Remote Desktop clients/software lets you remotely view and control a computer from another. Distance is not a factor here. You can remotely control a computer in Seoul or Ankara from Kampala or anywhere else in the world and vice versa as if it were right in front of you. But for this wizardry can go down, you first need to install some software on both the Host (a computer you are remotely controlling) and the Client (you).
- Once the extension is added, return to the Chrome Remote Desktop window, and select the Download arrow again. This time, it will download the Remote Desktop Client software. Once downloaded, select Accept & Install. For Open download, select Yes. Double click the Chrome Remote Desktop Host. In the installer, select Continue.
- Download Supremo now. The fast and easy-to-use remote desktop software. Free for personal use.
Chrome remote desktop. Chrome remote desktop. Get remote support for your computer, or give remote support to someone else. LogMeIn for Mac is a the best remote desktop app for Mac users of all abilities and needs. LogMeIn for Mac offers specific tools for individuals, small businesses, IT professionals and help desk technicians and is the best on the market when it comes to enterprise remote desktop support.
Most operating systems have a native Remote Desktop client already installed. Among these you will find Windows Remote Desktop on Windows machines, Remmina on Linux distros, and Mac’s Screen Sharing feature which is essentially just another Remote Desktop client.
Of these, only Windows Remote Desktop can claim to be multi-platform. It works just as well on Macs and is free to download from the iTunes store. It’s also one way to remotely connect a Mac to a Windows machine. Be sure to check these clients out before venturing further.
There is literally hundreds of Remote Desktop software out there, many free and just as many paid clients. The criteria we used to zero down these 5 Remote Desktop software boils down to which ones support all three operating systems at the same time. That’s like looking for a needle in a haystack. But we do love a challenge. This is what we have come up with:
Remote Desktop software for Windows, Mac & Linux
TeamViewer
Teamviewer is hands down the most popular Remote Desktop client for remote support and remote management. No expert computer knowledge is required which makes it the perfect tool for most users. Setting up is as easy as ABC. All you need to do is download the app both ends, after which you log in using your partner’s ID and password. Teamviewer supports most platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Blackberry, name it.
They have a full version with a ton of features for power users such as file transfer, collaboration, online meetings, video and voice calls, chat, Wake-on-LAN and more. From our observations through the free home version is adequate for your old-fashioned Remote Desktop needs.
NoMachine
NoMachine is another free Remote Desktop client which is a truly multi-platform built around NX technology, a proprietary compression protocol for remote computer access. Supported platforms include Windows, Linux, Mac, Android, iOS, Raspberry Pi, and even ARM. NoMachine has perhaps has the most beautiful user interface of all the Remote Desktop clients we have seen. Feature-wise, it goes head-to-head with Teamviewer that we are torn choosing which one we like more. NoMachine
NoMachine lets you securely troubleshoot problems, collaborate with others on projects, share files, and even record what you are doing. You can remotely access your software and also peripheral devices such as printers, scanners, flash drives and others and even print documents or do it on a local device.
Enterprise clients can make use of NoMachine’s Cloud and Terminal Servers to fast track productivity. Corporations, scientific and research organisations privately and securely store their sensitive data on the cloud with centralised remote access management.
AnyDesk
AnyDesk follows the same script as NoMachine and Teamviewer down to the multi-platform-ness. The remote desktop client works on Linux, Windows, Mac OS, FreeBSD, Android and iOS. one, you can comfortably run a desktop app or even a portable version on a flash drive. You get the usual Banking-standard TLS 1.2 encryption technology, real-time collaboration, built-in file transfer, recording sessions and what not.
AnyDesk’s claim to fame is how lightweight it is and its data-saving features. The setup file is only 2MB, believe it or not. AnyDesk also uses its own proprietary software, DeskRT, that compresses images to reduce latency while transferring up to 60fps on any network. Moreover, AnyDesk claims excellent bandwidth efficiency. It would still work at about a bandwidth as low as 100 kbps.
Chrome Remote Desktop
Remote Desktop clients don’t get any easier than Chrome Remote Desktop. Google made it an extension you download from the Chrome Webstore that lets you remotely access any other computer running Google Chrome. It runs entirely within the browser and it’s fully multi-platform in case you were wondering. It just works.
On the downside, Chrome Remote Desktop doesn’t yet support file sharing or chatting like the other clients. The best you can do is remote support and management. If that’s what you wanted to do anyway, let’s no reason why you can’t use it. It beats having to install yet another software on your system.
VNC Connect
Last on our list is Real VNC’s VNC Connect (Client-side). As with the other Remote Desktops, a companion VNC Viewer (Host-side) has to be installed. Unlike the other Remote Desktop clients, Real VNC chose to split their software two ways. It can be a bit confusing. VNC Connect/Viewer supports Windows, Mac, Linux, Raspberry Pi, Solaris, HP-UX and AIX.
