Are you trying to figure out the best remote desktop software?
It can be tricky, right?
Many options are out there, but two popular choices that often come up are Splashtop and RealVNC Connect.
Both promise great ways to access computers.
In this guide, we’ll break down Splashtop vs RealVNC Connect.
Overview
We tested Splashtop and RealVNC Connect.
We used them for different tasks.
This helped us see their strengths and weaknesses.
Now, let’s compare them directly.
Ready to try a faster, more affordable remote access solution? Try it for free and join thousands!
Pricing: It has a free trial. Paid plan starts at $5/monthly.
Key Features:
- High-Speed Performance
- Lightweight Client
- Cross-Platform Compatibility
Want robust, secure remote access for your business? Try it free and join the thousands!
Pricing: It has a free trial. Paid plan starts at $29.75/monthly.
Key Features:
- Cross-platform support
- End-to-end encryption
- Direct and cloud connectivity
What is Splashtop?
Let’s talk about Splashtop.
It’s a tool for remote access. This means you can control another computer from anywhere.
Many people use it.
It’s known for being fast.
It’s also very secure. You can use it for work or at home.
Also, explore our favorite Splashtop alternatives…
Our Take
Join over 600,000 daily users! Get instant remote access to any device with Splashtop for fast remote support.
Key Benefits
- Fast and Smooth Connection: Enjoy quick access. It feels like you are there.
- High-Quality Streaming: Get clear video and audio. Works great for media.
- Cross-Platform Support: Use it on any device. Windows, Mac, Linux, mobile.
- Enhanced Security Features: Your data stays safe. It uses strong encryption.
- Cost-Effective Plans: Save money with it. Good value for features.
Pricing
Splashtop has several plans. For personal use, Splashtop Personal is free. But it has limits.
Here are some other options:
- Solo: $5/month
- Pro: $8.25/month
- Performance: $13/month
- Enterprise: Contact for pricing
Pros
Cons
What is RealVNC Connect?
VNC Connect is a tool that lets you see and control a computer from another computer.
It’s like you are sitting right in front of it.
You can do this from anywhere with an internet connection.
It’s often used by IT pros and businesses.
Also, explore our favorite VNC Connect alternatives…
Our Take
Securely use RealVNC for remote desktop access! Want robust, secure remote access for your business? Try it now!. Download RealVNC now!
Key Benefits
- Direct Access: Connect straight to your machines.
- Cross-Platform: Works on many devices.
- High Security: Encrypts your connections.
- Team Support: Helps many users at once.
- Flexible Licensing: Pay for what you need.
Pricing
VNC Connect has different plans.
- Premium: $29.75/month
- Plus: $16.50/month
- Essential: $8.25
Pros
Cons
Feature Comparison
Splashtop and RealVNC Connect are powerful remote desktop solutions, each offering high performance remote access and a secure remote access solution.
Splashtop excels in its comprehensive endpoint management features.
While RealVNC Connect, rooted in Virtual Network Computing (VNC) technology, is a great tool known for its flexibility in connection methods.
1. Performance and High Performance Remote Access
The underlying protocols and technology significantly impact the quality of remote desktop connections, especially for remote work involving high-definition visuals.
- Splashtop: Utilizes a proprietary protocol designed for high performance remote access, delivering high-definition video and audio in real-time. This focus makes Splashtop offers a seamless experience, crucial for business professionals working remotely.
- RealVNC Connect: Based on the reliable Virtual Network Computing (VNC) protocol. It offers high-quality streaming and is highly reliable, but the core VNC technology historically requires more bandwidth than Splashtop’s optimized protocol.
2. Autonomous Endpoint Management (AEM)
Splashtop’s advanced solutions integrate beyond remote access into broader IT management, reducing manual workloads and improving security posture.
- Splashtop: Splashtop offers autonomous endpoint management, which includes proactive support, real time monitoring, inventory reporting, and third party software patching. These advanced productivity features allow IT teams to streamline software updates and centrally deploy security measures.
