Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

PythonAnywhere VS Microsoft Remote Desktop

Compare PythonAnywhere VS Microsoft Remote Desktop and see what are their differences

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PythonAnywhere logo PythonAnywhere

Host, run, and code Python in the cloud: PythonAnywhere

Microsoft Remote Desktop logo Microsoft Remote Desktop

Once that's done, another computer or device with the right credentials, called the client, can connect to the host and control it. Don't let the technical aspects of remote desktop software scare you away.
  • PythonAnywhere Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-30
  • Microsoft Remote Desktop Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-02-09

PythonAnywhere features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    PythonAnywhere provides a user-friendly interface with pre-configured settings, which makes it simple for beginners to deploy and manage Python applications without the need to manage server infrastructure.
  • Integrated Development Environment
    It includes an in-browser code editor and Python console, making it convenient to edit and run code on the go without needing to install any software locally.
  • Affordable Pricing
    Offers various pricing tiers, including a free tier, which is very attractive for small projects, prototypes, and learning purposes.
  • Scalability
    Offers options to scale applications as needed, making it suitable for growing projects that may require additional resources over time.
  • Built-in Python Libraries
    Comes pre-installed with many common Python libraries and frameworks, saving users the time and effort of setting up dependencies.
  • Built-in MySQL Support
    Provides built-in support for MySQL databases, making it straightforward to set up and manage databases for your applications.
  • Automated Backups
    Includes automated backup features to help secure your data and provide peace of mind.

Possible disadvantages of PythonAnywhere

  • Limited Customization
    The pre-configured environment limits customization options, which may be a drawback for more advanced users who require specific configurations or installations.
  • Free Tier Limitations
    The free tier has significant limitations, including restricted CPU time and storage space, which can hinder more demanding applications.
  • Performance
    Shared plans might experience slower performance during peak times due to the shared nature of the infrastructure.
  • Lack of Root Access
    Users do not have root access to the underlying system, which can be a limitation for deploying certain types of applications or custom services.
  • Support Limitations
    While it offers community support and documentation, the level of professional support might not meet the needs of all users, especially those on lower-tier plans.
  • Limited Language Support
    Primarily focused on Python, which may not suit all projects, especially those requiring multi-language support.
  • Resource Constraints
    Lower-tier plans have stringent resource limits (CPU, RAM, storage), which can be restrictive for resource-intensive applications.

Microsoft Remote Desktop features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    Microsoft Remote Desktop provides a user-friendly interface that is simple to set up and navigate, making it accessible for users of varying technical expertise.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    Supports multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, allowing for versatile usage across different devices.
  • Performance
    Offers reliable and relatively fast performance with the ability to handle complex applications and operations through remote connections.
  • Integration with Microsoft Ecosystem
    Seamlessly integrates with other Microsoft services and products, such as Azure and Office 365, enhancing productivity for users within the Microsoft ecosystem.
  • Security
    Includes robust security features like network-level authentication, data encryption, and multi-factor authentication, ensuring secure remote connections.

Possible disadvantages of Microsoft Remote Desktop

  • Initial Setup Complexity
    For non-technical users, the initial setup can be challenging and may require additional resources or support to configure properly.
  • Internet Dependency
    Performance and usability heavily depend on a stable and high-speed Internet connection, which might be a limitation in areas with poor connectivity.
  • Licensing Costs
    Some advanced features and integrations require specific Windows licenses or Azure subscriptions, which may incur additional costs for businesses and individual users.
  • Resource Consumption
    Running remote desktop sessions can be resource-intensive, potentially affecting the performance of both the client and the host machine, especially on older hardware.
  • Limited Customization
    The application may lack some customization options found in other remote desktop solutions, making it less flexible for users with specific needs and preferences.

Analysis of PythonAnywhere

Overall verdict

  • Overall, PythonAnywhere is considered a good option for those seeking a reliable, straightforward, and affordable way to host Python applications. While it might not cater to the needs of very large scale or highly customizable environments, it is well-suited for personal projects, small to medium-sized applications, and educational purposes.

Why this product is good

  • PythonAnywhere is a popular choice for hosting Python applications because it offers a convenient and user-friendly platform for both beginners and experienced developers. Its cloud-based service allows for easy deployment and execution of Python scripts without the need to manage physical servers. The platform supports web development frameworks like Flask and Django, provides a variety of integrations and is equipped with a web-based interactive console, which makes it highly accessible for many users.

Recommended for

    PythonAnywhere is especially recommended for Python developers (beginners and intermediates), educators, students, and hobbyists who are looking for an easy and quick way to deploy and host their Python applications or who need an online python environment for coding practice.

Analysis of Microsoft Remote Desktop

Overall verdict

  • Microsoft Remote Desktop is generally considered a reliable and effective tool for remote access to Windows machines, particularly for those already using Microsoft services or within a Windows-centric IT environment. Its full compatibility with Windows devices makes it a strong choice for personal and professional use.

Why this product is good

  • Microsoft Remote Desktop is widely regarded as a solid solution for those needing to access and manage their Windows environments remotely. It benefits from integration with the Microsoft ecosystem, offering good performance, security features, and ease of access. Users appreciate its seamless connection to Windows PCs and servers, efficient resource management, and straightforward setup.

