TeamViewer vs Unified Remote (2026): which should you pick?

Pick TeamViewer if

• Fits if you're the one the family calls when the computer plays up
• Works for help desks already running ServiceNow, Jira or Intune that can pay $619.99 a year or more

Look elsewhere if

• Pricey if you're a one-person IT shop, as Business is $619.99 a year for one user
• Skip it if you need to control iPhones or iPads, which only share their screen, and phones need a paid add-on
• Not for you if your use is really work and you want it free, as the free version is personal only
• Tight if you need more than one connection at a time, which Business doesn't allow
• Watch out: prices change by visitor location, and the Remote Access, Premium and Corporate prices couldn't be read in dollars

Pick Unified Remote if

• Fits if you control a media or presentation PC from across the room
• Works for people who would rather pay once than subscribe

Look elsewhere if

• Tight if you want it away from home, since mobile data means configuring your router
• Pricey if you use both iOS and Android, as Full is $4.99 for each platform
• Watch out: Screen Viewer, custom remotes and more than 40 remotes need Full
• Watch out: the phone app can't work alone, so a server must run on the computer

TeamViewer

• TeamViewer's website shows prices by visitor location and could not be read in US dollars; Remote Access, Premium and Corporate prices are missing here.
• The free version is for personal use only; any business or work use needs a paid licence, which TeamViewer offers to trial for 14 days.
• Licences are billed yearly and cap the number of managed devices and simultaneous connections, e.g. one connection at a time on Business.
• Supporting phones and tablets is a paid add-on; for iPhones and iPads it is screen sharing rather than control.

Unified Remote

• By default it works only on the local network; using it over mobile data means configuring your router.
• The Full version is bought separately for each platform, so Android and iOS cost $4.99 each.
• The FAQ says controlling another Android or iOS device from the phone is not supported, and Chrome OS is not supported.
• A server program must be installed on the computer; the phone app cannot control a computer on its own.

TeamViewer

Attended and unattended access

Connect to any number of devices when someone at the other end accepts, or to a set number of managed devices without anyone present, depending on the licence.

File transfer and remote printing

Send and queue files between devices and print documents from the remote computer to your local printer.

Wake-on-LAN and black screen

Power on a remote computer, block local keyboard and mouse input, and black out its screen while you work on it.

Session recording and switch sides

Record and replay sessions, and swap who controls whom during a session. Custom branding of support sessions comes with paid licences.

TeamViewer AI

Business includes 25 AI credits a month, one per support session, for AI-guided troubleshooting and written session summaries.

Mobile device support add-on

An add-on to reach and support Android devices and share the screen of iPhones and iPads, alongside desktop-to-desktop connections.

Unified Remote

Mouse and keyboard

The phone works as a single or multi-touch mouse and a keyboard, including third-party keyboards and modifier keys such as Ctrl and Alt.

Per-program remotes

The vendor lists 100+ remotes for media players, presentations and other desktop programs; 18 are free and 40+ more unlock with the Full version.

Screen Viewer

Part of the Full version: shows the computer screen on the phone. The vendor lists it as working with Windows, Mac, Android and iOS.

Wake on LAN and power

A Power remote can turn off, lock or wake a computer using Wake on LAN.

Custom remotes

The Full version lets you create and use custom remotes, and the vendor has a developers page for writing them.

Password protection and encryption

Both are in the free app. The FAQ advises turning them on if you open the server to the internet to use it over mobile data.

TeamViewer

• Free (personal use)$0

  For non-commercial use only: remote help for friends and family and access to your own computers, phones and tablets.

• Business$619.99

  per year, as an in-app purchase in the iOS app

  One licensed user, one connection at a time and up to 200 managed devices, with 25 AI credits a month. Price read on the US App Store.

Unified Remote

• Free$0

  18 essential remotes, mouse and keyboard input, Wake on LAN and power control, password protection and encryption.

• Full$4.99

  one-time, per platform (iOS and Android bought separately)

  40+ extra remotes, custom remotes, Screen Viewer, and widgets, voice, NFC and Siri Shortcuts.

TeamViewer

• Nonprofit

  30% off for nonprofits and education

  Registered nonprofit and educational organizations that apply through TeamViewer's form get a 30% discount.

Unified Remote

No public discounts listed.