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AnyDesk vs Splashtop

Author: Robert Agar
Robert Agar Article author

Many tools exist to establish remote desktop connectivity. We will focus on AnyDesk and Splashtop, two market leaders. Our research saves you time by examining the features and use cases of each solution, answering some typical questions, and helping you choose the best option for your situation. 

After reading this article, you will be able to: 

• Identify the features and functions available in the individual and professional versions of AnyDesk and Splashtop.

• Evaluate the differences in the two solutions to see which is a better choice for providing IT support, remote work, or general remote access.

• Compare the pricing plans to find the best fit for your unique usage scenario.
Helpful tip:   If you are evaluating AnyDesk and Splashtop, consider HelpWire, a free remote desktop solution for personal and professional use. The software provides a simple platform for on-demand remote connectivity and similar functionality at no cost.

Overview

AnyDesk and Splashtop are both remote desktop software solutions that let you control computers from anywhere. Let’s take a brief look at how these applications work and the usage scenarios for which they are best suited before comparing their features. 

AnyDesk

Best for: On-demand IT support for remote clients and employees, for individuals and teams requiring fast, low-latency, and real-time collaboration.

AnyDesk
AnyDesk Software GmbH

AnyDesk provides fast and secure remote desktop access for work and IT support.

AnyDesk is a fast and secure remote access solution that delivers up to 60 FPS, depending on network capabilities and plan. It supports LAN and Internet connectivity, unattended access, easy file transfers, and screen-sharing with desktop computers or mobile devices. The software provides a user-friendly interface featuring hidden menus and tabbed browsing.

Splashtop

Best for: Help desks and managed service providers (MSPs) that need a reliable, cost-effective remote support solution focused on security and compliance. 

Splashtop
Splashtop Inc.

Splashtop provides secure, high-performance remote access and remote support solutions for individuals, teams, and IT professionals.

Splashtop is a simple yet powerful remote access solution that delivers a stable platform with minimal lag. It features an easy setup, friendly interface, and up to 60 FPS with optimal network settings and a top-tier plan. Users can provide remote support and securely transfer files from any computer or mobile device.

Features

Now, let’s take a detailed look at the key features and pricing plans available from AnyDesk and Splashtop. We will highlight each tool’s strengths to help you select the right one for your remote access needs. 

Our examination concentrates on the AnyDesk Solo (for individual users) and AnyDesk Standard (for small teams and businesses) versions. For Splashtop, we look at Splashtop Remote Access Pro (for individuals and teams accessing their own work computers) and Splashtop Remote Support (SOS) (for IT professionals providing remote client support), both of which offer basic remote support and management capabilities for most use cases.

1. Remote access and session management

AnyDesk offers users attended and unattended access for versatile remote device management. Unattended access is easy to set up and lets you manage remote systems at any time when no one is present at the machine. AnyDesk enables you to record sessions for training purposes or to demonstrate compliance. Users can support multiple devices simultaneously with concurrent sessions.

Splashtop offers different session capabilities for each plan. 

  • Remote Access Pro provides multi-monitor support, unattended access to 10 computers, session recording, online chat, and collaboration support for two users.
  • Remote Support (SOS) offers unlimited attended and unattended access for up to 300 machines, real-time monitoring, and endpoint management for IT fleet control.

2. Performance and Ease of Use

AnyDesk is lightweight and uses minimal system resources. The tool is easy to install and has an intuitive user interface. AnyDesk provides stable, smooth connectivity and low latency, even on slow networks. It is a simple and efficient remote access solution that doesn’t require any user training.

Splashtop is designed for high performance and stability. All versions provide a smooth, responsive user experience with streaming speeds up to 60 FPS and can handle resource-intensive activities. Splashtop’s quick setup and friendly interface make it a reliable tool for professional and personal remote access.

3. Collaboration and File Sharing

AnyDesk is designed to promote collaboration and data sharing. Teamwork is supported by features such as secure drag-and-drop file transfer between local and remote machines and remote printing capabilities. Communication is enhanced with real-time chat and messaging, with interactive annotations to streamline and personalize remote support.

Splashtop provides essential tools for collaboration and data management:

  • Remote Access Pro includes high-speed file transfer, remote printing support, real-time chat, and lets two users collaborate by accessing the same machine simultaneously.
  • Remote Support (SOS) features high-speed file transfer and session chat, but does not support remote printing. It is designed for endpoint management and fast problem resolution. 

4. Device and Team Management

AnyDesk provides centralized control with powerful device management tools. Administration is streamlined with a unified dashboard, allowing admins to add, configure, and monitor devices for unattended support and control access to remote computers. The software uses role-based access controls (RBAC), allowing teams to assign roles and access levels to ensure only authorized personnel can perform tasks for remote clients.

