SilkRemote
Small businesses need remote access for everyday reasons: the owner wants to reach the office Mac from home, a designer needs the studio workstation while traveling, or a bookkeeper has to grab a file from the front desk PC after hours. Unlike large companies, small teams rarely have an IT department, so the right tool has to be secure by default, easy to set up and priced so it does not need a procurement process.
We compared ten remote access tools with that reality in mind.
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Free plan | Platforms | Standout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SilkRemote | Owners and small teams reaching their own computers | Yes, on your local network | Host: Mac, Windows (beta). Client: any browser, Android | End-to-end encrypted, simple pricing, 120 fps |
| TeamViewer | All-in-one access and support | Personal use only | Nearly everything | Feature depth |
| AnyDesk | Lightweight access | Personal use only | Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android | Quick setup |
| Splashtop | Growing teams | Check current plans | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, more | Business suite |
| Zoho Assist | Customer and staff support | Limited free plan | Web console, Windows, Mac, Linux, mobile | Help desk tools |
| GoTo Resolve | IT support and device management | Check current plans | Web console, Windows, Mac, mobile | Support plus management |
| RustDesk | Self-hosted privacy | Yes, open source | Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android | Own your server |
| Windows App (RDP) | Windows Pro offices | Free (Pro host required) | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android | Native Windows sessions |
| Chrome Remote Desktop | Occasional access on a budget | Yes | Windows, Mac, Linux, browser, mobile | Free |
| NoMachine | Mixed and Linux offices | Personal use | Windows, Mac, Linux, mobile | NX protocol |
1. SilkRemote: best remote access for small businesses that use their own machines
For a small business, the biggest risk with remote access is a weak setup: an exposed port, a reused password or a vendor that can see your screen. SilkRemote avoids those by design. Every session is end-to-end encrypted with ECDH P-256 key exchange and AES-256-GCM, so even the relay cannot see what is on screen. Devices must be paired with a QR code or one-time code before they can connect, and unpaired devices are refused. Connections are peer-to-peer first over WebRTC, so there are no ports to open on your office router.
It is also pleasant to use, which matters when staff work remotely for hours. SilkRemote streams at up to 120 fps and up to 2560x1440 at around 40 Mbps, with around 17 ms capture-to-screen latency on a local network. On Macs (macOS 14+) it creates a 120 Hz virtual display. The client is any modern browser, including Safari 17+ on iPhone and iPad, or the native Android app, so nobody needs to install anything on a personal device.
Pricing is predictable: free forever on your local network, which covers moving between rooms in the office, and Pro at $6/month or $49/year for access from anywhere. There is a 14-day free Pro trial and a $129 one-time Founder lifetime option. No ads, and no commercial-use detection to trip over.
Be clear about fit: SilkRemote is for reaching your own business computers. It does not yet have an unattended multi-user admin console, so it is not a replacement for a help desk platform that manages dozens of customer machines. It also has no Linux host, and the Windows host is in beta. For owner-operators, studios, agencies and small offices built on Macs, it is the best choice.
Pros: Secure by default, no open ports, fast, browser client, clear pricing. Cons: No admin console yet, Windows host in beta, no Linux host.
2. TeamViewer
TeamViewer has the broadest feature set: unattended access, file transfer, remote printing, support sessions and device management. Business use requires a paid plan; the free tier is for personal use and includes commercial-use detection.
Pros: Everything in one place. Cons: Can be more than a small team needs; check current pricing.
3. AnyDesk
AnyDesk is lightweight and quick to deploy across Windows, Mac, Linux and mobile. Business use requires a paid plan.
Pros: Fast, small, easy. Cons: Advanced management features are on higher tiers.
4. Splashtop
Splashtop offers separate products for remote access, remote support and management, with good performance and support.
Pros: Mature, business-ready. Cons: Choosing between products can take some research.
5. Zoho Assist
Zoho Assist is built for supporting customers and staff, with attended and unattended sessions and a browser-based technician console. A limited free plan is available.
Pros: Strong support workflows, integrates with Zoho apps. Cons: Less focused on all-day personal use of a remote machine.
6. GoTo Resolve
GoTo Resolve combines remote support with IT management features like device monitoring and is aimed at IT teams and managed service providers.
Pros: Support and management together. Cons: More than many small offices need.
7. RustDesk
RustDesk is open source and can be self-hosted, keeping connection brokering inside your own infrastructure.
Pros: Free, private, flexible. Cons: Needs someone technical to host and maintain it.
8. Windows App (RDP)
Microsoft's RDP gives full Windows sessions with excellent integration. Hosts must run Windows Pro or Enterprise, and remote access across the internet should go through a VPN or gateway rather than an open port.
Pros: Free, native. Cons: Windows Pro required, extra setup for secure remote access.
9. Chrome Remote Desktop
Chrome Remote Desktop is free and simple, tied to Google accounts.
Pros: No cost. Cons: Basic features, limited control for a business.
10. NoMachine
NoMachine performs well and supports Linux, making it useful in mixed offices. Enterprise editions are paid.
Pros: Good performance, Linux support. Cons: Dated interface.
A quick security checklist for small teams
Turn on device pairing or two-factor authentication, avoid exposing remote desktop ports directly to the internet, remove access for departed staff promptly, and prefer tools that encrypt end to end. Our secure remote desktop guide explains these in more detail, and our Splashtop alternatives list covers support-focused options.
Verdict
For small businesses whose people need to reach their own office computers, SilkRemote is the best remote access tool in 2026. It is end-to-end encrypted, needs no open ports, streams smoothly at up to 120 fps and has simple, low pricing. Start free in the office, then add Pro for access from anywhere. Download SilkRemote or see pricing.