remote desktop tool · Microsoft Corporation

Windows App

Microsoft's free Remote Desktop app, for reaching a Windows Pro PC or a cloud PC from Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad or Android.

80/100

#4 of 8 remote desktop tools
Facts checked 8 Oct 2026

Windows App replaces Microsoft's Remote Desktop client, and the Remote Desktop app from the Microsoft Store is no longer supported⁶.

In short

Windows App is a free download, and it connects to a remote PC without signing in to a Microsoft account^5,1.
The PC you connect to must run Windows Pro, Enterprise or Education; Windows Home cannot host Remote Desktop⁴.
Apps run on Windows, macOS, iOS/iPadOS and Android, but the web version cannot reach a remote PC¹.
Sessions can use all your monitors on Windows and macOS, and redirect printers and local drives².
To connect from outside your home network you need port forwarding or a VPN⁴.

Windows App is the free choice if the PC you want to reach runs Windows Pro or higher: it uses Remote Desktop, which is built into those editions^4,5. It handles several monitors, printers and local drives well². The catch is setup: Windows Home cannot host, and reaching a PC from outside your network needs port forwarding or a VPN⁴.

Best for: People with Windows Pro who want free remote access to their own PC.

Where the points come from

Systems12 of 20

Features18 of 30

Security25 of 25

Price25 of 25

Systems 12 of 20 points

Rule	What is published	Points
Apps	Windows, macOS, iOS, AndroidWindows App is available for Windows, macOS, iOS/iPadOS and Android/Chrome OS¹.	12 / 15
Connect from a browser	NoThe web version reaches Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365, but not a remote PC¹.	0 / 5

Features 18 of 30 points

Rule	What is published	Points
Unattended access	YesYou can connect to a powered-on PC with Remote Desktop enabled and use it as if you were at your desk⁴.	6 / 6
File transfer	YesLocal drives can be redirected into the session; in a browser, files upload and download².	5 / 5
Multiple monitors	YesMultiple monitors are supported on Windows and macOS².	4 / 4
Remote printing	YesPrinter redirection lets you print from the session to a local printer².	3 / 3
Session recording	Not published	0 / 4
Wake-on-LAN	Not published	0 / 4
Control Android devices	Not published	0 / 4

Security 25 of 25 points

Rule	What is published	Points
Encrypted sessions	YesMicrosoft says Remote Desktop Protocol traffic is encapsulated and encrypted within TCP⁷.	5 / 5
Two-factor sign-in	YesWork or school sign-in supports Microsoft Authenticator for multifactor authentication².	5 / 5
Single sign-on	YesSingle sign-on and federated identity through Microsoft Entra ID, for cloud services².	5 / 5
SOC 2 Type II or ISO 27001	YesMicrosoft lists Windows 365 and Microsoft Entra ID as in scope for ISO/IEC 27001⁸.	5 / 5
Self-hosting	YesRemote PC connections are point to point to your own PC^6,4.	5 / 5

Price 25 of 25 points

Rule	What is published	Points
Free for personal use	YesFree download; remote PC connections work without signing in^5,1.	10 / 10
Cheapest paid plan	$0Entirely free; the host PC needs Windows Pro or higher^5,4.	10 / 10
Monthly billing	YesEntirely free, so there is nothing to pay up front⁵.	5 / 5

The rule behind each line: how we score remote desktop tools.

Plans and prices

As the vendor lists them, before tax. Prices are in US dollars unless the plan shows euros; the points use US dollars, with euros converted at the ECB rate.

Plan	Price as listed	Per month	Notes
Windows AppAnyone	Free^5,4	$0	The PC you connect to needs Windows Pro, Enterprise or Education

Windows App costs nothing, but hosting needs Windows Pro or higher; Windows Home cannot be a Remote Desktop host⁴.

Strengths

Free on every platform it supports, with no paid tier⁵.
Connections to a remote PC go point to point, not through a vendor relay⁶.
Uses all local monitors and can redirect printers, drives and the clipboard into the session².
Work and school sign-in supports single sign-on and Microsoft Authenticator².

Limits

Windows Home editions cannot be Remote Desktop hosts⁴.
Reaching a PC from outside its network needs port forwarding or a VPN⁴.
Windows App in a web browser cannot connect to a remote PC¹.
On Windows, remote PC connections in Windows App are still in preview; Microsoft points to the built-in Remote Desktop Connection app instead^1,3.

Other remote desktop tools

1
RustDeskPeople who want to self-host their remote access
87/100
$11.88/mocheapest paid plan
2
Zoho AssistSmall IT and support teams on a budget
86/100
$10/mocheapest paid plan
3
TeamViewer RemotePersonal use, and teams that need every platform
84/100
$20.02/mocheapest paid plan
5
SplashtopIndividuals and small teams reaching their own computers
80/100
$6/mocheapest paid plan

All 8 remote desktop tools

Sources

What is Windows App? - Windows App | Microsoft Learn, Microsoft. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Compare Windows App features across platforms and devices - Windows App | Microsoft Learn, Microsoft. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
How to use Remote Desktop | Microsoft Support, Microsoft. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Enable Remote Desktop on your PC | Microsoft Learn, Microsoft. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Windows App App - App Store, Apple. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Remote Desktop client overview - Remote Desktop client | Microsoft Learn, Microsoft. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Understanding Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) - Windows Server | Microsoft Learn, Microsoft. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
ISO/IEC 27001:2013 Information Security Management Standards - Microsoft Compliance | Microsoft Learn, Microsoft. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.

Website: learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-app/overview · Markdown version · We are not affiliated with Microsoft Corporation.