10 Best Remote Desktop Software (RDP) for Mac. VNC – $39.99 in Mac App Store. Virtual Network Computing (VNC) is a specific product and a multi-platform supports iPhones, iPads with your. Apple Remote Desktop – $79.99 in Mac App Store. Apple’s version for Mac is a professional remote. TightVNC utilizes this system to provide a high-caliber, remote desktop monitoring service. Its ample support for multiple operating systems make this remote desktop tool quite popular among business users and IT managers. If you are looking for free remote control software package, this is one of the best options. We hand picked few best remote desktop apps for mac, that will help you connect with remote computers to get or give assistance and do a lot more. Some are free remote desktop apps and some are paid and premium remote desktop apps for mac, windows, linux. Jul 03, 2018 Another best free Android app for remote desktop is the Splashtop. Splashtop gives you easy access to your Mac or Windows by using your Android phones and tablets.It supports a browser with Flash and Java support and games.You get access to the application like documents, Gmail, yahoo and your full media library.
Applies To: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2016
You can use the Remote Desktop client for Mac to work with Windows apps, resources, and desktops from your Mac computer. Use the following information to get started - and check out the FAQ if you have questions.
Note
Curious about the new releases for the macOS client? Check out What's new for Remote Desktop on Mac?
The Mac client runs on computers running macOS 10.10 and newer.
The information in this article applies primarily to the full version of the Mac client - the version available in the Mac AppStore. Test-drive new features by downloading our preview app here: beta client release notes.
Get the Remote Desktop client
Follow these steps to get started with Remote Desktop on your Mac:
Download the Microsoft Remote Desktop client from the Mac App Store.
Set up your PC to accept remote connections. (If you skip this step, you can't connect to your PC.)
Add a Remote Desktop connection or a remote resource. You use a connection to connect directly to a Windows PC and a remote resource to use a RemoteApp program, session-based desktop, or a virtual desktop published on-premises using RemoteApp and Desktop Connections. This feature is typically available in corporate environments.
What about the Mac beta client?
We're testing new features on our preview channel on AppCenter. Want to check it out? Go to Microsoft Remote Desktop for Mac and click Download. You don't need to create an account or sign into AppCenter to download the beta client.
If you already have the client, you can check for updates to ensure you have the latest version. In the beta client, click Microsoft Remote Desktop Beta at the top, and then click Check for updates.
Add a Remote Desktop connection
To create a remote desktop connection:
In the Connection Center, click +, and then click Desktop.
Enter the following information:
PC name - the name of the computer.
This can be a Windows computer name (found in the System settings), a domain name, or an IP address.
You can also add port information to the end of this name, like MyDesktop:3389.
User Account - Add the user account you use to access the remote PC.
For Active Directory (AD) joined computers or local accounts, use one of these formats: user_name, domainuser_name, or [email protected].
For Azure Active Directory (AAD) joined computers, use one of these formats: AzureADuser_name or [email protected].
You can also choose whether to require a password.
When managing multiple user accounts with the same user name, set a friendly name to differentiate the accounts.
Manage your saved user accounts in the preferences of the app.
You can also set these optional settings for the connection:
Set a friendly name
Add a Gateway
Set the sound output
Swap mouse buttons
Enable Admin Mode
Redirect local folders into a remote session
Forward local printers
Forward Smart Cards
Click Save.
To start the connection, just double-click it. The same is true for remote resources.
Export and import connections
You can export a remote desktop connection definition and use it on a different device. Remote desktops are saved in separate .RDP files.
In the Connection Center, right-click the remote desktop.
Click Export.
Browse to the location where you want to save the remote desktop .RDP file.
Click OK.
Use the following steps to import a remote desktop .RDP file.
In the menu bar, click File > Import.
Browse to the .RDP file.
Click Open.
Add a remote resource
Remote resources are RemoteApp programs, session-based desktops, and virtual desktops published using RemoteApp and Desktop Connections.
The URL displays the link to the RD Web Access server that gives you access to RemoteApp and Desktop Connections.
The configured RemoteApp and Desktop Connections are listed.
To add a remote resource:
In the Connection Center click +, and then click Add Remote Resources.
Enter information for the remote resource:
Feed URL - The URL of the RD Web Access server. You can also enter your corporate email account in this field – this tells the client to search for the RD Web Access Server associated with your email address.
User name - The user name to use for the RD Web Access server you are connecting to.
Password - The password to use for the RD Web Access server you are connecting to.
