Teamviewer Alternatives : Best Remote Desktop Software

Whether for remote assistance, remote access, collaboration, production or even organizing online meetings or conferences, the TeamViewer program is extremely popular software, especially for professionals and businesses. Thus, the software from the German developer launched in 2005 quickly became the market leader. However, this tool has limitations, particularly in terms of security and visual quality, and many users who are not completely satisfied may therefore be looking for an alternative to TeamViewer. This is why we have tested some programs and below we present the best alternatives to TeamViewer.

Ammyy Admin

If you’re in search of a reliable and secure software for remote desktop and remote support, then Ammyy Admin is a perfect alternative to TeamViewer. It’s an efficient and multifunctional control tool that’s particularly suitable for large businesses. Ammyy Admin offers a convenient way to manage networks remotely or control a server on the Internet.

Using Ammyy Admin is a breeze, requiring no software installation or administrative rights. Users only need to download and run a small file and enter the target computer’s ID. The program also works flawlessly behind firewalls and routers, thanks to its strict security standards.

To prevent unauthorized access, Ammyy Admin requires a unique identifier for each user. Additionally, it offers various authentication settings for added security. File transfer is also supported, and permanent access to the file system is especially advantageous for handling large amounts of data. This free program is ideal for online presentations, distance learning, and instant messaging.

One of the notable advantages of Ammyy Admin is its high security during data transfers. It’s also incredibly user-friendly, making it a great choice for businesses. However, it requires a fast and powerful internet connection to function optimally.

Mikogo

If you’re looking for a reliable and secure alternative to TeamViewer for conducting online meetings, Mikogo is an excellent option. This German-based software publisher strictly complies with local laws and rules concerning user data privacy. One of the notable advantages of Mikogo is that it’s directly accessible via the browser, with no need to download or install any software. It’s compatible with various platforms, including Windows, MacOS, Linux, iPhones, iPads, and Android devices. Up to 25 participants can join your meeting and view your screen simultaneously. During desktop sharing, you can send an invitation to another participant to take on the role of presenter, enabling you to switch between different participants.

Mikogo features an integrated file transfer function that makes it easy and secure to transfer data between participants and the presenter. It also includes all the essential features of online meeting software, such as instant messaging, a meeting planner, and an interactive whiteboard. For individual users, a free demo version is available, while the “professional” package allows up to 25 participants per session for a monthly cost of 15 euros after a 14-day trial period.

With Mikogo’s meeting scheduling tool, you can easily organize meetings and invite participants, ensuring smooth and efficient communication. Although Mikogo has a maximum limit of 25 participants per session, it’s a highly reliable and user-friendly alternative to TeamViewer that’s suitable for various purposes, including remote support, distance learning, and online collaboration.

ThinVNC

ThinVNC offers a simple and user-friendly way to access remote desktop functionality, screen sharing, and file sharing. With ThinVNC, you can access your computer directly from your web browser using HTML5, AJAX, and JSON without requiring any additional software or browser plugins.

This TeamViewer alternative is perfect for private use, as it offers access to your computer from anywhere in the world, but it requires some technical knowledge to install a router and dynamic DNS. Additionally, ThinVNC allows access to a local computer from mobile devices like smartphones and tablets.

While ThinVNC was previously available as a free download, it is no longer regularly updated as an open-source solution. However, you can still access the paid version, Thinfinity Remote Desktop Workstation, for additional features.

ThinVNC’s file transfer is efficient and secure, making it a reliable solution for screen sharing and remote desktop access. However, it offers few additional functions compared to other alternatives, and its security standards are relatively low.

Overall, ThinVNC is a good choice for those seeking a simple and straightforward alternative to TeamViewer for remote desktop access and screen sharing.

AnyDesk

Part of the developers of AnyDesk helped create TeamViewer. The objective with this new program was then to develop a better method of transmission. Remote connection via AnyDesk had to be faster and more powerful than with TeamViewer. This new method specially developed for graphical interfaces is called DeskRT, and makes it possible to reduce the amount of data during transmission. According to the editor, it is thus possible to double the frame rate and AnyDesk is described as “the fastest remote desktop application in the world“.

In practice, this means that it is even possible to use complex programs such as graphics creation or image editing tools remotely, without having to suffer a significant loss of image quality. Even if the technique in the background is complex, the program remains simple and pleasant to use. The free variant is however reserved only for private users; the professional version, especially for businesses, is chargeable.

