Remote computer access products have been around for a long time and are particularly useful now with our current shelter-in-home mandates due to the Covid-19 virus. They typically involve two pieces of software: one on the computer you wish to access remotely and the other on the computer you are using to access the remote computer (i.e. the local computer). When properly set up, one is able to see everything on the remote screen and control the remote keyboard and mouse. It is as if you are sitting in front of the remote computer and even works with multiple monitors attached to the remote computer.
The faster the internet service is on both the remote computer and the local computer the better the experience. Most of the approaches also allow you to redirect print outs from the remote computer to your local printer. Many solutions support both Windows and Mac systems. Prices vary greatly among the various products, from expensive to free.
The products I list below are the most common, with starting prices shown as of this date. The list is by no means conclusive, but will give you a good idea of your options.
TeamViewer pricing is equally expensive. They do offer a free version, but that version is strictly for personal, non-commercial use. Also, I have seen the free version either time out after 5 minutes or pester the user with pop-ups warning it is not to be used in commercial environments.
Other than free, RemotePC is the least expensive product and is the one I always recommend.
I used to use SplashTop a lot and it works very well, but RemotePC does the same thing and is less expensive.
Windows Remote Desktop is available in most Windows systems (not Windows Home) and can be freely used, but can be difficult to set up, often requiring special port forwarding settings in the network router.
On Macs, a facility known as Secure Shell (SSH) is available, but it has to be invoked via a command line interface in Terminal, so likely is too complex for most of my customers. It also requires port forwarding settings in the network router.
Apple Remote Desktop works much like Windows Remote Desktop, requiring a variety of settings in the remote computer. It also requires port forwarding settings in the network router. It can be purchased at the App Store.
You might ask what product do I use? I purchased a platform called SimpleHelp which for a one time price I can access up to 1000 computers remotely. I currently have connections to 354 computers, so plenty of capacity remains. And, SimpleHelp can be used simultaneously with any of the products listed above.
If you have further questions or want help setting remote computer access up, get a hold of me.
The faster the internet service is on both the remote computer and the local computer the better the experience. Most of the approaches also allow you to redirect print outs from the remote computer to your local printer. Many solutions support both Windows and Mac systems. Prices vary greatly among the various products, from expensive to free.
The products I list below are the most common, with starting prices shown as of this date. The list is by no means conclusive, but will give you a good idea of your options.
- LogMeIn Pro; $349.99/year access 2 computers
- GoToMyPC: $35/computer/month
- TeamViewer: $49/month access up to 200 computers, one session at a time (free for personal use)
- RemotePC: $22.12 first year/access to 2 computers
- Splashtop: $5/month access to 2 computers
- Windows Remote Desktop (Windows 10 Pro or higher): free
- Mac only (SSH in terminal; free) or Apple Remote Desktop ($79.99)
TeamViewer pricing is equally expensive. They do offer a free version, but that version is strictly for personal, non-commercial use. Also, I have seen the free version either time out after 5 minutes or pester the user with pop-ups warning it is not to be used in commercial environments.
Other than free, RemotePC is the least expensive product and is the one I always recommend.
I used to use SplashTop a lot and it works very well, but RemotePC does the same thing and is less expensive.
Windows Remote Desktop is available in most Windows systems (not Windows Home) and can be freely used, but can be difficult to set up, often requiring special port forwarding settings in the network router.
On Macs, a facility known as Secure Shell (SSH) is available, but it has to be invoked via a command line interface in Terminal, so likely is too complex for most of my customers. It also requires port forwarding settings in the network router.
Apple Remote Desktop works much like Windows Remote Desktop, requiring a variety of settings in the remote computer. It also requires port forwarding settings in the network router. It can be purchased at the App Store.
You might ask what product do I use? I purchased a platform called SimpleHelp which for a one time price I can access up to 1000 computers remotely. I currently have connections to 354 computers, so plenty of capacity remains. And, SimpleHelp can be used simultaneously with any of the products listed above.
If you have further questions or want help setting remote computer access up, get a hold of me.
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