Remote Desktop Connection has been part of Windows for so long that most people don’t realise there’s a better option. Inside a domain, on a fast LAN, connecting to a Windows box on the same subnet, it’s the fastest tool of its kind. Outside those conditions the story falls apart: no macOS server, awful behaviour behind NAT, no simple way to reach a home PC from a hotel Wi-Fi network without a VPN and port forwarding. We tested 7 Remote Desktop Connection alternatives on Windows, macOS, and Linux for IT teams, remote workers, and anyone who just wants to reach their home computer from the road.
The picks below cover the paid remote-support standards, browser-only options, self-hosted open-source builds, and low-latency streaming tools built for creative work. Each is judged on connection speed on residential uplinks, firewall traversal without port forwarding, cross-platform support, and how much setup a non-technical family member has to do to receive help.
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Free plan | Platforms | Standout feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AnyDesk | Everyday cross-network access | Personal use | Windows, macOS, Linux, mobile | Fast on slow uplinks |
| TeamViewer | Cross-device support sessions | Personal use | Windows, macOS, Linux, mobile | Reaches every device type |
| Chrome Remote Desktop | Zero-setup family help | Fully free | Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS | Browser-only, no install for the initiator |
| RustDesk | Self-hosted remote control | Fully free | Windows, macOS, Linux, mobile | Runs on your own relay server |
| Splashtop | Business-grade support | Trial | Windows, macOS, Linux, mobile | 60 fps streaming for video work |
| Parsec | Remote gaming and creative | Free tier | Windows, macOS, Linux | Lowest-latency screen protocol on the list |
| NoMachine | High-fidelity streaming | Personal use | Windows, macOS, Linux | Smooth video and audio |
Why people leave Remote Desktop Connection
NAT traversal is a nightmare
Getting RDC to work outside a LAN requires either a VPN back to the network or port forwarding on the router. Both require permissions and skills most people don’t have. The alternatives handle this transparently.
No macOS or Linux server
RDC is client-only on macOS and Linux via Microsoft Remote Desktop; the target must be Windows Pro or Enterprise. Home editions of Windows can’t accept incoming RDC connections at all.
Windows Home users are locked out
To host RDC you need Windows Pro or Enterprise. Home edition users have to buy an upgrade or pick a different tool. Every alternative below works on any Windows edition.
The alternatives
AnyDesk — best overall Remote Desktop Connection alternative
AnyDesk is the cleanest replacement for most use cases. The DeskRT codec keeps latency low on slow residential uplinks, connection is a nine-digit ID rather than a hostname, and there is no port forwarding required.
Where it falls short: the commercial-use detection is aggressive. Helping a friend from a work-associated laptop triggers upgrade nags.
Pricing: Free for personal use, paid tier starts at a modest monthly cost.
vs Remote Desktop Connection: works across NAT without configuration, runs on macOS and Linux servers, and doesn’t care what Windows edition either side is on.
Download: AnyDesk
Bottom line: the first alternative to try. Covers 90% of what RDC does with none of the router configuration.
TeamViewer — best for the widest device mix
TeamViewer ships on more platforms than any competitor: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, ChromeOS, and a browser fallback. Session-based access, unattended endpoints, and cross-organisation contact lists.
Where it falls short: the free-tier commercial-use enforcement is stricter than AnyDesk’s. Free sessions can be cut short at unpredictable moments.
Pricing: Free for personal, paid plans at a per-user monthly cost.
vs Remote Desktop Connection: works on any Windows edition and reaches devices RDC will never support.
Download: TeamViewer
Bottom line: pick TeamViewer when the endpoints you support include Chromebooks, iPads, and older Windows Home machines.
Chrome Remote Desktop — best free zero-install option
Chrome Remote Desktop runs entirely inside a Chrome extension. No account, no port forwarding, no licence keys. Sign in on both sides with the same Google account or exchange a one-time code and you’re connected.
