AnyDesk

AnyDesk is a remote desktop client for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS and Raspberry Pi that lets you view and control another computer through AnyDesk’s relay network or a direct connection. People searching for “AnyDesk free download” should know the licence up front: AnyDesk is shareware (conditionally free). Private, non-commercial use is allowed without a licence; any work use, including supporting colleagues, customers or your own work computer, requires a paid plan.

This page is written for administrators who meet AnyDesk on two sides: as the tool family members install at home, and as software that turns up on company endpoints and has to be allowed through, locked down or licensed properly. AnyDesk Software GmbH watches usage patterns and restricts clients it considers commercial, so the personal plan is not a quiet way to run a help desk.

AnyDesk at a glance

What it does

• Interactive sessions: the remote user reads out an AnyDesk ID or alias and accepts the incoming request.
• Unattended access protected by a password, optional two-factor authentication and revocable login tokens.
• File transfer, clipboard sync, text chat and a whiteboard inside the session.
• Remote restart, remote printing and Wake-on-LAN (availability depends on the plan).
• Address book for saved devices and aliases.
• Runs installed or as a portable executable without installation.
• Paid plans add more managed devices, user management, a custom-branded client, MSI mass deployment, Group Policy support, session recording and an on-premises option.

How sysadmins use it

Allow AnyDesk through a corporate firewall

1. Allow outbound TCP to at least one of the ports AnyDesk uses: 80, 443 or 6568.
2. Allow-list the domain *.net.anydesk.com in the proxy or web filter.
3. Exclude that domain from HTTPS inspection and deep packet inspection; otherwise sessions drop because the TLS stream is broken.
4. If you want LAN discovery, allow UDP 50001–50003 to the multicast address 239.255.102.18; if not, leave it blocked.

The same list works in reverse: if policy says AnyDesk must not be used, block *.net.anydesk.com and the executable in your application control tool.

Set up unattended access safely

1. On the remote machine, install AnyDesk rather than running the portable build, so it reconnects after a reboot or sign-out.
2. Open Settings > Access, and in the Unattended Access section click Set password. Use more than 12 characters; anyone with the ID and the password can get in.
3. In the same section, enable two-factor authentication and scan the QR code with an authenticator app.
4. If the machine should never accept ad-hoc requests, go to Settings > Security > Interactive Access and choose Never show incoming session requests.

To cut off every saved login at once, use Clear all tokens or change the password; both invalidate stored tokens.

Deal with a “commercial use detected” warning

1. If the machine is used for work, it needs a licence; sign in with the licensed account in the client so it is recognised.
2. If it is genuinely private use, AnyDesk offers a whitelisting request on its commercial-use page.
3. Do not try to work around detection by reinstalling or resetting IDs; it breaches the terms and leaves you with an unsupported tool on your network.

Install and first run

Windows: supported from Windows XP SP2 and Windows Server 2003 SP2 up to Windows 11. Running the executable starts the portable mode; installing requires admin rights and adds a service. In portable mode, Windows Defender Firewall asks whether to allow AnyDesk on the first connection; allowing it enables direct connections.

macOS: macOS 11 Big Sur or later. Remote control only works after you grant the requested permissions in System Settings (screen recording and accessibility).

Linux: Ubuntu 18.04+, Debian 10+, RHEL 8+, openSUSE and Linux Mint 21+. Incoming sessions need an Xorg session; under Wayland only outgoing sessions work.

Raspberry Pi: current versions require Raspberry Pi OS Bookworm (ARM64) or later.

Mobile: Android 5 and later can be controlled with an additional control plugin. iOS and iPadOS 16+ devices can be viewed but not controlled because of Apple’s restrictions, and connecting out from iOS requires a paid client.

Limitations

• The no-cost plan is for private use only, and AnyDesk enforces this with automated detection.
• Proprietary and closed source; the hosted service depends on AnyDesk’s infrastructure unless you license the on-premises option.
• Remote control of iPhone and iPad is not possible; ChromeOS supports viewing only.
• Wayland desktops on Linux cannot receive sessions.
• Remote desktop tools are a favourite of phone scammers; on managed fleets, control which remote tools are allowed and train users never to share an ID with an unsolicited caller.

AnyDesk vs alternatives

FAQ

Is AnyDesk free?

Only for private, non-commercial use. It is shareware (conditionally free): any professional use requires a paid licence.

Does the AnyDesk free version have a time limit?

AnyDesk does not advertise a fixed session time limit for private users. Restrictions appear when a client is flagged for commercial use; if that happens on a private machine, request whitelisting.

What is the difference between AnyDesk free and paid?

Paid plans permit work use and add more managed devices, user and role management, custom clients, MSI deployment, Group Policy support, session recording and support from AnyDesk.

Can AnyDesk run without installation?

Yes. Starting the downloaded executable runs AnyDesk in portable mode. Install it if you need unattended access that survives restarts.

Is AnyDesk available for Mac and Linux?

Yes. macOS 11 and later is supported, along with major Linux distributions; on Linux, incoming sessions need Xorg rather than Wayland.

Which ports does AnyDesk need?

Outbound TCP 80, 443 or 6568 (at least one), access to *.net.anydesk.com, and optionally UDP 50001–50003 for LAN discovery.

What is a good AnyDesk free alternative?

RustDesk if you want open source and self-hosting, LiteManager for Windows administration, or built-in Windows Quick Assist for occasional help between Windows PCs.

Last checked against official sources: 1 October 2026 (developer website: anydesk.com). Versions and licence terms change — confirm on the developer's site before deploying in production.