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Splashtop Remote Desktop: Setup, Features & Alternatives
Splashtop Remote Desktop is a high-performance remote access solution that lets you connect to any Windows, Mac, or Linux computer from any device — including iPhone, Android, iPad, Chromebook, and web browser. It uses a proprietary protocol optimized for 4K/60fps streaming with low latency, making it suitable for creative work, video editing, and engineering applications where color accuracy and frame rate matter.
What Is Splashtop Remote Desktop?
Splashtop Remote Desktop provides two core capabilities: unattended remote access (connect to your computer anytime without someone at the remote end) and attended support (help someone by connecting to their device on-demand). The platform supports Windows 7+, macOS 10.13+, and major Linux distributions as streamers (the machine you access), with clients for Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, iOS, Android, and any modern web browser.
- Performance: Proprietary protocol with adaptive bitrate, H.264/H.265/VP9 hardware encoding, and 4K/60fps streaming
- Security: End-to-end AES-256 encryption, TLS 1.2+ signaling, DTLS/SRTP media streams
- Deployment: Cloud-managed (default) or on-premise gateway for air-gapped environments
- Management: Centralized web console for user/device management, access policies, and audit logs
How to Set Up Splashtop Remote Desktop
Personal Use (Splashtop Personal)
- Create a free account at splashtop.com
- Install the Splashtop Streamer on the computer you want to access
- Install the Splashtop client on your local device (or use the web browser)
- Sign in with the same account on both devices — connect instantly
Business / Team Use (Splashtop Business or Enterprise)
- Sign up for Splashtop Business Access or Enterprise (7-day free trial, no credit card)
- Deploy the Streamer via Group Policy (GPO), SCCM, Intune, or Jamf for fleet-wide rollout
- Configure user/group access policies in the admin console
- Optional: enable SSO/SAML (Entra ID, Okta), MFA (Duo, TOTP), and IP allowlists for Enterprise
- Optional: deploy on-premise gateway for zero-cloud-exposure environments
Splashtop vs. Competitors — Remote Desktop Features
| Feature | Splashtop Business | TeamViewer | AnyDesk | Chrome Remote Desktop | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protocol | Proprietary | Proprietary | DeskRT | WebRTC/VP9 | |
| Max Resolution | 4K | 4K | 4K | Up to display | |
| Max FPS | 60fps | 60fps | 60fps | 30fps | |
| Unattended Access | Yes (10 devices) | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| File Transfer | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | |
| Multi-Monitor | Yes (spanning) | Yes | Yes | No | |
| Session Recording | No (Enterprise only) | Yes | Limited | No | |
| Mobile Client | iOS, Android | iOS, Android | iOS, Android | iOS, Android | |
| Cross-Platform | Win, Mac, Linux, ChromeOS | Win, Mac, Linux | Win, Mac, Linux | Any Chrome browser | |
| Free Tier | Yes (personal) | Yes (personal) | Yes (personal) | Yes (free) | |
| Business Price | $6/user/mo | $20.58/user/mo | $19.90/user/mo | Free |
Use Cases
- Remote work: Access your office workstation from home, a hotel, or while traveling — no VPN required
- IT support: Provide remote help to employees or customers with attended (SOS) or unattended access
- Creative work: Edit video, design graphics, or run CAD software remotely with 4K/60fps and 4:4:4 color
- Education: Lab access for students, remote classroom collaboration, IT administration for school districts
- Healthcare: HIPAA-compliant remote access to EHR workstations (Splashtop Enterprise with BAA)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Splashtop Remote Desktop?
Splashtop Remote Desktop is a high-performance remote access solution that lets you connect to your Windows, Mac, or Linux computer from any device — including iPhone, Android, iPad, Chromebook, and web browser. It uses a proprietary protocol optimized for 4K/60fps streaming with low latency, making it suitable for creative work, video editing, and engineering applications where color accuracy and frame rate matter.
How do I set up Splashtop Remote Desktop?
Install the Splashtop Streamer on the computer you want to access (Windows 7+, macOS 10.13+, or Linux). Create a Splashtop account at splashtop.com, then install the Splashtop client on your local device. Sign in with the same account on both devices. For teams, use the Splashtop Business or Enterprise console to manage users, devices, and access policies centrally.
Is Splashtop Remote Desktop free?
Splashtop offers a free personal-use tier (Splashtop Personal) for accessing your own devices over a local network or the internet. For business use — including centralized management, SSO, compliance features, and multi-user support — Splashtop Business Access starts at $6/user/month with a 7-day free trial.
How does Splashtop compare to Chrome Remote Desktop for personal use?
Both are free for personal use. Splashtop offers better performance (4K/60fps, hardware encoding), multi-monitor support, file transfer, and chat during sessions. Chrome Remote Desktop is simpler to set up (no account needed beyond Google) but limited by browser performance and lacks features like session recording, remote printing, and unattended access configuration.
Can I access my PC from my phone with Splashtop?
Yes. Splashtop provides native mobile apps for iOS (iPhone and iPad) and Android that let you view and control your remote desktop with touch gestures, on-screen keyboard, and gesture controls. The mobile client supports 4K resolution, multi-monitor switching, and file transfer between your phone and the remote computer.