TeamViewer "commercial use" blocked? The free alternative
When TeamViewer reports "commercial use suspected", cuts sessions after a few minutes, or demands a license, that is because of TeamViewer's business model: only private use is free. An alternative that doesn't have this problem at all is Auffi — free for private and commercial use, open source (AGPL-3.0), servers in Germany, and the person helping only needs a browser.
Why the message appears
TeamViewer detects "commercial" use through a heuristic based on session duration, frequency, and the number of endpoints. When it triggers, connections are shortened (often to just a few minutes) or blocked entirely. This regularly affects private users as a false positive too — for example those who frequently help family and friends.
Your options
- Request a reset (private use only) — if you genuinely use TeamViewer only privately, you can ask TeamViewer to clear the commercial-use flag via their reset form. Success is not guaranteed; repeated flags are often not cleared permanently.
- Buy a TeamViewer license — unlocks commercial use, but depending on the plan costs several hundred euros per year.
- Switch to a free tool that makes no private/commercial distinction — e.g. Auffi (browser-based for the person helping) or RustDesk (app on both sides).
Auffi vs TeamViewer commercial lockout at a glance
| Feature | Auffi | TeamViewer (free tier) |
|---|---|---|
| Private use | Free | Free |
| Commercial use | Free | Paid license required |
| "Commercial use" lockout | Doesn't exist | Yes, sessions are shortened/blocked |
| License / open source | AGPL-3.0, open source | Proprietary |
| Installation (person helping) | None — browser only | QuickSupport app needed |
| Server location | Germany (Frankfurt) | Cloud (German company) |
As of June 2026
When TeamViewer is still a better fit
- You need mobile apps (iOS/Android) or support for mobile devices.
- You manage many devices in an organization with asset management, meetings and reporting.
- You need a support contract with an SLA.
For the most common task — helping someone ad hoc via screen sharing and remote control — Auffi is sufficient and costs nothing.
Frequently asked questions
Why does TeamViewer say "commercial use suspected"?
TeamViewer is only free for private use. An automatic heuristic looks at session length, frequency and the number of endpoints; when it triggers, sessions are shortened or blocked and the commercial-use notice appears. It often hits private users as a false positive.
How do I get rid of the TeamViewer message for good?
There are three routes: (1) If you genuinely use TeamViewer only for private purposes, you can request a reset of the commercial-use flag via TeamViewer's reset form — success is not guaranteed and repeated flags are often not cleared permanently. (2) For commercial use, buying a paid TeamViewer license is the reliable fix. (3) Or you switch to a tool that makes no such distinction at all — Auffi is free for private and commercial use, open source (AGPL-3.0), and has no commercial-use lockout.
Is Auffi free for commercial remote support too?
Yes. Under the AGPL-3.0 Auffi is completely free — no usage cap and no private-vs-commercial distinction. There is no license fee and no session limit.
Does the person I help have to install anything?
The helper just opens auffi.app in a browser and types a 9-digit code — no install, no account. Only the person sharing their own screen runs the small Auffi sharer once (Windows or Linux).
Is Auffi GDPR-compliant and where are the servers?
Yes. Servers are in Germany (Frankfurt), no IP addresses are stored in clear text, there are no trackers, and every stream is end-to-end encrypted with DTLS-SRTP. Thanks to the AGPL license you can also self-host Auffi entirely.
Try it now
Share your screen — enter a code & connect · Download the sharer · Auffi vs TeamViewer in detail