Each system obtains an individual AnyDesk address, this is necessary for remote access

Pros

• Better quality transmission compared to TeamViewer
• Faster TeamViewer alternative
• Simple and efficient use

Cons

• Free version only for private users.

UltraVNC

UltraVNC is an Open source software and it is a good alternative to TeamViewer for Windows users, developed and distributed under the free software license GPLv2. The standard VNC (Virtual Network Computing) system based on the Remote Frame Buffer (RFB) protocol is required. This is because you need a VNC server on the target machine, and a VNC client on any device that needs to access the server. Remote control and remote connection with the help of these components allow transmission and exchange of data and text messages quickly and easily. This software uses and offers different authentication methods (8-digit DES password, MS Logon I and II).

The configuration options for client and server components are quite impressive. For experts in this field it is a real playground. However, it makes the use of UltraVNC quite difficult for inexperienced users. Since there is no fixed number of users, this software is a good alternative to TeamViewer for carrying out conferences and online training. You can configure with the server module or the navigation bar the interface in order to see only essential information.

Before you can create a remote connection to the target system with Ultra VNC Viewer, you need to make several settings

Pros

• Free and open source
• Many options

Cons

• Only for Windows
• Complex interface

Chrome Remote Desktop

If you want to find an alternative to TeamViewer for the remote desktop function, there is no need to use a complex program. A good solution is the quick and easy extension for Google Chrome. The Chrome browser must simply be installed on your computer and you must have a Google account to fully use Chrome Remote Desktop and thus have remote access and control of devices. You can use this service on all platforms on which the Google Chrome browser works. In addition there are, as with TeamViewer, specific applications for Android and iOS.

Chrome Remote Desktop Host software is automatically downloaded through the browser. You only need to install it and the remote control function is ready. The program home page will provide you with a specific code that will be required for future access. Note that the extension of Google Chrome does not offer screen sharing, instant messaging or video conferencing.

Remote control for Google Chrome is particularly suitable for technical support and for private use

Pros

• Simple and easy installation
• Suitable for many platforms

Cons

• A Google account is required
• No online conferencing functionality

WebEx Meetings

In 2007, the telecommunications company Cisco bought the company WebEx Communications, which has developed as a subsidiary a number of collaboration and teamwork solutions and software for businesses. WebEx Meetings offers a great alternative to TeamViewer in terms of conference and online meeting. Like all WebEx products, the meeting application is available on the Cisco WebEx Cloud, which uses multiple data centers (including backups and caching concepts) worldwide to provide maximum bandwidth and availability storage for each user. Data in Europe is therefore always saved on European servers.

With the free version of WebEx Mettings it is possible to organize online meetings with a maximum of two additional participants. For greater capacity and all of the functionalities, it is then necessary to subscribe to a premium package. It will then be possible to organize meetings or web conferences with a maximum of 100 participants, to have different screen sharing options (full screen, individual applications, etc.), and to manage users and appoint moderators. In addition, premium packs offer the option of limiting remote access and protecting access to a meeting with a password. Finally it is also possible to create the online meeting directly in Microsoft Outlook.

WebEx Meetings: Under the “Meetings” section, you can spontaneously organize meetings or plan future conferences with the calendar function.

Pros

• Nice and easy to use user interface
• Powerful cloud infrastructure

Cons

• The free version limits the creation of an online meeting to only 3 participants
• No application for desktop computers (only usable with a web application

LogMeIn Pro

The basic concept of the paid LogMeIn Pro remote access tool is to optimize the sharing of resources without ever losing data security in mind. In order to meet and achieve this goal, 1 TB of cloud storage is available to back up all important files, applications and projects. There are different versions for Windows, Mac OS, iOS and Android mobile systems as well as a cross-platform browser application so that you can make remote connections over local networks and the Internet.

All meetings and conferences with LogMeIn Pro are secured via SSL / TLS. In addition, the identity of the server is verified with a PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) certificate, as well as the identity of the host with a corresponding secret key. Depending on the package chosen (annual licenses), it is possible to have access to up to 10 computers, to print files from a remote computer on the nearest local printer and to display several remote monitors, by restoring identically on your screens. Finally, you can share the data and files stored in the LogMeIn Cloud with an unlimited number of users. However, the team meeting functionality is not available with this alternative to TeamViewer.

