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Remote Desktop Software

Remote Desktop Software

The term remote desktop refers to a software or operating system feature that allows a personal computer's desktop environment to be run remotely on one system (usually a PC, but the concept applies equally to a server), while being displayed on a separate client device. Remote desktop applications have varying features. Some allow attaching to an existing user's session (i.e., a running desktop) and "remote controlling", either displaying the remote control session or blanking the screen. Taking over a desktop remotely is a form of remote administration.

Remote access can also be explained as remote control of a computer by using another device connected via the Internet or another network. This is widely used by many computer manufacturers and large businesses' help desks for technical troubleshooting of their customers' problems.

Remote desktop software captures the mouse and keyboard inputs from the local computer (client) and sends them to the remote computer (server). The remote computer in turn sends the display commands to the local computer. When applications with many graphics including video or 3D models need to be controlled remotely, a remote workstation software that sends the pixels rather than the display commands must be used to provide a smooth, like-local experience. HP Remote Graphics Software is one such remote workstation solution.

Remote desktop sharing is accomplished through a common client/server model. The client, or VNC viewer, is installed on a local computer and then connects via a network to a server component, which is installed on the remote computer. In a typical VNC session, all keystrokes and mouse clicks are registered as if the client were actually performing tasks on the end-user machine.

The target computer in a remote desktop scenario is still able to access all of its core functions. Many of these core functions, including the main clipboard, can be shared between the target computer and remote desktop client.

A main use of remote desktop software is remote administration and remote implementation. This need arises when software buyers are far away from their software vendor. Most remote access software can be used for "headless computers": instead of each computer having its own monitor, keyboard and mouse or using a KVM switch, one computer can have a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and remote control software, and control many headless computers. The duplicate desktop mode is useful for user support and education. Remote control software combined with telephone communication can be nearly as helpful for novice computer-users as if the support staff were actually there.

Since the advent of cloud computing, remote desktop software can be housed on USB hardware devices, allowing users to connect the device to any PC connected to their network or the Internet and recreate their desktop via a connection to the cloud. This model avoids one problem with remote desktop software, which requires the local computer to be switched on at the time when the user wishes to access it remotely. (It is possible with a router with C2S VPN support, and Wake on LAN equipment, to establish a virtual private network (VPN) connection with the router over the Internet, if not connected to the LAN, switch on a computer connected to the router, then connect to it.)

Remote desktop products are available in three models: hosted service, software, and appliance.

The most popular products in category Remote Desktop Software All category products

Chrome Remote Desktop
5
19
Microsoft Remote Desktop
13
7
Citrix XenApp
2
4
HP Remote Graphics Software
9
11
Symantec pcAnywhere
10
0
Apple Remote Desktop
0
0
Zoho Assist
12
2
ISL Online Remote Access
4
20
TeamViewer
19
10
Logmein Pro
11
18
Splashtop Business Access
13
11
AnyDesk
0
0

Compare of products in the category Remote Desktop Software

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Compare: Remote Desktop Software

