7 Best Remote Desktop Software You Can Trust (Teamviewer alternatives)

Why you need the best remote desktop software?

The concept of remote computer access may be something you are all familiar with. After all, most of us have heard of TeamViewer and have been asked to install it on our computer or iPhone, iPad or Android by someone.

Remote access to a computer is a common service these days, which allows a user to use their device from virtually anywhere. This means in case you need to edit or access a document which is on your desktop computer, all you need to do is to use the remote desktop software to view the file and change it as needed from virtually anywhere, including from a smartphone or tablet.

These collaboration software applications allow you to arrange for a virtual meeting with clients. You don’t have to have a client meeting in the office, you can now have it from the comfort and privacy of your home using the best remote desktop software. This has three main benefits – cost reduction, security, and flexibility.

 

Benefits of Remote Desktop Access

Cost Reduction

So, you a have a number of software applications and programs running on your desktop computer, so it does not make sense to downgrade to a system that lacks the power and capacity to run these programs. That’s why you have invested in large desktop computers and powerful laptops and are tied down to it. Wouldn’t it make sense if you could instead have your programs residing remotely on one device and access the same on smaller devices such as an iPhone, iPad or Android phone or tablet?

This way you will save a lot of money as you won’t have to buy different licenses for the same program to be run on different devices. You only need to host one version of the program on one main computer and access it remotely through the best remote desktop software on any mobile, tablet or laptop of your choice, no matter where you are.

This gives you the anytime, anywhere access that you are looking for and saves a lot of your costs. There is no need to upgrade every computer or every tablet with the latest version of a software application – just upgrade one version on the main machine and access it remotely through the best remote access connection on any device.

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Flexibility

The best remote computer access services are flexible and allow you to conduct business on the go. By installing a remote desktop software, you can do your job from virtually anywhere. You can check on any important files from your home computer or office computer even when you are on your commute or on a vacation.

You will have the benefit of any time, anywhere access which is worth its weight in gold as it gives you the flexibility and the freedom to do what you like with your time, to be where you want to be and to go where you want to go. The best remote desktop software allows you to work from absolutely anywhere.

Security

There is nothing more important than the security of the remote desktop access, and most companies that offer this service pay special attention to this aspect. Security is a factor that can make or break a remote desktop software.

When using remote computer access, make sure that all of your information is held in the most secure servers out there and are protected by advanced encryption technology. This is important as you have to ensure that anything stored on the main device can be shared safely with any partnering device on your network so that nobody but you has the access to the programs running remotely.

 

Why You Need to Find a Teamviewer Alternative

Without question, Teamviewer is considered to be the best remote desktop software out there. But you may need to find an alternative to Teamviewer for many reasons.

While Teamviewer is a very good tool to get started with a remote desktop connection, it is quite complicated and is not as simple or as reliable as you want it to be. Security is a major concern, and you worry if the Teamviewer application you are using is properly configured. If you don’t configure the Teamviewer settings properly, you are basically putting your system at risk.

Furthermore, while the personal license version of Teamviewer is free, you will be charged a lot for the business license version of the software. So you wonder if it is worth your time and money and whether you should look for a Teamviewer alternative. We have listed some of the best Teamviewer alternatives or the best remote desktop software here. Take a look.

 

Which is the best remote desktop software out there?

(1) Join.me Review

Join.me is developed by LogMeIn and is considered to be one of the best remote desktop services out there. This software makes it easy for you to run meetings remotely with people from anywhere in the world. This software comes with an instant screen sharing tool which provides you with a better way for meetings.

The paid version of Join.me can have as many as 250 participants at a time. It comes with features such as a presenter swap, which allows all participants to share their point of view with the group.  Join.me is an excellent collaboration tool, which is used by a number of Fortune 500 companies and major universities.

Join.me Features

1. Is available as a mobile app
2. Gives you unlimited Audio and recording
3. Features one-click scheduling of the meeting
4. Can have 250 participants at a time
5. Has interesting features such as a presenter swap
6. Supports Windows and Mac OS X platforms

Join.me Price

The Basic VoIP version of the software is available for free. The Lite plan costs $10/month, Pro plan costs $20/month, and the Enterprise plan costs $30/month.

