Free Remote Access Tools

Free, open-source (GPL-2.0+) remote desktop for Linux servers based on NX 3 compression. Connects over SSH only, keeps sessions running when you disconnect and publishes single apps. Clients for Windows, macOS and Linux; server on Linux.

Free, open-source VPN protocol and tools for fast, simple remote access to office or home networks. Tunnels are defined by short key-based config files. Official apps for Windows, macOS, iOS and Android; built into the Linux kernel since 5.6.

Self-hosted server for Wayk Now remote sessions from Devolutions (formerly Wayk Den). Discontinued: sales stopped in July 2021 and support ended in 2021. Successor: Devolutions Gateway with Devolutions Server.

Free, open-source (GPL-2.0) VNC server and viewer for Windows. Runs as a service, supports file transfer, view-only access, reverse connections and silent MSI deployment. Still maintained: 2.8.88 released in June 2026.

Windows tool from GlavSoft that broadcasts one PC’s screen to many computers on a LAN using UDP multicast, for classrooms and training. Shareware (conditionally free). Last versions 2.1.5 / Pro 1.2.4 from June 2018, no updates since.

Connection manager for RDP, SSH, VNC, web and file transfer with shared, encrypted credentials, tasks and SSH tunnelling. Shareware (conditionally free): the free Shareware Mode allows 10 connections, 10 credentials and one document. Royal TS for Windows, Royal TSX for macOS.

Free, open-source (GPL-2.0) VNC implementation. The viewer runs on Windows, macOS and Linux; on Linux the servers create virtual desktops (Xvnc) or share the real X11 or Wayland screen. TLS encryption and systemd integration included.

ThinRDP was renamed Thinfinity Remote Desktop in 2014; the line continues as Thinfinity Workspace. Commercial HTML5 gateway on Windows: users open RDP, VNC and SSH sessions in any browser without installing a client.

Linux terminal server from Cendio: many users run their own Linux desktop on central servers and connect from Windows, macOS, Linux or a browser. Shareware (conditionally free): up to 10 concurrent users free, client always free.

Free, Windows-only tabbed connection manager for RDP, VNC, SSH, Telnet and more, with favourites, credential store and AD discovery. Source available under MS-CL. Unmaintained: the last release, 4.0.1, dates from June 2017.

Cross-platform remote access and remote support tool with ID-based connections, QuickSupport and Host modules, file transfer and mass deployment. Shareware (conditionally free): free for private non-commercial use, paid licence for business use.

Commercial software that turns a Windows PC or server into a multi-user application server. Publish desktops or single apps to users through an HTML5 web portal or generated RDP/RemoteApp clients, with remote printing and load balancing.

Remote desktop and remote control app from Oray, distributed internationally as AweSun. Controls PCs, Macs and Android devices with file transfer, CMD/SSH and remote camera. Shareware (conditionally free): free plan plus paid plans.

Commercial remote support and remote access platform from ConnectWise, run in the cloud or on your own Windows server. Covers attended support sessions, unattended access agents, backstage tools, roles and audit logs for MSPs and help desks.

Free, open-source (AGPL-3.0) ID/rendezvous (hbbs) and relay (hbbr) server that lets RustDesk clients connect through your own Linux or Docker host instead of public servers. A commercial Server Pro edition adds a web console and user management.

Free, open-source (AGPL-3.0) remote desktop client with ID-based connections, file transfer, TCP tunnelling and unattended access. Works with public servers out of the box or with your own self-hosted ID/relay server.

Remote Utilities Free is the free licence of Remote Utilities: control up to 10 remote PCs for personal or business use. Install the Host for unattended access or run the Agent for one-off support; connect directly or by Internet-ID.

Remote Desktop Manager Free is Devolutions’ free single-user edition: one console for RDP, SSH, VNC, web and other connections with a built-in credential vault. Commercial use is allowed; team features are in paid editions.

Remmina is a free, open-source remote desktop client for Linux. It connects to Windows over RDP, to VNC, SPICE and X2Go hosts and to servers over SSH/SFTP, with saved profiles, tabs and SSH tunnelling.

RealVNC Viewer (RealVNC Connect Viewer) controls computers running RealVNC Server over the cloud or LAN, with encryption, file transfer and chat. The download is free; free use is non-commercial only and sign-in is required.

Parsec is a low-latency remote desktop that streams a host’s screen with GPU hardware encoding. Hosts run on Windows and macOS; clients on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and the web. Free for personal use; work use needs a paid plan.

MeshCentral is a free, open-source remote management server you host yourself. Install agents on your computers and get remote desktop, terminal, files and power control from any browser, with Intel AMT support.

LiteManager Free is the free edition of LiteManager for remote control of up to 30 computers by IP or ID. It covers screen control, file transfer, task manager, command prompt and power actions; Pro adds RDP, recording and more.

Free, open-source remote desktop and screen sharing (GNU AGPL v3), free for personal and business use. End-to-end encrypted remote control, file transfer, chat and unattended access with 2FA on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS and more; self-hosting possible.

Free, open-source clientless remote desktop gateway from the Apache Software Foundation (Apache License 2.0). The server translates RDP, VNC, SSH, Telnet and Kubernetes into HTML5, so users connect from any browser. Runs on Linux or Docker.

Cloud remote support and IT management from GoTo Group, renamed from GoTo Resolve to LogMeIn Resolve. Attended and unattended access to Windows, Mac and Android, help desk and patching. Shareware (conditionally free): free trial and limited free plan.

SolarWinds Dameware Remote Support and Mini Remote Control: on-premises remote control and Windows/Active Directory administration for help desks. Shareware (conditionally free): evaluation first, then a paid licence. Console runs on Windows.

Free remote access from any web browser: install the open-source DWService agent (MPL-2.0 core) on Windows, macOS or Linux and get remote desktop, shell, files, logs and resource monitoring without opening ports. Paid plans only add bandwidth.

Free remote access service from Google. Install a small host on Windows, macOS or Debian/Ubuntu Linux and connect from a browser or the Android and iOS apps with your Google account and a PIN, or share your screen once with a one-time code.

Free, open-source (GPL-2.0) SSL/TLS VPN for reaching office or home networks without exposing RDP, SSH or VNC. OpenVPN Community 2.7.7 runs on Windows and Linux; the free OpenVPN Connect app covers Windows, macOS, Android and iOS.

Free, open-source (GPL) VNC server and viewer for Windows, free for commercial use too. Adds file transfer, chat, Windows-account login (MS-Logon), a repeater for PCs behind NAT and a noVNC web viewer. Runs on Windows 7 to 11 and Server 2008 R2 to 2025.

Proprietary remote desktop for Windows, macOS, Linux, Raspberry Pi, Android and iOS. Shareware (conditionally free): private non-commercial use needs no licence, any work use requires a paid plan. Attended and unattended access, file transfer, TCP tunnelling.