AnyDesk vs Remmina
Both are free remote desktop tools. Here is how they actually differ.
AnyDesk and Remmina at a glance
| Feature | AnyDesk | Remmina |
|---|---|---|
| Developer | AnyDesk Software GmbH | Remmina project |
| Licence | Free tier | Open Source |
| Cost | Free tier | Free |
| Windows | Yes | No |
| macOS | Yes | No |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile | Yes | No |
| Source code | Closed | Public |
AnyDesk: what it's good at
AnyDesk provides responsive remote desktop access even over modest connections, with a very small client that runs without installation. Free for personal use, making it a common pick for remote family tech support.
- Low latency even on slow connections
- Tiny portable client, no install needed
- File transfer between machines
- Free for personal use
Remmina: what it's good at
Remmina connects to remote machines over RDP, VNC, SSH and SPICE from a single application, with saved connection profiles. It is the default remote desktop client on most Linux distributions.
- RDP, VNC, SSH and SPICE in one client
- Saved connection profiles
- Tabbed multi-session interface
- Free and open source
Which should you choose?
Both are free, so the honest answer is that you can install either and decide for yourself — that is the advantage of free software over a paid trial.
Both run on Linux. Only AnyDesk supports Windows, macOS, Android, iOS. If open source matters to you, Remmina publishes its source code and AnyDesk does not.
We deliberately do not publish a star rating for either. We have no way to verify a rating that would be honest at scale, and an invented one would be worse than none — so we give you the facts and let you decide.
Frequently asked questions
Is AnyDesk better than Remmina?
Neither is universally better. AnyDesk fast, low-latency remote desktop access, while Remmina the standard multi-protocol remote desktop client for Linux. The right pick depends on your platform and workflow.
Are both really free?
AnyDesk is free tier and Remmina is open source. Both can be downloaded without paying.
Can I install both?
Yes. Since neither costs anything, installing both and comparing them on your own files is usually the fastest way to decide.