Add an unlimited number of users to your LogMeIn account via account management (here in the browser interface)

Pros

• 1 TB of cloud storage
• Suitable for many platforms

Cons

• No free version available
• Does not have online conferencing functionality

Join.me

The publishing company LogMeln launched the Web Join.me tool which is another alternative to TeamViewer, making it very easy to organize and organize online meetings. For this, the service gives access to an administration interface where it is possible to easily schedule and start online meetings or conferences. All past meetings are automatically archived in the “Chronicle” section, so it is always possible to consult user activities during previous meetings. With the free version, it is possible to organize regular conferences with a maximum of 10 participants, and video conferences with a maximum of 5 users, simply register and download the Join.me application. In addition to instant messaging, VoIP and video, Join.me also offers data and file exchange and screen sharing.

In addition to the free version of the communications software, there are two paid and ad-free subscription plans. The formula with productivity features (PRO) and offers it with advanced management functions (BUSINESS). The first formula allows a maximum of 50 participants against 250 participants for the second. The plan (PRO) also offers unlimited interactive whiteboards (only for iOS), meeting tools as well as a meeting planner with the module for Outlook and the module for Google Calendar. Finally, the user has 5 GB of storage in the Cloud and 5 TB of storage for the BUSINESS version, in particular to record meetings and be able to consult them later.

Pros

• Simple and versatile administration options (for a fee)
• Secure data transfers by 256-bit

Cons

• No remote access function
• TLS encryption Limited free version

Splashtop

With its remote access application, Splashtop has one main objective: maximum comfort for the remote access function, regardless of the device used. Especially for mobile devices, this application from the American publisher allows you to access your Mac, Windows or Linux computer from your tablet (iPad or Android). Splashtop offers several subscription plans with different prices. The free “Personal” version, for example, offers a great alternative to TeamViewer if you need an application for remote access with up to five devices in a local network. Note that this version is reserved for a private, non-commercial or professional setting. Other more efficient professional or personal formulas are chargeable.

The Business formula is chargeable and is reserved and suitable for professionals. With this package it is possible to transfer files, but also to have remote access to local printers and the application also has instant messaging. Finally, all sessions are secured with TLS and AES 256 bit encryption ensuring strong data protection. Splashtop Classroom and Mirroring360 are additional options notably in terms of screen sharing which are offered to you in order to improve the presentation of documents and the sharing of your screen during remote meetings, without having to use any special equipment or cable additional.

Splashtop Personal: Use the remote access application on your network with your mobile devices (Windows and Mac)

Pros

• Good data protection and AES 256 Bit and TLS encryption available.
• Very good audio and video quality

Cons

• No free professional offer
• No “all in one” solution

VNC Connect

For more than 15 years, the English software company RealVNC based in Cambridge has been developing powerful remote access programs, including the famous VNC Connect which is one of the best alternatives to TeamViewer for personal or professional use. You need to download VNC to the target computer and apply a VNC Server license key, then download VNC Viewer to the machine or mobile device from which you want to exercise remote control. Thus, the professional tool offers you many functionalities in order to optimally perform remote control of other systems. In order to guarantee a high level of security, the sessions are encrypted, but also protected with a password.

The free version “HOME” is reserved for personal and non-commercial use, it offers a maximum of 3 users and a usage limit of 5 devices. Finally there are paid annual subscriptions: “Professional” and “Enterprise”. With these plans for businesses and professionals, file transfer, remote printing, instant messaging and other options are available. In addition, sessions with “Enterprise” are encrypted with the AES 256 bit system while Home and Professional only includes the AES 128 Bit encryption system. However, none of the VNC Connecte editions offers Web conferencing.

VNC server application required to perform remote control with VNC Connect

Pros

• Password protection of meetings

Cons

• Does not include web conferencing
• Free version quite limited.

Conclusion: the search for the best alternative to TeamViewer.

Those looking for an alternative to TeamViewer are spoiled for choice. Indeed the market offers many programs and software which are more or less equivalent. Depending on your needs, there is always an appropriate alternative: whether for remote control or online meeting tools with several participants. AnyDesk is by far the program that offers the fastest connection and the best image quality. For those who wish to reduce costs, Ammyy admin is a good professional solution, especially for businesses. For private users, with little experience in remote control, free tools like SimpleDesktop are a good option for beginners.