What is Chrome Remote Desktop used for?

Chrome Remote Desktop is a free Google tool for accessing your own computer remotely or sharing your screen, working through Chrome. It is a good fit for reaching a work computer from home, helping a relative fix a computer and viewing files on a home machine while traveling.

Is Chrome Remote Desktop free?

Yes. Chrome Remote Desktop is free to use.

Is Chrome Remote Desktop open source?

No. Chrome Remote Desktop is proprietary (closed-source) software and can't be self-hosted. Open-source alternatives to Chrome Remote Desktop include TigerVNC, Remmina and RustDesk.

What are some alternatives to Chrome Remote Desktop?

Chrome Remote Desktop competes with TeamViewer, AnyDesk and Parsec. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source Chrome Remote Desktop alternatives.

Chrome Remote Desktop: features, pricing and alternatives

About Chrome Remote Desktop

Chrome Remote Desktop is a free remote access tool from Google. It lets people connect to their home or work computer from another computer, phone or tablet, so they can view files or run programs when they are away from the machine.

It offers two modes, one for accessing your own computer and one for sharing your screen with someone else, which is used for collaboration or to give and receive remote support. Connections run over WebRTC on Google's infrastructure, and the tool works in Chrome and through apps for Android and iOS.

Chrome Remote Desktop is a hosted Google service rather than self-hostable software, and it requires signing in with a Google account. It suits individuals, families and small teams who need simple, no-cost remote access instead of a full IT support suite.

Key features

Remote access to your own computer
Screen sharing for collaboration and support
Connections over WebRTC
Works from Android and iOS devices
Browser-based access through Chrome

Good fit for

→Reaching a work computer from home
→Helping a relative fix a computer
→Viewing files on a home machine while traveling

Tags: remote-desktop; screen-sharing; google; free; remote-access; chrome

Chrome Remote Desktop: questions and answers

What is Chrome Remote Desktop used for?: Chrome Remote Desktop is a free Google tool for accessing your own computer remotely or sharing your screen, working through Chrome. It is a good fit for reaching a work computer from home, helping a relative fix a computer and viewing files on a home machine while traveling.
Is Chrome Remote Desktop free?: Yes. Chrome Remote Desktop is free to use.
Is Chrome Remote Desktop open source?: No. Chrome Remote Desktop is proprietary (closed-source) software and can't be self-hosted. Open-source alternatives to Chrome Remote Desktop include TigerVNC, Remmina and RustDesk.
What are some alternatives to Chrome Remote Desktop?: Chrome Remote Desktop competes with TeamViewer, AnyDesk and Parsec. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source Chrome Remote Desktop alternatives.