Splashtop emphasizes centralized administration and security:

  • Remote Access Pro provides user role management, allowing access to up to 10 remote computers per user.
  • Remote Support (SOS) has tools for user and device grouping, and unattended access to facilitate fleet management and enterprise remote support.

5. Customization and Branding

AnyDesk offers a variety of customization options, allowing teams to personalize remote session connections. The connection window can display your name, company logo, and any text you want to improve the client and technician experience. You can create custom keyboard shortcuts that suit your style to streamline workflows and enhance productivity.

Splashtop’s branding features vary by plan:

  • Remote Support (SOS) allows users to fully customize the interface to create a professional brand image with logos, colors, and text options.
  • Remote Access Pro provides limited branding options, focusing resources on user management and performance.

Feature Comparison

FeatureAnyDesk Solo & StandardSplashtop (Pro / SOS)
Mobile Access✓ Android to Android remote control (with control plugin); iOS supports screen sharing (no remote control)✓ PC access from mobile/mobile device support in SOS
File Transfer✓ Drag and Drop✓ Drag and Drop
Concurrent SessionsSolo: 1, Standard: MultiplePro: 1 user, SOS: Multiple
Session Collaboration/Transfer✓ session transfer to another user✓ 2 users access one session in Pro
Remote Printing✓ in the Remote Access SOS+
Session Recording
Audio Support
Device & User ManagementStandard and abovePro (User Role Mgt), SOS (Device Fleet Mgt)
Real-time Chat
USB Sharing (USB Passthrough)X✓ in Performance and Enterprise plans

Interface Comparison

AnyDesk offers a user-friendly interface that enables fast, efficient access. Users appreciate its ease of use, minimal learning curve, and stable performance even under low bandwidth or slow network conditions.

Splashtop offers a detailed interface with many features supporting device control and collaboration for enterprise support teams. Users require significant training to use the tool effectively.

AnyDesk 9.6.2
Splashtop 3.7.4.3

Operating System Support

You must choose a remote desktop solution that supports your devices. The table lists the operating systems supported by these two software tools. As you can see, both applications support cross-platform connectivity and support most OS options.

Operating SystemAnyDesk Solo & StandardSplashtop (Pro / SOS)
Windows
macOS
Linux
Android
iOS / iPadOS
Chrome OS / Chromebook✓ (via web client)✓ (via Chrome web store)
FreeBSDX
Raspberry Pi✓ (ARM version available)✓ (Embedded Linux)

Security

Security is crucial for remote desktop tools that may work with sensitive data and devices. AnyDesk and Splashtop provide strong protection to ensure secure, private remote connections.

AnyDesk Solo and Standard Security

AnyDesk employs the following leading-edge security protocols to protect your connections.

  • RSA 2048 Asymmetric Key Exchange secures session startup and actively defends against attacks.
  • Industry-grade encryption and TLS 1.2/1.3 (deployment-dependent) + AES-256 transport encryption security protect all data transmission.
  • Two-factor authentication safeguards against account compromise.
  • • Access permissions offer granular control over the activities specific users can perform.
  • Session logs track user activity and provide audit evidence.
  • • Teams can whitelist devices that can establish sessions to stop unauthorized connectivity. 
  • • All GDPR user data privacy standards are supported.

Splashtop Pro and SOS Security

Splashtop focuses on security and regulatory compliance, especially in its support and professional plans.

  • Remote sessions and data transfer are protected with 256-bit AES and TLS 1.2 encryption.
  • Two-factor authentication enhances the security of user accounts.
  • • New devices must be authenticated and verified before accessing a remote computer. 
  • • Administrators can assign granular access permissions to control user activities.
  • • The software supports compliance with regulations such as HIPAA and GDPR and provides session logging for audit purposes.
  • • Admins can whitelist devices and IP addresses to restrict access from unauthorized entities.

Usage Scenarios

You must choose the tool and plan that fits your unique use case. AnyDesk and Splashtop both offer multiple plans to address your different requirements.

AnyDesk

  • Solo License: Best for individuals and personal use, with basic remote control functionality to connect to home or work devices.
  • Standard Plan: Designed for small businesses and teams with support for concurrent sessions, admin controls, and enhanced device management.
  • Advanced and Ultimate Plans: These plans meet the midsize and large-business requirements, including custom branding, APIs for integration with other tools, and priority support.
  • Enterprise Support: This plan is for large organizations and provides stronger security, APIs, full remote access, and specialized support services.

