Which remote desktop should you choose for accounting software in 2026?

What is a Remote Desktop?

A remote desktop is a way to access and control a computer or server from another device over a network as if you were sitting in front of it. The remote device sends keyboard and mouse input and receives a live stream of the desktop display, so applications run on the host machine while the user works from anywhere, and the accounting data stays on the central server or workstation.

Why Accounting Businesses Would Need a Remote Desktop?

Accounting businesses handle highly sensitive financial, payroll, and tax data, which makes secure access and control especially important, while clients and staff increasingly expect flexible work arrangements and on-demand access to accounting systems from anywhere.

Typical reasons accounting firms adopt remote desktop include needs such as the following:

• Staff working from home or from client locations still need full access to the same accounting software they use in the office.
• Multi-office firms want a consistent way to access accounting tools and files, regardless of where staff are located.
• Seasonal accountants and contractors must work in shared systems without installing specialized software on their own laptops.
• Firms want to keep all accounting data in one place for compliance, backup, and audit while allowing controlled remote access.

A well-designed remote desktop setup helps accounting businesses centralize their software and data while giving partners, staff, and contractors a smooth way to work from anywhere without compromising security or governance.

What to Look For In A Remote Desktop for an Accountant?

Choosing a remote desktop for accounting is not just about getting a remote screen to appear on a laptop; it is about meeting security expectations, keeping the user experience smooth, and matching licensing to how accounting teams actually work so that the tool supports your workflows rather than forcing you to adapt to it.

The following points summarize the most important criteria for accountants and finance teams when evaluating remote desktop platforms.

• Security and compliance: Encrypted sessions, multi-factor authentication, strong password policies, centralised logging, and the option to harden RDP through secure gateways or similar controls.
• Data residency and control: Ability to host servers on-premises or in your own cloud tenant so that accounting data stays in approved regions and does not move through opaque third-party clouds.
• Performance and printing: Efficient protocols on slower home connections, multi-monitor support, and reliable printing and PDF workflows for checks, reports, and tax forms.
• Multi-user hosting: Support for many concurrent accountants on shared Windows servers and application publishing so that users can launch “just the accounting app” rather than a full desktop where they may get lost.
• Licensing and seasonality: Flexible licensing based on users or concurrent sessions that can scale up during tax season and down afterwards without long-term commitments.

The Best 7 Remote Desktop Solutions for Accounting in 2026

TSplus Remote Access

TSplus Remote Access, The Best Overall Remote Desktop for Accounting Software

TSplus Remote Access focuses on publishing Windows desktops and applications from self-hosted servers or cloud virtual machines, letting accounting teams centralize QuickBooks Desktop, Sage, and other line-of-business applications on Windows Server and expose them securely to remote users via RDP, RemoteApp, or HTML5 browser access.

Pros

• Centralizes accounting applications on one or more shared Windows servers.
• Publishes full desktops or only the accounting apps via RemoteApp-style delivery.
• Offers an HTML5 web portal for browser-based access on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.
• Supports self-hosted and bring-your-own-cloud deployments to keep data under your control.
• Provides flexible subscription and perpetual licensing tailored to SMB accounting workloads.

Cons

• Requires at least one Windows Server or workstation and basic Windows administration skills.
• Security settings such as TLS, MFA, and IP filtering must be configured correctly and reviewed regularly.

Pricing

• Subscription editions typically start around five US dollars per user per month.
• Annual billing can reduce the effective monthly cost compared with monthly billing.
• Perpetual licenses are available

Ratings/Reviews

• High user satisfaction scores on major review platforms.
• Strong ratings for ease of use, value for money, and support.
• Often praised for delivering HTML5 access and app publishing with less complexity than large VDI stacks.

Splashtop Business Access

Splashtop Business Access, The Popular Solution for Remoting Into Office PCs

Splashtop Business Access is a cloud-brokered remote desktop service widely used by accountants who want to reach their existing office PCs, allowing QuickBooks Desktop and other accounting software to stay on the workstation while staff connect securely from home or client sites.

Pros

• Simple deployment for “remote into my office PC” scenarios with minimal infrastructure change.
• Good performance over typical broadband connections for interactive accounting work.
• Built-in remote printing and file transfer to support tax forms, reports, and document workflows.
• Clients available for Windows, macOS, mobile, and some Linux setups.

Cons

• Architecture and licensing focus on one-to-one desktop access rather than multi-user Windows servers.
• Less suited to central hosting of many accountants on a shared server environment.

Pricing

• Transparent solo and team plans with low per-user entry pricing.
• Higher tiers add features such as SSO and more granular security policies.
• Exact rates vary by region and promotions, so you should verify current pricing on the vendor site.