Characteristics

License

Free Use

OS System Support

Remote Assistance

Simultaneous Connections

File Transfer

Copy/Paste

Drag and Drop

Printing

Multi Sessions

Session Recording

Audio Support

Video Support

3D

Seamless Window

Whiteboard

Access Permission

IPv6

Blank Remote Screen

H.264 Support

USB Forwarding

Chat

NAT Passthrough

Browser Access

Smartcard Authentication

Encryption

  • Proprietary
  • Proprietary
  • Proprietary
  • BSD
  • Proprietary
  • Proprietary
  • Proprietary
  • Proprietary
  • Proprietary
  • Proprietary
  • Proprietary
  • Proprietary
  • Proprietary
  • Proprietary
  • GPL
  • Proprietary
  • Proprietary
  • Proprietary
  • Proprietary
  • Proprietary
  • GPL
  • GPL
  • Proprietary
For personal
N/A
For personal and commercial
N/A
N/A
For personal and commercial
N/A
For personal and commercial
For personal
N/A
For personal
N/A
N/A
For personal and commercial
For personal
For personal
N/A
For personal
N/A
For personal and commercial
For personal and commercial
  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Linux
  • Android
  • iOS
  • FreeBSD
  • Chrome OS
  • macOS
  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Linux
  • Android
  • iOS
  • Chrome OS
  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Linux
  • Android
  • iOS
  • FreeBSD
  • Blackberry
  • Windows Mobile
  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Linux
  • Android
  • iOS
  • Windows Mobile
  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Linux
  • Windows Mobile
  • Windows
  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Linux
  • Android
  • iOS
  • Windows Mobile
  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Android
  • iOS
  • Windows Mobile
  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Linux
  • Android
  • iOS
  • FreeBSD
  • Windows Mobile
  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Linux
  • Android
  • iOS
  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Linux
  • Android
  • iOS
  • Windows Mobile
  • Chrome OS
  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Linux
  • Android
  • iOS
  • FreeBSD
  • Chrome OS
  • macOS
  • Linux
  • FreeBSD
  • Windows
  • Android
  • iOS
  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Android
  • iOS
  • FreeBSD
  • Blackberry
  • Windows Mobile
  • Chrome OS
  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Linux
  • Blackberry
  • Windows Mobile
  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Linux
  • Android
  • iOS
  • Blackberry
  • Windows Mobile
  • Chrome OS
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Android
  • iOS
  • Blackberry
  • Windows
  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Android
  • iOS
Unlimited
Unlimited
Unlimited
Unlimited
N/A
Unlimited
N/A
Unlimited
N/A
Unlimited
N/A
Unlimited
Unlimited
Unlimited
Unlimited
Unlimited
N/A
3-15
N/A
Unlimited
2-6
  • SSL
  • TLS
  • AES
  • AES-128
  • SSL
  • TLS
  • SSL
  • TLS
  • SSL
  • AES-256
  • DES-56
  • DES-168
  • Yes
  • SSL
  • AES-256
  • SSL
  • AES-256
  • SSL
  • TLS
  • Yes
  • AES-256
  • SSL
  • TLS
  • AES-256
  • SSL
  • AES-256
  • AES-256
  • AES-256
  • Yes
  • AES-256
  • AES-256
  • N/A
  • Plugin
  • SSL
  • TLS
  • AES-256
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Vendors Remote Desktop Software

Google
ARG...
  • ARG
  • AUS
  • BRA
  • CAN
  • CHL
  • CHN
  • COL
  • IDN
  • MEX
  • MYS
  • NZL
  • PER
  • PHL
  • THA
  • TWN
  • USA
Citrix
ARE...
  • ARE
  • ARG
  • AUT
  • AUS
  • BEL
  • BRA
  • CAN
  • CHL
  • CHN
  • COL
  • CZE
  • DEU
  • DNK
  • ESP
  • FIN
  • FRA
  • GBR
  • GRC
  • IDN
  • IRL
  • IND
  • ITA
  • JPN
  • KOR
  • LUX
  • MEX
  • MYS
  • NLD
  • NOR
  • PHL
  • POL
  • SWE
  • SGP
  • THA
  • TUR
  • USA
  • ZAF
IBA Group
ARE...
  • ARE
  • BGR
  • CZE
  • DEU
  • GEO
  • HRV
  • KAZ
  • LTU
  • POL
  • SVK
  • UKR
  • USA
  • ZAF
  • SRB
Apple
CAN...
  • CAN
  • GBR
  • MEX
  • SGP
  • USA
Seasia Infotech
AUS...
  • AUS
  • CAN
  • GBR
  • GHA
  • IND
  • USA
ISL Online
AUS...
  • AUS
  • BEL
  • BRA
  • CHE
  • CHL
  • COL
  • DEU
  • DNK
  • ESP
  • FRA
  • GBR
  • ISR
  • IND
  • ITA
  • JPN
  • KOR
  • LTU
  • LVA
  • MEX
  • NLD
  • PER
  • PRT
  • SGP
  • SVN
  • USA
  • VNM
TeamViewer
ARM...
  • ARM
  • DEU
  • USA