When Screens is the better choice
If you use Apple devices only, already run VNC servers and prefer a one-time lifetime licence to a subscription.
Comparisons
DeskRanger / Screens
Screens is an elegant VNC client for Apple devices. It connects to the Mac’s Screen Sharing or a VNC server on PCs; it does not bring its own remote-support service.
| Overview | DeskRanger | Screens |
|---|---|---|
| Free for your own devices | Yes, 10 devices, also for work | No, 7-day free trial |
| Commercial-use detection | No | Not applicable |
| Cheapest paid plan (1 person) | Pro: €19.90 a year | Screens 5: €34.99 a year (App Store) |
| Pricing model for teams | Per channel, €99.90 a year; unlimited users | No vendor statement found |
| Encryption | Yes | SSH tunnel to Macs; otherwise depends on the VNC server |
| Systems you can control | macOS · iOS/iPadOS: view only · Windows: Coming soon | Macs via macOS Screen Sharing; PCs with a VNC server |
| Connect in the browser | Yes, from Pro | No |
| Access at the login window | Yes (Mac), also after a restart; with FileVault only once unlocked | Mac login window via Screen Sharing; FileVault blocks after a restart |
| Your own servers | Planned (Enterprise) | Not applicable |
| Open source | No | No |
| Share an iPhone/iPad screen | Yes, view only | No |
When DeskRanger is the better choice
If you want to get by without port forwarding or VNC setup, help others by support code and connect in the browser too, free for your own devices.
Download freeBased on the linked vendor information as of 1 October 2026. Prices are list prices as stated by the vendor (TeamViewer, AnyDesk: excl. VAT); time-limited discounts are not included. DeskRanger: launch prices, VAT details to follow. No performance test of our own.
Sources (vendor pages, retrieved 1 October 2026)
Comparisons
/TeamViewer
TeamViewer is the best-known name in remote support and covers almost every platform. It is free for personal use only, and suspected commercial use can lead to a block.
Learn more →/AnyDeskAnyDesk is fast, lightweight and available on many platforms. It is free for personal use only, and suspected commercial use can limit or suspend the free version.
Learn more →/RustDeskRustDesk is open source, and you can run the server yourself. That gives full control but means running it yourself; paid plans are licences for your own server, not a cloud service.
Learn more →/SplashtopSplashtop offers affordable remote access and separate packages for remote support. The free version works for personal use and on your home network only.
Learn more →