5 Best 3rd Party Remote Desktop Software in 2023

What is the best 3rd party remote desktop software?

Remote desktop software enables users to connect to and interact with computers in other locations via an internal network or the internet.There are two major categories of remote desktop software: operating-system-based and 3rd party remote desktopsoftware.

Operating-system-based solutions is provided by the same company that provides your operating system. For example, Windows built-in Remote Desktop Connection, Remote Assistance, Quick Assist. These are free remote desktop solutions. Users can use it without download.

But operating-system-based remote desktop software have flaws. For example, Quick Assist can only be used in Windows 10 and 11.That’s why users want third-party solutions. 3rd party remote desktopsoftware are varied. They differ in features, security, pricing, etc. If you wan to find the the best 3rd party remote desktopsoftware, keep reading.

Top 5 third-party remote desktopsoftware [Free & Paid]

This part lists the top 5 remote desktop 3rd party software and summarizes their pros and cons. Some of them are free and some are paid. Choose after comparing.

AnyViewer: Professional remote desktop software for Windows [Free]

AnyViewer is a free remote access & remote support software for Windows, iOS, and Android. It provides users with totally free service, no matter it is used for personal or business purposes. Besides, it provides users with so many practical features.

✍Pros
✔ Unattended remote access supported.
✔ Multiple monitors supported.
✔ Chat in session supported.
✔ Multiple connection sessions supported.
✔ File transfer support.
✔Operation shortcuts supported, like opening Task Manager and launching CMD quickly.
✍Cons
✘ Only Windows, iOS, and Android are support at present.

Step 1. On both computers, download, install, and launch AnyViewer. Go to Log in on the Controller computer, and then click Sign up (if you have already signed up on its official website, you can log in directly).

Step 2. Fill out the signup form.

Step 3. You should now see that you have successfully logged into AnyViewer. Your device will be assigned to the account to which you have logged in automatically.

Step 4. Sign in with the same AnyViewer account on both computers, then click the One-click control for unattended remote access.

Step 5. The remote desktop will appear once the connection is established. After that, you have complete control over it.

Notes:✎...

It is recommended to upgrade your account to a Professional or Enterprise plan. What can a professional or enterprise plan brings to you:

More devices can be assigned to the same account for unattended remote support.

Connect in privacy mode to protect your privacy. This means the Controller can black out the remote PC screen and disable the remote keyboard and mouse click.

File transfer speed will be increased. Transfer speed is 500 KB/s for a free account and up to 10 MB/s for a paid account.

Chrome Remote Desktop: Google extension remote desktop software [Free]

Chrome Remote Desktop, a browser extension of Google, enables you to remotely control another computer through Google browser. Chrome Remote Desktop is totally free without any charges. But its features are slightly inferior to other remote desktop software.

✍Pros
✔ Totally free.
✔ Fully trans-platform, covering iOS, OS X, Chrome OS, Android, Windows, and Linux.
✔ No installation if you have Google browser.
✍Cons
✘ Unstable connection.
✔ Multiple connection sessions not supported.
✘ No chat box in the remote session.

Step 1. On both computers, sign in to the same Google Account if you are not logged in. Then, open the Chrome Remote Desktop web page.

Step 2. Click Remote Access first and then click the blue download button.

Step 3. Click on Add to Chrome to add the Chrome Remote Desktop in your Chrome browser.

Step 4. Click Add extension to confirm the download.

Step 5. Click Accept & Install.

Step 6. Enter a name for your computer and then click Next.

Step 7. Choose a PIN with at least 6 numbers, and then enter it twice to start the program.

Step 8. After both computers have successfully created their PINs, you can see the available computers here on the client computer. Click the computer you want to connect to.

Step 9. Enter the PIN of the host computer, then click the blue arrow. Then you can start to control it.

TeamViewer: Remote desktop software free for personal use

TeamViewer is one of the most famous remote desktop software in the market. Its technology allows desktop access, remote monitoring, server maintenance, and other remote connection capabilities. TeamViewer is free for personal use. But it appears to be common that TeamViewer suspects users using it for commercial purposes, which they are not, and blocks their connections, making users disappointed. Besides, the pricing of TeamViewer licenses are unaffordable for many people.

✍Pros
✔ Widely-compatible with Windows, MacOS, Chrome OS, Linux, Android, and iOS & iPadOS.
✔ Permanent access for unattended devices.
✔ Video conferencing and collaboration with TeamViewer Meeting.
✔ Remote printing supported.
✔ File sharing supported.
✍Cons
✘ Unavoidable free version limitations.
✘ Expensive for business uses.

 

Step 1. Download and install TeamViewer on the client and host computers respectively.

Step 2. Select the purpose (commercial or personal) for downloading this software during installation. Here, take the free version of individual users as an example.

Step 3. Run TeamViewer on both computers. Select Login in the main interface. You need to create your own TeamViewer account for the first time. Click Next to complete account registration (you also need to verify the account before use).

Step 4. Click Remote Control on the left side of the TeamViewer main interface on the client computer, enter the ID of the host computer under Partner ID, and click Connect.

Step 5. Enter the password of the host computer in the TeamViewer Authentication window to realize the remote control.

 

AnyDesk: Secure & fast remote desktop software free for private use

Like TeamViewer, AnyDesk has a free version for private use. However, when you are using the free version of AnyDesk, you may receive AnyDesk “Commercial use detected” message and have to buy a commercial license if you want to remote connect. This is because AnyDesk detects that you are using free license for commercial purposes. So you have to pay if you want to use AnyDesk continuing.

✍Pros
✔ Unattended Access supported.
✔ Mobile device supported.
✔ File transfer supported.
✔ Address Book supported to keep track of your contacts and connections.
✍Cons
✘ Strict free version use restrictions.
✘ No text chat.

 

Step 1. Download and install AnyDesk on the client and host computers respectively.

Step 2. Enter the connection password of the host computer on the client computer and click Connect. Once the host computer agrees, the connection succeeds.

Splashtop: Secure remote desktop software free for personal

Splashtop is a remote device access service for consumers, corporations, and educators. It enables users to connect to practically any form of network device. There's a Splashtop Personal that is free for personal, non-commercial use on your local home network. You can download and install either one from the official website.

✍Pros
✔ Fast connectivity speed.
✔ Multiple operating system supported.
✔ File transfer supported.
✔ Multi-monitor display supported.
✔ Enhanced security.
✍Cons
✘ Complex installations.
✘ More strict free use restrictions. Free on local home network only.
✘ Excessively expensive for advanced features.

 

Step 1. Create your Splashtop account.

Step 2. Download, install, and launch the Splashtop Business App on any computer, tablet, or mobile device you want to use to access your remote computers.

Step 3. Create the deployment package on Splashtop Business.

Step 4. Select Deploy to send it out.

Step 5. Ensure the target desktop has received the deployment package.

Step 6. Install Splashtop Streamer on the target desktop.

Step 7. After this is done, you can access the target desktop remotely. Click Connect.

Step 8. Enter the Widnows user name and password of the target computer to start accessing the target desktop remotely.

The bottom line

This post primarily introduces the 5 best 3rd party remote desktop software. Some are free and some are paid. Actually, we highly recommend you to choose AnyViewer. Because it provides users with completely free service and many practical features.