Accessing computers remotely has become an inevitable part of today’s work culture and one of the essentials for it, is a remote desktop connection manager that will streamline your connections and will keep it secure.
This manager becomes all the more an important tool if you’re a system admin who has to make many RDP connections daily.
Imagine if you have to enter your credentials for remote access several times a day.
How frustrating would that get!
Instead of managing these connections manually, a RDP Connection Banager is sure to make your life easy and that’s why we present some of the best remote desktop connection managers for managing multiple RDP sessions.
Here’s the Best Remote Desktop Connection Managers:
- Dameware Mini Remote Control – FREE TRIAL A system designed for use by Help Desk and software support teams. Installs on Windows and Windows Server. Access the fully functional 14-day free trial.
- ManageEngine Endpoint Central – FREE TRIAL A unified endpoint management system that monitors servers, desktops, and mobile devices. Available for Windows Server and Linux. Start a 30-day free trial.
- ManageEngine Remote Access Plus – FREE TRIAL A package that offers support technicians a dashboard that allows them to switch between remote views onto multiple devices. Offered for Windows Server or as a cloud service. Start with a 30-day free trial.
- Atera – FREE TRIAL This SaaS platform for managed service providers includes technician tools and bundles in subscriptions to AnyDesk and Splashtop for remote access. Access the 30-day free trial.
- mRemoteNG A simple, free connection management tool that includes remote device credentials management. Runs on Windows.
- RoyalTS A connection management system that controls the remote connection systems of other providers. Installs on Windows and Windows Server.
- Devolutions A remote desktop system available in a free version for individuals and a paid version for teams. Installs on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.
The Best Remote Desktop Connection Managers
What should you look for in remote desktop connection management tools?
We reviewed the market for remote desktop connection management software and analyzed options based on the following criteria:
- A technician interface that can store connection settings to managed devices
- A method to enable remote device users to invite support access
- A technician console with a tabbed interface to enable multiple open sessions
- Options for confidential credential distribution from a central locker
- A parallel communications channel
- A free trial or a demo system that enables a no-cost assessment opportunity
- Value for money from a remote desktop management system that includes team management services as well as technician tools
With these selection criteria in mind, we tracked down the best tools for remote desktop connection management that provide automated monitoring mechanisms to save you money.
1. Dameware Mini Remote Control – FREE TRIAL
Dameware Mini Remote Control is a remote control software designed for customer support and help desk professionals.
It comes from the stables of a leading network management company called SolarWinds.
Key Features: The important features of this tool are:
- Supports multi-platform desktop sharing
- Provides remote access to sleeping and powered-off computers as well
- Comes with multi-factor authentication
- Offers a flexible user-based access control
- Has a ton of remote session utilities
- Allows for easy customization
- Enables the control of multiple platforms through a single window
Pros:
- Desktop sharing across operating systems
- Wake-on-LAN to access sleeping or turned off devices
- Maintains multiple open sessions
- Active Directory integration
- Remote installation or owner download for access agent
Cons:
- The entire package needs to be installed and maintained on site
Price: It is priced at $270 per user.
Download: You can access a fully-functional 14-day free trial.
https://www.solarwinds.com/dameware-mini-remote-control/registration
2. ManageEngine Endpoint Central – FREE TRIAL
ManageEngine Endpoint Central is a unified endpoint management system that is able to remotely manage servers, desktops, and mobile devices. This system uses remote access to onboard and update devices and also supports users through remote control and remote desktop utilities.
Key Features: The important features of this package are:
- Remote access behind the scenes for admin and investigation.
- Visible remote control with user participation for solution demonstration.
- Automated, unattended remote access for system maintenance.
- Management of mobile devices as well as office equipment.
- Automated patch management.
- Configuration management and security.
- IT asset management inventories for hardware and software.
- Self-service portal to support users.
- Software rollout and license management.
- Endpoint security bundle.
- Secure identity and access management services, including 2FA.
- AD analysis and user access reporting.
Pros:
- A unified endpoint management (UEM) package
- Maintenance task automation for managed devices
- Access devices running Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android
- Remote access session recording
Cons:
- Too comprehensive for small businesses
Price: Endpoint Central is offered in four editions: Free, Professional, Enterprise, and UEM. Contact ManageEngine to get a quote.
Download:Endpoint Central installs on Window Server and it is also available as a cloud-based server. Access a 30-day free trial of either version
https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/
3. ManageEngine Remote Access Plus – FREE TRIAL
ManageEngine Remote Access Plus is a bundle of tools for support technicians. Users can get access to the remote device’s operating system or desktop and switch between windows onto different remote devices.
