5 Best Remote Access Software for Personal Use [Free and Paid]

What makes the best remote access software for personal use?

There are multiple occasions when users need to remote access software for personal use. For example, users have already left the office and are required to deal with work documents saved on their work computer. The best remtoe access apps for personal use should meet these demands:

• Secure: Whether remote access software for businesses or individuals, security is essential. No one wants computers attacked and data leaked during remote connections. 
•  Easy to set up and use: Usually, individual users have no professional knowledge about remote access. The best remote access software for personal should require minimal setup and be simple to operate. 
• Affordable: The price of remote access software for non-commercial use shouldn't be as high as an app for business, as individual users don't need some functions for business,  like controlling multiple PCs simultaneously. 

The five best remote access software for personal use in 2023

We list the five best apps to access personal computers without a physical presence in 2023; they standouts in different highlights, and individual users can pick up one based on their preferences. 

☞ 1. AnyViewer [One-clcik control]

AnyViewer is the first remote access software I want to recommend for personal use. It enables users to view the desktop or take full control of a remote computer running Windows from anywhere. 

✌ Pros:
▶ Free version is offered: AnyViewer has released a free version that can satisfy all basic remote access demands for non-commercial use.
▶Strong algorithm to encrypt: The Elliptic Curve Cryptography algorithm, stronger than AES in the same length, is employed for end-to-end encryption to protect data in remote sessions.
▶ Helpful functions are provided: File transfer, resolution adjustment, chat in session, etc., are available when users use AnyViewer to access their personal computers remotely.
✘ Cons:
▶ Some features need to be added: Remote audio and print aren't supported.

​​​​​​◆Key and Basic features:

• Unattended remote access
• Send a remote control request
• Fast file transfer
• Multi-monitor switch support
• Chat in session
• Resolution adjustment
• Hide wallpaper
• Remote power management

◆ Pricing and Plans

	Free Version	AnyViewer Professional	AnyViewer Enterprise
Monthly	$0.00	$9.90	$29.90
Yearly		$49.95 $118.80	$199.00 $358.80
Differences	2 devices can start sessions simultaneously	2 devices can start sessions simultaneously	10 devices can start sessions simultaneously
	1 computer can control 2 computers at the same time	1 computer can control 5 computers at the same time	One computer can control 10 computers at the same time
	Assign 3 devices for one-click control	Assign 10 devices for one-click control	Assign 100 devices for one-click control
	Business Hour Support	24/7/365 Support	24/7/365 Priority Support
	✓ File transfer ✕ Privacy mode access ✕ High-quality image ✕ MSI Deployment	✓ Fast file transfer ✓ Privacy mode access ✓ High-quality image ✓ MSI Deployment	✓ Fast file transfer ✓  Privacy mode access ✓ High-quality image ✓ MSI Deployment

☞ 2. Remote PC [Affordable]

RemotePC is a cheap remote access software for personal use.  It enables users to remote into Windows, Linux, and Mac computers without a complicated setup.

✌Pros:
▶The price is low: The RemotePC is relatively cheap and is affordable for many users. 
▶ 7-day free trial is offered:  RemotePC offers a 7-day free trial. Thus users can make a purchase decision after fully experiencing all features of RemotePC. 
▶Web access is available: RemotePC allows users to access their personal computers via a web browser after the host computer has been set up and users have logged into a RemotePC account.
✘ Cons:
▶No free version: RemotePC doesn't offer a free version, whether for personal use or business use.
▶Account needed: Users have to register for a Remote PC account for remote access, which isn't convenient for one-time access. 
▶ File transfer can be improved: Drag-and-drop file transfer isn't available. 

​​​​​​◆Key and Basic features:

• Unattended remote access

• File transfer

• Text chat

• Remote printing

• Remote sound

• Wake-on-Lan

• Session recording

• Multiple monitor support

◆ Pricing and plans:

	Consumer	Consumer	SOHO	Team	Enterprise
Price	$24.50/year $18.38First Year	$49.5/year $37.12 First Year	$79.50/year $59.62 First Year	$229.50/year $224.62 First Year	$599.50/year $449.62 First Year
Differences	One user license  Access 1 computer	One user license Access 2 computer	Unlimited user licenses Access 10 computers	Unlimited user licenses Access 50 computers	Unlimited user licenses Access 100 computers
	✕  Add and organize users ✕ Endpoint cloud backup ✕ Active Directory/SSO ✕ Active Directory sync/Idp Sync ✕ Organize computers into groups ✕ Computer grouping ✕ Deployment ✕ Set roles and access permissions for users	✕ Add and organize users ✕ Endpoint cloud backup ✕ Active Directory/SSO ✕ Active Directory sync/Idp Sync ✕ Organize computers into groups ✕ Computer grouping ✕ Deployment ✕ Set roles and access permissions for users	✓ Add and organize users ✓ Endpoint cloud backup ✕ Active Directory/SSO ✕ Active Directory sync/Idp Sync ✕ Organize computers into groups ✕ Computer grouping ✕ Deployment ✕ Set roles and access permissions for users	✓Add and organize ✓ Endpoint cloud backup ✓ Active Directory/SSO ✓ Active Directory sync/Idp Sync ✕ Organize computers into groups ✕ Computer grouping ✕ Deployment ✕ Set roles and access permissions for users	✓Add and organize ✓ Endpoint cloud backup ✓ Active Directory/SSO ✓ Active Directory sync/Idp Sync ✓ Organize computers into groups ✓ Computer grouping ✓ Deployment ✓Set roles and access permissions for users

☞ 3. AnyDesk [Wide compatibility]

AnyDesk is a straightforward remote access software enabling users to connect to remote computers running Windows, MacOS, etc. 

