Auffi vs TeamViewer
Auffi is a free, open-source (AGPL-3.0) and
GDPR-compliant alternative to TeamViewer for ad-hoc
screen sharing and remote support. The person helping just opens
auffi.app in a browser and types in a 9-digit code —
no installation, no account. The servers are in
Germany, and every stream is end-to-end encrypted with DTLS-SRTP.
TeamViewer is more comprehensive and more mature, but
proprietary and paid for commercial use.
Comparison table
| Feature | Auffi | TeamViewer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free (private & commercial) | Free for private use only; commercial is paid |
| License / open source | AGPL-3.0, open source & auditable | Proprietary, closed source |
| Server location | Germany (IONOS Frankfurt) | Cloud infrastructure (German company) |
| Self-hostable | Yes (Docker Compose) | No |
| Installation (person helping) | None — browser only | App/QuickSupport needed |
| Account needed (ad-hoc) | No | No (QuickSupport) |
| Encryption | End-to-end, DTLS-SRTP (WebRTC) | End-to-end, AES-256 |
| Trackers / telemetry | None; cookieless opt-in stats | Telemetry present |
| Unattended access | Yes (paired devices) | Yes, very mature |
| Platforms (sharer) | Windows, Linux (macOS coming) | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Feature scope | Focus: screen + remote control + file | Very broad (meetings, mobile, asset mgmt) |
As of: May 2026
When Auffi is the better choice
- You want to help someone ad hoc (parents, grandparents, customers) without that person installing anything.
- You care about privacy, EU/German hosting and open source — for example in a professional context with GDPR obligations.
- You use remote support commercially and don't want to pay.
- You want to self-host the solution and control it completely.
When TeamViewer (still) has the edge
- You need mobile apps (iOS/Android) or support for mobile devices.
- You manage many devices in an organization with asset management, reporting and meetings.
- You need a commercial support contract with an SLA.
Auffi at a glance
- 9-digit connection code, valid for 10 minutes, burned server-side after 5 failed attempts.
- WebRTC P2P with DTLS-SRTP — video, mouse and files flow directly between the devices; TURN fallback when the direct connection is blocked.
- The sharer actively confirms every connection (no silent joining in).
- AGPL-3.0, source code and releases on GitHub.
Frequently asked questions
Is Auffi really free — even commercially?
Yes. Auffi is completely free and open source under AGPL-3.0, with no usage limit and no distinction between private and commercial use. TeamViewer is only free for private use; commercial use requires a license.
Is Auffi GDPR-compliant?
Yes. Servers in Germany, no IPs in plaintext, no trackers, no logging of content — and fully self-hostable thanks to the AGPL.
Do I need an account or an installation?
Not for ad-hoc help: the person helping just opens auffi.app and types in the code. Only the person sharing their own screen downloads the sharer; an account is only needed for permanent unattended access.
Can Auffi fully replace TeamViewer?
For ad-hoc screen-sharing help, yes. For mobile apps, meetings and enterprise device management TeamViewer remains broader — Auffi deliberately doesn't cover that.
Try it now
Share your screen — enter a code & connect · Download the sharer