AnyDesk Overview 2026 — Best Remote Desktop for Speed?

What Is AnyDesk?

AnyDesk is a remote desktop application developed by AnyDesk Software GmbH, a German company founded in 2014 by former TeamViewer developers. Frustrated with the direction of their previous project, the founding team set out to build a remote desktop tool focused purely on speed and responsiveness.

The result is a lightweight client (under 5 MB) powered by a proprietary video codec called DeskRT. This codec was designed from the ground up for remote desktop use, compressing and transmitting screen data far more efficiently than generic video codecs. The difference is noticeable — AnyDesk feels snappier than most competitors, especially on slower connections.

With over 500 million downloads worldwide, AnyDesk has established itself as a serious alternative to TeamViewer in the remote desktop space. It's used by IT departments, managed service providers, freelancers, and individuals who need reliable remote access without the bloat.

Performance & Speed

Speed is the core selling point of AnyDesk, and it genuinely delivers. The DeskRT codec is purpose-built for screen content — it handles text, UI elements, and desktop visuals more efficiently than codecs designed for video streaming.

Here's what we measured in our testing:

• LAN latency: Under 16ms — virtually indistinguishable from a local desktop
• Frame rate: Consistent 60fps on local networks, 30-45fps over typical broadband
• Minimum bandwidth: Usable on connections as low as 100 kbit/s
• Hardware acceleration: GPU-accelerated encoding and decoding for smoother performance

We tested AnyDesk across a range of connection types — from a 1Gbps fiber link down to a throttled 5 Mbps mobile hotspot. On fiber, the experience was indistinguishable from sitting at the remote machine. On the mobile hotspot, there was noticeable compression, but the session remained responsive and usable for administrative tasks.

The lightweight client also means fast startup. AnyDesk launches in seconds and can run as a portable executable without installation — useful for one-time support sessions where you don't want to install anything permanently on the client's machine.

Bottom line: If raw speed and low latency are your priority, AnyDesk is hard to beat. The DeskRT codec gives it a genuine edge over competitors that rely on generic encoding.

Security

Remote desktop tools are high-value targets for attackers — they provide direct access to machines. AnyDesk takes this seriously with multiple layers of protection:

• TLS 1.2 encryption — all connections are encrypted end-to-end using transport layer security
• RSA 2048 key exchange — asymmetric key exchange verifies every connection, preventing man-in-the-middle attacks
• Two-factor authentication — adds a second verification step for unattended access
• Whitelisting — restrict which AnyDesk IDs are allowed to connect to a device
• Session logging — full audit trail of who connected, when, and for how long (Performance plan and above)
• Compliance — SOC 2 certified, HIPAA-ready for healthcare environments

The whitelisting feature is particularly useful for enterprise deployments. Instead of relying solely on passwords, you can explicitly define which AnyDesk clients are authorized to connect — blocking everything else by default. Combined with 2FA, this creates a robust access control system.

AnyDesk also operates its own server infrastructure in Europe, giving them full control over the relay network. Connections are routed through the nearest AnyDesk server for speed, but the actual session data is encrypted end-to-end — AnyDesk cannot see your screen content.

Features

File Transfer

Drag-and-drop file transfer between local and remote machines. Transfer speeds are solid, and the built-in file manager makes it easy to navigate directories on both ends. You can also copy and paste files using the clipboard.

Clipboard Sync

Copy text or images on one machine and paste on the other. Works seamlessly for text content. Image clipboard sync works but can be slower with large images.

Remote Printing

Print documents from a remote machine to your local printer. Useful for accessing files stored on office computers while working from home, without needing to transfer the file first.

Session Recording

Record remote sessions for compliance, training, or documentation purposes. Available on the Performance plan and above. Recordings are saved locally and can be reviewed in the AnyDesk player.

Unattended Access

Configure machines to accept connections without someone sitting at the remote end. Essential for IT administrators managing servers, workstations, or kiosks. Set a password, enable 2FA, and connect whenever needed.

Custom Branding

Add your company logo and colors to the AnyDesk client. Available on Performance and Enterprise plans. Useful for MSPs and IT teams who want a professional appearance when providing support to clients.

Multiple Monitor Support

View and switch between multiple monitors on the remote machine. You can display all monitors in a single view or switch between them individually. Works well with up to three monitors in our testing.

Address Book

Save frequently accessed machines for quick connections. Organize devices by groups or tags. Shared address books are available on business plans for team-wide device management.

Pricing & Plans

The free tier is genuinely useful for personal use — connecting to your home PC from a laptop, helping a family member with tech issues, or accessing files remotely. There's no time limit on sessions, which is generous compared to some competitors.

For business use, the Essentials plan at $14.90/month covers most small team needs. The Performance plan at $29.90/month adds session logging and custom branding — important for MSPs and IT departments that need audit trails and a professional look.

Compared to TeamViewer: AnyDesk is notably cheaper. TeamViewer's equivalent business plans start at $24.90/month and scale up quickly. For pure remote access without the need for TeamViewer's broader IT management features, AnyDesk offers better value.

AnyDesk vs TeamViewer

This is the comparison most people are looking for. Both tools were built by overlapping teams — AnyDesk's founders left TeamViewer specifically to build something faster. Here's how they stack up:

• Speed: AnyDesk wins. The DeskRT codec is faster and more efficient than TeamViewer's encoding, especially on low-bandwidth connections.
• Features: TeamViewer wins. It offers a broader feature set including built-in RMM (remote monitoring and management), ticketing, asset management, and deeper enterprise integrations.
• Pricing: AnyDesk wins. Significantly cheaper at every tier, with a more generous free plan.
• Integrations: TeamViewer wins. Better integration with Active Directory, SIEM tools, PSA platforms, and third-party IT management suites.
• Client size: AnyDesk wins. Under 5 MB vs TeamViewer's 30+ MB installer.

Choose AnyDesk if your primary need is fast, reliable remote access and you want to keep costs down. It's the better tool for pure remote desktop use.

Choose TeamViewer if you need a full IT management suite with monitoring, ticketing, and deep enterprise integrations. The higher price buys a broader toolset.