Anyplace Control vs. Alternatives: Which Remote Access Tool Wins?Remote access tools are central to modern IT support, remote work, and systems administration. Choosing the right tool affects security, performance, ease of use, and cost. This article compares Anyplace Control with popular alternatives to help IT managers, sysadmins, and power users decide which solution best fits their needs.
What is Anyplace Control?
Anyplace Control is a remote desktop and remote control application designed for Windows (and with some cross-platform capabilities through additional setups). It allows users to connect to and manage remote computers, transfer files, run commands, and provide interactive support. Anyplace Control focuses on simplicity, low resource usage, and features tailored for both one-to-one support and centralized administration.
Key evaluation criteria
To compare Anyplace Control with alternatives, we’ll use these criteria:
- Security and encryption
- Performance and responsiveness (screen redraws, latency)
- Ease of setup and use
- Feature set (file transfer, unattended access, session recording, chat, multi-monitor support)
- Cross-platform support
- Scalability and management (central server, user roles, mass deployment)
- Pricing and licensing
- Customer support and community
Popular alternatives considered
- TeamViewer
- AnyDesk
- Microsoft Remote Desktop / Remote Desktop Services (RDP)
- Chrome Remote Desktop
- VNC-based solutions (RealVNC, TightVNC, UltraVNC)
- Parallels Access / Splashtop (representing commercial remote-access suites)
Security
Anyplace Control
- Uses proprietary authentication and supports password-based access and access control lists for trusted users and IP restrictions.
- Offers encryption for sessions, though detailed public documentation of encryption standards is less prominent than some competitors.
TeamViewer / AnyDesk
- TeamViewer and AnyDesk use strong, well-documented end-to-end encryption (AES/RSA-based). They provide device authentication, two-factor authentication (2FA), and detailed session logging.
Microsoft RDP
- RDP can be secure when configured with Network Level Authentication (NLA), strong TLS, and behind VPNs or RD Gateway; however, exposed RDP ports are frequent targets.
VNC solutions
- Security varies: some implementations support strong encryption; others require tunneling over SSH or VPN for safe use.
Summary: If the top priority is proven, widely audited end-to-end encryption with built-in 2FA and device authentication, TeamViewer/AnyDesk generally lead. Anyplace Control offers acceptable security for many environments but may require additional configuration and verification for high-assurance use.
Performance and responsiveness
Anyplace Control
- Optimized for low bandwidth and low-latency environments with effective screen compression. Delivers smooth remote control for administrative tasks and basic multimedia.
AnyDesk
- Known for very low-latency performance and efficient codec (DeskRT) for fast screen updates, which benefits graphics and video-heavy sessions.
TeamViewer
- Strong performance with adaptive bandwidth strategies; sometimes heavier on system resources.
RDP
- Excellent performance in LAN environments and over optimized networks; remote graphics can be accelerated for better UX.
VNC / Chrome Remote Desktop
- Performance varies widely by implementation; VNC tends to be less efficient than modern proprietary codecs without extra tuning.
Summary: For raw responsiveness, AnyDesk and RDP typically outperform others in many scenarios. Anyplace Control performs well in low-bandwidth situations and is competitive for standard remote administration tasks.
Ease of setup and use
Anyplace Control
- Simple installer and straightforward configuration for direct connections and unattended access. Good for small teams and single-site deployments.
TeamViewer / AnyDesk
- Very easy for end-users: simple IDs or short codes, no firewall/router configuration typically required. Excellent for ad-hoc support.
Chrome Remote Desktop
- Extremely simple—works through a Google account and browser extension—ideal for non-technical users.
RDP / VNC
- Can require more network configuration (port forwarding, VPNs) and knowledge to set up securely.
Summary: For fastest end-user setup and ad-hoc support, TeamViewer, AnyDesk, and Chrome Remote Desktop are easiest. Anyplace Control is also user-friendly but may need more administrative setup for scalable deployments.
Feature set
Anyplace Control
- Core features: remote desktop control, file transfer, multi-session support, command-line execution, scheduling, wake-on-LAN, and basic session logging.
- Suited for IT support, unattended server access, and small-to-medium management tasks.
TeamViewer
- Rich feature set: remote printing, file transfer, session recording, meeting/collaboration tools, mobile device support, whiteboard, and integrated support modules.
AnyDesk
- Focused feature set with strengths in speed, file transfer, session recording, clipboard sync, and mobile support.
RDP
- Deep integration with Windows (printing, drive/resource redirection, single sign-on in domain environments). Lacks built-in remote support features like session sharing without additional tools.
VNC
- Basic remote control; additional features depend on distribution.
