SilkRemote
If you are the person your family calls when the printer stops working or an email attachment will not open, remote support tools can save you hours of driving and frustrating phone calls. Instead of asking "what do you see on the screen now?", you can simply see it yourself and fix the problem.
The best tool for families is not the same as the best tool for an IT department. It needs to be simple for the less technical person, safe from scammers, and easy for you to use, ideally from your phone. We ranked ten options with that in mind.
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Free plan | Platforms | Standout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SilkRemote | Helping family from your phone, safely | Yes, on your local network | Host: Mac, Windows (beta). Client: any browser, Android | Pairing-only access, end-to-end encrypted, no ads |
| Chrome Remote Desktop | Free one-off help | Yes | Windows, Mac, Linux, browser, mobile | One-time support codes |
| Quick Assist | Windows-to-Windows help | Free, built into Windows | Windows | Already installed |
| TeamViewer | Feature-rich support | Personal use | Nearly everything | Huge feature set |
| AnyDesk | Lightweight support | Personal use | Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android | Quick setup |
| Apple Screen Sharing | Mac-to-Mac family help | Built into macOS | Mac only | No install |
| Zoho Assist | Organized helpers | Limited free plan | Web console, Windows, Mac, Linux, mobile | Support workflows |
| GoTo Resolve | Tech-savvy helpers | Check current plans | Web console, Windows, Mac, mobile | Support plus device tools |
| RustDesk | Privacy-minded helpers | Yes, open source | Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android | Self-hosting |
| Splashtop | Ongoing support | Check current plans | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, more | Mature suite |
1. SilkRemote: best remote support tool for families
SilkRemote is ideal for the most common family setup: you want to help Mom or Dad with their Mac or Windows PC, and you would like to do it from your phone. You set up SilkRemote on their computer once (Mac, or Windows in beta) and pair your phone or tablet by scanning a QR code or typing a one-time pairing code. After that, you can see and control their screen from any modern browser, including Safari 17+ on iPhone, or from the native Android app.
Safety is the standout for families. Remote access scams usually rely on talking someone into letting a stranger connect. With SilkRemote, only paired devices can connect, and unpaired devices are refused, so there is no ID and password your parents can be tricked into reading out. Every session is end-to-end encrypted with ECDH P-256 and AES-256-GCM, so even the relay cannot see their screen. There are no ads to confuse anyone, and no account is needed on their computer for local use.
It is also pleasant for you to use: streaming at up to 120 fps and up to 2560x1440 makes small text readable on your phone, and keyboard, mouse and touch input all work.
Know the limits. SilkRemote is free on the local network, which helps when you are visiting or live together; to help from your own home you need Pro ($6/month or $49/year, or $129 one-time for Founder lifetime), and a 14-day free trial lets you test it. It is designed for ongoing access to computers you have paired, not for one-off sessions with someone you have never set up. There is no Linux host, the Windows host is in beta, and there is no native iPhone app yet.
Pros: Scam-resistant pairing, end-to-end encryption, help from your phone, no ads. Cons: Needs a one-time setup on their computer, remote help requires Pro.
2. Chrome Remote Desktop
Chrome Remote Desktop has a free support mode: your relative opens the site, generates a one-time code and reads it to you. It works on Windows, Mac and Linux.
Pros: Free, good for one-off help. Cons: Your relative needs a Google account and Chrome, and must manage the code each time.
3. Quick Assist
Quick Assist is built into Windows. The helper signs in with a Microsoft account and gives the other person a security code to enter.
Pros: Already installed, free. Cons: Windows only on both sides, and you need to talk them through it each time.
4. TeamViewer
TeamViewer is free for personal use and works across almost every device, including helping from a phone.
Pros: Powerful, cross-platform. Cons: Busy interface for less technical relatives; commercial-use detection can occasionally flag personal users.
5. AnyDesk
AnyDesk is light and quick, with unattended access available. It is free for personal use.
Pros: Small, fast. Cons: Relatives must understand and approve connection prompts.
6. Apple Screen Sharing
If everyone uses Macs, macOS includes Screen Sharing for free.
Pros: No install. Cons: Mac-only on both ends, and reaching a Mac outside your network takes extra setup.
7. Zoho Assist
Zoho Assist is a professional support tool with a limited free plan, useful if you help many relatives.
Pros: Organized support sessions. Cons: More than most families need.
8. GoTo Resolve
GoTo Resolve offers remote support plus device management features aimed at IT pros.
Pros: Capable. Cons: Built for IT teams; check current pricing.
9. RustDesk
RustDesk is open source and self-hostable, appealing to technical helpers.
Pros: Free, private. Cons: Setup is technical.
10. Splashtop
Splashtop offers remote access and support products across major platforms.
Pros: Reliable. Cons: Business-oriented; check current pricing.
Safety tips for family tech support
Teach relatives one simple rule: never let anyone connect to your computer unless it is someone you called yourself. Use tools with device pairing or approval prompts, set them up in person when possible, and remove access you no longer need. For more on staying safe, read our secure remote desktop guide, and if you will help from an iPhone, see how to control a Mac from iPhone.
Verdict
SilkRemote is the best remote support tool for families in 2026. Its pairing-only access keeps scammers out, every session is end-to-end encrypted, and you can help from your phone's browser. Set it up once on their computer and add Pro to help from anywhere. Download SilkRemote or see pricing.