Splashtop

  • Remote Access Pro: This plan supports remote productivity for individuals and small teams. Users can access their work computers from anywhere, enjoy multiple-monitor support, and collaborate with another user in a single session. 
  • Remote Support (SOS): The SOS plan is designed to meet the needs of IT support teams, help desks, and MSPs. Customers have unlimited attended support and can provide unattended access to fleets of 10 to 300 devices, based on the plan tier. Teams can leverage optional endpoint management add-ons for improved productivity. 
  • Enterprise: Large companies and enterprise support teams will find that this plan combines the remote access and support they need, including granular security controls, Single Sign-On (SSO), scheduled remote access, and advanced management functionality.
  •  

Integration

It is essential to integrate a remote desktop solution with your other tools to drive efficiency and productivity. AnyDesk and Splashtop offer varying integration capabilities in basic and mid-level plans.

AnyDesk Solo provides limited integration and is best used as a standalone remote access solution with no APIs or connectivity to other tools. AnyDesk’s Standard plan adds basic API access, allowing users to integrate with other systems and build simple automations. The software’s Advanced and Ultimate plans provide advanced integration functionality. 

Splashtop Remote Access Pro does not provide deep integrations or API access. Its primary focus is performance as a reliable standalone remote access solution. Companies can integrate the Remote Support (SOS) plan with ticketing systems like Zendesk and Autotask, a crucial feature for professional support teams that automatically launches remote sessions from service tickets. Splashtop’s higher-tier Enterprise plans offer deeper integration possibilities, enabling teams to leverage SSOs and more extensive APIs to connect to the remote desktop software.

The following table summarizes the integration capabilities of AnyDesk and Splashtop.

Integration FeatureAnyDesk SoloAnyDesk StandardSplashtop Remote Access ProSplashtop Remote Support (SOS)
API AccessBasic API access ✘ API available in higher plans
ITSM Integration✓ Integration with PSA/Ticketing systems like ConnectWise, Autotask, Zendesk
CRM IntegrationN/A 
Custom Workflow AutomationSimple automations via Basic APIWorkflow benefits from Ticketing Integration
Integration with Ticketing Systems Direct session launch and note logging
Admin Console / User Management✓ ✓ ✓ 
Third-Party App CompatibilityMinimalBasic compatibility Minimal Integration with PSA/Ticketing systems 
White-labeling & Branding
SDKs or Developer ToolsLimited via Basic APIsExtensive APIs in higher plans 

Pricing

Decision-makers must consider price when selecting a remote desktop solution. AnyDesk and Splashtop offer tiered pricing plans with feature sets and user limits for individuals, small teams, or enterprise-level support.  

AnyDesk

AnyDesk offers the following subscription options, typically priced annually.

  • • Free: No cost for personal use, but provides limited features.
  • • Solo: Single-user access starts at $26.01 per month, with features such as mobile access, session recording, and unlimited devices.
  • • Standard: This plan starts at $44.91 per month and offers advanced features such as multiple-session support, admin tools, iOS screen sharing, and Android-to-Android remote control.
  • • Advanced: Starting at $100.71 per month, this plan is designed for growing companies and adds features such as priority support, custom branding, and more extensive admin capabilities.  
  • • Ultimate: This top-tier plan for large businesses requires custom pricing and adds the functionality enterprise support teams need. 

Splashtop

 Splashtop offers dedicated plans for remote access and remote support, with pricing based on annual billing.

The following Splashtop remote access plans are billed per user.

  • • Solo: Starts at  $29.99 per year and allows a single user to access up to two remote computers.
  • • Remote Access Pro: Starting at  $60 per year per user. Individuals and small teams enjoy features such as multi-monitor support, session recording, and chat, and can access up to 10 computers.
  • • Performance: Starting at $13 per user per month, this plan delivers high-performance features, including USB passthrough and high-fidelity audio, that are not available in other tiers.

Splashtop’s remote support plans for IT professionals are billed per concurrent technician.

  • • Remote Support (SOS) tiers begin at $259 per year. SOS Basic provides attended support for unlimited devices. SOS+10 or SOS Unlimited gives unattended access to 10-300 managed endpoints per technician, facilitating the management of fleets of client machines. 
  • • The Enterprise tiers are custom-priced plans that deliver advanced security features, including SSO with remote access and remote support for large teams.  
Quick note: Splashtop offers fully functional free trials, typically 7 days, so users can test the features before selecting a tier.

