In today’s digital world as remote work continues to rise, Remote desktop software has become valuable for accessing remote servers/computers or IT networks remotely, enabling easy and efficient remote work from anywhere.
Choosing the best free Remote desktop software among a wide range of RDP tools is crucial for optimizing remote work and reducing expenses. Finding free remote desktop software that guarantees secure and reliable remote access while offering excellent features and performance for both personal and professional use is challenging. In this guide, we will introduce top free remote desktop software in 2025 to assist you in making the right choice for your remote access needs. Discover the best free remote desktop software below:
- Windows Remote Desktop
- AnyDesk (Free Edition)
- TeamViewer (Free Edition)
- Chrome remote desktop
- AnyViewer
- UltraVNC
- RustDesk
- Zoho assist (Free Edition)
- RemotePC
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Top Free Remote Desktop Software for 2025
Let’s get familiar with the best free RDP tools in detail and make informed decisions by evaluating their key features and benefits for both personal use and business.
1. Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection: Best for Windows ecosystem
Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection is a popular option for Windows users that comes pre-installed on Windows devices, providing a secure, smooth, and seamless remote desktop experience.
Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection is the perfect choice for both individuals and small businesses relying on Windows-based systems and looking for free and reliable RDP software.
Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection offers a fast, native, and effective remote desktop experience thanks to its user-friendly interface, flexibility, and peer-to-peer connections.
Additionally, it ensures secure remote connection by end-to-end encryption and offers complete peace of mind regarding security.
You can trust its reliable performance even over slow network connections. Its efficient integration with the Windows services and being free, make it the trustworthy choice for personal and professional use.
Benefits of Microsoft Remote Desktop:
- Optimized for Windows system
- Cross-platform support for Linux, macOS, Android and iOS
- Secure remote access with end-to-end encryption
- High-quality remote displays
- Multiple monitors support
- File sharing capabilities
- User-friendly interface
- Seamless integration with the Windows operating system and Microsoft services
Weaknesses of Microsoft Remote Desktop:
- Restricted to Windows systems
- Limited features compared to advanced RDP tools
2. AnyDesk: Best for Fast Remote Access
The Free version of AnyDesk has gained top rated among RDP tools for catering to all remote desktop needs. AnyDesk offers remote support to a wide range of platforms such as Windows and Mac computers, as well as iOS and Android mobile devices for personal use, remote work, IT support, and collaboration.
It enables fast and secure data transferring between local devices and remote servers/machines through its built-in file manager. AnyDesk ensures low-latency connections, even on slower networks, for this reason, it is the best choice for those who value fast performance.
AnyDesk offers a straightforward interface, enabling users to start an RDP session with minimal effort. The free version of AnyDesk provides useful remote control features like clipboard sharing and customizable permissions.
For those who looking for a fast, secure, and straightforward remote desktop experience, AnyDesk is the ideal solution.
Benefits of AnyDesk:
- Lightweight and fast
- Includes clipboard sharing and session transfer features
- Providing extensive security setting options including 2FA and restricted access options
- Easy-to-use interface
- Robust encryption
- Cross-platform support
Weaknesses of AnyDesk:
- Limited features
- Limited free version to only personal use
3. TeamViewer: Best for Reliable Remote Access and Support
TeamViewer has been a leader in the remote desktop software market for years, offering excellent connectivity, full control, and overall powerful functionality. The free version of TeamViewer is ideal for personal use, enabling convenient access to remote servers or computers and sharing files through an encrypted connection.
TeamViewer as rich features RDP tool, offers high-definition video transmission, technical support, remote control, file sharing, online audio/video chat, screen sharing, and cross-platform compatibility.
It is an ideal remote desktop solution for various remote tasks including IT support, remote troubleshooting, collaboration, secure data transmission, real-time file access and transfer, and boosting productivity and maintaining privacy while saving money.
Benefits of TeamViewer:
- Cross-platform compatibility (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS)
- Enabling Real-time control
- High-resolution remote displays
- Accessible globally
- Easy to use
- Providing secure access to remote desktops by adhering to strong encryption standards
- Data transmission support
- Fast file transferring due to automatic file compression
- Chat capabilities
- Multiple monitors and session recording support
Weaknesses of TeamViewer:
- Free version is provided exclusively for personal use
- Free version has limited features
- Consumes high resources, leading to slow performance
4. Chrome Remote Desktop: Best for Effortless browser-based Remote Access
Chrome Remote Desktop is a browser-based remote access solution integrated into Google Chrome as an extension. It provides secure and efficient remote access to distant devices across platforms such as macOS, Windows, and Android, and on both computers and phone devices, enabling accessing files, full controlling, troubleshooting, and remote support.
Thanks to its user-friendly graphical interface and compatibility, Chrome Remote Desktop simplifies remote access.
If you are a Chrome user, Chrome Remote Desktop provides a convenient, secure, affordable, and effective solution for remote desktop access.
Benefits of Chrome Remote Desktop:
- Easy-to-use interface
- High compatibility with Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.
- File transfer capabilities
- Straightforward setup
- Secure remote access with Google’s infrastructure
Weaknesses of Chrome Remote Desktop:
- Limited functionality compare to advanced RDP tools
- Relies on Google Chrome and a Google account to operate
- Does not support file transferring
- Cannot meet large-scale business needs
5. AnyViewer: Best for Secure and Cross-Platform Access
AnyViewer is another free remote desktop software that offers basic features for personal use. AnyViewer’s support for Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) ensures private and secure remote access.
AnyViewer provides remote access and control desktop and mobile platforms for managing files, troubleshooting, or support, making it a versatile app for multi-platform use. AnyViewer is primarily designed for Windows, however, it works on various platforms including iOS, and Android devices.