- RealVNC Connect: Focuses on the secure remote connection itself and provides essential remote management tools. It is not an integrated autonomous endpoint management platform and lacks the built-in, automated features for comprehensive inventory reporting or software updates.
3. On-Demand Support Functionality
The ability to quickly initiate a support session with a customer who has no pre-installed software is critical for remote support teams.
- RealVNC Connect: Features the On-Demand Assist feature, which allows support teams to launch a support session instantly using a unique, single-use code. The end-user only needs to run a no-install app, making it extremely user friendly.
- Splashtop: Offers Splashtop SOS for on-demand assistance, which functions similarly by providing a session code to the end-user, enabling tech support to remotely access the remote device without prior installation of the Splashtop streamer.
4. Connection Methods and Deployment
Flexibility in connecting, especially for security-conscious organizations, is a key difference.
- RealVNC Connect: Supports both cloud-brokered connections for ease of use and direct connections (via IP address) over a local network, giving customers who chose RealVNC a secure remote access solution with options to keep data inside their network.
- Splashtop: Primarily a cloud-based remote access solutions provider, but it offers on-premises options for its enterprise plans to help organizations with sensitive information maintain a private network.
5. Security and Compliance Posture
Both are secure, but Splashtop is more focused on industry-specific security certifications and advanced security features.
- Splashtop: Provides advanced security features including device authentication and two factor authentication (2FA). It is ISO certified (ISO/IEC 27001) and complies with standards like SOC 2 and HIPAA, giving assurance to educational institutions and other highly regulated industries.
- RealVNC Connect: Emphasizes a secure-by-design philosophy with end-to-end encryption and multi factor authentication. It also features granular access control permissions and session recording for enhanced security posture and accountability.
6. Cross-Platform and Mobile Device Support
The ability to remotely connect to and from various operating systems, including mobile devices, is a standard feature.
- Splashtop: Provides strong cross platform support, enabling support teams to remotely access remote computers running Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile devices (iOS/Android) with the Splashtop app.
- RealVNC Connect: Also offers multi platform support across Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile devices via the RealVNC Viewer app, allowing users to remotely access their work computers or other computers from nearly any device.
7. Licensing and Cost-Effectiveness
The business models are structured differently, affecting the overall Splashtop cost and value for certain users.
- Splashtop: Tends to be a cost effective solution, often structured with specific plans for remote support (Splashtop Remote Support) versus end-user access (Splashtop Business), with competitive pricing often cited in reviews.
- RealVNC Connect: Offers flexible licensing per person controlling a machine or per machine being controlled. Its licensing is often perceived as simpler but can be more expensive than Splashtop for certain high-volume support use cases.
8. In-Session Productivity Tools
Tools available within a support session enhance supporting efficiency for IT teams.
- RealVNC Connect: Provides essential in-session tools like chat session, file transfer, remote printing, and the ability to highlight areas on the remote screen, which is useful for communicating with the remote user.
- Splashtop: Also includes features such as file transfer, remote printing, and chat support, along with troubleshooting tools and the ability to remotely reboot and reconnect seamlessly.
9. User Experience and Interface
The user interface and overall ease of use affect new users and the daily experience of support teams.
- Splashtop: Often praised for its user-friendly interface and intuitive setup process, making it simple for new users to get started and remotely access their remote workstation.
- RealVNC Connect: The user interface is straightforward and reliable, though its setup can involve configuring ports for direct local network connections in some cases, a complexity not present in Splashtop’s cloud connections.
What to Look for When Choosing a Remote Access Tool?
When picking a remote access tool, consider these points:
- Speed: Does it feel fast and smooth?
- Ease of Use: Is it simple to set up and use?
- Security: Does it protect your data well?
- Cost: Does it fit your budget?
- Features: Does it have what you need (file transfer, multiple users)?
- Compatibility: Does it work on all your devices (PC, phone)?
