Updated: September 23, 2026
I’ve used quite a few remote-support applications over the years. DameWare, VNC, Remote Desktop, TeamViewer, AnyDesk, Remote Utilities, RustDesk and several others have all had their place at one point or another.
My preferences have changed over time as the products, pricing, licensing and—more importantly—my own use cases have changed.
For the last few years I’ve primarily settled on two:
- Remote Utilities (RU)
- RustDesk (RD)
I still own my old TeamViewer 11 lifetime license, and it works when I need it. However, changes to TeamViewer’s licensing and the eventual obsolescence of older versions made me reluctant to continue investing in that ecosystem. It’s somewhat similar to one of my longstanding complaints about Apple: perfectly usable hardware or software eventually gets left behind because the surrounding ecosystem has moved on.
That doesn’t mean I won’t use TeamViewer—or AnyDesk, Quick Assist, UltraViewer, HopToDesk, or whatever remote-support tool a client already has installed and is comfortable using.
If it gets me connected, I’ll use it.
However, in most cases those applications will simply be the initial connection method. Once connected, I’ll either run my own Quick Support tool for that session or, with permission, install and configure the remote-support solution I normally use for ongoing support.
There are practical reasons for this. Some remote-support products impose connection-time, frequency, device or other restrictions when used without the appropriate license. I’ve encountered situations where a tool that was previously convenient for occasional support became increasingly restrictive.
Rather than discovering one of those limitations halfway through troubleshooting, I’d rather use the initial connection to move the session onto a platform I already know, maintain and am properly licensed to use.
So if you already have TeamViewer, AnyDesk, Quick Assist, UltraViewer, HopToDesk or something else installed, that’s fine.
We don’t need to make downloading another program your first problem.
Get me connected with what you have, and I’ll take it from there.
For my own tools, however, RU and RD became my primary choices.
Why RustDesk Moved to #1
I’ve written about this before.
Remote Utilities was actually my preferred Windows remote-support application. The licensing was reasonable, it worked well, and I already owned it.
The problem was mobile support.
I provide support while I’m away from a computer fairly regularly. RustDesk gave me a much better mobile experience, along with access to the systems I needed. It was also cross-platform and extremely fast.
That flexibility eventually mattered enough that RustDesk moved into my #1 position.
I went as far as running my own RustDesk infrastructure and creating customized Quick Support clients. That gave me considerable control over the environment.
And to be clear:
RustDesk is still excellent.
Its performance remains among the best I’ve used. There are still situations where I’ll use my customized RustDesk Quick Support client, particularly for one-off support or where RustDesk simply makes more sense.
But self-hosting also means something has to be maintained.
Servers need updates. Software needs updating. Things occasionally break. There is a financial cost, even if small, and there is also the cost of my time.
For quite a while I accepted that because RustDesk gave me functionality that Remote Utilities didn’t.
That equation has now changed.
Remote Utilities FINALLY Updated Its Mobile App
Yes, FINALLY is intentional.
Remote Utilities released a completely rebuilt mobile Viewer for Android and iOS in 2026.
This isn’t simply a cosmetic update to the old application. The new mobile Viewer provides proper address-book support, Full Control, View Only, File Transfer, Power Control, multiple-monitor support and significantly better interaction with remote systems.
For me, the address book is one of the biggest improvements.
That was one of the specific reasons I previously moved Remote Utilities below RustDesk.
If I’m away from my computer and need to assist someone, having the remote-support application on my phone isn’t particularly useful if the mobile workflow itself is limited. I need to be able to find the machine I want and connect without jumping through hoops.
That problem has now largely been addressed.
There are still things I’d like improved. Clipboard handling, for example, works, but I’d prefer a more seamless automatic clipboard experience.
There are also features available in the desktop Viewer that aren’t yet available in the mobile application.
But for general remote technical support?
I’m good with this.
So Am I Moving Back to Remote Utilities?
For structured and recurring support, yes.
Remote Utilities will again become my preferred option for systems I regularly support.
RustDesk isn’t disappearing.
My customized RD Quick Support client remains useful for particular situations, one-off connections and cases where RustDesk’s flexibility or performance makes it the better tool.
But I no longer have as much reason to maintain my own remote-support infrastructure simply because I need good mobile access.
Remote Utilities provides its own Internet-ID infrastructure, so I don’t have to host anything myself. Self-hosting an RU Server remains available if I want it, but it isn’t a requirement for my normal workflow.
That means one less service for me to maintain, one less thing to troubleshoot, and a reduction in my own operating expenses.
Sometimes the best technical solution isn’t the one that gives you the most things to manage.
A Recommendation for Upcoming Technicians
This change also means I’ll probably start recommending Remote Utilities more often to persons getting into IT support.
The licensing model is one of the better ones I’ve encountered.
At the time of writing, Remote Utilities offers a free license for up to 10 controlled remote computers, and the free license can be used for both personal and business purposes. There are no session time limits or advertisements. If you eventually outgrow that, commercial licensing is available.
That gives a new technician somewhere legitimate to start.
You can learn the software, support a small number of systems, build your experience and eventually purchase a commercial license as your requirements increase.
That’s a model I can support.
I’d actually like to see more technicians become aware of Remote Utilities and support its development. Hopefully, more users and paying customers will encourage continued development of the product, because I’d genuinely like to see RU continue closing the remaining gaps with other remote-support applications—and perhaps eventually surpass them in some areas.
The rebuilt mobile application is already a significant step in that direction.
Where Things Stand – September 2026
My current preference is therefore:
Remote Utilities – My primary choice for structured and recurring remote support.
RustDesk – Still available through my customized Quick Support setup and still an excellent option where its flexibility or performance makes it the better tool.
Everything else – If TeamViewer, AnyDesk, Quick Assist, UltraViewer, HopToDesk or another suitable tool is already installed and gets me connected, I’ll use it. From there, I’ll normally transition the session to one of my support tools if continued access is required.
TeamViewer 11 – I still own the license, but it’s effectively a legacy/fallback option for me.
And this could change again.
In fact, that’s really the point of these posts.
There is no reason to remain loyal to a piece of software simply because it was the best choice five years ago. Requirements change. Pricing changes. Licensing changes. Products improve—and sometimes products get worse.
RustDesk became my primary choice because it solved problems Remote Utilities wasn’t solving for me.
Now Remote Utilities has finally addressed one of the biggest of those problems.
So, for the moment at least:
Welcome back to the top, RU.
References
Remote Utilities – New Mobile App Announcement
Coming Soon: The All-New Mobile App for iOS and Android
Remote Utilities – Mobile App Review 2026
Remote Utilities Mobile App Review 2026
Remote Utilities – Licensing
Remote Utilities License Types