Click Save.
The remote resources will be displayed in the Connection Center.
Connect to an RD Gateway to access internal assets
A Remote Desktop Gateway (RD Gateway) lets you connect to a remote computer on a corporate network from anywhere on the Internet. You can create and manage your gateways in the preferences of the app or while setting up a new desktop connection.
To set up a new gateway in preferences:
In the Connection Center, click Preferences > Gateways.
Click the + button at the bottom of the table Enter the following information:
Server name – The name of the computer you want to use as a gateway. This can be a Windows computer name, an Internet domain name, or an IP address. You can also add port information to the server name (for example: RDGateway:443 or 10.0.0.1:443).
User name - The user name and password to be used for the Remote Desktop gateway you are connecting to. You can also select Use connection credentials to use the same user name and password as those used for the remote desktop connection.
Manage your user accounts
When you connect to a desktop or remote resources, you can save the user accounts to select from again. You can manage your user accounts by using the Remote Desktop client.
To create a new user account:
In the Connection Center, click Settings > Accounts.
Click Add User Account.
Enter the following information:
User Name - The name of the user to save for use with a remote connection. You can enter the user name in any of the following formats: user_name, domainuser_name, or [email protected].
Password - The password for the user you specified. Every user account that you want to save to use for remote connections needs to have a password associated with it.
Friendly Name - If you are using the same user account with different passwords, set a friendly name to distinguish those user accounts.
Tap Save, and then tap Settings.
Customize your display resolution
You can specify the display resolution for the remote desktop session.
In the Connection Center, click Preferences.
Click Resolution.
Click +.
Enter a resolution height and width, and then click OK.
To delete the resolution, select it, and then click -.
Displays have separate spacesIf you are running Mac OS X 10.9 and disabled Displays have separate spaces in Mavericks (System Preferences > Mission Control), you need to configure this setting in the remote desktop client using the same option.
Drive redirection for remote resources
Drive redirection is supported for remote resources, so that you can save files created with a remote application locally to your Mac. The redirected folder is always your home directory displayed as a network drive in the remote session.
Mac keyboard layouts differ from the Windows keyboard layouts.
The Command key on the Mac keyboard equals the Windows key.
To perform actions that use the Command button on the Mac, you will need to use the control button in Windows (e.g.: Copy = Ctrl + C).
The function keys can be activated in the session by pressing additionally the FN key (e.g.: FN + F1).
The Alt key to the right of the space bar on the Mac keyboard equals the Alt Gr/right Alt key in Windows.
By default, the remote session will use the same keyboard locale as the OS you're running the client on. (If your Mac is running an en-us OS, that will be used for the remote sessions as well.) If the OS keyboard locale is not used, check the keyboard setting on the remote PC and change it manually. See the Remote Desktop Client FAQ for more information about keyboards and locales.
Support for Remote Desktop gateway pluggable authentication and authorization
Windows Server 2012 R2 introduced support for a new authentication method, Remote Desktop Gateway pluggable authentication and authorization, which provides more flexibility for custom authentication routines. You can now this authentication model with the Mac client.
Important
Custom authentication and authorization models before Windows 8.1 are not supported, although the article above discusses them.
To learn more about this feature, check out https://aka.ms/paa-sample.
Tip
Questions and comments are always welcome. However, please do NOT post a request for troubleshooting help by using the comment feature at the end of this article. Instead, go to the Remote Desktop client forum and start a new thread. Have a feature suggestion? Tell us in the client user voice forum.
Remote desktop connections manager can be exceedingly helpful if you are far from your loved ones and still you need to troubleshoot his PC while sitting far from his place and it can be equally useful if you are at a distance, and you want to manage your Home PC. A network protocol that was designed by Microsoft and is known as Remote Desktop Protocol is an easier way to access your PC from a distance, but the users who need to manage multiple computer systems remotely at the same time, need to get an app that could provide them access to the multiple computers remotely. I have compiled a list of the top 10 Remote Desktop Connections manager apps. You can select any of them according to your requirements.
Also see: Best VNC Server Android Apps to Control Device from PC
Contents
Free Remote Desktop Connection Managers
Paid Apps for Remote Desktop Connection
Free Remote Desktop Connection Managers
Chrome Remote Desktop
It is designed by Google that makes it easier for you to connect your desired computer or multiple computers remotely. You can access any of your required documents or apps by using your mobile phone while sitting at a distance. Setting it up or using it is absolutely simple and does not annoy you. The most prominent feature of this app is that you have to link it to your Gmail account. That’s why you do not need to waste your time in filling for the extra signups.