The home use version is limited to 5 remote computers and 3 users. VNC Connect doesn’t offer as many features as other Remote Desktop clients. The real magic starts happening when you go Pro and Enterprise. You get Team management capabilities and a dedicated support channel, Multi-factor and system authentication, printing, file transfer, chat and even more features once you go Enterprise.
Featured image: crackedable.com
Related
Remote Desktop goes preinstalled with every modern Windows version. All you need to do is to use search in the Start Menu and launch Remote Desktop Connection App. Things are a bit different if you have a Mac or iPad. Obviously, there is no Microsoft Desktop Connection application preinstalled on Mac or iPad, and Apple does not provide built-in remote connection tools. Luckily Microsoft got your back. If you want to use Remote Desktop Connection on Mac or iPad, all you need to do is simply download the Application and set up Remote Desktop Connection. This article is about to show you how to do everything right.
One thing to note: we suppose the Desktop you are trying to connect to is already properly set for a Remote Connection. How to enable remote desktop connections to your Windows PC is a topic of a completely different article. Do note that by default Windows has remote connection disabled and you need to manually enable and configure it.
How to Use Windows Remote Desktop on Mac?
- First, you need to download the application form the Mac App Store. Simply open App store and search for “Remote Desktop Connection”. This application is completely free and has no ads. Thanks, Microsoft!
- Open Remote Desktop. It will greet you with a big blue button Add Desktop. It will disappear after you add the first desktop. Next time press the button with a plus mark at the bottom of the window. From the drop-down menu select Desktop. A new dialog window will pop on asking you for Desktop details. Now you need to enter Desktop details you want to connect to.
- Type Desktop IP address into the PC Name field. If you do not know which IP to use do the following thing: press Win + R on your Windows PC and type cmd. Press Enter and type in ipconfig command. Locate IPv4 Address. This is the IP address you need to type in the PC Name field.
- From the User account drop-down menu, you can select Ask me every time or Add a user account. If you leave the first option, then Remote Desktop will ask for credentials every time you try to connect. In the second case, you can save username and password in order not to enter this information every time.
- Friendly name field helps you to keep your Remote Desktop connections list tidy. If you leave it blank, then the app will use the IP address as a default name.
- Click Add and open the connection you have saved.
- Enter Username and Password. An important thing to know: if a Windows user uses a PIN code to log in instead of Microsoft Account password, then you need to enter Microsoft Account password. Authentication using PIN code won’t work. Also, username should be Microsoft Account email address, not something like Johnny McJohnnyface.
- You are in.
How to Use Microsoft Remote Desktop on iPad?
The main idea is the same except for the user interface and some options. We will lead you through the process of setting up an iPad Windows Remote Desktop Connection.
Did you know? Windows Remote Desktop app on iPad allows you to transform your iPad into an almost fully-functional Windows 10 tablet with full touch input and native screen resolution support. Just make sure you have a decent Internet connection.
- Open App Store on your iPad and search for Microsoft Remote Desktop. Again, this app is completely free.
- Open RD Client on your home screen (RD Client stands for Remote Desktop Client).
- Press the little plus button at the top-right corner of the screen.
- Select Desktop. On the next window tap PC Name and enter the IP Address.
- You can leave the User Account option blank. Remote Desktop client will ask you for credentials when you run a connection. If you want to save username and password tap User Account and type in all the necessary information.
- Tap Additional Options. This menu allows you to roam device sounds from a Desktop to your iPad, set friendly name, swap mouse buttons or enable admin mode.
- Tap the desktop you have set up.
- Wait for the connection to initialize and enter your credentials.
- Done.
Here are a few things to know about using Remote Desktop Connection on iPad. As we mentioned before this app is a nice way to transform your iPad into a Windows 10 tablet. Remote Desktop app allows you to control remote computer using two methods. Tap the button with three lines at the top of the screen and look to the right of the screen.
By default, the Remote Desktop app uses the Mouse Pointer input method. This method works like a touchpad. Just move your finger on the screen to move a cursor. Tap the screen with one finger to make a left-click and use two fingers to simulate right-click.
If you want to switch to the touch mode, click Mouse Pointer button (it will turn to Touch). Now you have a Windows 10 tablet inside the iPad body.
Remote Desktop From Pc To Mac
Screen resolution is another thing to note. As you probably know, iPad has a nice Retina display with a decent resolution, but by the default Remote Desktop app on iPad scales down screen resolution to pathetic 1024×768. This option is fine if you have a slow Internet connection or weak performance. The downside is obvious—pixelated picture. Luckily you can switch no native iPad resolution.
Mac Remote Desktop 10
- Return to the main menu and press the button with a gear wheel icon at the top-left corner.
- Tap Display Resolution.
- Select Match This Device or use Custom.
- The best option is to use native resolution, but if the PC has problems with performance or can’t provide high-resolution picture—use default or custom option.