Key Features: Here are some of the most important features of Remote Access Plus:
- A browser-based dashboard
- Access to devices running Windows, macOS, and Linux
- Available as a cloud platform or for installation on Windows Server
- A chat window for text or video chat with the remote device’s user
- Activity logging or recording
- Compliance with HIPAA and other data security standards
- Compliance reporting
- Diagnostic tools
- Free version available
- Wake-on-LAN and remote shutdown
Pros:
- Integrated remote file transfer management
- Diagnostic tools accessible within the technician console
- Team desktop sharing for collaborative investigations
Cons:
- Built for teams – not individuals
Price: Three editions:
- Free – $0
- Standard – from $75
- Professional – from $95
Download: Click here to get a 30-day free trial.
https://www.manageengine.com/remote-desktop-management/
4. Atera FREE TRIAL
Atera is a SaaS platform with tools that support managed service providers (MSPs).
The technician dashboard provides remote access through the AnyDesk and Splashtop systems.
Key Features: Here are some of the important services in the Atera platform:
- Remote access service integrated into the technician dashboard
- Chat window for communication with the user
- Option for remote control or secondary screen
- Work-from-home usage for technicians to access the office computer
- Multiple technicians can access the same remote screen simultaneous
- Unlimited simultaneous connections per technician
- Screen recording and screen capture
- Integrated secure file transfer utility
- Connection encryption from 256-bit AES cipher
- Activity logging
- Access through mobile apps for iOS and Android
Pros:
- Part of a remote monitoring and management package
- Ticket management and technician team management
- Choice of remote access tools
Cons:
- Remote device discovery is a paid extra
Price: Three plans:
- Pro – from $99
- Growth – from $129
- Power – from $169
Download: Get a 30-day free trial.
https://www.atera.com/lp/rvw/remote-it-management-v2/
5. mRemoteNG
mRemoteNG is a centralized tool that helps to manage multiple RDP connections from a single window.
It is an open-source tool that can be customized to meet your preferences.
Key Features: Here is a look at some of the important features of this tool.
- Supports different connection types such as VNC, SSH, telnet, RDP, RAW, RLogin and more to give you flexibility with your connections.
- Its tabbed feature makes it easy to switch back and forth between different connections.
- Maintains a database of connections, so you don’t have to enter your credentials each time
- Stores credentials for auto logons
- Imports information from Active Directory
- Supports grouping and nesting to make navigation a breeze for you
- Comes with a full-screen mode.
Pros:
- Allows multiple sessions to be open simultaneously in the technician’s console
- Supports a list of secure remote access protocols
- Free to use
Cons:
- A little dated
Price: 100% FREE.
Download: Click here to download mRemoteNG
6. Royal TS
Royal TS is a powerful connection manager that works well with different types of connections and comes with many advanced features that are sure to make connection management an easy task for you.
Key Features: It comes with the following features:
- Supports many types of connections such as RDP, terminal, VNC, TeamViewer, Hyper-V, PowerShell, and more.
- Makes it possible to assign and reuse objects to connections and folders. In fact, connections can be inherited from the parent folder as well
- Protects sensitive data through encryption
- Makes it easy to share connections without compromising on your credentials
- Streamlines the overall workflow
- Tunneling is tightly integrated for greater security
- Supports dynamic folders and credentials.
Pros:
- A choice of secure connection and file transfer protocols
- A centralized credentials locker with confidential distribution
- Record actions for automated script creation
Cons:
- No version for Linux
Price: The Lite Version is free and supports up to 10 credentials/connections while the single user connection supports unlimited connections and is priced at a one-time payment of Euro 39.
Download: Click here to download the free version.
7. Devolutions
Devolutions is a centralized connection manager that supports many protocols.
It comes loaded with a host of features and tools that centralizes and manages secure remote connections.
Key Features: A list of the important features of this tool are as follows.
- Handles remote connection management and password management
- Supports cross-platform connections
- Comes with shared databases and vaults
- Gives a role-based access control
- Provides reports and audits when needed
- Enhances security with two-factor authentication
- Has a mobile application for easy access
Pros:
- Includes a centralized credentials manager
- Access tracking and logging
- Free version available
Cons:The free edition doesn’t have many features
Price: The free edition doesn’t come with a whole lot of features and is designed for individuals who don’t have to share their credentials with other users.
The enterprise edition is ideal for system admins, MSPs, and help desk professionals who have to share credentials with other users.
It is priced at $199.99 for a single user and $4,999.99 for a site with no limit on the users.
Download: Click here to download the free version.
Conclusion
To conclude, a remote desktop connection manager makes your life easy especially if you have to handle multiple connections daily.
It stores your credentials, allows you to choose a credential from a list, secures your connection, gets inputs from Active Directory, and does so much more.
The above-mentioned tools are the best RDP connection managers available in the market today and we hope this information helps you to choose the right one that best fits your needs.