Just install this software to your computer and that’s ready for use. The process of authorization is only one time to follow. Undoubtedly, it is super-fast and works very smoothly on Windows, Linux or Mac. Its mobile version is also available for Android and iOS devices.
There is no interruption while you are on audio or video conference/meeting remotely. You can use it to access any system online without modifying the firewall settings. Well, guys! Now you got the point that why I have put this app on the top of the list.
Remote Desktop Manager
Best Free Remote Desktop App For Mac Download
It has numerous features, and you can consider it the best app for your PC. It works not only as a remote connection manager for multiple computers but also works as Citrix, FTP and Putty. You can also use it as TeamViewer, VNC and LogMeIn. You have the choice to save your credentials not only locally, but also in any external app such as KeePass.
If you don’t want to select either of these resources to save credentials, you can choose the app’s online cloud for this purpose. Another distinguishing feature of this app is its excellent integration with numerous accessible services. It integrates with Intel AMT support so that the users can access the remote console asset if the computer is not switched on.
It also properly integrates with Hyper-V to maintain Hyper-V’s VMs. It supports Windows PowerShell and different VPN connections and MS Azure Console.
Also See: How to create a Remote Desktop Connection in Windows 10
Terminals
It is indeed a feature-rich app that works by Terminal Services Active Client. As compared to many of its rival apps, it integrates with VNC, Citrix, HTTP, Console and many other connections.
Terminals remote desktop connection manager can also support a variety of networking operations such as TCP connections, Time Sync, Trace Route and Ping, etc. It is basically an open source app that is regularly maintained and it can be used on every edition of Windows XP, 7 or 8.
Remote Desktop Connection Manager (RDCMan)
It is designed by Microsoft and this manager app can enable you to manage multiple desktop connections remotely. It works in the same way as does Windows MMC Remote Desktop Snap-In, but as compared to the later, the former operates in more efficient way. You can use it in Windows 7 and also Windows XP.
MultiDesk
MultiDesk provides you with the remote desktop management services. If you use it with the combination of MultiDeskEnforcer, your connection will be more secure. It is a very small app and quick to install and to use because it has been designed by using C++.
You can carry it with you on a portable device. You can manage the connections quite smoothly and can easily convert the connection port. Another distinguishing feature of this app is that no one can hack your server. Its security system is unbeatable.
mRemoteNG
Now you can manage multiple remote connections while sitting at a distance with the help of mRemoteNG that had a predecessor named mRemote. It is an open-source remote desktop client that provides with the support for multi-protocol. So, use its simple, but very secure and vigorous interface to connect multiple systems at the same time.
2x Client
This remote desktop client is not only used on Windows, but also on Mac, Chrome, Android and Linux. Download movie maker for mac 10.6.8. You will find a quick configuration of the connection by using this tool. If you want to select any remote desktop client to use on any other platform rather than Windows, it should be your first choice. Moreover, you will find it very quick in establishing a connection.
Paid Apps for Remote Desktop Connection
Join.me
When you compare the paid and free apps, obviously the paid ones are unbeatable due to the unique features and the high-quality services. Same is the case with Join.me that is basically developed as an online meeting and conferencing app.
This app enables different people at different locations connecting with one another to make an audio conference. You can use its recording feature if you want to record the meeting. It can be utilised for worldwide meetings. If you are using its paid version, you can invite maximum 250 people to join the conference.
Splashtop
This app is available in paid version, but for the first six months, you do not have to pay even a single penny. You can use it free of charges and later, after six months, you have to pay $1.99/month.
Best Mac Remote Desktop Client
Only the installation process can be complicated for you, but it is quite a user-friendly app. If you are using its “Personal” version, you can manage five computers maximum remotely. An amazingly fast connection and a robust security system make it distinguished among all of its rival tools (Paid ones).
Real VNC
It is available in paid as well as in free version. There are two main components of this tool known as a client application and server application. It works very smoothly, but it is a bit tricky to set it up as compared to TeamViewer or other tools. It’s cross-platform feature enables you to establish a connection to remote computer individually or publicly.
Best Free Remote Desktop App For Mac Download
Another very good remote desktop manager is: R-HUB remote support servers. It is an on premise solution which works on all platforms viz Windows, MAC, Android, iOS etc.