How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Rankite is independent; if a vendor ever pays for a featured spot, that listing is clearly labeled Partner.
Key takeaways
- TeamViewer and AnyDesk are the household names; Splashtop and Zoho Assist are the value picks.
- Zoho Assist has the most useful free plan: one tech with five unattended computers.
- RemotePC is priced per computer, not per tech, which makes it cheapest for accessing your own machines.
- BeyondTrust and ConnectWise ScreenConnect serve security-heavy enterprises and MSPs respectively.
The best remote support software
Remote support software lets technicians see and control a user's computer from anywhere: fixing problems, installing updates, and troubleshooting without a site visit. The category splits into attended support, where the user is present, and unattended access to machines you manage. These eight cover both, from free personal tools to enterprise platforms with audit trails.
Starting priceFrom $24.90/month
Free planYes (free for personal use)
TeamViewer is the name everyone knows: fast connections, cross-platform support, file transfer, session recording and unattended access in one package. Its ubiquity means clients already trust the brand when you send a session link.
Commercial plans start at $24.90 a month for just three managed devices, and costs climb fast. Personal use is free, but the commercial detection can flag business-looking sessions. For small IT teams, Splashtop or Zoho Assist deliver similar quality for far less. TeamViewer still makes sense where clients expect the name, since brand trust shortens the "install this remote tool" conversation.
What we like- Huge installed base and brand trust
- Works across platforms
- Attended and unattended access
Watch out for- Expensive for small teams
- Costs scale hard with devices
- Commercial detection can flag business use
Starting priceFrom ~$22.90/month (Solo)
Free planYes (free for personal use)
AnyDesk built its name on speed: the DeskRT codec keeps sessions snappy even on weak connections, and the client is tiny. It handles attended and unattended access with solid mobile support.
Note the licensing change: since October 2025 AnyDesk uses connection-based licensing with region-dependent pricing, starting around $22.90 a month for Solo in the US. It is no longer the flat-rate budget option it was. Still excellent for speed, but check the current pricing for your region before committing.
What we like- Low-latency DeskRT codec
- Lightweight install
- On-premises option available
Watch out for- Connection-based licensing since late 2025
- Region-dependent pricing
- Licensing can confuse buyers
Starting priceFrom ~$25/month
Free planNo (free trial)
Splashtop Remote Support is the value champion for IT teams: fast, high-definition connections at a fraction of TeamViewer prices, with SOS for attended on-demand support. Reviewers consistently cite strong ROI for small deployments.
Pricing runs from about $25 a month, with Remote Support plans for managed machines. There is no permanent free tier, just a trial. For support businesses with two to six techs, it is the best balance of price and quality in this guide. The newer unified platform adds endpoint management and security, which makes it a stronger long-term pick for small MSPs growing beyond pure support.
What we like- Excellent value for small teams
- Fast HD connections
- SOS for attended support
Watch out for- No true free tier
- Feature depth below TeamViewer at enterprise scale
- Per-tech pricing adds up
#4
Zoho Assist
Best for: the most useful free plan, plus Zoho ecosystem
Visit zoho.com
Starting price$10/technician/month
Free planYes (1 tech, 5 unattended computers)
Zoho Assist stands out with a free plan that actually works: one technician with five unattended computers, no trial expiry games. Paid plans start at $10 a tech a month, among the cheapest here. Integration with Zoho Desk and CRM makes it natural for Zoho shops.
Session quality is solid, though multi-monitor support lags the leaders. For freelancers, tiny IT teams and Zoho users, the free tier alone may be all you need. It is the easiest recommendation in this category. The $10 paid tier adds unlimited unattended computers and session recording, which covers most small support operations comfortably.
What we like- Genuinely useful free tier
- Integrates with Zoho Desk, CRM and Books
- Straightforward pricing
Watch out for- Multi-monitor support limited
- Smaller brand recognition
- Advanced features need paid tiers
Starting price$29.50/year (1 computer)
Free planNo (7-day free trial)
RemotePC flips the pricing model: you pay per computer, not per technician, starting at $29.50 a year for one machine. For a business owner accessing their own office PC, or a tiny team with a few machines, nothing is cheaper.
It is remote access first, help-desk second: fewer technician workflows than ScreenConnect or BeyondTrust. The interface is plain but functional. If your need is "reach my machines," buy this; if it is "support hundreds of users," look at the enterprise tools.
What we like- Priced per computer, not per tech
- Very cheap annual plans
- No-install web access
Watch out for- Geared to remote access more than help-desk support
- Fewer technician workflows
- Interface is basic
Starting priceFrom ~$27/month
Free planNo (14-day free trial)
ScreenConnect, from ConnectWise, is the MSP favorite: deep session control, remote support, remote access and meetings, with customization and integrations into the ConnectWise ecosystem. The self-hosted option appeals to security-conscious teams.
Pricing starts around $27 a month and climbs through Standard and Premium tiers. Setup takes more work than pure cloud tools. For MSPs and internal IT teams managing many endpoints, the control is worth it; for simple support, it is overkill.
What we like- Deep customization and session control
- Self-hosted option
- Strong MSP integrations
Watch out for- Pricing climbs with tiers
- Steeper setup than cloud tools
- Overkill for simple needs
Starting priceCustom quote
Free planNo
BeyondTrust, formerly Bomgar, is the security-first choice: privileged access management, detailed audit trails and compliance features for regulated industries. Session forensics and access controls go deeper than any tool here.