Summary: For the broadest feature set (support, collaboration, enterprise management), TeamViewer leads. For focused, high-performance remote control, AnyDesk excels. Anyplace Control covers essential admin features and some advanced options like scheduling and Wake-on-LAN, making it solid for IT teams who need core capabilities without extra collaboration bells and whistles.
Cross-platform support
Anyplace Control
- Primarily Windows-focused. Some cross-platform access may be possible via bridges or third-party setups, but native Linux/macOS clients are limited or absent.
TeamViewer / AnyDesk / Chrome Remote Desktop
- Strong multi-platform support (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android). Good mobile clients and web-based access.
RDP
- Native on Windows; clients exist for macOS, iOS, Linux, and web, but server-side RDP is Windows-centric unless using third-party servers.
VNC
- Cross-platform by design with clients and servers on many OSes.
Summary: For native multi-OS reach, TeamViewer, AnyDesk, and Chrome Remote Desktop are better choices. Anyplace Control is best when managing Windows-only fleets.
Scalability and centralized management
Anyplace Control
- Supports managing multiple hosts, centralized control panels, and deployment tools appropriate for small-to-medium fleets. Enterprise-grade centralized management features may be less extensive than large vendors.
TeamViewer
- Offers enterprise management consoles, device groups, policies, mass deployment tools, and integrations with ticketing/ITSM.
AnyDesk
- Provides business features for teams and enterprises, with deployment options and session management.
RDP / VNC
- Scalability depends on the surrounding infrastructure (RD Gateway, domain integration, orchestration scripts).
Summary: For large-scale centralized management and integrations, TeamViewer and AnyDesk provide more mature enterprise tooling. Anyplace Control handles SMB needs well.
Pricing and licensing
Anyplace Control
- Traditionally offers perpetual licenses and site licenses often attractive for small businesses and IT departments seeking predictable costs.
TeamViewer / AnyDesk
- Subscription-based pricing for commercial use. TeamViewer can be costly for larger deployments but includes enterprise features.
Chrome Remote Desktop
- Free for basic remote desktop usage (not targeted at commercial support features).
VNC
- Varies: open-source (free) options exist; commercial versions have licensing fees.
Summary: If upfront perpetual licensing is important, Anyplace Control or some VNC distributions may be financially attractive. For subscription flexibility and enterprise features, TeamViewer/AnyDesk dominate.
When to choose Anyplace Control
- Your environment is predominantly Windows and you prefer a lightweight, Windows-first remote control tool.
- You want predictable, perpetual licensing or a lower-cost site license for a small-to-medium-sized organization.
- You need core remote administration features (file transfer, unattended access, Wake-on-LAN) without the overhead of meeting/collaboration features.
- You operate in medium-bandwidth environments where Anyplace Control’s efficiency is sufficient for daily tasks.
When to choose an alternative
- Pick TeamViewer if you need broad platform coverage, extensive enterprise management, audited security, and integrated collaboration features.
- Pick AnyDesk if you prioritize fastest possible responsiveness and an efficient codec for multimedia or graphics work.
- Pick Microsoft RDP for deep Windows integration in domain environments and when you control the network (VPN/RD Gateway) for secure, high-performance sessions.
- Pick Chrome Remote Desktop for free, very simple cross-device access suitable for basic personal use.
Side-by-side comparison
| Criterion | Anyplace Control | TeamViewer | AnyDesk | Microsoft RDP | VNC / Chrome RD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Security | Good (encrypted) | Excellent (E2E, 2FA) | Excellent (modern codec, auth) | Very good if hardened | Variable |
| Performance | Good, low-bandwidth | Strong | Top-tier | Excellent on LAN | Varies |
| Ease of setup | Easy (Windows) | Very easy | Very easy | Moderate | Moderate–easy |
| Features | Core admin features | Rich feature set | Strong focused set | Deep Windows features | Basic |
| Cross-platform | Windows-focused | Multi-OS | Multi-OS | Mostly Windows | Multi-OS |
| Scalability | SMB-ready | Enterprise-ready | Enterprise options | Enterprise with infra | Depends |
| Pricing | Perpetual/site licenses | Subscription (often costly) | Subscription | Included with Windows Server/Pro setups | Free/commercial mix |
Final verdict
There is no single winner for every situation. For Windows-centric IT teams that want predictable licensing and essential remote administration features, Anyplace Control is a strong, cost-effective choice. For broad platform coverage, enterprise management, and top-tier security features, TeamViewer generally leads. For best-in-class responsiveness and multimedia-friendly remote control, AnyDesk is often the top pick. Choose based on your environment: Windows-only + budget predictability → Anyplace Control; multi-platform + enterprise features → TeamViewer; performance-sensitive sessions → AnyDesk.
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