Jump Desktop vs HopToDesk
Jump Desktop is a remote desktop app from PhaseFive Systems. It connects to Windows and Mac computers through its own Fluid protocol and also works as an RDP and VNC client. Jump Desktop for Teams adds a management console, access groups and single sign-on for businesses.
Where HopToDesk fits
Jump Desktop sells its Teams plans per user, and its own Connect agent runs on Windows and Mac. HopToDesk keeps the remote session free on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and Raspberry Pi, and puts the paid value in the Dashboard, where monitoring, ticketing, reporting and branded clients sit next to team management.
Jump Desktop and HopToDesk side by side
| Feature | HopToDesk | Jump Desktop |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free on Windows and in a browser, one-time purchase on Mac and iOS; Teams plans start at US$7.99 per user/month, billed annually (US$95.90/year) |
| Use Without an Account | Yes | Not offeredSign-in required for Fluid connections |
| Access Without Port Forwarding | YesIncluded free | Yes |
| Platform Support | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Chromebook, Raspberry Pi | Connects to Windows and Mac; native apps for Windows, Mac and iOS, and a web client for other devices |
| Web Browser Access | Yes | Yes |
| Single App for Control/Share | Yes | Not offered |
| Screen Share | Yes | Yes |
| File Transfer | Yes | Folder sharing over RDP only |
| Live Chat | Yes | Not offered |
| Audio Support | Yes | Yes |
| Traffic Security | End-to-End Encryption | End-to-End Encryption |
| Secure Session Verification | Yes | YesApproval prompt or local password |
| 2FA Login | Yes | Yes |
| Unattended Access | Yes | Yes |
| Session Recording | Yes | Not offered |
| Remote Terminal | Yes | Not offered |
| Remote Restart | Yes | Not offered |
| Remote Printing | Yes | RDP connections only |
| Remote Wakeup (WOL) | Yes | Yes |
| Privacy Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Clipboard Sync | Yes | Yes |
| Direct Access | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-Session Support | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-Monitor Support | Yes | Yes |
| Self-Hosting / On-Premise | Yes | On-premise relay server on the Enterprise plan |
| Custom-Branded Clients | Yes | Not offered |
| AI Agent Support (MCP) | Yes | Not offered |
| Built-in Help Desk & Ticketing | YesIncluded on all plans, with a customer portal, email intake and assignment | Not offered |
| Device Monitoring & Alerts | Yes | Not offered |
| Session Reports & Audit Trail | YesSession history, connection durations, audit trail, CSV export | Cloud connection logs kept for 5 years on Teams plans |
| Session Notes & Billable Flag | Yes | Not offered |
| Language Support | About 44 | About 9 |
Jump Desktop plan details verified 15 September 2026 against Jump Desktop pricing. Vendors change packaging, so check current terms before deciding.
What the Dashboard adds
The HopToDesk client is free. The Dashboard is the paid tier, and it turns remote access into a managed platform, from your first three devices free to 500 and beyond on the Business plan.
Switching from Jump Desktop
- Install the free client on the machines you support. Portable mode means no commitment to test it.
- Start a free Dashboard account, add three devices, and check the monitoring and ticket views against your own machines.
- Deploy at scale with GPO, Intune, SCCM, Jamf or Ansible, or with a branded client.
- Add your team, set roles, and connect SSO from the Dashboard.
On the Business plan you can also import the device list exported from your current tool. Each imported group becomes a deployment with its own enroll link, and the Dashboard checks off each machine as it enrolls, so you always know what is left to move. Read the migration guide
Common questions
Do I pay per user?
No. HopToDesk does not charge per seat or per technician. The Dashboard is priced on the plan, and the client stays free.
Can I connect to Linux computers?
Yes. HopToDesk is a native app on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Chromebook and Raspberry Pi, and there is a web client if you prefer a browser.
Is there a free tier?
Yes. The client is free for personal and business use, and the Dashboard free plan covers three devices with no time limit.
Try it on your own devices
Install the client, add a few devices and see how it handles your estate before you move anything across.
Managing devices for clients? HopToDesk for MSPs covers multi-tenant separation, per-tenant branding and volume pricing.