Alternatives to Screens
A VNC-based screen sharing app for controlling computers from a Mac, iPhone, iPad or Vision Pro. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Screens
A VNC-based screen sharing app for controlling computers from a Mac, iPhone, iPad or Vision Pro.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Screens.
Jump Desktop
A remote desktop client and connection service supporting RDP, VNC and its own Fluid protocol.
Jump Desktop is a proprietary freemium client that adds RDP and its own Fluid protocol to VNC, and it runs on Windows and Android as well as Apple devices.
RealVNC Connect
Commercial VNC remote access tool with a free Lite plan for personal use.
RealVNC Connect also uses VNC with cloud connectivity, adds Windows, Linux and Android apps, and has a free Lite plan capped at three devices.
Remote Desktop Manager
A connection manager that keeps RDP, VNC, SSH and other remote sessions in one workspace.
Remote Desktop Manager is a closed-source freemium manager handling VNC, RDP, SSH and more on macOS, iOS and other platforms, with a built-in credential vault.
TigerVNC
A fast, cross-platform VNC client and server built for real work, including 3D and video over the wire.
TigerVNC is a free GPL-2.0 VNC viewer and server for Windows, macOS and Linux, with no iOS app and no relay for reaching home machines.
TeamViewer
Remote access and remote support across desktop and mobile platforms.
TeamViewer covers Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS without VNC, with a free tier for personal use and paid licences for commercial use.
Chrome Remote Desktop
Google's free remote desktop service for reaching and controlling your computers from a web browser.
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.
AnyDesk
Fast remote desktop tool with low latency and simple session codes.
AnyDesk is a low-latency tool with simple session codes on desktop and mobile beyond Apple devices, with commercial use requiring a paid licence.
Windows App
Microsoft's remote desktop client for connecting to Windows PCs, Remote Desktop Services and cloud desktops.
Windows App is Microsoft's free client for Windows PCs and cloud desktops on desktop, mobile and web, but it uses RDP rather than VNC.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
noVNC
An open-source VNC client that runs in a web browser using HTML5 WebSockets and Canvas.
AVNC
Open-source VNC client for Android with configurable gestures, virtual keys and a built-in SSH tunnel.
bVNC
Open-source VNC client for Android, part of a suite that also covers RDP, SPICE and oVirt.
Quick Assist
A Microsoft app for sharing a Windows or macOS screen with a helper over a remote connection.
