HopToDesk

HopToDesk is a free, open-source remote desktop and screen sharing tool for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS and more, aimed at technicians, small businesses and home users who want remote control without licence restrictions. The HopToDesk download is free for both personal and business use, the source code is published under the GNU AGPL v3, and sessions are end-to-end encrypted. An optional web Dashboard for managing many devices has a free tier and paid plans.

HopToDesk is developed by Begonia Holdings LLC and started as a fork of RustDesk. It releases very often: version 1.46.55 arrived on 28 September 2026, a few days after 1.46.52. It works out of the box through the public HopToDesk network, and you can also run your own signal and relay servers at no extra cost.

HopToDesk at a glance

What it does

• Screen sharing and remote control with a Device ID and password, end-to-end encrypted, including file transfer and chat.
• Unattended access with a permanent password and optional two-factor authentication (TOTP codes from an authenticator app).
• Direct IP connections on the local network or over VPN, IP whitelisting and SOCKS5 proxy support.
• Remote printing, and Wayland support for incoming connections on Linux.
• Runs portable without installation; installing on Windows adds a background service for access before sign-in and after reboots.
• Self-hosting of the signal server and relays, or only your own TURN relays configured through a custom api.json.
• Recent additions: post-quantum encryption (1.46.44) and Restart in Safe Mode for Windows (1.46.55).

How IT teams use it

Set up unattended access on a Windows PC

1. Install HopToDesk rather than running it portable, so the service starts with Windows and works at the sign-in screen.
2. On the main window, switch on the Unattended Access toggle next to the password row; this sets a permanent password.
3. Click Set (the pen icon) on the password row to choose a strong, unique password.
4. Enable two-factor authentication: scan the QR code with an authenticator app, so connections need the password plus a 6-digit code.
5. Record the Device ID in your documentation; anyone with the ID and password can connect, so keep both in a password manager.

Use it on a locked-down network

1. Allow outbound TCP 80 and 443 for the signal and API traffic.
2. If outbound traffic is restricted to HTTPS only, turn on Firewall Mode, which limits HopToDesk to TCP 443.
3. For LAN-only use or direct IP access, open TCP 21118 on the target and connect by IP address instead of Device ID.
4. Use IP whitelisting so only the help-desk subnet or VPN range can connect.

Allow unattended access on a Wayland desktop

1. Accept the first incoming connection locally and choose which screen to share.
2. Open Settings → Security and enable Unattended Wayland Access, so later sessions connect without a prompt.
3. Test after a reboot, because Wayland session permissions differ between desktop environments.

Install and first run

Windows. The program runs portable, but portable mode accepts connections only while the window is open. For regular remote access install it; that needs administrator rights and creates a service. A separate build exists for Windows XP machines that still have to be supported.

macOS. Grant Screen Recording and Accessibility in System Settings → Privacy & Security on the computer being controlled; without them the remote side sees a blank screen or cannot click.

Linux and FreeBSD. Packages are provided for Debian-based, Fedora and Arch-based (Manjaro) distributions, FreeBSD, plus AppImage and Flatpak builds. On Wayland sessions the first connection must be approved locally.

Android and iOS. The mobile apps can control other devices. Being controlled is more limited on phones: Android needs extra permissions for unattended control, and on iOS Apple’s restrictions apply, so treat an iPhone or iPad mainly as the controlling device.

Common gotchas. TLS inspection and strict egress rules break connections unless Firewall Mode is on. As with any remote desktop tool, warn users never to install it at the request of an unsolicited caller; HopToDesk publishes an abuse reporting page for scam cases.

Limitations

• Fleet features such as monitoring, ticketing, session reports, team roles with SSO and custom-branded clients belong to the Dashboard, whose free tier covers three devices.
• The Dashboard is a hosted service even when you self-host the signal and relay servers.
• Very frequent releases are good for fixes but mean more updates to test and roll out.
• Smaller ecosystem and documentation than long-established commercial tools; support is mostly self-service.
• AGPL v3 obligations apply if you modify the code and offer it as a network service.

HopToDesk vs alternatives

RustDesk is the project HopToDesk was forked from; both are open source and self-hostable, and RustDesk has the larger community. AnyDesk and TeamViewer are more polished commercial products, but their free use is limited to personal purposes, whereas HopToDesk allows business use for free. DWService is another free option that works entirely from a browser.

FAQ

Is HopToDesk free for business use?

Yes. The application is free for personal and business use without time limits. Only the optional Dashboard has paid tiers above three devices.

HopToDesk vs RustDesk: what is the difference?

HopToDesk began as a RustDesk fork and keeps a similar ID-and-password workflow. It is run by a different developer, uses its own public network and adds its own Dashboard; RustDesk has a larger community and its own server project.

Is there HopToDesk for Android?

Yes. The Android app can control other devices and can be controlled after you grant the required permissions.

Where is the HopToDesk source code?

The source is published on GitLab under the GNU AGPL v3.

Does HopToDesk work without installation?

Yes, it runs portable. Install it on Windows if you need unattended access, access before sign-in or access after a reboot.

Is HopToDesk safe?

Traffic, including chat and file transfer, is end-to-end encrypted, and you can add two-factor authentication and IP whitelisting. The usual risk is social engineering, so never let strangers connect.

Can I self-host HopToDesk?

Yes. The signal server and relays can run on your own Linux server at no extra cost, or you can keep the public signal server and supply only your own TURN relays.

Last checked against official sources: 1 October 2026 (developer website: hoptodesk.com). Versions and licence terms change — confirm on the developer's site before deploying in production.