The four ways people access Tally remotely
| Method | Full Tally? | Multi-user? | Safe? | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cloud hosting + RDP | Yes | Yes | Yes, encrypted sessions | The reliable option |
| Screen sharing (AnyDesk etc.) | Yes | No, one at a time | Risky if left always-on | OK for emergencies |
| VPN to office PC | Yes | Barely | Depends on office IT | Fragile, needs static IP |
| Reports-only mobile apps | No, view only | Yes | Yes | Fine for owners checking numbers |
Screen sharing means taking over the office computer, so only one person can work and the office PC must stay on. A VPN turns your office into a mini data center without the redundancy of one. Reports-only apps are genuinely useful for a director who just checks outstanding balances, but nobody can pass an entry in them. Cloud hosting is the method that removes all three limitations at once.
Setting up cloud Tally access, step by step
- Pick a plan based on user count (up to 5 users on Solo, 15 on Firm, unlimited on Enterprise)
- Our engineers set up the Windows cloud server and install Tally with your existing license, usually the same day
- Your current company data files are migrated as they are; nothing is re-entered
- Each user installs the free Microsoft Remote Desktop app on their device (Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone) and signs in with their own credentials
- Open Tally inside the remote session and work exactly as before, from anywhere
What it looks like on each device
On a laptop, the remote session opens like another window: full screen, keyboard shortcuts, printing to your local printer. On a tablet or phone, you see the full Windows desktop with touch controls, which is comfortable for checking ledgers and approving entries, while heavy data entry stays nicer on a keyboard. Either way it is real Tally, not a viewer.
Where to go from here
If you are weighing this against keeping an office server, read the cloud vs local server comparison. For the money side, the 2026 pricing breakdown covers per-user costs and the hidden charges to check with any provider. Or see CloudFigma's Tally on Cloud plans to go live this week.
Remote access questions
Can I use Tally on a Mac or iPhone with this method?
Yes. Tally itself only runs on Windows, but with cloud hosting the Windows machine is in the data center. You connect from a Mac, iPhone, iPad, or Android device using the free Microsoft Remote Desktop app and use full Tally normally.
Do I need a static IP or VPN at my office?
No. That requirement belongs to the old method of exposing your office PC to the internet. With cloud-hosted Tally, the server is already online in a data center; you just log in from wherever you are.
How much internet speed does remote Tally need?
Very little. RDP transmits screen updates, not the data file, so even a 4G mobile connection is comfortable for regular data entry. What matters is a stable connection, not a fast one.
Is remote access to Tally safe?
With cloud hosting, yes, when done properly: connections are encrypted, each user has their own credentials, logins can be revoked instantly, and the data file never leaves the server. Screen-sharing tools and exposed office PCs are the risky options, not RDP to a managed server.
Can two people use Tally remotely at the same time?
Yes, with a multi-user Tally license and a plan that supports multiple sessions. On CloudFigma, the Solo plan supports up to 5 users and the Firm plan up to 15, each with an independent Remote Desktop session.