Chrome Remote Desktop vs GlassWire

Chrome Remote Desktop is Google's free remote access service, letting users connect to their own computer from another device or give someone temporary access for support and collaboration. Built on WebRTC, it runs through the Chrome browser or a lightweight companion app, with no license fee for personal or ad-hoc use.

GlassWire is a network monitoring and personal firewall application for Windows and Android that visualizes current and past network activity to help users spot malware, bandwidth hogs, and unfamiliar devices on their network. Its firewall includes an ask-to-connect mode that lets users approve or deny individual apps' network access, alongside a network time machine for reviewing historical connections. GlassWire also tracks data usage across devices and can alert users before they exceed set data limits, while its network scanner flags new or unknown devices joining a WiFi network. Over 53 million downloads have been recorded for the Windows and Android apps combined.

• Completely free with no license or subscription cost
• Very simple setup compared to full remote-support suites
• Works cross-platform between desktop and mobile devices
• Backed by Google's infrastructure and account security

• Combines network monitoring and firewall in one lightweight app
• Very affordable premium pricing at $2.99/month
• Visual, easy-to-understand traffic graphs
• Available on both Windows and Android

• Lacks advanced features like file transfer, multi-monitor switching, or session recording found in paid tools
• Requires Chrome or Google account sign-in, limiting flexibility for non-Google environments
• No centralized admin console for managing many endpoints, unlike enterprise remote tools
• Performance depends heavily on both ends' internet connection quality

• Free tier limits network history to just 24 hours
• Windows and Android only, no Mac or Linux support
• Advanced threat detection features require Premium