Alternatives · Remote Desktop
Shells alternatives
As of Nov 13, 2026, the highest-graded Shells alternative is Vagon (2.2 GPA).
Shells compared with 5 alternatives: Paperspace, Vagon, Shadow PC, Cameyo and Apporto.
Shells is a paid product, starting at $14.95 per month, billed monthly. None of the alternatives has a free plan. One more offers a free trial.
Listings checked up to Nov 13, 2026 · Where the facts come from
Black Friday: is there a Shells sale?
At a glance
Price against what you get
Shells starts at $14.95 a month and scores 2.7 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. None of the 3 alternatives on this chart both scores higher and starts lower.
Vagon starts lower without scoring higher.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
How each one differs from Shells
Paperspace
Cloud desktops and GPU machines you rent by the hour or month
- Paperspace starts at $22 per month for the Air desktop; hourly machines from $0.0045 per hour.
- Paperspace also lists Windows, macOS and Linux apps.
- Paperspace lists no iOS and Android apps, which Shells has.
- Paperspace also covers AI agents.
- Paperspace does not cover file sync, which Shells does.
Suits: Running a Windows desktop with a GPU for CAD or rendering
Vagon
Cloud workstations with GPUs, billed by the minute
- Vagon starts at $7.99 per month for storage, plus usage from $0.25 per hour.
- Vagon lists no iOS and Android apps, which Shells has.
- Vagon also covers AI agents and file sharing.
- Vagon does not cover file sync, which Shells does.
Suits: Occasional heavy rendering, editing or CAD without owning a workstation
Shadow PC
A full Windows PC in the cloud for gaming and creative work
- Shadow PC starts at $29.99 per month, no commitment.
- Shadow PC also lists Windows, macOS and Linux apps.
- Shadow PC also covers AI agents.
- Shadow PC does not cover file sync, which Shells does.
Suits: Playing PC games on a Mac, Chromebook or phone
Cameyo
Virtual app delivery that serves Windows apps as web apps
- Cameyo lists no iOS and Android apps, which Shells has.
- Cameyo also covers file sharing.
- Cameyo does not cover file sync, which Shells does.
Suits: IT teams moving legacy Windows apps to a browser-first setup
Apporto
Browser-based virtual desktops and computer labs for work and schools
- Apporto lists no iOS and Android apps, which Shells has.
- Apporto does not cover file sync, which Shells does.
Suits: Universities that want virtual computer labs reachable from any device
Limits worth knowing in Shells
- No free plan or free trial is listed on the pricing page.
- The entry plan has 2 GB of memory and 1 processor, which is light for heavy applications.
- Yearly prices were not readable in the page text; only the percentage saving is shown.
- The homepage says plans start at $5 a month, but the pricing page lists $14.95 as the lowest plan.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Shells?
The alternatives to Shells in this directory are Paperspace, Vagon, Shadow PC, Cameyo and Apporto. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Shells.
Is there a free alternative to Shells?
None of the alternatives listed here has a free plan. Vagon offers a free trial.
Which Shells alternatives work on Windows?
The Shells listing does not include a Windows app. Paperspace and Shadow PC list one.
Which Shells alternatives work on macOS?
The Shells listing does not include a macOS app. Paperspace and Shadow PC list one.
When were these prices checked?
Every listing on this page was checked on Nov 13, 2026, against the pages it cites. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.