- Support: Can you get help if you have problems?
- Reliability: Does it connect without issues?
- Unattended Access: Can you connect when no one is there?
Final Verdict (Our Pick)
We looked at all the features. For 2025, we pick Splashtop.
It’s easier to use. It performs great.
It also costs less. RealVNC Connect is good.
It’s for advanced users and big companies.
But Splashtop is better for most people.
It gives reliable and fast remote access. We tested both well.
You can trust our choice.
It will help you connect easily and safely.
More of Splashtop
We’ve compared Splashtop with the following alternatives, highlighting their standout features:
- Splashtop vs TeamViewer: TeamViewer offers comprehensive features and broad multi-platform support for enterprise use.
- Splashtop vs AnyDesk: AnyDesk is praised for its lightweight connections and excellent low-latency performance.
- Splashtop vs RemotePC: RemotePC provides secure, always-on access and integrates cloud backup for business users.
- Splashtop vs RealVNC Connect: RealVNC Connect focuses on secure, direct connections and robust multi-monitor capabilities.
- Splashtop vs GoTo Resolve: GoTo Resolve offers integrated IT support, ticketing, and powerful automation features.
- Splashtop vs ISL Online: ISL Online provides flexible deployment options (cloud/on-premise) with strong security.
- Splashtop vs BeyondTrust: BeyondTrust specializes in privileged access management and advanced enterprise security.
- Splashtop vs LogMeIn: LogMeIn offers robust remote access and management for businesses, with extensive features.
More of RealVNC Connect
Here, we’ve compared RealVNC Connect vs other remote access solutions, highlighting their unique strengths:
- RealVNC Connect vs TeamViewer: TeamViewer offers broader device support and a highly user-friendly interface.
- RealVNC Connect vs AnyDesk: AnyDesk is known for its fast, low-latency connections, even on weaker networks.
- RealVNC Connect vs Splashtop: Splashtop excels in high-performance streaming and cost-effective pricing for businesses.
- RealVNC Connect vs RemotePC: RemotePC provides always-on access and integrates cloud backup solutions for users.
- RealVNC Connect vs GoTo Resolve: GoTo Resolve combines IT support, ticketing, and remote monitoring capabilities.
- RealVNC Connect vs ISL Online: ISL Online offers flexible licensing and strong security with direct developer support.
- RealVNC Connect vs BeyondTrust: BeyondTrust provides advanced security, compliance, and granular access control for enterprises.
- RealVNC Connect vs LogMeIn: LogMeIn offers comprehensive remote access with robust printing and detailed reporting features.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall rating for Splashtop versus RealVNC Connect?
Both Splashtop and RealVNC Connect have high user ratings. Splashtop often gets slightly higher marks for ease of use and value. RealVNC Connect is praised for its robust security and advanced functionality, especially in larger business settings.
Can I set up a personal server for either Splashtop or RealVNC Connect?
RealVNC Connect allows for more direct self-hosting options, letting you set up your own VNC server. Splashtop is primarily a cloud-based service, meaning their servers handle most of the connection, offering simpler setup.
How does Splashtop compare to TeamViewer?
Splashtop is often seen as a more cost-effective alternative to TeamViewer. It offers similar remote access functionality. Many users find Splashtop to have better performance for media streaming, while TeamViewer has strong collaboration tools.
What core functionality does RealVNC Connect offer for businesses?
RealVNC Connect provides secure remote access, file transfer, and multi-monitor support. Its strong encryption and detailed session logging make it suitable for businesses needing high security and audit trails to work remotely effectively.
Which service is better for individuals who need to work remotely?
For individuals, Splashtop generally offers a more straightforward and affordable solution to work remotely. Its simple interface and good performance make it easy for personal use, especially for those who don’t need complex IT management features.
English 
Spanish 
Chinese 
German 
French 
Arabic 
Russian 
Portuguese 
Japanese 
Korean 
Italian 
Turkish 
Dutch 
Polish