Remote desktop

The Swiss alternative to AnyDesk

AnyDesk is price-attractive for single users. From team setups onwards, with Swiss data protection or Pi support, WinDesk becomes the better choice. Here is the honest assessment.

Where WinDesk is better

Swiss data location

Servers in Switzerland and the EU. revFADP + GDPR. Lightnet Multimedia GmbH without US parent, no CLOUD Act. AnyDesk is DE-based — equally solid, but EU mutual legal assistance applies.

Hardware-bound device tokens

Tokens via Secure Enclave (Apple), TPM 2.0 (Windows/Linux). Copying the token file to another machine renders it invalid. Theft-proof.

Multi-session tabs natively

Several hosts open at once in tabs, each with its own monitor and audio. Tear out and dock back. AnyDesk only partially.

Raspberry Pi natively

arm64 builds for Pi 4 and Pi 5 as an equal platform. AnyDesk on Pi is possible but not an official build target.

Where AnyDesk leads

  • Self-hosting: AnyDesk Custom Client with own server infrastructure. WinDesk is SaaS-only today.
  • Market maturity: AnyDesk has been around since 2014, WinDesk since 2024. If stability via long track record is critical, AnyDesk is ahead.
  • Mobile apps: AnyDesk has iOS/Android apps. WinDesk: on the roadmap for 2027.
  • Single-user price: CHF 14.99/month is cheaper than WinDesk Light (CHF 19.90/month) for solo users without a team.

What AnyDesk\'s dark side has to do with WinDesk

AnyDesk has been misused for years in an underground economy for tech-support scams, banking hijacks and so-called findom operations — a well-documented pattern that we explicitly accounted for when designing WinDesk. Our architecture (capability tokens default-off, visible session indicator, emergency stop, audit trail) deliberately sabotages these use cases. Lightnet Multimedia GmbH prosecutes confirmed abuse criminally, also internationally via the Budapest Convention. Details and victim help on the Report abuse + victim help page.

Compare both for free

WinDesk Free plan: 2h/month without an account. Direct comparison table with feature parity.

Sign up free Download now

Frequently asked questions

How does WinDesk differ in price from AnyDesk?

AnyDesk Solo at CHF 14.99/month is cheaper than WinDesk Light (CHF 19.90/month) for single users. From team setups onwards the ratio reverses: AnyDesk tiers by user count in bundles, WinDesk stays linear (CHF 4.90/extra user on the Pro base CHF 29.90).

What does WinDesk do better than AnyDesk?

Swiss hosting (no US-cloud hop), Pi arm64 builds as an equal platform, multi-session tabs from day one, hardware-bound device tokens with Secure Enclave/TPM, Apple-notarised Mac builds.

What does AnyDesk do better than WinDesk?

Self-hosting option (AnyDesk Custom Client), longer market maturity, broader mobile apps. If those points are mandatory, AnyDesk is currently better suited.

How do I switch to WinDesk?

Create an account, install the host on target devices, close out old AnyDesk sessions. No data migration required, since neither vendor persists screen content. Concierge onboarding (CHF 490) available.