Is SidianRDP like Chrome Remote Desktop?

Both let you use a PC from another device. Chrome Remote Desktop runs through Google’s service and its own app or browser tab; SidianRDP turns the PC into a standard Remote Desktop host that you reach directly with Microsoft’s Remote Desktop apps, without a Google account.

Can I use SidianRDP from outside my home like Chrome Remote Desktop?

Yes, but you provide the path: a VPN such as Tailscale or WireGuard (or a router port forward). Chrome Remote Desktop uses Google’s infrastructure for that; SidianRDP deliberately has no cloud relay.

Why pay when Chrome Remote Desktop is free?

You get the full Remote Desktop experience in Microsoft’s apps (keyboard shortcuts, clipboard and file copy, sign-in screen access), no dependency on a Google account or service, and a direct connection. It is $29.95 once — no subscription.

Guide

A Chrome Remote Desktop alternative for Windows Home

Chrome Remote Desktop, TeamViewer and AnyDesk connect through their vendors’ servers with their own apps. SidianRDP lets you reach a Windows 10 or 11 Home PC directly with Microsoft’s Remote Desktop apps, for $29.95 once.

Download free trial See pricing

Why look for an alternative?

Chrome Remote Desktop is free and easy, and it’s a common answer to “how do I reach my Windows Home PC?”. But it ties remote access to a Google account and Google’s service, runs in its own app or a browser tab, and doesn’t give you the native Remote Desktop experience. TeamViewer and AnyDesk are similar: their own apps, their own servers, and a subscription once you use them for work.

What changes with SidianRDP

Standard Remote Desktop. Connect with Windows’ Remote Desktop Connection or Microsoft’s Windows App instead of a third-party viewer.
No account, no cloud. The connection goes directly between your devices; nothing passes through our servers.
Works at the sign-in screen. SidianRDP runs as a Windows service, so you can sign in, unlock and answer admin prompts remotely.
Clipboard and files in both directions, and an optional privacy screen for the PC’s monitors.
One-time price. $29.95 per PC, including a year of updates; it keeps working if you don’t renew.

The trade-off: you choose the network path

Because SidianRDP has no relay, your device needs to reach the PC. On your home network that’s automatic. Away from home, the easiest route is a free VPN such as Tailscale on both devices; in SidianRDP turn on Allow connections on all networks if the VPN is marked Public. See local network vs internet.

Try it alongside what you use now

SidianRDP doesn’t conflict with Chrome Remote Desktop, TeamViewer or AnyDesk, so you can install the free 21-day trial and compare before you switch.

Your options, side by side

Option	Cost	Keeps Windows Home	Microsoft Remote Desktop apps	Keeps working after Windows updates	How you connect	What you see
SidianRDP	$29.95 once	Yes	Yes — Microsoft’s Remote Desktop apps	Yes	Direct (your network or VPN)	Yes — the real screen, sign-in and lock screens
Upgrade to Windows Pro	About $99 once	Replaces Home	Yes	Yes	Direct	Locks the PC’s own screen while connected
RDP Wrapper	Free, unofficial	Yes	Yes	Often breaks until patched	Direct	Like Windows Pro (when it works)
Chrome Remote Desktop	Free	Yes	No — Chrome / Google app	Yes	Google account and servers	Yes
TeamViewer / AnyDesk	Free for personal use; subscription for business	Yes	No — their own apps	Yes	Vendor’s servers	Yes

SidianRDP

Cost: $29.95 once
Keeps Windows Home: Yes
Microsoft Remote Desktop apps: Yes — Microsoft’s Remote Desktop apps
Keeps working after Windows updates: Yes
How you connect: Direct (your network or VPN)
What you see: Yes — the real screen, sign-in and lock screens

Upgrade to Windows Pro

Cost: About $99 once
Keeps Windows Home: Replaces Home
Microsoft Remote Desktop apps: Yes
Keeps working after Windows updates: Yes
How you connect: Direct
What you see: Locks the PC’s own screen while connected

RDP Wrapper

Cost: Free, unofficial
Keeps Windows Home: Yes
Microsoft Remote Desktop apps: Yes
Keeps working after Windows updates: Often breaks until patched
How you connect: Direct
What you see: Like Windows Pro (when it works)

Chrome Remote Desktop

Cost: Free
Keeps Windows Home: Yes
Microsoft Remote Desktop apps: No — Chrome / Google app
Keeps working after Windows updates: Yes
How you connect: Google account and servers
What you see: Yes

TeamViewer / AnyDesk

Cost: Free for personal use; subscription for business
Keeps Windows Home: Yes
Microsoft Remote Desktop apps: No — their own apps
Keeps working after Windows updates: Yes
How you connect: Vendor’s servers
What you see: Yes

Prices and features as published by each vendor; check their sites for current details. Product names are trademarks of their owners. SidianRDP is not affiliated with Microsoft, Google, TeamViewer or AnyDesk.

Questions

Is SidianRDP like Chrome Remote Desktop?: Both let you use a PC from another device. Chrome Remote Desktop runs through Google’s service and its own app or browser tab; SidianRDP turns the PC into a standard Remote Desktop host that you reach directly with Microsoft’s Remote Desktop apps, without a Google account.
Can I use SidianRDP from outside my home like Chrome Remote Desktop?: Yes, but you provide the path: a VPN such as Tailscale or WireGuard (or a router port forward). Chrome Remote Desktop uses Google’s infrastructure for that; SidianRDP deliberately has no cloud relay.
Why pay when Chrome Remote Desktop is free?: You get the full Remote Desktop experience in Microsoft’s apps (keyboard shortcuts, clipboard and file copy, sign-in screen access), no dependency on a Google account or service, and a direct connection. It is $29.95 once — no subscription.

Try SidianRDP free for 21 days

$29.95 once per PC after the trial, with a year of updates. No subscription, no credit card for the trial.

Download free trial Setup guide

SidianRDP is independent software by Sidian Web Studio LLC and is not affiliated with Microsoft. Windows and Remote Desktop are trademarks of Microsoft.