Pricing Comparison Table: AnyDesk vs Splashtop

Pricing PlansAnyDeskSplashtop
Free Trial14-day free trial7-Days (for Pro/SOS)
Free Personal Version✓ Splashtop Personal is free for non-commercial use; business features require paid plans
Level 1 (Individual)Solo $23.12/monthEducation $29.99/year
Level 2 (Small Team)Standard at $39.92/month
Business access $60-$149/year
Level 3 (Advanced Features)Advanced $89.52/monthSOS $259-$399/year
Level 4 (Support/Technician)N/ARemote support $479/year
Level 5 (Enterprise)Ultimate (personal consultation is required)Custom pricing (Enterprise)

Possible Errors and Restrictions

Users may encounter technical issues with AnyDesk or Splashtop, depending on their plan, device type, or network performance. Your awareness of these potential issues and limitations should help you resolve them efficiently. 

AnyDesk

  • Free Plan Limits: The free version is limited to personal use. The software may restrict session frequency or duration to prevent commercial use. You can resolve connection errors and session disconnects with these tips: AnyDesk Not Connected to Server.
  • Feature Limits: Only higher-priced plans offer advanced features such as custom branding or multi-session support. If you experience feature and session restrictions, try  Navigating AnyDesk Session Time Limits.
  • Session Limits: The number of concurrent sessions varies by plan; for example, the Solo plan limits you to one session. Learn about managing multiple sessions in Navigating AnyDesk Session Time Limits.
  • Compatibility: Users with older systems or using niche operating systems may not have access to certain features. If you have compatibility issues, try AnyDesk Display Server Not Supported.
  • Connection Issues: Unstable or low-bandwidth network connections can result in dropped sessions or degraded performance. If you are disconnected frequently, check out our guide on Easy Steps to Fix the Disconnected Issue
  • Network Restrictions: AnyDesk connections can be blocked by corporate networks or firewall configurations. You can start troubleshooting with the AnyDesk Network Timeout Issue article. 

Splashtop

  • No Free Tier: Splashtop Personal is only free on local networks for non-commercial use. Business features require a paid plan.
  • Feature Restrictions: Some features, such as USB passthrough and supports a 240 FPS capability streaming, are only available with the Performance or enterprise plans (depends on host GPU, client device, and network). The lack of features may affect the display. You can find display optimization tips in the How to Solve Splashtop Display Issues article.
  • License Model: Pricing models are strictly enforced; Remote Access is billed per user, and Remote Support is billed per concurrent technician. The inflexibility of these models limits your ability to easily shift between support and access.
  • Plan Segregation: Plans have strict limitations on the type of support (attended or unattended) and the number of machines that users can support.
  • Branding and integrations: Customized branding and deep integration with the ticketing system are only available in the SOS and Enterprise plans.
  • Network Performance: Splashtop depends on the speed and stability of local and remote network connections to deliver superior visual performance. You can investigate a wired connection solution with Splashtop Wired XDisplay.
  •  

Pros And Cons

The tables below summarize the pros and cons of AnyDesk and Splashtop. The comparison is based on verified user reviews and is meant to help you evaluate the solutions and make an informed selection. 
"Remote Desktop Savior Platform To Simplify Remote Troubleshooting"
Read full review

Pros

  • Compact installation file;
  • Low latency and responsive navigation;
  • Unlimited time limits for sessions;
  • Intuitive user interface with keyboard shortcuts for improved productivity;
  • Multiple operating system support.

Cons

  • Copy paste feature doesn’t work well;
  • Resolution is inconsistent;
  • Mandatory installation is required.
"Reliable and easy to use remote access tool"
Read full review

Pros

  • Simple intuitive user interface;
  • Variable pricing options;
  • Multi-monitor support (plan specific);
  • Fast connection speeds;
  • TLS and 256-bit AES Encryption;
  • Two-factor verification.

Cons

  • Tricky installation process;
  • Limited features on lower-cost plans;
  • Technical support availability is based on price plans.

Top Free Alternative for AnyDesk and Splashtop

HelpWire eliminates complex setup and configuration, offering users an easy, intuitive way to establish remote sessions. The software is free for personal and commercial use, providing a smooth, reliable remote management and support solution. 

HelpWire’s Key Features

  • Instant remote assistance: You can quickly provide reliable support via secure, auto-generated remote connections.
  • Advanced security: All connections are hosted in reliable data centers and protected with AES-256 encryption, secure HTTPS/WSS protocols, and permission-based access controls.
  • Unattended device control: Access computers remotely, even when no one is at the other end.
  • Cross-platform support: The software is compatible with Windows, Linux, and macOS.
  • Collaboration tools: Built-in chat system lets multiple technicians communicate in real time to resolve client issues.
  • Easy file sharing: Copy and paste files to easily transfer data between local and remote machines.
  • Comprehensive client and team management: Teams can maintain client records, track sessions, and assign roles directly in the software.

While AnyDesk and Splashtop offer robust paid plans, HelpWire is a top alternative, offering a powerful, free remote access and support solution.