Recommended for

  • IT professionals needing to manage Windows servers and workstations remotely.
  • Employees who require access to their office desktops from home or during travel.
  • Organizations using cloud-based environments such as Microsoft Azure.
  • Users already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem seeking integration with other Microsoft products and services.

PythonAnywhere videos

Python Anywhere with pythonanywhere - Simplified Python VPS hosting

More videos:

  • Review - Deploy Python Flask App on Pythonanywhere.com
  • Review - PythonAnywhere in one minute

Microsoft Remote Desktop videos

How to use Chrome Remote Desktop

More videos:

  • Demo - Windows 11 Remote Desktop Connection (RDP) | 2023

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to PythonAnywhere and Microsoft Remote Desktop)
Text Editors
100 100%
0% 0
Remote Desktop
0 0%
100% 100
Cloud Computing
100 100%
0% 0
Remote PC Access
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare PythonAnywhere and Microsoft Remote Desktop

PythonAnywhere Reviews

We have no reviews of PythonAnywhere yet.
Be the first one to post

Microsoft Remote Desktop Reviews

Top 10 Android Remote Access Tools
Microsoft Remote Desktop is very similar to Chrome Remote Desktop and provides the functionality necessary to access remote Windows computers. Since this software was developed by Microsoft, it is compatible with all of the companyโ€™s applications and versions of the Windows OS. Users who need to simply connect to distant Windows systems may find this to be the best free...
25 Best TeamViewer Alternative Software (Free/Paid) in 2021
Remote desktop software needs to be installed on both the client as well as server-side. It uses Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) to connect to Windows systems. Once installed, it captures inputs like mouse and keyboard from the clientโ€™s computer and sends them to the server computer. This way, the client can use and manage the server-side computer from a remote location. It...
Source: www.guru99.com
Best remote desktop software of 2021: Paid and free choices for businesses
Chrome Remote Desktop is a free remote access program thatโ€™s available on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android devices. It's extremely limited when compared to some of the paid options on this list, but itโ€™s the best free software weโ€™ve come across and is a great option for personal use.
10 Best Free Remote Desktop Tools You Should Know
Remote desktop tools and features have been around for years. Most such tools and features were built with IT administrators and managers in mind โ€“ they make it easy for IT support personnel to access connected computers via a โ€˜masterโ€™ computer. But with the increasing popularity of smartphones and tablets, the average user also feels the need to access their home or work PC...
13 Best TeamViewer Alternatives Of 2019
If you are looking for a free desktop sharing tool for your Windows platform, then you might not need to look any further than the built-in tool known as Remote Desktop Connection. It enables Windows users to connect their desktop to another Windows based computer securely over LAN or via the internet.
Source: www.rankred.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, PythonAnywhere seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 55 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

PythonAnywhere mentions (55)

  • [Offer] I need someone to set up a webhook in my WordPress site and a Python server with listener + bot
    The website is already built. Each comment will have a reddit post URL, and the bot should leave a comment on that URL. We can use pythonanywhere.com for this to make it easiest. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Flask and web hosting
    If you are learning, use pythonanywhere.com as they specialize in python, and make setup easy. Only $5 a month. Start with a barebones flask app, get it to run, then follow a tutorial. Actually better to build the app locally, easier to test with IDE like Pycharm. Then upload to the net. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Redirecting client to my server via a external server
    Hello, I have a Minecraft server running on a Rpi with Paper. It works great and I use it to play with some of my friends. However, the server's public IP address often changes, meaning that I have to give my friends the new IP address daily. Being a programmer, I feel this could be automated. I don't want to buy a domain, so I want to try and setup a system where the server sends Its IP to my PythonAnywhere... Source: over 3 years ago
  • Question Gallery WebApp Django or Flask?
    Hosting wise, I would reccomend pythonanywhere.com, combined with either https://imagekit.io or https://cloudinary.com. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Cheap Heroku alternative for PHP MySQL app
    So what is the best alternative? I have one Plotly Dash app on pythonanywhere.com where I spend 6 bucks a month so I don't want to spend anymore than 5 dollars per month on the PHP + MySQL. Source: over 3 years ago
View more

Microsoft Remote Desktop mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Microsoft Remote Desktop yet. Tracking of Microsoft Remote Desktop recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing PythonAnywhere and Microsoft Remote Desktop, you can also consider the following products

Heroku - Agile deployment platform for Ruby, Node.js, Clojure, Java, Python, and Scala. Setup takes only minutes and deploys are instant through git. Leave tedious server maintenance to Heroku and focus on your code.

TeamViewer - TeamViewer lets you establish a connection to any PC or server within just a few seconds.

Google App Engine - A powerful platform to build web and mobile apps that scale automatically.

AnyDesk - AnyDesk is the world's most comfortable remote desktop application. Access all your programs, documents and files from anywhere, without having to entrust your data to a cloud service.

DigitalOcean - Simplifying cloud hosting. Deploy an SSD cloud server in 55 seconds.

LogMeIn - LogMeIn gives you fast, easy remote access to your PC or Mac from your browser, desktop and mobile...