Chartio vs ChromeRemoteDesktop vs Cloud4Wi: Which Is Right for You in 2026?

Chartio

Discontinued (formerly subscription-based SaaS) · From No longer available for purchase

Best for: No one today — Chartio is discontinued and no longer available for purchase; it's documented here as a historical product only.

ChromeRemoteDesktop

Free · From Free

Best for: Individuals and IT teams who need free, cross-platform remote screen access or one-time remote support sessions.

Cloud4Wi

Usage-based subscription priced per access point, per personal network, or per user depending on product, billed monthly or annually, with a self-serve free trial and custom Enterprise pricing for larger deployments · From From $200/month per product (billed annually from $2,400/year), 30-day free trial available

Best for: Retail, hospitality, and transit brands that want AI-powered guest and resident WiFi with engagement analytics.

Chartio

No individual plan breakdown documented yet.

ChromeRemoteDesktop

No individual plan breakdown documented yet.

Cloud4Wi

Chartio

Pros

• Was historically praised for its approachable, dual visual/SQL interface for mixed technical-skill teams (no longer relevant since shutdown)
• Had broad connectivity across common relational databases and cloud data warehouses (historical)
• Was a lower-friction alternative to enterprise BI suites for smaller teams (historical)

Cons

• Completely discontinued and unavailable since March 1, 2022; cannot be purchased, signed up for, or used today
• Existing customers were forced to migrate all dashboards and data connections to a different BI tool within about a year
• Atlassian did not integrate Chartio's technology into any surviving public product, so the acquisition delivered no continuity for customers
• Any modern search results or listings suggesting Chartio is active are outdated or inaccurate

ChromeRemoteDesktop

Pros

• Completely free with no paid tiers, subscriptions, or feature paywalls
• Simple setup that most non-technical users can complete in a few minutes
• Cross-platform support covers essentially every common desktop and mobile operating system
• Backed by Google's account authentication and WebRTC-based encrypted connections
• Great lightweight option for occasional personal use or helping family members remotely

Cons

• No support for multiple simultaneous connections to the same device, unlike enterprise remote-support tools
• Lacks built-in chat or messaging during a session
• No unattended device fleet management, admin dashboard, or session recording that paid tools like TeamViewer or Splashtop offer
• Requires a Google account and a Chromium-based browser or dedicated app, which can be a barrier in locked-down environments
• Periodic re-confirmation prompts can interrupt long unattended sessions

Cloud4Wi

Pros

• Public, usage-based pricing with a self-serve 30-day free trial and no credit card required
• Hardware-independent design works with existing access points from major vendors, avoiding a costly hardware refresh
• Full feature set, including the Hedy AI Engine, included on every tier with no paid add-ons
• Proven at large scale with recognizable brands such as Prada, MSC Cruises, and Guess
• SOC 2 Type II certification supports enterprise security and compliance requirements
• Unifies Guest WiFi, MDU WiFi, and Network Access Control on one architecture instead of separate point products

Cons

• Entry pricing around 200 dollars per month per product can add up quickly for venues needing multiple products
• Enterprise-scale deployments above roughly 250 access points or 1,000 users require custom sales-negotiated pricing
• Smaller company (51-200 employees) than large network-hardware vendors offering their own analytics add-ons
• Value depends heavily on integration quality with a venue's existing access point hardware and network setup
• Primarily suited to physical, WiFi-connected venues, so it does not address digital-only customer engagement needs
• Relocation of headquarters over the years (Italy, San Francisco, New York) suggests a company still evolving its footprint

Chartio

• Historical reference for BI tool comparisons — Analysts researching the business intelligence market may reference Chartio as a historical example of a discontinued mid-market BI product.
• Migration planning context for former Chartio customers — Former Chartio users researching where their data and workflows went can use this profile to confirm the shutdown timeline before selecting a replacement tool.

ChromeRemoteDesktop

• Accessing Your Own Computer Remotely — An individual accesses files or applications on their home computer from a work laptop or while traveling.
• Helping a Family Member Troubleshoot — A family member remotely views and controls a relative's computer to fix a technical problem.
• Occasional Small-Team Remote Support — A small business or hobbyist provides occasional one-off remote support without buying enterprise remote-access software.

Cloud4Wi

• Retail guest WiFi and customer data capture — Retail chains deploy branded Guest WiFi to onboard shoppers, capture consent-based customer profiles, and feed marketing systems with first-party data.
• Hospitality and cruise line connectivity — Hotels and cruise operators use Cloud4Wi to provide branded guest connectivity while gathering real-time engagement data across properties or vessels.
• Multi-dwelling residential WiFi — Property operators use MDU WiFi to deliver managed internet access across apartment buildings and residential complexes.
• Shopping center and transit network management — Shopping centers and transit locations use Cloud4Wi's Cloud NAC and analytics to manage secure network access across many sites from a single platform.