ScreenConnect is remote support software built for helpdesks: attended sessions where a user runs a small agent and reads you a code, unattended access to machines you manage permanently, and a Backstage mode that lets you work on a computer without taking over the user’s screen.
It is made by ConnectWise. ScreenConnect is shareware — you can try it, and a licence from the vendor is needed for continued use. It can run in ConnectWise’s cloud or on your own server.
ScreenConnect at a glance
| Current version | 26.6.5 or newer — see the security note below |
|---|---|
| Licence | Shareware (conditionally free) |
| Editions | One, Standard, Premium and Enterprise; cloud-hosted or self-hosted |
| Server systems | Windows 10/11 and Server 2016–2025 with .NET 4.7.2 or newer; Linux x86_64 |
| Server memory | About 2 GB per 10 simultaneous sessions |
| Client systems | Windows, macOS, Debian and Red Hat based Linux |
Security note — read this first
ConnectWise published a security bulletin in September 2026 about a vulnerability that allowed files to be transferred and executed through an active remote session without authorisation. Versions before 26.6.5 are affected.
If you run ScreenConnect on your own server, updating is not optional — self-hosted installations are patched by you, not by the vendor. Remote support tools are a standard target precisely because they reach every machine in the company.
What it does
- Attended support: the user runs a small program, gives you a code, and the session ends when they close it.
- Unattended access to machines with the agent installed permanently.
- Backstage mode — work on the machine through a command line and file access without occupying the user’s screen.
- File transfer, chat and remote printing during a session.
- Multi-monitor support and a toolbox of utilities you can push to the remote machine.
- Wake-on-LAN, command line access and session recording (from the middle editions upward).
- Reports on session activity.
- Mobile clients for support from a phone or tablet.
Editions, in plain terms
The entry edition is aimed at one person with a small number of machines — one licence, up to ten unattended agents. Backstage, the command line, Wake-on-LAN, session recording and VoIP start at the next level up. Video auditing and remote diagnostics are higher again, and privileged access management is the top edition.
Self-hosting is available, and it means you are responsible for the server, the certificates and the patching.
Download and install
- Click the Download button at the top of this page and unpack the archive.
- For a self-hosted server: install .NET 4.7.2 or newer, then run the installer with administrator rights. Each release is a complete server installation including the client components.
- Open ports 8040 and 8041 by default, or change them during setup.
- Install a proper TLS certificate before letting anyone connect from outside your network.
- Check the version against the current security bulletin and update if it is older than 26.6.5.
Where it fits
ScreenConnect suits a helpdesk supporting many machines across different networks, where session recording and reporting matter. For a handful of machines, or where the budget is the deciding factor, look at the free alternatives below — Remote Utilities and LiteManager Free both allow business use within their device limits.
ScreenConnect vs. alternatives
| Tool | How it compares |
|---|---|
| Remote Utilities | Free for up to 10 devices including business use; can be fully self-hosted |
| LiteManager Free | Free for up to 30 computers, commercial use allowed |
| MeshCentral | Free and open source, self-hosted, web-based; rougher interface |
| TeamViewer, AnyDesk | Cloud services with wide device support; subscription based |
FAQ
Is ScreenConnect free?
It is shareware — free to try, with a licence from ConnectWise for continued use.
Can I host it myself?
Yes, on Windows or Linux. You then own the updates and the security patching.
What is Backstage mode?
A way to work on a remote machine — command line, files, services — without taking over the screen the user is looking at.
Does the user have to install anything for one-off support?
No. For attended sessions they run a small program that stops when the session ends.
Which version should I be running?
26.6.5 or newer. Earlier versions are affected by the vulnerability described in the vendor’s September 2026 bulletin.
Are there free alternatives for a small company?
Yes — Remote Utilities for up to 10 devices and LiteManager Free for up to 30, both allowing commercial use.
