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7 remote desktop applications for Windows to choose from

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Updated on: September 16, 2026
Time to read: 8 minutes

If you support Windows computers, work from more than one location, or help family and clients troubleshoot their PCs, you have run into the same question: which remote desktop application for Windows fits the job? Windows ships with its own remote access tools, and the app stores are full of third-party options that promise the same thing in different ways.

This guide breaks down seven remote desktop applications for Windows – two built into the operating system, and five you install separately. So you can match the tool to how you work instead of picking whatever ranks first in a search result.

Compare remote desktop software for Windows at a glance

Tool Platforms Setup Unattended access Free plan
HelpWire Windows, macOS, Linux Link-based, minutes Yes, no card required
Remote Desktop (RDP) Windows (host needs Pro/Enterprise) Manual, network config (same network or VPN) Built-in
Quick Assist Windows 10/11 Built-in, no install Built-in
TeamViewer Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome OS, mobile Account-based Personal use only
AnyDesk Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome OS, mobile Lightweight install Personal use only
Chrome Remote Desktop Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS Browser extension
Splashtop Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, mobile Account-based Limited

Top 7 remote desktop applications for Windows

1. HelpWire

HelpWire logo

HelpWire is remote desktop software for Windows that suits those who regularly support machines – IT teams, solo technicians, and internal IT at small businesses. A session starts from a link: the technician generates it, the person on the other end opens it and grants access, and the connection begins without an account on the client side.

Two things set the workflow apart from most tools on this list. First, HelpWire connects the operator and client directly whenever the network allows it, falling back to a relay only when a direct path is unavailable, which keeps latency down during hands-on troubleshooting. Second, sessions don’t get cut off by timers or licensing prompts mid-task – a common complaint with tools built around free-tier restrictions.

Additionally, HelpWire handles unattended access, so a technician can return to a client’s machine for follow-up work without repeating the whole setup. It also runs on macOS and Linux, which matters for support teams working across mixed environments, even when the client base is primarily Windows-based.

Security is handled through TLS and AES-256 encryption for sessions, so the client stays in control of their own machine and can end access at any point.

Commercial use is allowed on every plan, including Free.

Best for: IT support teams and solo technicians who want a fast start and minimal interruption during active sessions. Visit HelpWire to see current plans.

2. Remote Desktop (RDP) – Native

Windows logo

RDP is the remote access protocol built into Windows since Windows XP Professional, and it remains the default choice for connecting to a Windows Pro, Enterprise, or Education machine you already control. There is no extra software to trust, no third-party account, and no cost.

The tradeoffs: hosting requires a supported Windows edition, connecting from outside your local network needs router configuration or a VPN, and the interface assumes some networking knowledge. It is not built for one-off support sessions with someone who is not technical.

Best for: Connecting to your own Windows Pro/Enterprise machine on the same network or over a company VPN.

3. Quick Assist – Native

Quick Assist logo

Quick Assist is Microsoft’s built-in screen-sharing tool for one-off help sessions. One person shares a security code, the other enters it, and the helper can view or take control of the screen. It works on any Windows 10 or 11 edition, including Home, and requires no separate install.

However, it isn’t designed for repeat or unattended access – every session starts from zero, and there’s no way to reconnect to a machine later without the other person present. For a single favor, like walking a relative through a settings change, it does the job.

Best for: A single, supervised session where both people are available at the same time.

4. TeamViewer

TeamViewer logo

TeamViewer is one of the most recognized names in remote access, with a long feature set covering file transfer, multi-monitor support, and mobile device access. The free tier is licensed for personal use only, and the software actively checks for patterns that suggest commercial use, which can interrupt or block sessions for business users who haven’t purchased a license.

Paid plans scale by concurrent connections and channel/business features, which raises the cost for teams that need more than one session running.

Best for: Larger organizations that need a full-featured platform and have a budget for licensing at scale.

5. AnyDesk

AnyDesk logo

AnyDesk focuses on connection speed and responsiveness, and performs well even on slower connections. It runs with a lightweight client that doesn’t require a full install to join a session.

Free use is limited to non-commercial scenarios, and business use requires a paid license. Some users also report session interruptions tied to license prompts once usage patterns look commercial.

Best for: Users who prioritize screen responsiveness and are fine with paying for a commercial license.

6. Chrome Remote Desktop

Chrome Remote Desktop logo

Chrome Remote Desktop is Google’s free option, built as a browser extension and tied to a Google account. It covers the basics well: remote access to your own machines and simple support sessions for others, at no cost.

But it lacks the management features IT teams typically want – no client grouping, no team-level permissions, etc. – and depends on the Chrome browser and a Google account on both ends.

Best for: Personal use, like accessing your own home PC from work, without needing team or client management features.

7. Splashtop

Splashtop logo

Splashtop targets IT teams and MSPs with a licensing model built around technician seats rather than concurrent sessions in the way TeamViewer or AnyDesk price things.

It’s free and lower tiers are limited, and the SOS-based plans aimed at support teams are priced per technician, which adds up for teams with several people handling sessions.

Best for: MSPs already comfortable with a per-technician licensing structure.

How to choose a remote desktop for Windows

A few questions narrow the list fast:

  • Do you need unattended access, or a one-time session only? Quick Assist covers one-time help. Everything else on this list supports returning to a device later.
  • Is the person on the other end technical? Native RDP assumes some setup knowledge. Link-based tools like HelpWire remove that requirement for the client side.
  • Will remote desktop on Windows be used for business? Several free tiers here are personal-use only and detect commercial patterns. Check the license terms before rolling a “free” tool out to clients.
  • How many people need to run sessions at once? This is where per-connection and per-technician pricing differ the most between tools, and where costs scale fastest as a team grows.
  • Does your environment include macOS or Linux machines? Native Windows RDP won’t help there. Cross-platform tools like HelpWire, TeamViewer, AnyDesk, and Splashtop cover mixed environments.

Where to start

Native tools like RDP and Quick Assist cover narrow cases well: connecting to your own Pro machine, or helping someone once. For anything recurring – client support, a growing device fleet, or a team that needs to jump into sessions fast without walking someone through firewall settings – dedicated remote desktop software for Windows closes that gap.

HelpWire is built around recurring IT support specifically: a link-based start, direct connections where possible, and unattended access for the follow-up work that native Windows tools were not designed to handle.

FAQ

No. Remote Desktop (RDP) is Microsoft’s built-in protocol for connecting to a Windows Pro, Enterprise, or Education machine. “Remote desktop software” more broadly includes third-party applications like HelpWire, TeamViewer, or AnyDesk, which add features RDP does not have – link-based sessions, cross-platform support, and client management.

Windows Home cannot host RDP connections – that requires Pro, Enterprise, or Education. Home edition machines can connect out to other computers as a client, and can be accessed by Quick Assist or third-party tools such as HelpWire or Chrome Remote Desktop instead.

Whichever tool you choose, use strong authentication (2FA where offered) and keep the software updated. And if you use Microsoft RDP, avoid exposing RDP directly to the internet without a VPN.

Not if you pick a cross-platform tool. For example, HelpWire, TeamViewer, AnyDesk, and Splashtop all run on Windows, macOS, and Linux, so one tool can cover a mixed environment.