SilkRemote
TeamViewer is the household name in remote access, and for good reason: it runs on nearly every platform and has an enormous feature list. But plenty of people go looking for alternatives. Some personal users get flagged by its commercial-use detection, some find the interface heavy for simple tasks, and others simply want something smoother for everyday use of their own computers rather than IT support.
We tested eight alternatives and ranked them for people who mainly want to reach their own Mac or PC from another device.
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Free plan | Platforms | Standout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SilkRemote | Using your own computer from any screen | Yes, on your local network | Host: Mac, Windows (beta). Client: any browser, Android | 120 fps, end-to-end encrypted, no ads |
| AnyDesk | Lightweight general access | Personal use | Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android | Quick, small client |
| RustDesk | Self-hosting and open source | Yes, open source | Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android | Own your server |
| Splashtop | Business remote access | Check current plans | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, more | Mature business suite |
| Chrome Remote Desktop | Free occasional access | Yes | Windows, Mac, Linux, browser, mobile | Browser-based |
| Zoho Assist | Help desk support | Limited free plan | Web console, Windows, Mac, Linux, mobile | Support workflows |
| Parsec | Gaming and low latency | Personal use | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android | Gaming-grade speed |
| Jump Desktop | Mac and PC power users | Paid apps | Mac, Windows, iOS, Android | RDP, VNC and Fluid |
1. SilkRemote: best TeamViewer alternative for personal and small-team use
If your main use for TeamViewer is getting to your own computer from your laptop, tablet or phone, SilkRemote is a more focused tool that does that one job extremely well. It streams at up to 120 fps and up to 2560x1440 at around 40 Mbps, and on a local network capture-to-screen latency is about 17 ms. On Mac it creates a 120 Hz virtual display, so motion stays fluid even on high refresh iPads.
There is no commercial-use detection to worry about because pricing is plain: free forever on your local network, and Pro at $6/month or $49/year adds access from anywhere, with a $129 Founder lifetime option and a 14-day free Pro trial. There are no ads. Every session is end-to-end encrypted (ECDH P-256 key exchange with AES-256-GCM), so even SilkRemote's relay cannot see your screen, and only devices you have paired by QR code or one-time code can connect.
Connecting is light too. The client is any modern browser, including Safari 17+ on iPhone and iPad, and it can be installed to your home screen. Android has a native app that also works great with Samsung DeX.
SilkRemote is not a full TeamViewer replacement for IT departments. There is no unattended multi-user admin console yet, no Linux host, the Windows host is in beta, and there is no native iPhone app yet. But for individuals and small teams it is the smoothest and simplest swap.
Pros: 120 fps, very low latency, end-to-end encryption, clear pricing, browser client. Cons: Not an IT management platform, Windows host in beta.
2. AnyDesk
AnyDesk is the most common like-for-like TeamViewer replacement. It is light, quick to connect with an ID, and available on every major platform, with a free tier for personal use and paid plans for business.
Pros: Familiar workflow, fast, cross-platform. Cons: Free tier is personal-only, and the experience is aimed at general access rather than high frame rate streaming.
3. RustDesk
RustDesk offers a TeamViewer-style experience in an open-source package. You can use its public infrastructure or self-host the relay and rendezvous servers so connections never depend on a third party.
Pros: Free, open source, self-hostable. Cons: Running your own server takes skill and upkeep, and polish varies by platform.
4. Splashtop
Splashtop covers remote access, remote support and management for businesses and schools. If you use TeamViewer professionally and want a similar breadth of features, it is worth a trial.
Pros: Broad, mature business features. Cons: Oriented toward organizations; check current pricing.
5. Chrome Remote Desktop
For occasional access, Chrome Remote Desktop is free and runs in a browser. It also has a one-time support code flow for helping someone.
Pros: Free, easy, no commercial-use flags. Cons: Needs a Google account, basic features, not built for smooth high frame rate video.
6. Zoho Assist
Zoho Assist is a remote support tool built for help desks, with attended and unattended sessions run from a web console. It has a limited free plan and paid plans for growing teams.
Pros: Strong support workflows, browser-based technician console. Cons: Designed for supporting others rather than using your own machine all day.
7. Parsec
Parsec is built for low-latency gaming and is excellent for fast-moving content on Windows and Mac hosts. It is free for personal use.
Pros: Very responsive. Cons: No official iPhone or iPad app, gaming-first feature set.
8. Jump Desktop
Jump Desktop combines its own Fluid protocol with support for RDP and VNC, making it a capable client for people with Macs and Windows PCs.
Pros: Polished, flexible protocol support. Cons: Paid apps, and you need a native client on each device.
What to look for in a TeamViewer alternative
Start with how you actually use TeamViewer. If you support many unrelated customers, you need a support-focused tool like Zoho Assist or Splashtop. If you mostly reach your own computers, prioritize smoothness, security defaults and simple pricing. Our AnyDesk alternatives roundup covers the same ground from a different angle, and our secure remote desktop guide explains what end-to-end encryption really protects.
Verdict
For anyone who uses TeamViewer to reach their own computers, SilkRemote is the best alternative in 2026. It is faster and smoother, encrypts every session end to end, and its pricing is clear with no commercial-use surprises. Try it free on your local network, then add Pro for access from anywhere. Download SilkRemote or view pricing.