documentation was provided for the products in this guide.
Is remote access software the same as virtual desktop software?
Not necessarily. Remote access can mean connecting to an existing computer or server, while a virtual desktop is a desktop environment delivered remotely. Product names alone do not confirm which model a tool supports; check the vendor’s documentation against your needs.