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Tim Fisher has more than 30 years' of professional technology experience. He's been writing about tech for more than two decades and serves as the SVP and General Manager of Lifewire.
Updated on March 26, 2024Over the years, I've tested dozens of free remote desktop software to curate this list of my favorites. Most of these options require just a few clicks—no special computer knowledge is required. All of these programs are free but, in some cases, you can choose a premium option if you want more features.
DWService is a free and open-source project that truly simplifies remote access. The host installs or temporarily runs the program, and the client logs in via any web browser to run commands, control the screen, or control files and folders.
This is the tool I used the last several times I remoted into a family member's computer for remote tech support. I list it as #1 for two reasons: it's incredibly easy to use for both myself and the people on the other end of the session, and it has useful tools I need to identify and fix problems remotely.
The host has two options: download the DWAgent, and then run it for on-demand, one-time access (great for tech support), or install it for permanent remote access (ideal if it's your own computer).
If you choose the run option instead of the install option, you're given a user code and password that the client needs to reach the computer. Otherwise, enter the code and provided by the client so that they can have always-on access to the host computer.
The client has it easy if the host uses the on-demand option. Log in through the link below and enter the code and password that shows on the host's DWAgent program window. That's it!
If the host installed the program, the setup procedure is a little more involved. Make a user account through the link below (it's totally free), and then add a new agent to your account. Give the code to the host during the program installation.
DWService has a handful of tools. Unlike some remote access programs, you don't have to open the screen sharing tool to do things like send/receive files or run commands.
The full list of tools you have access to as the client are Files and Folders, Text editor, Log watch, Resources, Screen, and Shell. They let you create all sorts of text-based files; browse through the file system to make, edit, or remove files, and upload or download files to and from the host; run Command Prompt commands; view basic system information, shut down tasks, and start or turn off services.
You can pay to use DWService if you want to increase the bandwidth limit. I haven't noticed an issue with the free version, which caps out at 6 Mbps, but if you need faster connections, some options range from 8 Mbps to 50 Mbps.
The DWAgent tool for the host can be installed on several operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and macOS. It also works through a mobile web browser. Android users can install the client app.
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While I have used it for remote troubleshooting, similar to DWService, I prefer AnyDesk for remote access into my own computer when I'm away (i.e., unattended access). I'm also a huge fan of its ability to work without ever being installed to my PC.
Launch it on the computer you want to connect to and record the 9-digit number, or custom alias if one is set up. When the client connects, the host will be asked to allow or disallow the connection and can also control permissions, like to allow sound, clipboard use, and the ability to block the host's keyboard/mouse control.
On another computer, run AnyDesk and then enter the host's Remote Desk ID or alias in the Remote Address section of the program, and wait for the host to accept the connection. You can also connect to the host from AnyDesk's web client.
If unattended access is set up, the client doesn't need to wait for the host to accept the connection.
The program auto-updates and can enter full-screen mode, create a balance between quality and speed of the connection, transfer files and sound, sync the clipboard, record the remote session, run keyboard shortcuts, take screenshots of the remote computer, and restart the host computer.
It runs on macOS, Linux, and Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, and XP. It also works with Chrome OS, FreeBSD, Raspberry Pi, and Apple TV. If you need to control your PC from your phone, install the iOS or Android app.
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For a simple tool with some great features, you might consider the free remote access service Getscreen.me. If you need to quickly get into someone's computer without messing around with logins or installations, this is what you're after.
There's file sharing, a built-in chat window, buttons for common keyboard shortcuts (e.g., switch users, open Run box, open File Explorer), a system information viewer, full-screen mode, and clipboard sharing.
The computer that will be connected to needs to download and open the software. Installation is not required, but it can be fully installed if this computer will need to be accessed remotely permanently.
There are two ways to get the client connected. One is to log in to the client's user account with their email and password, a great option if they'll be getting into this computer a lot.
The other way to use Getscreen.me is to simply open the program and share the public link. With this anonymous session, whoever you give the link to will have access to your computer without needing a password. This is perfect for spontaneous technical support, but know that the connection time is limited when the program is used anonymously like this.
The host can dictate whether a few permissions are allowed, like if the client can control the mouse/keyboard, capture sound, and make audio calls.
There are a couple of ways to access the remote computer. If you logged in to your account in the host program, then you have permanent access, which means you can visit the link below to log in to the same account in a web browser to access the other computer.
Another way is if the host didn't log in to the account. The host can provide a URL that you can open from your device to automatically have access to the remote PC without needing your account information.
