AnyDesk bills itself as “the fast remote desktop application” and calls on its website’s visitors to “re-imagine remote access.” However, it’s not the only remote access software on the market. This begs the question: What is AnyDesk used for, and is it the best choice for my business?
So, it’s time to explore the pros and cons of AnyDesk, its features, and how it compares to competitors like Splashtop. Let’s begin.
What is AnyDesk?
AnyDesk is a remote access and support solution that lets users access and control their computers remotely. Like many remote access platforms, it provides cross-platform access and control via computers, smartphones, and tablets, which enables users to connect to their work computers when working remotely or on the go. This has made it a choice for remote workers and IT support teams, as it enables access to remote devices.
How Does AnyDesk Work?
At a basic level, AnyDesk works by creating a remote session between two devices through the AnyDesk client. One user runs or installs the application on their device, and the remote device is identified by a unique AnyDesk ID or a custom alias.
The typical workflow looks like this:
A user installs or launches the AnyDesk client: The software runs on the local and remote devices involved in the session. Depending on the use case, this may be a one-time support session or part of an ongoing remote access setup.
The remote device is identified by an AnyDesk ID or alias: Each endpoint has a unique identifier. This gives the connecting user a specific destination to enter when starting a session.
A remote user enters the ID to request access: The person initiating the connection types in the target device’s AnyDesk ID or alias and sends a session request.
The receiving user approves the connection: In an attended session, the person at the remote device typically sees a prompt and can grant or deny access. They may also control what permissions are allowed, such as screen viewing, keyboard and mouse control, file transfer, or clipboard access.
The remote session begins: Once approved, the connecting user can interact with the remote system based on the permissions granted. This is how IT teams troubleshoot issues, employees access office computers, or admins manage remote systems.
For unattended access, the workflow is slightly different. Admins or authorized users can configure access credentials in advance so approved users can connect without someone needing to accept the session each time. In business environments, this is often used for server management, after-hours support, and access to assigned workstations.
What Is AnyDesk Used For?
As a remote access and support solution, AnyDesk has several uses that make it appealing to businesses in multiple industries. These include:
IT support: Remote support software enables IT support agents to connect to end-user devices from anywhere, on their devices of choice, making it easy to provide support, troubleshooting, and maintenance when working remotely or supporting remote workers.
Remote work: Remote access tools help remote and hybrid workers connect to their work computers and specialized tools from their preferred devices.
Collaboration: Remote access enables multiple users to connect to the same device, allowing for secure remote collaboration on projects.
Server administration: Remote access makes it easy for administrators to manage access to their servers, thus improving security.
Remote training: Remote access can also be a powerful training tool, as it allows new employees to receive hands-on training from anywhere and on any device.
Key AnyDesk Features
AnyDesk includes a set of core remote desktop features designed for remote access, remote support, and basic collaboration. For IT teams and businesses evaluating the platform, it helps to look at these features in terms of day-to-day support workflows, device access needs, and administrative control.
Common AnyDesk features include:
Remote desktop control: Lets users connect to and control another computer over the internet. This is the core function for remote work, troubleshooting, and offsite support.
File transfer: Supports moving files between local and remote devices during a session, which can be useful for sending logs, installers, documents, or patches.
Unattended access: Allows authorized users to connect to a device when no one is physically present at the remote machine. This is commonly used for managed endpoints, servers, and after-hours IT maintenance.
Cross-platform access: AnyDesk is used across major platforms, making it possible to connect between different operating systems depending on the deployment scenario.
Address book: Helps users organize saved devices and contacts, which can simplify repeat connections for support teams or users accessing the same systems regularly.
Remote printing: In supported workflows, users can print documents from a remote session to a local printer.
Session recording: Lets organizations keep a record of remote sessions for documentation, internal review, or audit-related processes.
Permission controls: Admins or users can limit what a remote party is allowed to do during a session, such as controlling the keyboard and mouse or transferring files.
Collaboration tools: Depending on the use case, AnyDesk can support shared sessions and communication features that help technicians and end users work through issues together.
Is AnyDesk Free?
Yes, AnyDesk does offer a free option, but it is intended for personal use only. That can make it a workable choice for individual users who need occasional remote access to a home PC or want to help a friend or family member with a simple support issue.
For professional, commercial, or business use, AnyDesk requires a paid plan. This distinction matters for IT teams, support organizations, and businesses evaluating remote access tools for ongoing operations, since business use typically requires licensing, administrative controls, and support features that go beyond casual use.
The free version can be useful for light, non-commercial scenarios, but the AnyDesk free version comes with limitations that may affect reliability and manageability in a business environment, including:
Use restricted to personal, non-commercial purposes
Fewer business-oriented administrative and management capabilities
Limited suitability for standardized IT support workflows
Constraints that make it less practical for teams managing multiple users or devices
In practice, the free plan is best viewed as a basic entry point rather than a long-term option for organizations. If a business needs consistent remote support, unattended access across multiple endpoints, centralized oversight, or broader operational control, a paid plan is typically necessary.
AnyDesk Pricing: How Much Does AnyDesk Cost?
AnyDesk offers a free version for personal use, but business users need a paid plan. Its main paid plans include Solo, Standard, Advanced, and Ultimate.
Current listed pricing includes:
Solo: $28.90/month, billed annually
Standard: $49.90/month, billed annually
Advanced: $111.90/month, billed annually
Ultimate: Custom pricing
AnyDesk’s pricing has also increased in recent years. For example, in the last few years the price of the Solo plan has increased by about 94%, while the price of the Standard plan has increased by about 118%.
Is AnyDesk Secure? Exploring Potential Security Risks
Cybersecurity remains a top priority for many businesses, so it’s vital to find a secure remote access solution – the goal is to let users connect to their devices easily, not to let hackers and other bad actors in.
