TeamViewer costs $24.90/mo.
These cost $0.
5 free alternatives to TeamViewer, checked for license, recent activity and real adoption. Each one tells you the catch, so you can switch with your eyes open.
TeamViewer vs Free Alternatives Matrix
Quick side-by-side comparison · $0/mo vs $24.90/mo
| Alternative | Type | License | Where It Runs | Stars | Head-to-Head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rustdesk | open source | cm0zftngg00pz94snxajamc81 | Self-host | ★ 128.1k | TeamViewer vs Rustdesk → |
| MeshCentral | open source | cm0zfrz5200pu94snwyqzpqx7 | Self-host | ★ 7.6k | TeamViewer vs MeshCentral → |
| Remotely | open source | cm0zfiowb00pj94snnh6jzvs0 | Self-host | ★ 5.1k | TeamViewer vs Remotely → |
| Myrtille | open source | cm0zfrz5200pu94snwyqzpqx7 | Self-host | ★ 2.0k | TeamViewer vs Myrtille → |
| Apache Guacamole | open source | cm0zfrz5200pu94snwyqzpqx7 | Self-host | ★ 4.0k | TeamViewer vs Apache Guacamole → |
The picks
5 open source · ranked by fit
- 01
Rustdesk
open sourcecm0zftngg00pz94snxajamc81Self-host128.1knov 2026Self-hosted remote desktop application.
The catch vs TeamViewerRequires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed TeamViewer.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone https://github.com/rustdesk/rustdesk or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- your data
- All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- checked
- 2026-11-04
- 02
MeshCentral
open sourcecm0zfrz5200pu94snwyqzpqx7Self-host7.6knov 2026Complete web-based remote monitoring and management solution.
The catch vs TeamViewerRequires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed TeamViewer.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone https://github.com/Ylianst/MeshCentral or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- your data
- All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- checked
- 2026-11-04
- 03
Remotely
open sourcecm0zfiowb00pj94snnh6jzvs0Self-host5.1kdec 2024Remote control and scripting with .NET 8, Blazor, and SignalR.
The catch vs TeamViewerRequires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed TeamViewer.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone https://github.com/Jay-Rad/Remotely or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- your data
- All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- checked
- 2026-11-04
- 04
Myrtille
open sourcecm0zfrz5200pu94snwyqzpqx7Self-host2.0kjul 2021Connect to remote desktops via browser.
The catch vs TeamViewerRequires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed TeamViewer.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone https://github.com/cedrozor/myrtille or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- your data
- All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- checked
- 2026-11-04
- 05
Apache Guacamole
open sourcecm0zfrz5200pu94snwyqzpqx7Self-host4.0knov 2026Access remote desktops via web browser.
The catch vs TeamViewerRequires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed TeamViewer.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone https://github.com/apache/guacamole-server or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- your data
- All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- checked
- 2026-11-04
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers · TeamViewer open-source replacements
What is the best free alternative to TeamViewer?+
The top free alternative to TeamViewer is Rustdesk (open source, cm0zftngg00pz94snxajamc81). Self-hosted remote desktop application. Other popular TeamViewer replacements include MeshCentral, Remotely, Myrtille.
Can I self-host a free replacement for TeamViewer?+
Yes. Of the 5 free alternatives to TeamViewer, 5 can be self-hosted on your own server or local machine: Rustdesk (cm0zftngg00pz94snxajamc81), MeshCentral (cm0zfrz5200pu94snwyqzpqx7), Remotely (cm0zfiowb00pj94snnh6jzvs0), Myrtille (cm0zfrz5200pu94snwyqzpqx7), Apache Guacamole (cm0zfrz5200pu94snwyqzpqx7).
How much does switching from TeamViewer to a free alternative save?+
TeamViewer starts at $24.90/month per seat ($299/year). Switching a 5-person team to a free alternative like Rustdesk saves $1,494 per year in software subscription fees.
Should I vibe-code or build my own TeamViewer clone from scratch?+
Our build verdict for TeamViewer is NOT REALLY (use a free alternative, save the tokens). Instead of paying recurring SaaS fees for TeamViewer or rebuilding it from scratch, deploy one of the 5 battle-tested open-source alternatives like Rustdesk or MeshCentral.
What is the catch when switching from TeamViewer to Rustdesk?+
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed TeamViewer.
