Alternatives to Chrome Remote Desktop
Google's free remote desktop service for reaching and controlling your computers from a web browser. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Chrome Remote Desktop
Google's free remote desktop service for reaching and controlling your computers from a web browser.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Chrome Remote Desktop.
AnyDesk
Fast remote desktop tool with low latency and simple session codes.
AnyDesk uses installed apps on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS with simple session codes, but it is closed source and commercial use requires a paid license.
TeamViewer
Remote access and remote support across desktop and mobile platforms.
TeamViewer adds native apps and mobile support sessions across five platforms without a Google account, though commercial use needs a paid licence and business use is detected.
RustDesk
An open-source remote desktop tool you can point at your own relay server instead of somebody else’s cloud.
RustDesk is open source under AGPL-3.0 and can use your own relay server, so connections do not pass through Google, with clients for desktop and Android.
RealVNC Connect
Commercial VNC remote access tool with a free Lite plan for personal use.
RealVNC Connect provides VNC with cloud connectivity and native apps, and its free Lite plan is limited to non-commercial use on three devices.
NoMachine
High-performance remote desktop with audio, video and file transfer.
NoMachine is a paid, closed-source app for five platforms that adds smooth audio and video, multi-monitor, printing and file transfer beyond basic browser access.
DWService
A free, open-source remote access service that lets you reach computers from a web browser.
DWService is also free and browser-based, but uses an open-source agent and relies on DWService servers instead of a Google account.
Getscreen.me
A browser-based remote desktop service for controlling and supporting computers from any web browser.
Getscreen.me is also browser-based, adds terminal mode, file transfer and a self-hosted version, though business features are on paid plans.
RemotePC
Subscription remote access software for reaching your own computers or supporting other people's machines.
RemotePC is a paid subscription service with native desktop and mobile apps, and plans cap how many computers you can access.
Also worth comparing
These listings name Chrome Remote Desktop as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
Apache Guacamole
A self-hosted remote desktop gateway that gives browser access to machines over VNC, RDP and SSH.
Chrome Remote Desktop also works from a web browser but is a free hosted Google service, so there is no server to maintain and connections run through Google.
Dayon!
An open-source Java remote assistance tool for watching and controlling a family member's or friend's computer.
Chrome Remote Desktop is free and used through a web browser, but requires a Google account and routes connections through Google's service.
DeskIn
Remote desktop app for controlling another computer, offered as a free download and mobile apps.
Chrome Remote Desktop is free and runs from a web browser, but requires a Google account and routes connections through Google's service.
GoToMyPC
A paid remote access service for reaching your own Mac or PC from any device.
Chrome Remote Desktop is free with no paid tier and runs in a web browser, but needs a Google account and has fewer management features.
HopToDesk
Free, open-source remote desktop tool with end-to-end encryption, file transfer and live chat.
Chrome Remote Desktop is free and browser-based, but closed source, requires a Google account and has fewer management features.
LogMeIn Pro
A paid remote access service for reaching and controlling your own computers from anywhere.
Chrome Remote Desktop is free with no paid tier and runs through a web browser. It requires a Google account and has fewer management features.
Quick Assist
A Microsoft app for sharing a Windows or macOS screen with a helper over a remote connection.
Chrome Remote Desktop is free and works in a web browser across operating systems, but requires a Google account.
Screens
A VNC-based screen sharing app for controlling computers from a Mac, iPhone, iPad or Vision Pro.
Chrome Remote Desktop is free and used from a web browser across operating systems, but requires a Google account and routes through Google's service.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
MeshCentral
A self-hosted remote monitoring and management server with web-based remote desktop, terminal and file transfer for every machine you run an agent on.
KasmVNC
Access a Linux desktop through a web browser.
Windows App
Microsoft's remote desktop client for connecting to Windows PCs, Remote Desktop Services and cloud desktops.