Pricing is quote-based and enterprise-grade; expect a significant contract. For banks, healthcare and government contractors, the compliance story justifies the cost. For everyone else, Splashtop or Zoho Assist cover the same sessions for a tenth of the price.
What we like- Enterprise-grade security and audit trails
- Privileged access management
- Compliance-ready
Watch out for- Quote-based pricing
- Expensive
- Complex for small teams
#8
LogMeIn Rescue
Best for: all-in-one remote support for support centers
Visit logmein.com
Starting priceFrom ~$30/user/month
Free planNo (14-day free trial)
LogMeIn Rescue is built for support centers: click-to-connect sessions where customers join from a link, technician collaboration, and session management for high-volume teams. GoTo's ownership brings enterprise backing.
Pricing from around $30 a user a month makes it one of the priciest here, and the interface shows its age. For dedicated support centers with established workflows, it is proven. For most teams, TeamViewer or Splashtop match the features for less.
What we like- Mature support-center workflows
- Click-to-connect sessions
- Strong session management
Watch out for- Paid only with high per-license cost
- Interface feels dated
- Cheaper alternatives match features
How to choose remote support software
First, count who supports whom. If techs support other people's machines, you need attended support with easy session links: TeamViewer, Splashtop SOS, Zoho Assist or Rescue. If you access your own machines, unattended access matters most and RemotePC's per-computer pricing wins. Many teams need both, so check that the plan you buy includes both modes.
Second, run the real math for your team size. Per-tech pricing punishes growing teams; per-computer pricing punishes large fleets. A two-tech team pays very differently across these tools than a twenty-tech team. Calculate the annual cost for your actual headcount and device count, not the headline price.
Third, check security and compliance early. Regulated industries need audit trails, session recording and access controls that only BeyondTrust and ScreenConnect fully provide. For everyone else, confirm encryption standards and two-factor authentication, then move on: the basics are table stakes now.
Fourth, test the session quality on your real network before you buy. Remote support tools perform very differently on low-bandwidth or high-latency connections, and marketing demos always run on perfect networks. Start trials with your actual support scenarios, remote users on home Wi-Fi, machines behind corporate firewalls, and see which tool holds up when conditions are bad.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best remote support software for small business?
Splashtop and Zoho Assist offer the best value for small teams: solid session quality at $10 to $25 a month per tech. Zoho Assist's free tier covers one tech with five machines. TeamViewer is the best-known brand but costs significantly more.
Is there free remote support software?
Yes. Zoho Assist offers a genuinely useful free plan with one technician and five unattended computers. TeamViewer and AnyDesk are free for personal use. Chrome Remote Desktop is completely free but lacks technician workflows like session recording and ticketing integration.
What is the difference between remote support and remote access?
Remote support connects a technician to someone else's machine to fix problems, usually attended, with session links and tools. Remote access connects you to your own machines, usually unattended, for working from anywhere. Most tools here do both, but RemotePC focuses on access while Rescue focuses on support.
How much does remote support software cost?
Per-tech plans run $10 to $40 a month: Zoho Assist at $10, Splashtop around $25, TeamViewer from $24.90, ScreenConnect from $27, Rescue around $30. RemotePC charges per computer from $29.50 a year. BeyondTrust is quote-based enterprise pricing.
Do I need unattended access?
If you manage machines that nobody sits at, servers, office PCs after hours, lab computers, then yes: unattended access lets you connect anytime without someone clicking accept. If you only support users who are present, attended sessions are enough and most plans include them. Buy unattended access only when your workflow actually needs it.
Which remote support tool is most secure?
BeyondTrust leads on security with privileged access management, audit trails and compliance features for regulated industries. ScreenConnect offers a self-hosted option for full control. All tools here use encrypted connections and support two-factor authentication as standard.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 TeamViewer | the most widely recognized remote support brand | From $24.90/month | Yes (free for personal use) |
 AnyDesk | fast, lightweight remote sessions | From ~$22.90/month (Solo) | Yes (free for personal use) |
 Splashtop | best value for IT support teams | From ~$25/month | No (free trial) |
| Zoho Assist | the most useful free plan, plus Zoho ecosystem | $10/technician/month | Yes (1 tech, 5 unattended computers) |
 RemotePC | cheapest access to your own computers | $29.50/year (1 computer) | No (7-day free trial) |
 ConnectWise ScreenConnect | MSPs and power admins needing control | From ~$27/month | No (14-day free trial) |
 BeyondTrust | strict security and compliance requirements | Custom quote | No |
| LogMeIn Rescue | all-in-one remote support for support centers | From ~$30/user/month | No (14-day free trial) |
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Sources we checked (7)
- http://sonary.com/remote-desktop/
- https://ifeeltech.com/blog/best-teamviewer-alternatives-small-business
- https://www.channelinsider.com/tech-companies/top-remote-desktop-software-vendors/
- https://thedigitalprojectmanager.com/tools/best-zoho-assist-alternatives/
- https://www.zoho.com/assist/articles/top-remote-support-software-for-it-teams.html
- https://www.splashtop.com/blog/compare-remote-access-software
- https://www.trustradius.com/compare-products/connectwise-screenconnect-vs-remotepc
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has spent more than a decade helping SaaS and e-commerce brands grow through search. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.