While AnyDesk does include many security features, such as single sign-on (SSO), two-factor authentication, and Identity and Access Management (IAM), it has experienced security breaches in the past. In February 2024, it suffered a cyberattack that resulted in thousands of credentials being stolen and sold on the dark web. While this was addressed as quickly as possible, the AnyDesk vulnerability is still important to be aware of.
Additionally, AnyDesk scams have been a recurring threat, as hackers and scammers have exploited it for phishing campaigns.
Pros and Cons of AnyDesk
While AnyDesk does have many strengths, it also has several weaknesses that need to be considered. Understanding both is important to making an informed purchasing decision.
With AnyDesk, users can connect to their devices and work remotely. It includes features such as file transfer, remote printing, Wake-on-LAN, session recording, multi-factor authentication, and more.
However, there are also some downsides. AnyDesk users have reported concerns such as buggy performance, security risks, difficulty canceling, and a general lack of transparency from the company. While the free version may be tempting, its lack of features means users will only get the bare minimum functionality out of it and may want to invest in a more powerful solution.
AnyDesk Limitations for Business Use
AnyDesk can be useful for remote desktop access and remote support, but businesses should evaluate whether it fits the way their teams manage users, devices, security, and support workflows at scale.
Here are a few areas to consider:
Pricing and plan requirements can become more complex as teams grow: A plan that fits a small team may need to be reevaluated as the organization adds users, concurrent sessions, managed devices, or business features.
Security depends on consistent configuration and usage: Any remote access tool should be configured with strong authentication, permission controls, access policies, and user training. If employees grant access too broadly or admins do not enforce consistent settings, risk increases.
Administrative needs vary by organization: Businesses with multiple technicians, departments, or locations should confirm whether their plan includes the user management, permission controls, role oversight, and account administration they need.
Audit and support requirements may become more important at scale: IT teams may need detailed session visibility, consistent recording policies, clear accountability, and support workflows that align with internal policies or compliance expectations.
Remote support may require more than remote desktop access: Some teams need more than the ability to connect to a device. They may need structured technician workflows, attended and unattended support options, service desk processes, and centralized controls for day-to-day help desk operations.
Endpoint management may be a separate requirement: Businesses that also need visibility into device health, patch status, software inventory, alerts, or remediation may need endpoint management capabilities in addition to remote access.
In practice, AnyDesk may not be the best fit when an organization wants to standardize remote work access, IT support, and endpoint management under a broader operational workflow. That is often when IT decision-makers start comparing alternatives based on administration, security controls, support processes, endpoint visibility, and long-term cost predictability.
When Should You Consider an AnyDesk Alternative?
Teams and businesses should consider AnyDesk alternatives when remote access becomes part of a broader IT workflow.
That usually happens when teams need more than the ability to connect to a device. They may need stronger administration, more predictable costs, better support workflows, or endpoint management capabilities that help IT teams keep distributed devices secure and operational.
You may want to compare AnyDesk alternatives if:
Your IT team supports employees, customers, or managed devices across multiple locations.
You need centralized control over users, devices, permissions, and technician access.
You want clearer visibility into support activity, session history, and remote access usage.
Your organization needs both attended support and unattended access for day-to-day IT operations.
Pricing becomes harder to predict as you add users, sessions, managed devices, or business features.
You want remote access and endpoint management capabilities in a more unified workflow.
Your team needs visibility into device health, patch status, software inventory, alerts, or remediation.
How Splashtop Outperforms AnyDesk in Performance, Security, and Cost
If you’re considering investing in a powerful remote access solution, then you'll want the best AnyDesk alternative. When you compare the reviews, features, pricing, support, and more, one name stands out above the rest: Splashtop.
Splashtop’s remote access and support solutions enable quick, seamless, and strong remote connectivity from any device, anywhere, empowering teams, employees, and IT agents to work efficiently while on the go. Splashtop consistently receives high praise from users, thanks to its reliability, high performance, and customer support, making it a popular choice (and for good reason).
Splashtop is also designed with security in mind and has a wide array of advanced security features, including multi-factor authentication, session idle timeout, remote connection notifications, intrusion detection and defense mechanisms, and more. As a result, Splashtop is fully compliant with a broad range of standards and regulations, including ISO/IEC 27001, SOC 2, GDPR, and more, making it a secure choice for businesses across industries.
As for the cost, Splashtop is one of the most price-effective solutions on the market. Splashtop offers the same top features and industry-leading performance at a fraction of the cost of AnyDesk. See our Splashtop vs AnyDesk pricing comparison.
Why Users Prefer Splashtop Over AnyDesk: Insights from Real Customers
Of course, comparing features and prices is all well and good, but what matters most is what the customers are saying.
When you look at the reviews, Splashtop consistently receives high customer ratings, with an average of 4.7 out of 5 on Capterra, Trustpilot, and Gartner Peer Insights, scoring higher than AnyDesk.
Users love Splashtop, praising it for its ease of use, features, efficiency, customer support, and affordability. Those who have switched from AnyDesk to Splashtop highly recommend it. So, why download AnyDesk when Splashtop can do it all?
Looking for a Safer & More Affordable Remote Access Solution? Get Started with Splashtop Today!
When you want a reliable, affordable, and efficient remote access solution, the choice is clear. Splashtop provides unparalleled remote access features and a user-friendly interface, backed up by an incredible customer support team and available at a price affordable to any business.
With Splashtop, your employees can access their remote devices wherever they go, whether they’re working from a laptop at home, a smartphone at the coffee shop, or a tablet at the airport. IT support agents can remotely access end-user devices, making remote troubleshooting as easy as in-person support. This makes it easy for employees across an organization to work and collaborate on projects anytime, anywhere.
Ready to experience Splashtop for yourself? Get started with a free trial today.
