{"id":9239,"date":"2009-08-18T20:41:46","date_gmt":"2009-08-18T15:11:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/?p=9239"},"modified":"2026-10-11T16:48:04","modified_gmt":"2026-10-11T11:18:04","slug":"pc-remote-access-software","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/08\/pc-remote-access-software\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Best PC Remote Access Software in 2026 (Free and Paid)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Need to reach your home or office computer from somewhere else, or help a parent fix their laptop from across the country? PC remote access software lets you see and control another computer over the internet as if you were sitting in front of it. Many of the tools in our original list have closed, but remote access is now easier, faster and often free. Here are the best <strong>PC remote access software<\/strong> options in 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-38948\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/2928818742_0f4fb8707e_d.jpg\" alt=\"PC remote access software\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/2928818742_0f4fb8707e_d.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/2928818742_0f4fb8707e_d-150x112.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Quick answer:<\/strong> For free personal use, Chrome Remote Desktop is the easiest choice. Windows Quick Assist is built into Windows for helping family. RustDesk is a free open-source option, TeamViewer and AnyDesk are popular for support work, Windows App (Remote Desktop) suits Windows Pro PCs, and Parsec is best for low-latency gaming and creative work.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6adc1a20bbfe5\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6adc1a20bbfe5\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/08\/pc-remote-access-software\/#Best_PC_remote_access_software_in_2026\" >Best PC remote access software in 2026<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/08\/pc-remote-access-software\/#What_can_you_do_with_remote_access\" >What can you do with remote access?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/08\/pc-remote-access-software\/#How_to_set_up_remote_access_safely\" >How to set up remote access safely<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/08\/pc-remote-access-software\/#Beware_of_remote_access_scams\" >Beware of remote access scams<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/08\/pc-remote-access-software\/#FAQ\" >FAQ<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/08\/pc-remote-access-software\/#What_is_the_best_free_PC_remote_access_software\" >What is the best free PC remote access software?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/08\/pc-remote-access-software\/#Can_I_access_my_PC_from_my_phone\" >Can I access my PC from my phone?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/08\/pc-remote-access-software\/#Does_Windows_Home_support_Remote_Desktop\" >Does Windows Home support Remote Desktop?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Best_PC_remote_access_software_in_2026\"><\/span>Best PC remote access software in 2026<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/remotedesktop.google.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chrome Remote Desktop<\/a>:<\/strong> free from Google. Install a small host app, set a PIN, and connect from any browser, Android or iPhone. Works on Windows, Mac and Linux.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Quick Assist:<\/strong> built into Windows 10 and 11. The helper signs in with a Microsoft account and shares a code, and the other person approves screen sharing or full control. Ideal for family tech support.<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/rustdesk.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">RustDesk<\/a>:<\/strong> a free, open-source alternative to TeamViewer. You can even run your own relay server for full privacy.<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teamviewer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">TeamViewer<\/a>:<\/strong> the best-known remote support tool, free for personal, non-commercial use, with file transfer, chat and mobile apps.<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/anydesk.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">AnyDesk<\/a>:<\/strong> fast and lightweight even on slow connections, with a free plan for personal use.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Windows App (Remote Desktop):<\/strong> Microsoft&#8217;s Remote Desktop is built into Windows Pro and Enterprise. Connect from Windows, Mac, iPhone or Android using Microsoft&#8217;s Windows App.<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/parsec.app\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Parsec<\/a>:<\/strong> very low latency streaming at high frame rates, popular for remote gaming and video editing.<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.splashtop.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Splashtop<\/a>:<\/strong> affordable paid remote access for businesses and IT teams.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_can_you_do_with_remote_access\"><\/span>What can you do with remote access?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Open files and programs on your home PC while travelling.<\/li>\n<li>Help friends and family fix computer problems.<\/li>\n<li>Restart, update or check a home server.<\/li>\n<li>Transfer files between computers. For files you need everywhere, also try <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/12\/best-usb-drive-portable-apps\/\">portable apps on a USB drive<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_set_up_remote_access_safely\"><\/span>How to set up remote access safely<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Install the app on the computer you want to reach (the host) and on your phone or laptop.<\/li>\n<li>Use a strong PIN or password and turn on two-factor authentication for the account.<\/li>\n<li>Keep the host computer awake and connected. Change power settings so it does not sleep.<\/li>\n<li>Do not open Remote Desktop&#8217;s port (3389) directly to the internet. Use a VPN or a tool that connects through the vendor&#8217;s servers.<\/li>\n<li>Remove unattended access when you no longer need it. Check your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/07\/home-networking\/\">home network<\/a> for devices you do not recognise.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Beware_of_remote_access_scams\"><\/span>Beware of remote access scams<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Scammers often call pretending to be from Microsoft, a bank or tech support, and ask you to install AnyDesk, TeamViewer or Quick Assist. Never give remote access to someone who contacted you first. Genuine companies do not cold-call to fix your computer.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQ\"><\/span>FAQ<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_best_free_PC_remote_access_software\"><\/span>What is the best free PC remote access software?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Chrome Remote Desktop for personal use, and RustDesk if you want open source.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_I_access_my_PC_from_my_phone\"><\/span>Can I access my PC from my phone?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes. Chrome Remote Desktop, TeamViewer, AnyDesk, RustDesk and Windows App all have Android and iPhone apps.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_Windows_Home_support_Remote_Desktop\"><\/span>Does Windows Home support Remote Desktop?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Windows Home cannot be a Remote Desktop host. Use Chrome Remote Desktop or Quick Assist instead.<\/p>\n<p><em>Originally written by guest blogger Srikanth, who wrote about tips, gadgets and technology on the Tech Inspiration blog at ekoob.com. Updated for 2026 by QuickOnlineTips. Photo by momentmedia (CC).<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Need to reach your home or office computer from somewhere else, or help a parent fix their laptop from across&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":38948,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[23,48],"tags":[44],"class_list":["post-9239","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-computers","category-downloads","tag-guest-posts"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9239","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9239"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9239\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":63943,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9239\/revisions\/63943"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/38948"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9239"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9239"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9239"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}