Awacino vs Chrome Remote Desktop: free screen access vs your whole network
In short
Chrome Remote Desktop is Google's free tool to access a computer's screen with a Google account. Awacino gives your device a real address inside the remote network, so you reach every device there with your own tools. Choose Chrome Remote Desktop for free, simple access to one computer's screen; choose Awacino for your NAS, printers, servers and RDP, VNC or SSH, without port forwarding.
Last checked: Nov 8, 2026
Side by side
| Chrome Remote Desktop | Awacino | |
|---|---|---|
| How it connects | Through Google's infrastructure, direct when possible | Direct device to device, end-to-end encrypted; Awacino's servers only introduce the devices |
| What you install | The Chrome Remote Desktop host on each computer | Awacino on your device and on one device in the network you want to reach |
| Router changes | None | None: no port forwarding, no public IP address, no DynDNS |
| Behind CGNAT / DS-Lite | Works | Works |
| Devices without an app (NAS, printer, PLC) | No - only computers with the host installed | Reachable at their usual address through your SituIP |
| Your own tools (RDP, VNC, SSH) | No - its own viewer in the browser or app | Yes, any tool, unchanged |
| Guest access | One-time access code for remote support | A Beam-in code, switched off with one tap |
| Licence model | Free with a Google account | Slots: devices and active Beam-in codes, never people; free for 2 devices for private use |
| Open source | No | No |
| Platforms | Host on Windows, macOS, Linux; access from browser, iOS, Android | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Android, Windows, Linux; Raspberry Pi, NAS and servers with the Unattended Client |
Typical setups; details vary by plan and version.
When Chrome Remote Desktop is the better choice
- You only need the screen of one or two computers and want it free.
- You already work in the Google ecosystem and don't want another account.
- You need a one-time code to help someone briefly.
When Awacino is the better choice
- You need devices that cannot run a host app: NAS, printers, cameras, PLCs.
- You prefer Windows Remote Desktop, VNC or SSH.
- You want to give a colleague access to a network, not one screen.
Questions people ask
Is Awacino a Chrome Remote Desktop alternative?
Yes, when you need more than one screen: Awacino puts your device inside the remote network so every device there is reachable.
Do I need a Google account for Awacino?
No Google account is required; you can also sign in with Apple, Microsoft or e-mail.
Does Awacino work behind CGNAT?
Yes. Both devices connect outwards and then talk to each other directly, so you need no public IP address and no port forwarding - also behind CGNAT, DS-Lite and on mobile networks.
Can I use RDP, VNC or SSH with Awacino?
Yes. Your device gets a SituIP, a real address in the remote network, so the Remote Desktop, VNC and SSH tools built into Windows, macOS and Linux work unchanged.
Is Awacino free?
Private use is free for 2 devices. Commercial use is licensed by slots - devices and active Beam-in codes, never people - from a few devices to large fleets and MSPs with many customer networks.
Is Awacino open source?
No. Awacino is closed-source software by ImageNotion UG, Germany. Connections are direct and end-to-end encrypted; Awacino's servers never carry your data.
Awacino in action
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