Self-hosted alternatives to Chrome Remote Desktop
Want free remote desktop without handing your data to Chrome Remote Desktop? These 3 self-hosted apps run on your own server (most are open source; licenses are listed below). Cheapest estimated hosting starts at about $5/month.
About Chrome Remote Desktop: Google's free browser-based remote desktop tool.
| App | Health | Stars | License | Docker | RAM (est.) | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MeshCentral | Active | 7.6k | Apache-2.0 | – | 1 GB | $5/mo |
| Guacamole | Active | 4k | Apache-2.0 | – | 2 GB | $10/mo |
| SparkView | Unknown | – | ⊘ Proprietary | – | 2 GB | $10/mo |
The options in detail
1. MeshCentral
Run your own web server to remotely manage and control computers on a local network or anywhere on the internet.
Active Last commit 2026-11-09. Latest release 1.3.1 (2026-10-23). Needs roughly 1 GB RAM. How to run it →
2. Guacamole
Clientless remote desktop gateway supporting standard protocols like VNC and RDP.
Active Last commit 2026-11-03. Latest release 1.6.0 (2025-06-23). Needs roughly 2 GB RAM. How to run it →
3. SparkView
Browser-based remote access solution. No VPN client; just deploy the software in the DMZ. Access VMs, desktops, servers, and apps anytime, anywhere, without complex and costly client rollouts or user management.
Unknown Needs roughly 2 GB RAM. How to run it →
Why self-host instead of Chrome Remote Desktop?
- Own your data — it lives on a server you control, with backups you decide on.
- Predictable cost — a small VPS often replaces per-seat pricing for a whole team or family.
- No lock-in — open-source licenses let you keep running the software even if a vendor disappears.
The trade-off: you are responsible for updates, backups and security. Pick an app marked Active (a commit in the last 90 days) and with Docker support for the easiest ride.
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Other alternatives guides
Chrome Remote Desktop is a trademark of its owner; this site is not affiliated with it. Listings come from the community-maintained awesome-selfhosted list.