Free users are faced with a number of limitations that can be lifted only if you pay. For example, you can't record the connection or make voice calls, Wake-on-LAN won't work, and file transfers max out at 50 MB per file. See all the other differences between the plans with this comparison table.
It works on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android. You can send controls from any device with a web browser.
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Chrome Remote Desktop is an extension for the Chrome browser that lets you set up a computer for remote access. In my experience, this one isn't so great for helping out a friend remotely (especially if they're not tech-savvy), but it is excellent for accessing my own computer.
The way this works is that you install the extension to either get a random code you can share with someone else for spontaneous support (get that code here), or a PIN that you can use to get on the computer at any time from your own Google account.
To connect to the host browser, sign on to Chrome Remote Desktop through another web browser using the same Google credentials or using a temporary access code generated by the host computer.
Because you're logged in, you can easily see the other PC name, from where you can simply choose it and begin the remote session.
There isn't a chat function like you see with similar programs, but it's very easy to configure and lets you connect to your computer (or anyone's) from anywhere using just your web browser.
What's more is that you can remote into the computer when the user doesn't have Chrome open, or even when they're completely logged out of their user account.
Since it runs entirely within Chrome, it can work with any operating system that uses that browser, including Windows, Mac, Linux, and Chromebooks.
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This is the remote access software built into the Windows operating system. I like it because no additional download is necessary to use it (it's built-in) and it feels very much like you're sitting in front of the remote PC. However, compared to the other tools in this list, it's still not the easiest one to set up for most people.
To enable connections to a computer with Windows Remote Desktop, you must open the System Properties settings accessible via Settings (W11) or Control Panel and allow remote connections via a particular Windows user.
For the host to accept incoming access requests from the client, the user needs to set up port forwarding on their router. While this is a straightforward process that anyone can do, it's still way more work than what's required of the better apps listed above.
The other computer that wishes to connect to the host machine must simply open the already installed Remote Desktop Connection software and enter the IP address of the host.
You can open Remote Desktop through the Run dialog box. Press Win+R, then enter the mstsc command to launch it.
Most of the other software in this list have features that Windows Remote Desktop doesn't, but this method of remote access seems to be the most natural and easiest way to control the mouse and keyboard of a remote Windows PC.
Once you have everything configured, you can transfer files, print to a local printer, listen to audio from the remote PC, and transfer clipboard content.
Windows Remote Desktop can be used on Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP.
However, while all versions of Windows can connect to other computers that have incoming connections enabled, not all Windows versions can act as a host (i.e. accept incoming remote access requests).
If you're using a Home Premium version or below, your computer can only act as a client and therefore cannot be accessed remotely (but it can still access other computers remotely).
Incoming remote access is only allowed on Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate versions of Windows. In those editions, others can remote into the computer as described above.
Something else to remember is that Remote Desktop will kick a user off if they're logged in when someone connects to that user's account remotely. This is vastly different from every other program in this list—all the others can remote in to a user account while the user is still actively using the computer.
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From the popular software company AOMEI is AnyViewer. It installed for me in less than five seconds and has a really simple user interface that I think is easy for anyone to understand right off the bat.
Share the device ID and security code with the client. The security code is created by the program and will change every time the software restarts. You can have it change more or less frequently by editing the program's settings—you can even set the code yourself if you want the client to be able to access the computer in the future with the same code.
Put the host's device ID into the Start Control box, select the option to control the other computer or to transfer files, and then press Connect. On the prompt that pops up, either choose the option to send a control request to the host, and then wait for them to accept it, or enter the security code.
During a session, the client can change the resolution to better fit the display, and swap between high and low image quality to optimize quality or speed over the other.
The Operation tab during a remote session includes shortcuts to common actions: Ctrl+Alt+Del, lock, log out, restart, shut down, This PC, Task Manager, and Command Prompt. You can also auto-lock the device when you end the session, and if you pay, you have the added options of disabling the host's mouse/keyboard and making the recipient's screen black.
As much as I like the option to send files, and the size limit is rather hefty at 100 MB, the maximum transfer speed is an abysmal 500 KBps. If you need to send files while using this program, you'd be better off using a service designed to send big files.
You can make a user account if you want to manage unattended devices and see the connection history. Otherwise, you can connect to the host right away after installation, so it's great for both one-off sessions and repeat users.
Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7 are supported, as is Windows Server 2022 through 2012 R2, and Android, iPad, and iPhone.
