Remotely

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What Remotely is

Remotely is a free, open-source remote control and scripting tool that can be self-hosted. It supports attended and unattended access to desktop devices, with an option to require consent even for unattended connections. Administrators can run commands on devices through its API, including PowerShell Core scripts. The server’s basic API is available at /swagger, while most endpoints require an API access token. A Docker Compose quickstart is provided for deploying the server. SQLite is the default database; configuration can instead select SQL Server or PostgreSQL. Security settings include HTTPS enforcement, two-factor authentication, and authentication before a remote-control connection is established. Session recording can be enabled, with retention based on the configured data-retention period. Its Alerts API can display website notifications, send email, or make another API request. Remote control also works from mobile devices with tap and long-press controls, though the project describes a computer or laptop as ideal. Caddy directly facing the internet is the only supported reverse-proxy setup.

Who it suits

Remotely suits teams or administrators who want a free, self-hosted way to control and script desktop devices. It may fit users who need configurable security controls and session recording, provided their reverse-proxy setup uses Caddy directly facing the internet.

What it does well

Free and open source, with a Docker Compose server quickstart.
Supports attended and unattended remote control.
API can run commands, including PowerShell Core scripts.
Recording and retention period can be configured.
SQLite, SQL Server, and PostgreSQL are supported.

What to know first

Caddy is the only supported reverse-proxy setup.
A computer or laptop is described as ideal for control.
Most API endpoints require an access token.

Limits

The project supports only Caddy directly facing the internet as its reverse-proxy setup, and maintainers cannot guide every environment configuration. Most API endpoints require an API access token; recording retention follows the configured data-retention period.

Getting started

Open the Remotely GitHub repository
Use the Docker Compose quickstart to run the server
Configure SQLite, SQL Server, or PostgreSQL
Set HTTPS, two-factor authentication, and connection-authentication options
Place Caddy directly facing the internet when using a reverse proxy
Open the server’s /swagger path to browse the API

Verdict

Remotely combines remote control, device scripting, alerts, and configurable recording in a self-hosted tool. Its reverse-proxy support is narrowly specified, so check that constraint against your deployment setup.

Questions

Is Remotely free?

Yes. It is marked free, open source, and GPL-3.0 licensed.

How is Remotely installed?

The README provides a Docker Compose quickstart for running the server yourself.

Which databases can it use?

SQLite is the default. SQL Server and PostgreSQL can be selected through configuration.

Can Remotely run scripts?

Yes. Its API can execute commands on devices, including PowerShell Core scripts.

Can users connect from mobile devices?

Remote control is usable from a mobile device with tap and long-press controls, though a computer or laptop is described as ideal.

What reverse proxy is supported?

The project identifies Caddy directly facing the internet as the only supported reverse-proxy setup.

Facts from Remotely's own pages

Alerts: The Alerts API can show website notifications, send email, or make another API request. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
API: The basic API is browsable at /swagger on the user's server, and most endpoints require an API access token. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Database: SQLite is the default database, and SQL Server or PostgreSQL can be selected through configuration. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Latest release shown: The releases page lists v2024.08.07.0819 as the latest release shown. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
License: The repository is marked as GPL-3.0 licensed. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Mobile access: The README says remote control is usable from a mobile device and describes tap and long-press controls. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Mobile use: The README says remote control can be used from a mobile device, though a computer or laptop is ideal. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Platforms: The README describes remote-control clients for Windows and Linux; Windows 11 and the latest Ubuntu LTS are the versions it says are tested. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Purpose: Remotely is a remote control and remote scripting solution built with .NET 8, Blazor, and SignalR. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Recording: Remote-control session recording can be enabled, with retention governed by the configured data-retention period. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Remote control: The project supports attended and unattended remote control, with an option to require user consent for unattended access. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Remote scripting: The README gives an API example that executes a PowerShell Core command on a device. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Reverse proxy: The README identifies Caddy directly facing the internet as the only supported reverse-proxy setup. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Scripting: Its API can execute commands, including PowerShell Core scripts, on devices. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Security controls: Configuration includes options for enforcing HTTPS, requiring two-factor authentication, and requiring authentication to establish a remote control connection. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Self-hosting: The README provides a Docker Compose quickstart for running the server. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Session recording: Administrators can enable remote control session recordings on the server, with retention governed by the configured data retention period. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Support: The project directs users needing help with other network setups to GitHub Discussions, Reddit, or another social site. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Supported platforms: desktop · github.com, 22 Sept 2026
Support limitation: The README says Caddy is the only supported reverse proxy, and maintainers cannot provide guidance for every environment setup. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026