17 rules in 4 groups, worth 100 points in all. They were set before any product was scored and apply the same way to all 8.
Version 1, published 8 Oct 2026
In short
Each rule is a yes-or-no fact, a list (such as the systems with an app) or a number with published thresholds, read from the vendor's own pages.
A fact the vendor does not publish earns nothing. A feature in beta or preview does not count.
The list follows the points. A tie goes to the lower price on "cheapest paid plan", then to the name.
Remote desktop and remote support tools that can control a Windows PC.
Systems 20 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Apps
An official app for each system, to connect from it or to it. Each one earns 3 points.
15
Connect from a browser
You can control a remote computer from a web browser without installing an app.
5
Features 30 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Unattended access
You can connect to a computer when nobody is sitting at it.
6
File transfer
Copy files between the two computers during a session.
5
Multiple monitors
View and switch between the remote computer's monitors.
4
Remote printing
Print a remote file on the printer next to you.
3
Session recording
Record sessions as video, on at least one plan.
4
Wake-on-LAN
Wake a sleeping or switched-off computer before connecting.
4
Control Android devices
Remotely control (not only view) Android phones or tablets.
4
Security 25 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Encrypted sessions
The vendor documents end-to-end session encryption, such as AES-256 or TLS between the two devices.
5
Two-factor sign-in
Accounts can be protected with two-factor authentication.
5
Single sign-on
Sign in with a company identity provider over SAML or OpenID Connect, on at least one plan.
5
SOC 2 Type II or ISO 27001
The vendor names a SOC 2 Type II report or an ISO/IEC 27001 certification for this product or the company running it.
5
Self-hosting
You can run the connection or relay server yourself, so sessions do not pass through the vendor.
5
Price 25 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Free for personal use
A free plan or licence (not a trial) for personal use.
10
Cheapest paid plan
The cheapest paid plan for one user, in US dollars a month, billed yearly. A product that is entirely free counts as $0. $10 or less earns 10 points, $20 or less 7, $30 or less 4, $50 or less 2.
10
Monthly billing
You can pay month by month instead of a year up front, or the product is entirely free.