If you are working as a System Administrator or someone who needs to access computers remotely, it is common to have multiple Remote Desktop Connection Managers. Having a reliable remote connection manager will help simplify your connections and, at the same time, keep them secure.
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What is a Remote Desktop Connection Manager?
A Remote Desktop Connection Manager is a tool used by IT people or information technology administrators to centralize, manage, and secure connections. Companies or enterprises usually have various RDP sessions daily, and overseeing these accounts manually is a bit laborious.
The administrator must repeatedly enter credentials which means keeping track of the accounts is tedious. Hence, using a remote connection manager will make these tasks easier.
Top 5 Free Remote Desktop Connection Managers for Windows
1. mRemoteNG
mRemoteNG is an open-source, multi-tab protocol remote desktop connections
manager designed for Windows. Supported protocols include Remote Desktop Protocol, Virtual Network Computing, Hypertext Transfer Protocol, Remote Login, Raw Socket Connections, Powershell remoting, TELecommunication NETwork, and Secure Shell.
Key features of mRemoteNG:
- It adds bug fixes
- Offer a full view of remote connections in a simple and powerful interface.
- An open-source software
mRemoteNG is an open source and centralized tool that enables the user to customize according to needs. It helps manage multiple RDP connections from one window. It is best suited for System Administrator in small businesses and home users.
2. RoyalTS
RoyalTS is a remote desktop connection manager that has different connection types. It is compatible with RDP, SSH-based terminals, S/FTP, VNC, or web-based interfaces. This tool has built-in credential management with safe team-sharing features. You can share a list of connections while offering securing personal credentials. Repetitive tasks can also be automated. RoyalTS has dynamic folders which allow the user to transfer data from external sources easily.
Key features of RoyaTS:
- Safe connection sharing
- It can handle documents opened by different users at the same time
- Users can synchronize changes in documents without the need to use a SQL database back-end
- It has external credential sources
- RoyalTS is cross-platform
- Simple and Clean user interface
- Safe to use because it uses an encryption that securely protects documents and credentials
- Multiple ways to connect
- Plus, it is free to download.
3. DameWare Mini Remote Control
DameWare Mini Remote Control is a free tool best suited for support technicians and help desk staff to create connections with end-user devices. This tool is a bit different from the usual RDP connection manager. It allows the screen to be shared. DMRC can support multiple platforms and is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Key features of DameWare:
- Secure file transfer
- It has its own built-in screenshot tool
- Chat message feature
- Remote wake on LAN
- Lock end-users keyboard
- Active directory integration and more
4. Terminals
Terminals is a multi-tab RDP, and it’s free. It can support several protocols, including SSH, TelNet, Citrix, HTTPS, HTTP, RDP, and VNC. However, it is an open-source project and still in the works but can be used on Windows 10.
Key Features of Terminals:
- Users can customize toolbars
- It has search features in ServerName, protocol notes, and more
- It has attached and detached Windows
- The terminal window can be resized
- It has a multiple tab interface
- Connections history
- Toolbars can be customizable
- It has a toolbar for computer control panel applets
- The terminal can be switch to full-screen mode
5. Devolutions
Devolutions is a centralized remote desktop connection manager. It can handle various protocols. Users can choose between the free edition and the Enterprise edition. The free edition is best suited for individual users who do not need to share remote connections and complicated passwords with other IT staff.
Meanwhile, the Enterprise edition is great for IT professionals, help desk technicians, and MSPs who require remote connections and share privileged passwords with the other staff.
Free users can use the features including password management, personal and commercial use, cross-platform and remote connection management. However, Enterprise users can enjoy more features such as having a shared database & vaults, two-factor authentication, audits and reports, a role-based access control system, and the free edition features. And it is available as a trial download for those who want to try.
How to Choose the Right Remote Connection Manager?
In choosing the right remote connection manager for you, the most sensible action is to consider your personal, business, or team requirements. There is no one size fits all, but there are pros and cons for each. However, having more features does not mean it is better than the others, or you immediately need it. Weigh your needs. Do you require basic functionalities or a more centralized one? It is best to check the key features of each tool.