AnyDesk has been a popular remote desktop tool for years. But after their 2024 security breach, it's worth asking: is there a more private alternative?
The most important difference between Remio and AnyDesk isn't features — it's trust.
In early 2024, attackers compromised AnyDesk's production systems. This wasn't a minor incident:
Why does this matter? AnyDesk uses a centralized model — your connections go through their servers. When they get breached, everyone is potentially exposed. Remio's P2P architecture means there's no central server with your data. Nothing to steal.
We removed the rows where both apps are similar and focused on the real differences.
| Feature | Remio | AnyDesk |
|---|---|---|
| Security & Privacy | ||
| End-to-end encrypted | ✓ Always on | ✗ In-transit only |
| Session privacy | We can't see your sessions | Relay servers can access data |
| Security breaches | ✓ Zero | ✗ 2024 production breach |
| Two-factor auth | Coming soon | ✓ Available |
| Setup & Experience | ||
| Account needed? | ✓ No — just a PIN | Optional (ID-based) |
| Runs without installing | ✗ Requires install | ✓ Tiny portable file (<4MB) |
| "Commercial use" detection | ✓ None — free is free | Aggressive (often false positives) |
| Performance | ||
| Best for | Gaming & creative work (4K 60FPS) | Office work & IT support |
| Bad internet performance | Good (adaptive bitrate) | Excellent — works at 100kb/s |
| Video codecs | H.265, VP9, AV1 | DeskRT (proprietary) |
| IT & Support Tools | ||
| File transfer | Coming soon | ✓ Full file manager |
| Remote printing | ✗ | ✓ |
| Custom branding | ✗ Not planned | ✓ White-label clients |
Both offer free tiers, but the experience is very different.
Honest recommendations for different use cases.
After AnyDesk's 2024 breach, if privacy is your top priority, Remio is the clear choice. We can't be breached the same way because we don't store your data in the first place.
AnyDesk's file manager, remote printing, session recording, and custom branding make it better suited for IT teams. Remio focuses on direct remote access — IT tooling is coming later.
For accessing your own computer — no nagging about "commercial use," no mandatory accounts, sharper streaming. Remio's free tier is genuinely free, without the gotchas.
AnyDesk is a capable tool — especially for IT teams that need file management, remote printing, and a portable executable that works on almost anything. Their DeskRT codec is impressive on slow connections.
But the 2024 breach changed the conversation. When your remote desktop provider's production systems get compromised, it raises a fundamental question about trust. AnyDesk's centralized model means a single breach can affect everyone.
Remio was designed so this can't happen. We don't store your sessions, credentials, or connection history. Even if our servers were compromised, there's nothing useful to steal. If you value security and a genuinely free experience — Remio is the modern alternative.
See how Remio compares to other remote desktop solutions.