Joe Hindy / Android Authority
Remote desktop access is one of the most prominent features for advanced users. However, it is perfectly doable on an Android device. There are two basic ways to do this. Users can remotely access their Android device from a computer. We’ve covered that feature in our list of the best screen mirroring apps for Android.
This list focuses more on accessing your desktop from your Android device. There are a bunch of apps that boast remote access as a feature. There are only a few who do the job relatively well. These are the best remote desktop apps for Android.
Best Remote Desktop Apps for Android
AirDroid
Price: Free/In-App Purchases ($0.99 – $379.99 per item)
AirDroid is a popular app; it has been the choice of IT professionals for more than 10 years. The application provides fast file transfer, file management in numerous formats, screen mirroring, remote control access (you just need to connect to a PC client to remotely control your device), remote monitoring and you will be able to receive notifications on your computer. It also allows you to import contacts into the AirDroid client, after which you can make phone calls.
Microsoft Remote Desktop
Price: Free
Microsoft Remote Desktop is arguably the biggest free competitor to Chrome Remote Desktop. It works pretty much the same way. Simply enable remote access on your Windows PC and install this app on your phone. The two should allow your devices to connect to each other. On the plus side, you don’t need Google Chrome installed for this to work on Windows devices. The bad news is that the performance is about the same, so you’re not actually getting a better product. In any case, Windows PC users should definitely try this first as it is a first-party software and may prove to be more stable over a longer period of time.
RemotePC Viewer
Price: Free
RemotePC Viewer does what the name implies. It allows you to remotely view the desktop from your phone. Like most apps in this space, you need to download the appropriate software to your computer and Android phone. It’s not the most robust system, but you can easily do things like transfer files, open documents, and other productivity-oriented tasks. It’s pretty easy to set up and use, which is nice because this isn’t the easiest thing to do. There is an optional subscription, but you shouldn’t need it unless you’re using it for work.
Splashtop Personal Remote PC
Price: Free/In-App Purchases ($0.99 – $16.99 per item)
Splashtop is a less popular but still quite successful remote desktop application. It works like the others, with two apps on your computer and Android device. You can access anything on your computer from your local network phone. You can add access from anywhere for $5 per month or $16.99 per year. This allows you to access your device on any network, including any WiFi network or mobile data. The app also gives you access to a webcam to check on your home without too much trouble. It performed just as well as Chrome and Microsoft in our testing.
TeamViewer is the obvious choice for remote desktop applications. It allows you to remotely access your computer from your Android device. It’s a bit more complicated to set up, but it works just as well as one would expect. It also includes features like two-way file transfer, encryption, and real-time streaming of audio and HD video. There are features included to help, say, a friend or colleague. However, it also works perfectly fine for just wandering around your computer. The application is completely free for personal use. Those using it for work need a subscription.
Unified Remote
Price: Free/In-App Purchases ($1.99 per item)
The app does what the name suggests: it turns your device into a WiFi or Bluetooth universal remote control for Windows, Mac or Linux computers. Its features include easy setup, automatic server detection, encrypted password protected server, 90+ programs including keyboard and mouse, media players, presentations, screen mirroring, power control, file manager, terminal and more.
RealVNC browser
Price: Free
RealVNC Viewer turns your phone into a remote desktop, giving you easy access to PCs, be they Windows, Mac or Linux. It is easy to use and you will be able to manage your computer from anywhere. It feels like you’re controlling it with a keyboard and mouse, sitting right in front of it. You must first install the app on the computer you want to access remotely and log into the app, then you can use your mobile app to control your computer. This one is easy to use and works without any extra tricks.