Ratings/Reviews

• Strong average ratings for performance, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness.
• Frequently recommended as a modern alternative to legacy remote access tools.
• Some feedback notes feature differences between lower and higher tiers.

HelpWire

HelpWire, The Free Remote Desktop for Very Small Accounting Teams

HelpWire is a cloud-based remote desktop and support tool that is especially attractive for solo accountants and very small teams, providing simple remote access to office or client desktops without license costs while still supporting common accounting workflows.

Pros

• Promoted as free for business use, which is unusual in this category.
• Easy onboarding links that non-technical clients and staff can use with minimal guidance.
• Supports unattended access and on-demand sessions for flexible remote work.
• Works across Windows, macOS, and Linux environments.

Cons

• Cloud-centric design can be challenging for firms with strict compliance or data residency rules.
• Feature set focuses on sessions and support rather than full multi-user server hosting or app publishing.

Pricing

• No separate paid tier for typical business usage at the time of writing.
• Simple registration and client installation are enough to get started.
• Firms should still monitor vendor updates in case the pricing model evolves.

Ratings/Reviews

• High average scores for ease of use, features, and value.
• Users often highlight smooth performance for a free tool.
• Dual-display and simple link-based session setup are frequently mentioned positives.

AnyViewer

AnyViewer, The Lightweight Remote Access for Roaming Accountants

AnyViewer is a cloud-based remote desktop application positioned as a flexible solution for professionals who move between locations and want to access their office PCs securely from Windows and mobile devices without complex setup or infrastructure changes.

Pros

• Lightweight client and interface that is easy for non-technical accountants to use.
• Supports unattended access, file transfer, and multi-monitor sessions.
• Offers a free tier plus paid plans for growing firms.

Cons

• Reliance on a cloud broker may conflict with strict self-hosting or data residency requirements.
• Does not focus on multi-user Windows Server hosting or RemoteApp-style publishing.

Pricing

• Free tier provides core functionality for basic remote access.
• Paid plans add features and higher limits for business use.
• Pricing and tiers vary by region and over time, so you should review current offers on the vendor site.

Ratings/Reviews

• Generally described as secure, responsive, and straightforward to set up.
• Users appreciate performance on typical home and mobile connections.
• Some feedback notes limitations in the free tier and in advanced enterprise features.

TeamViewer Remote

TeamViewer Remote, The Established Option for Multi-Platform Support

TeamViewer Remote is a long-standing remote desktop and remote support tool used by IT teams worldwide, offering broad platform coverage and advanced management features that can extend to supporting accounting staff who need access to their office desktops from anywhere.

Pros

• Broad platform support across Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile devices.
• Rich IT-oriented feature set, including mass deployment, policies, and logging.
• Familiar interface for many administrators and end users.

Cons

• Pricing is often higher than leaner SMB-focused remote access tools.
• Licensing is oriented more toward support and device access than multi-user server app hosting.

Pricing

• Multiple editions for individuals, small businesses, and enterprises.
• Entry-level plans for single users start at higher monthly rates than some alternatives.
• Discounts and bundles can apply, so firms often need to compare current offers.

Ratings/Reviews

• Large volume of reviews with strong scores for features and usability.
• Frequently praised for reliability and breadth of functionality.
• Some users highlight complexity and cost as areas to manage carefully.

AnyDesk

AnyDesk, The Fast Remote Desktop When Latency Matters Most

AnyDesk is a remote desktop solution known for its custom codec and emphasis on low latency, making it popular for interactive use cases such as detailed accounting data entry and real-time reporting where responsiveness is critical.

Pros

• Very responsive sessions even on modest home or mobile connections.
• Option for self-hosted relay components for organizations that want more control.
• Free version for personal use that simplifies evaluation and testing.

Cons

• Commercial plans can be more expensive than some competitors at similar scales.
• Focuses on remote PC control rather than purpose-built multi-user accounting servers.

Pricing

• Tiered commercial plans that start with solo licenses and scale to team editions.
• Higher tiers increase allowed sessions and managed devices.
• Region-specific pricing and promotions mean firms should confirm current costs.

Ratings/Reviews

• High average ratings for speed and overall usability.
• Users often highlight the smooth remote experience during intensive work.
• Some feedback notes occasional issues with input control or support response times.

Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (RDS)

Microsoft Remote Desktop Services, The Native RDS for In-House Environments

Microsoft Remote Desktop Services is the native Windows Server platform for multi-session desktops and application publishing, providing the underlying technology many organizations use to centralize accounting software on Remote Desktop Session Hosts and let multiple accountants connect concurrently.

Pros

• Deep integration with Windows Server, Active Directory, and Group Policy.
• Mature and flexible foundation for multi-session Windows environments.
• Underpins many commercial remote access and hosting solutions.

