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Chrome Remote Desktop alternatives · Remote Desktop

Open-source alternatives to Chrome Remote Desktop

Chrome Remote Desktop is not described as open source on its own site. 9 of the 35 other remote desktop apps in this directory are open source, according to their own sites.

Chrome Remote Desktop is free to use. All of them are free or have a free plan.

9 tools · Listings checked up to Nov 12, 2026 · Where the facts come from

How each one differs from Chrome Remote Desktop

  1. RustDesk

    Open-source remote desktop you can run on your own server

    • RustDesk starts at $11.88 per month, billed annually (Individual Server Pro, self-hosted). Chrome Remote Desktop is free.
    • Only Chrome Remote Desktop lists a browser extension.
    • RustDesk is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    RustDesk vs Chrome Remote DesktopRustDesk pricing and details

  2. Moonlight

    Open-source client for streaming PC games to other devices

    • Moonlight is free. Chrome Remote Desktop is free.
    • Only Chrome Remote Desktop lists a web app.
    • Only Chrome Remote Desktop lists a browser extension.
    • Moonlight is open source, according to its own site.
    Moonlight vs Chrome Remote DesktopMoonlight pricing and details

  3. UltraVNC

    Free open-source VNC remote control for Windows computers

    • UltraVNC is free. Chrome Remote Desktop is free.
    • Only Chrome Remote Desktop lists a web app.
    • Only Chrome Remote Desktop lists macOS, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
    • Only Chrome Remote Desktop lists a browser extension.
    UltraVNC pricing and details

  4. TightVNC

    Free VNC remote desktop for Windows, with paid Pro encryption

    • TightVNC starts at $12 per year per user license (Pro); $1 / month, billed once a year. Chrome Remote Desktop is free.
    • Only Chrome Remote Desktop lists a web app.
    • Only Chrome Remote Desktop lists macOS, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
    • Only Chrome Remote Desktop lists a browser extension.
    TightVNC pricing and details

  5. mRemoteNG

    Free tabbed connection manager for RDP, VNC and SSH on Windows

    • mRemoteNG is free. Chrome Remote Desktop is free.
    • Only Chrome Remote Desktop lists a web app.
    • Only Chrome Remote Desktop lists macOS, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
    • Only Chrome Remote Desktop lists a browser extension.
    mRemoteNG pricing and details

  6. Remmina

    Free Linux remote desktop client for RDP, VNC and SSH

    • Remmina is free. Chrome Remote Desktop is free.
    • Only Chrome Remote Desktop lists a web app.
    • Only Chrome Remote Desktop lists Windows, macOS, iOS and Android apps.
    • Only Chrome Remote Desktop lists a browser extension.
    Remmina pricing and details

  7. Apache Guacamole

    Open-source clientless remote desktop gateway

    • Apache Guacamole is free. Chrome Remote Desktop is free.
    • Only Chrome Remote Desktop lists Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
    • Only Chrome Remote Desktop lists a browser extension.
    • Apache Guacamole is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    Apache Guacamole pricing and details

  8. MeshCentral

    Self-hosted open-source remote device management site

    • MeshCentral is free. Chrome Remote Desktop is free.
    • Only Chrome Remote Desktop lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Only Chrome Remote Desktop lists a browser extension.
    • MeshCentral is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    MeshCentral pricing and details

  9. Tailscale

    Private network that links your devices, servers and teams

    • Tailscale starts at $8 per user / month. Chrome Remote Desktop is free.
    • Only Chrome Remote Desktop lists a web app.
    • Only Chrome Remote Desktop lists a browser extension.
    • Tailscale is open source and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    Tailscale pricing and details

Common questions

Is there an open-source alternative to Chrome Remote Desktop?

Yes. RustDesk, Moonlight, UltraVNC, TightVNC, mRemoteNG, Remmina, Apache Guacamole, MeshCentral and 1 more are open source, according to their own sites.

Is Chrome Remote Desktop open source?

Chrome Remote Desktop is not described as open source on its own site. The listing was checked on Oct 18, 2026 against the pages it cites.

When was this checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 18, 2026 to Nov 12, 2026. Vendors change prices and plans without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and the order is how close each is to Chrome Remote Desktop: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.