Where it falls short: file transfer is missing and audio doesn’t route back to the technician. Speed is respectable but not competitive with dedicated tools.
Pricing: Fully free.
vs Remote Desktop Connection: dramatically simpler for cross-platform ad-hoc help; slower for sustained work.
Download: Chrome Remote Desktop
Bottom line: the go-to for occasional family tech support where the other side has never installed remote software before.
RustDesk — best self-hosted alternative
RustDesk is an open-source rewrite of the AnyDesk experience. Same nine-digit-ID flow, same low-latency codec, and you can host your own relay server so no session metadata leaves your infrastructure.
Where it falls short: running your own relay properly needs Docker or systemd knowledge. The desktop UI is functional but less polished than paid tools.
Pricing: Free forever. Self-hosting costs are yours.
vs Remote Desktop Connection: covers macOS and Linux servers, works through NAT, and removes any cloud dependency.
Download: RustDesk
Bottom line: the right pick when session privacy matters more than convenience.
Splashtop — best for business support teams
Splashtop targets IT departments. Attended and unattended endpoint management, per-technician licences, and a 60 fps streaming mode that holds up during video playback and CAD work.
Where it falls short: no perpetual free tier for individuals. After the trial ends, everyone pays.
Pricing: Trial available, paid plans at a modest per-technician monthly cost.
vs Remote Desktop Connection: dramatically better cross-network experience and modern admin tooling.
Download: Splashtop
Bottom line: pick Splashtop when remote support is a paid service, not a favour.
Parsec — best for creative and gaming remote
Parsec was built to stream games between PCs. That same low-latency protocol makes it the best pick for remote video editing, 3D work, or anything else where a stuttering desktop protocol would ruin the job.
Where it falls short: aimed at high-bandwidth links. On a slow uplink Parsec still runs but the advantage over AnyDesk shrinks.
Pricing: Free tier for personal use, paid Teams plan for collaboration.
vs Remote Desktop Connection: worlds better for real-time creative work, comparable for basic desktop work.
Download: Parsec
Bottom line: the right pick for anyone doing video, 3D, or gaming on a remote machine.
NoMachine — best for high-fidelity streaming
NoMachine built its own NX protocol before most competitors existed. Full-motion video plays watchably, audio stays in sync, and gestures survive the trip. Solid personal-use tier.
Where it falls short: the interface still feels like a mid-2010s Linux desktop. Onboarding a non-technical user takes patience.
Pricing: Free for personal, business plans at a per-workstation annual cost.
vs Remote Desktop Connection: significantly better streaming quality for video-heavy remote work.
Download: NoMachine
Bottom line: pick NoMachine when the remote workflow includes watching video or editing images.
How to choose
Pick AnyDesk for a general-purpose RDC replacement that works across NAT and platforms. Pick TeamViewer when the endpoints are unusually mixed. Pick Chrome Remote Desktop for one-off help where nobody wants to install anything. Pick RustDesk for self-hosted control. Pick Splashtop for a professional support desk. Pick Parsec for creative or gaming remote. Pick NoMachine for video-heavy sessions. Stay on Remote Desktop Connection only when the target is a Windows Pro or Enterprise machine on the same LAN and speed is the only thing that matters.
FAQ
Does Remote Desktop Connection work on Windows Home? No, only Windows Pro and Enterprise can host RDC connections. Home editions can only initiate them.
Can I use RDC across the internet? Yes, but only with either a VPN back to the network or port forwarding on the router. Neither is beginner-friendly.
What’s the best free Remote Desktop Connection alternative? AnyDesk for personal use, Chrome Remote Desktop for zero-install ad-hoc help.
Is Chrome Remote Desktop secure? Sessions are end-to-end encrypted and Google’s account security applies. Enterprise IT sometimes disallows it because sessions are outside corporate audit tools.
Which alternative supports Mac servers? All of them except Remmina. RDC via Microsoft Remote Desktop is client-only on Mac.
