TeamViewer is our top pick for free remote access software because it doesn't cost anything for personal use. With this tier, you get all the the same features as commercial customers, too. Just keep in mind that Teamviewer uses AI to detect commercial usage. If it ever picks you up illegitimately, a quick email to customer support should get you back up and running.
If you need a free application for a commercial environment, check out Zoho Assist. It offers a limited free version that lets one technician access five computers. However, it doesn't match TeamViewer's features.
Is Remote Access Software Safe to Use?
Because remote access software provides total access to your device, all of your data is at your fingertips. That's convenient but not without risks. You don't need to worry too much, though, because all the applications here use encryption to ensure that bad actors can't intercept your remote activity.
As with most software, a lot of the security is on you. Make sure you're using strong passwords and multi-factor authentication so that it's not easy to compromise your accounts. Most of these applications also require a password for connecting to specific devices even after you've signed in, so someone would have to go through a lot of trouble to get access to your devices. Be sure to set up a password manager if you have trouble keeping track of all your accounts.
You should never install remote access software if someone you don't know tells you to do it. Hackers and scammers routinely use such software to steal information and access financial accounts. A common scam involves someone from "tech support" calling you, unprompted, to "diagnose a problem" or similar. If this happens, hang up -- tech support for major companies will never call you out of the blue and ask you to install such software. You can always call the company back if you're worried. Just make sure you look up and call the actual customer service number, not the number that called you.
What's the Best Remote Access Software for Windows?
Every application on this list works well on Windows, but the best choice for most people is TeamViewer. It's a very feature-complete application with a generous free version.
TeamViewer's paid plans for businesses start at $50.90 per month (billed annually), however, which is a lot for small organizations. If that's out of your budget, check out RemotePC instead.
What's the Best Remote Access Software for Mac?
Most applications on this list work about as well on macOS as they do on Windows, but at least one feature is usually missing. That's not the case with Splashtop. It's the only application we tested that lets you easily drag and drop files between macOS and Windows computers. It's hard to overstate how useful that is.
That said, Splashtop lacks a free version for home use. TeamViewer is the best option for Mac users who want a free tool.
What's the Best Remote Access Software for Mobile Devices?
Every application in this list allows you to access computers from mobile devices. If you want remote access to mobile devices from a computer, though, try Zoho Assist. It lets you fully control Android phones and tablets from a computer, as well as remotely monitor an iPhone or iPad. Zoho is primarily for IT staff, so setting it up might require extra effort.
Can You Use Zoom Instead of Remote Access Software?
Zoom, like some other video conferencing services, lets you screen share and control another person's screen. As such, you might wonder why you need remote access software at all. One major difference is that remote access software allows for unattended access, meaning you can connect to another computer even if no one is sitting at it. A second problem with Zoom in this context is performance. Zoom's screen-sharing feature works well but creates more lag than the apps here.