Alternatives to Remote Utilities
Remote desktop software for Windows with unattended access, cloud relay or a self-hosted server. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Remote Utilities
Remote desktop software for Windows with unattended access, cloud relay or a self-hosted server.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Remote Utilities.
TeamViewer
Remote access and remote support across desktop and mobile platforms.
TeamViewer is freemium and covers all major platforms through NAT and firewalls, but uses a subscription for commercial use and has no self-hosted relay.
AnyDesk
Fast remote desktop tool with low latency and simple session codes.
AnyDesk offers low-latency sessions with simple session codes across desktop and mobile, with commercial use requiring a paid licence.
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 with self-hosted relay and rendezvous servers via Docker Compose, though some management features need the paid Pro server.
ScreenConnect
Remote support and remote access software from ConnectWise, available as a cloud service or on-premises.
ScreenConnect is a paid ConnectWise product available in the cloud or on-premises, combining attended support and unattended access for help desks and MSPs.
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.
MeshCentral is a free Apache-licensed self-hosted server with web-based remote desktop, terminal and file management, requiring an agent on each machine.
LiteManager
Remote administration and remote desktop software with a free edition for up to 30 computers.
LiteManager is free for up to 30 computers, with a self-hosted server and two-factor authentication, and is also Windows-centred and closed source.
Radmin
Windows remote control software for IT staff supporting and administering computers on a network.
Radmin is paid, Windows-only remote control software with AES-256 encryption and good performance on low-bandwidth networks, aimed at corporate IT.
Supremo
Lightweight remote desktop software for remote support and unattended access on PC and Mac.
Supremo is closed-source freemium software with a small executable that needs no firewall setup and is free for occasional personal use, but it has no Linux client.
Also worth comparing
These listings name Remote Utilities as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
Iperius Remote
Remote desktop and remote support software for Windows, macOS, Linux and mobile devices.
Remote Utilities uses a one-time licence instead of a subscription and offers a self-hosted relay server, but Windows remains its main platform.
ISL Online
Commercial remote desktop software for customer support and unattended access to remote computers.
Remote Utilities uses a one-time licence and optional self-hosted relay server, with Windows as its main platform.
NetSupport Manager
Commercial remote control and PC management software for controlling many computers across a network.
Remote Utilities offers a one-time licence and an optional self-hosted relay, with Windows as the main platform and newer agents elsewhere.
Zoho Assist
Cloud-based remote support and unattended access software for IT teams, help desks and MSPs.
Remote Utilities sells a one-time licence instead of a subscription and offers an optional self-hosted relay server, though Windows remains its main platform.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
Tactical RMM
A self-hosted remote monitoring and management tool with agents for Windows, Linux and macOS.
UltraVNC
Free, GPL-licensed VNC server and viewer for controlling Windows computers over a network or the internet.
Atera
A hosted IT management platform combining remote monitoring, ticketing, patch management and AI agents.