Cons

• Requires multiple Windows Server roles and significant configuration effort.
• RDP security hardening and ongoing patching demand in-house Windows expertise.
• Licensing and RDS Client Access License management can be complex for SMBs.

Pricing

• Uses Windows Server licensing plus RDS Client Access Licenses.
• Costs scale with user counts and external access requirements.
• Firms often work with Microsoft partners to size and manage licenses correctly.

Ratings/Reviews

• Widely used and understood by Windows administrators worldwide.
• Appreciated for its native integration and flexibility.
• Often regarded as powerful but complex for smaller organizations without dedicated IT staff.

How Do These Solutions Compare?

The following table summarizes the main differences between the remote desktop tools covered in this listicle and helps you compare hosting models, multi-user capabilities, and starting prices at a glance:

Product	Best for	Hosting model	Multi-user accounting servers	Approx. starting price	Key accounting benefit
TSplus Remote Access	SMB firms and ISVs hosting accounting apps	Self-hosted or cloud VM	Yes, designed for multi-session Windows	Around US$5 per user per month (subscription)	Centralizes QuickBooks and other accounting software on secure Windows servers
Splashtop Business Access	Accountants remoting into existing office PCs	Cloud broker	Indirect only, mainly one-to-one desktops	Low per-user monthly pricing, depending on plan	Simple, fast access to existing desktops with strong printing support
HelpWire	Freelancers and micro-firms on a strict budget	Cloud	No, focused on individual desktops	Promoted as free for business use	Zero-cost remote access that is easy to adopt for very small teams
AnyViewer	Roaming accountants needing flexible access	Cloud	No, focused on one-to-one PC control	Free tier plus low-cost business plans	Lightweight client with good performance for mobile and home users
TeamViewer Remote	IT-driven environments with mixed devices	Cloud	Limited, device- and support-oriented	Higher monthly pricing than lightweight SMB tools	Cross-platform support and advanced IT management features
AnyDesk	Latency-sensitive remote control scenarios	Cloud or self-hosted relay	No, not focused on multi-user servers	Tiered plans starting from entry-level licenses	Very responsive sessions for interactive accounting work
Microsoft Remote Desktop Services	In-house IT teams standardizing on Windows	Self-hosted	Yes, native multi-session Windows support	Windows Server plus RDS Client Access Licenses	Native Microsoft stack with deep Windows integration

Conclusion

Choosing the best remote desktop for accounting software in 2026 means balancing security, user experience, hosting model, and cost rather than simply picking the most familiar brand, and while one-to-one tools such as Splashtop, AnyViewer, TeamViewer, AnyDesk, and HelpWire work well when each accountant has an assigned desktop, firms that want to centralize accounting applications on shared Windows servers, publish apps rather than full desktops, and keep sensitive data in their own infrastructure or cloud tenant will generally find that TSplus Remote Access offers the strongest and most cost-effective fit for accounting workloads.

Commonly Asked Questions

Can I use TSplus Remote Access with QuickBooks Desktop?

Yes, you can use TSplus Remote Access to publish QuickBooks Desktop from a Windows Server or workstation and give users access via RDP, RemoteApp, or an HTML5 browser while keeping company files on the central machine.

Is remote desktop secure enough for accounting data?

Remote desktop can be secure enough for accounting data if it is configured and maintained correctly, with TLS encryption, multi-factor authentication, strong passwords, and strict access controls, and by avoiding exposure of raw RDP directly to the internet.

Do I need a VPN as well as remote desktop?

Many accounting firms still prefer to place remote desktop servers behind a VPN or secure gateway as an extra layer of protection, although some solutions provide HTML5 gateways and hardened web portals that can reduce the need for separate VPN clients.

How can I meet data residency requirements with remote desktop?

To meet data residency requirements, you should choose a remote desktop solution that lets you host servers and data in specified locations, and self-hosted platforms such as TSplus Remote Access on your own hardware or cloud tenant are well suited to this because you control where servers run and how data is stored.

What is the best way to support seasonal accountants during tax season?

For seasonal accountants, look for solutions with flexible licensing and simple onboarding so that you can add users or sessions during busy periods and scale back later while keeping the same central servers and published accounting applications throughout the year.

Can remote desktop handle printing of checks and tax forms?

Most modern remote desktop tools support printing, and some, including TSplus Remote Access, provide built-in virtual printers and HTML5 printing options, so it is important to test check printing, tax forms, and PDF exports as part of your evaluation.

What if my accountants use different operating systems at home?

If staff use a mix of Windows, macOS, and mobile devices at home, look for a solution with an HTML5 web portal or multi-platform clients, and TSplus Remote Access is a good example because it lets users connect from modern browsers on various operating systems without installing the accounting software locally.