# Alternatives to Chrome Remote Desktop

Free remote access via Chrome.

Chrome Remote Desktop ranks #8 of 9 in Remote desktop tools, with an Alt Score of 42. It is available on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android and Web. 5 of 10 checklist rows are verified against a public source.

Source: https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/chrome-remote-desktop/
Category: Remote desktop tools

## Overview

- **Who it's for**: Anyone who needs to access their own computer remotely (e.g., from home to a work PC or vice versa) or provide/receive ad hoc tech support on someone else's machine, without setting up VPN or dedicated remote-access infrastructure.
- **What you get**: Free remote access to a computer's full desktop from a browser, the Chrome app, or Android/iOS apps. Two modes: 'My Computers' for unattended access to machines you own, and 'Remote Support' for one-time, invite-based screen sharing with another person. Connections run over Google's infrastructure with encrypted (WebRTC-based) sessions. No enterprise account required, just a Google account and the Chrome Remote Desktop extension/app installed on the host machine.
- **How it works**: Install the Chrome Remote Desktop app on the computer you want to access and set a PIN (for unattended access), or generate a one-time access code to let someone else connect (for support sessions). The connecting device then signs in with a Google account, enters the PIN or code, and gets a live view/control of the remote screen through the browser or mobile app.

## Profile

- **License**: ?
- **Pricing model**: ?
- **Starts at**: ?
- **Platforms**: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web

## Ranked alternatives

| # | App | Alt Score | Licence | Platforms |
|---|-----|-----------|---------|-----------|
| 1 | [AnyDesk](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/anydesk.md) | 91 | ? | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS |
| 2 | [NoMachine](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/nomachine.md) | 91 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS |
| 3 | [Splashtop](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/splashtop.md) | 86 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS |
| 4 | [TeamViewer](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/teamviewer.md) | 82 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS |
| 5 | [RustDesk](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/rustdesk.md) | 78 | AGPL-3.0 | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS |
| 6 | [Parsec](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/parsec.md) | 68 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android |
| 7 | [RealVNC](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/realvnc.md) | 46 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS |
| 8 | [Remmina](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/remmina.md) | 32 | GPL-2.0-or-later | Linux |

Alt Score = Verified coverage (90%) + Visibility (10%). See https://altcatalog.com/how-alt-score-works/

## Feature comparison

Legend: Yes / No / Partial / ? (not verified).

| Remote desktop tools checklist | Chrome Remote Desktop | AnyDesk | NoMachine | Splashtop | TeamViewer | RustDesk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | ? | Freemium | Freemium | Subscription | Freemium | OSS + paid hosting |
| Starts at | ? | ? | USD 44.50/year (Enterprise Desktop Subscription, per computer) | $6/month (Business Access Solo, billed annually) | ? | $11.88/month |
| License | ? | ? | Proprietary | Proprietary | Proprietary | AGPL-3.0 |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web |
| Cross-platform | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Unattended access | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| File transfer | Partial | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hostable server | No | Yes | Yes | Partial | No | Yes |
| E2E encryption | ? | Partial | Yes | Partial | Yes | Yes |
| Free for personal use | ? | Yes | Yes | Partial | Yes | Yes |
| Wake-on-LAN | ? | Yes | Partial | Yes | Yes | Partial |
| Multi-monitor | ? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ? |
| Low-latency mode (gaming) | ? | Partial | Partial | Yes | ? | ? |
| Mobile clients | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |

## Sources

Sources for Chrome Remote Desktop. Each alternative is sourced on its own page.

- **Platforms**: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web — <https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1649523?hl=en> (verified 2026-07-11)
  - Quote: “You can use a computer or mobile device to access files and applications on another computer with Chrome Remote Desktop.”
- **Cross-platform**: Yes — <https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1649523?hl=en> (verified 2026-07-11)
  - Quote: “You can use a computer or mobile device to access files and applications on another computer with Chrome Remote Desktop.”
- **Unattended access**: Yes — <https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1649523?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop> (verified 2026-07-11)
  - Quote: “the PIN required to access another computer”
- **File transfer**: Partial — <https://support.google.com/chrome/a/answer/9547497?hl=en> (verified 2026-07-11)
  - Quote: “On ChromeOS kiosk devices, you can transfer files to and from the remote host. Thereby, allowing you to download logs and upload required data to devices during troubleshooting.”
- **Self-hostable server**: No — <https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1649523?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DiOS> (verified 2026-07-11)
  - Quote: “If you don't have it, on the browser, go to remotedesktop.google.com/access.”
- **Mobile clients**: Yes — <https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.chromeremotedesktop&hl=en_US> (verified 2026-07-11)
  - Quote: “Securely access your computers from your Android device.”

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Ranked by verified data, never by who paid. https://altcatalog.com/trust/