AnyViewer is an ideal choice for secure and convenient remote access.
Benefits of AnyViewer:
- Simple setup
- Compatibility with desktops and mobile devices
- Secure connection using high-level encryption
- File transferring support
- Chat capabilities
Weaknesses of AnyViewer:
- Free version is available only for personal use
- Free version has limited features and requires upgrading to the paid version for advanced capabilities
- Limited support for Linux and Mac
- Not supporting audio chat
6. UltraVNC: Best for Customizable Remote Access
UltraVNC is a powerful, free, and open-source remote access solution that includes valuable features such as text chat, file transfer, and remote screen sharing to optimize remote desktop connection.
UltraVNC is compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux and is perfect for users with technical knowledge especially IT professionals as it allows customizing and additional configuration in managing remote systems.
Benefits of UltraVNC:
- Open-source
- Includes file transfer, text chat, and remote screen sharing
- Providing customizable options for networking and encryption
Weaknesses of UltraVNC:
- Free version is available for only personal use
- Has complex interface
- Requires technical knowledge for setup
- Primarily tailored for Windows with restricted compatibility with other operating systems
7. RustDesk: Best for Easy and Private Remote Access
RustDesk is a trustworthy and open-source remote desktop solution that has gained popularity for high performance, privacy, and simplicity. RustDesk provides full control over remote servers or computers and ensures security while remote accessing using end-to-end encryption.
Its user-friendly interface and compatibility with multiple platforms such as Windows, iOS, macOS, Linux, Android, and even the web, enables easy to manage remote devices.
RustDesk also offers essential features such as session recording and file transferring, making it a top free remote access tool for personal and business use. RustDesk is well-suited for those who prioritize security and privacy.
Benefits of RustDesk:
- Open-source nature
- Includes file transfer and session recording features
- Ensuring security with end-to-end encryption
- Self-hosting options
- Easy to use
- Has an active community on GitHub, Discord, and Reddit for support
Weaknesses of RustDesk:
- Limited features on the free version
- Limited customer support option
8. Zoho Assist: Best for Versatile and Secure Remote Access
Zoho Assist is a cloud-based remote desktop solution offering a free edition for personal and business use. Zoho Assist provides unattended and secure access to a remote server or computer using 256-bit SSL encryption.
The free version of Zoho Assist also supports online chat, file transfer, and multi-monitor navigation to enhance the collaboration experience.
Zoho Assist offers compatibility across various platforms such as Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android; it even extends its capabilities by providing remote access to mobile devices, enabling full control over mobile devices.
The free version of Zoho Assist with strong built-in security features and an intuitive interface is a reliable option for basic and secure remote desktop access needs.
Benefits of Zoho Assist:
- Secure remote connection with 256-bit SSL encryption
- File transferring capabilities
- Compatible with various platforms
- Mobile device support
- Web-based tool
- Session recording
- Customizable security options
- Providing unattended access
- Online chat
- Enabling remote printing
- Straightforward while the powerful solution
Weaknesses of Zoho Assist:
- The free version has limited functionality
- Primarily optimized for IT and support scenarios
9. RemotePC: Best for Seamless Remote Access
RemotePC is another efficient remote desktop tool ideal for personal and professional use. It offers excellent remote access through easy-to-use web applications and native desktop and mobile apps. RemotePC offers basic features like voice chat, file sharing, virtual whiteboard, session recording, and the capability of a remote reboot.
RemotePC excels at security and scalability while reducing your costs. All its plans include a 7-day free trial for business or personal use. Its flexibility is impressive which enables connecting to a vast array of devices. Its user-friendly interface and invaluable features make it a top choice among other options for individuals and enterprises.
Benefits of RemotePC:
- Easy to use and setup
- Secure connection
- Includes voice chat, virtual whiteboard, session recording
- File sharing support
- High-performance remote control
Weaknesses of RemotePC:
- Has performance problems with mobile options
- Enabling audio/video chat requires extra configuration and tools
- Primarily designed for Windows and limited support for other operating systems
When Do I Need Remote Desktop Software?
Remote Desktop Software has optimized and streamlined the remote work process, which is important for enhancing productivity. Remote Desktop Software allows users to access remote computers or servers from anywhere to perform their tasks with full admin access.
Remote Desktop Software plays an essential role in various scenarios, including:
- Remote work
- IT support
- Remote access personal files and applications
- Online collaborating
- Online Education
- Secure file sharing between the local device and remote machine
How to Choose the Right Free Remote Desktop Software for Your Needs?
There is a wide range of free remote desktop software in the market, making the right choice might be challenging, but to get the most value and make the best selection you should consider the following key factors when choosing free remote desktop software:
- Security features such as end-to-end encryption, two-factor authentication (2FA), and session monitoring especially when handling sensitive data
- High performance, speed, and minimum lag
- Ease of use and user-friendly interface particularly if you are a beginner
- Multi-platform support
- Scalability to support multiple RDP sessions
- Basic collaboration features such as file sharing, chat, and screen sharing
Conclusion
With the increasing importance of remote work and digital collaboration, it is very necessary to choose efficient and reliable remote desktop software.
Choose the best option for your specific personal or professional requirements. Prioritize security and performance when making your decision. Do not sacrifice security for low cost, Sometimes the initial cost prevents irreparable financial and commercial consequences.
Zoho Assist is an ideal choice for small businesses or IT professionals, AnyDesk excels in fast performance, Microsoft Remote Desktop suits the needs of Windows-based environments, and TeamViewer offers a feature-rich experience. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your priorities, whether you focus on security, performance, or ease of access.