✌Pros:
▶ Free version is available: If users don't want to pay for remote access soliton, AnyDesk Free can be a nice choice. 
▶Wide compatibility: AnyDesk nearly can work with all platforms, including Windows, macOS, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, FreeBSD, Raspberry Pi, and Chrome OS. 
▶Built with rich features: AnyDesk has developed plenty of features, including Wake-on-Lan, file transfer, text chat, and so on.  
✘ Cons:
▶Limited connection time: The connection time AnyDesk Free version is limited.  

The main and basic features of RemotePC 

• File transfer

• Text chat

• Remote printing

• Remote restart

• Switch side on the session

• Wake on Lan

• Whiteboard

◆ Pricing and plans:

	Free	Solo	Standard	Advanced	Ultimate
Price	$0.00	$178.80 / Year	$358.80 / year	$958.80 / year	/ (Contact AnyDesk)
Differences	Up to 3 devices that can support unattended access	Up to 100 devices that can support unattended access	Up to 500 devices that can support unattended access	Up to 1000 devices that can support unattended access	Up to 2000 devices that can support unattended access
	✕ Switch side on session ✕ Remote restart ✕ Custom Alias ✕ Privacy mode ✕ Wake-On-LAN ✕ Session recording ✕ Group policies ✕ Deployment options via MSI package	✓Switch side on session ✓ Remote restart ✓Custom Alias ✓Privacy mode ✕ Wake-On-LAN ✕ Session Recording ✕ Group policies ✕ Deployment options via MSI package	✓ Switch side on session ✓ Remote restart ✓Custom Alias ✓Privacy mode ✓  Wake-On-LAN ✓ Session recording ✓Group policies ✕ Deployment options via MSI package	✓ Switch side on session ✓ Remote restart ✓Custom Alias ✓Privacy mode ✓  Wake-On-LAN ✓ Session recording ✓Group policies ✓ Deployment options via MSI package	✓ Switch side on session ✓ Remote restart ✓Custom Alias ✓Privacy mode ✓  Wake-On-LAN ✓ Session recording ✓ Group policies ✓ Deployment options via MSI package

☞ 4. Chrome Remote Desktop [Chrome extension]

Chrome Remote Desktop (unofficially called Chromoting) is a free remote access software for personal use, and it can exist as an extension of Chrome browsers. 

✌Pros:
▶Completely free: Users don't need to pay for it. They just need to add it to Chrome for remote access.
▶Cross platforms: Users can install and run Chrome Remote Desktop once the device supports Chrome browsers.
✘ Cons:
▶Some key features are missing: Some key features, like Chat in session and remote print, aren't supported.
▶ Connection is unstable: Users can get CRD issues like Chrome Remote Desktop freezes when using CRD to access remtoe computers.

◆  The main and basic features of Chrome Remote Desktop

• Access via PIN
• Access via Code
• Transfer files via uploading and downloading
• Remote audio
• Resolution change in session
• Ctrl+Alt+Del, PrintScreen, and F11 shortcuts

◆ Pricing and plans:

Chrome Remote Desktop is always free. 

☞ 5. Microsoft Remote Desktop [Pre-installed]

Computers running Windows advanced editions, like Windows 11 Professional, come with a Remote Desktop feature, enabling users to access the computers without asking for the help of third-party remote desktop software. 

✌Pros:
▶Time and money are saved: Users don't need to waste time downloading other remote access tools on the remote computer or pay for remote access. 
▶ File transfer is convenient: Copy and paste is available in RDP sessions, which makes file transfer convenient. 
✘ Cons:
▶Complicated setup for connection over the internet: Users need to configure the router or set up VPN when accessing computers from an outside network.
▶ Only available in advanced versions: It is not offered in Windows Home and Windows Standard.
▶ Users can't share the screen with the one on the other end: The remote computer screen is locked during RDP sessions. 

◆ The main and basic features of Microsoft 

• Access via IP address and password
• Copy and paste
• Drag-and-drop file transfer
• Remote audio
• Remote print
• Drive redirection

◆ Pricing and plans:

It comes with Windows Pro and Windows Enterprise and is free. Windows Home and Standard users need to upgrade to Professional. Windows 10/11 Home to Pro upgrade is $99. 

How does remote access software for personal use work?

The pros & cons, features, and pricing of the best 5 remote access apps for personal use have been demonstrated in detail.  Here take AnyViewer as an example to show how remtoe control software works. 

First, users must download the remtoe desktop app, install, and run it on both devices.

☞ To access a personal computer from mobile devices, go to App Store or Google Play to download AnyViewer for iOS or AnyViewer for Android. 

Create an AnyViewer account and log into it on both devices. After logging, the device will be assigned to the computer automatically. 

Then, on your local device, go to Device, click the remote personal computer, and click One-click control. Immediately, you can view the screen of the remote PC and use it without physical access.  

 

Conclusion

All in all, the five aforementioned remote access utilities are good enough for personal use.  For users who need simple and fast free remtoe access software for Windows, AnyViewer is recommended; for users who need a stable and cheap app for remote access for Windows, Linux, and Mac, RemotePC should be the best one; for users who need overall and cross-platform utility, AnyDesk is chosen; for users who are fans of Chrome, CRD is the right one; for users who only access Windows computers within the same LAN, Microsoft Remote Desktop is enough.