Why do we recommend Join.me?

Join.me is an excellent tool for those running a business or freelancers and self-employed professionals who work remotely.  It makes it easy for you to collaborate with people through a remote computer access. It is fast and efficient and is certainly a great way to connect with people remotely.

 

(2) WebEx

WebEx from Cisco is an ideal tool for conducting meetings. This remote computer access computer comes in the form of a free tool and a premium tool. It allows you to connect with people who are on different systems remotely through a desktop and mobile application.

To use WebEx, the person hosting the meeting shares their desktop and allows the various presenters the ability to control the mouse and keyboard. You can share files, chat online or have a face-to-face interaction with this tool.

WebEx Features

1. WebEx allows efficient and responsive video conferencing
2. It comes with a number of markup tools
3. It records meetings
4. The tool is available in the form of free mobile apps
5. All messages are password protected.
6. Supports Windows, Mac OS X and Linux

WebEx Price

It is available for free for 3 People, at $14.95/month for up to 8 participants in a meeting, at $19.95/month for up to 25 participants in a meeting, at $29.95/month for up to 200 participants in a meeting.

Why do we recommend WebEx?

This is easily one of the best software for remote desktop access, and it has the added advantage of being associated with Cisco, one of the world’s premier technology companies.

 

(3) LogMeIn

LogMeIn is easily one of the best remote desktop solutions out there for businesses and individuals alike. It is considered to be one of the best Teamviewer alternatives and is similar to Teamviewer in a lot of ways.  It allows for file transfer, access to a local printer and other useful features.

LogMeIn Features

1. LogMeIn allows for File transfers
2. It allows for audio and video streaming
3. It provides full-remote access for the transfer of files, printing of documents to a local printer and allows you to share documents with your collaborators.
4. It supports Windows and Mac OS X

LogMeIn Price

LogMeIn costs $99 per year for Individuals with access for up to 2 computers. It costs $249 per year for small businesses with access to 5 computers and $449 per year for businesses with access to 10 computers.

Why do we recommend LogMeIn?

LogMeIn is an excellent remote desktop accessing app that is compared to Teamviewer but costs much less.

 

(4) RealVNC

RealVNC offers both a paid and premium version of a Remote Desktop Client which is built on the Virtual Network Computing or VNC framework. VNC technology is an open-source technology and is the foundation for this tool. RealVNC is a cross-platform utility which connects each individual to a remote computer or to multiple personal computers using a public IP Address.

RealVNC Features

1. Allows for remote control access across platforms
2. Features VNC authentication
3. Encrypted File Transfer
4. Live Chats
5. Supports Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Raspberry Pi, UNIX, and Ubuntu.

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RealVNC Price

RealVNC costs $30 per desktop for personal or commercial use and $44 per desktop for enterprise use.

Why do we recommend RealVNC?

It is a decent Teamviewer alternative despite being a little more complicated than Teamviewer to set up. But you are assured of a reliable and secure connection.

 

(5) GoToMeeting

GoToMeeting is a mid-level remote collaboration software targeted at small businesses. This software allows businesses to organize meetings from the office, record online meetings, record audio or schedule events. It has an option for VoIP dial as well. It comes with a free version that supports 3 people at a time.

GoToMeeting Features

1. Remote collaboration
2. Supports Windows and Mac OS X.
3. Allows you to switch easily between different types of meetings.
4. Available for desktop and mobile and offers extensive support for both.

GoToMeeting Price

The Starter package of GoToMeeting costs $19 per month, the Pro plan, which is most popular, costs $29 per month and the Plus plan costs $49 per month.

Why do we recommend GoToMeeting?

GoToMeeting is one of the best remote conferencing and computer access software for small and micro businesses.

 

(6) GoSupportNow

GoSupportNow is a remote computer access software developed by Rhub Communications, Inc, a tech company based in San Jose, CA. It has all the features you would expect from top web conferencing or collaboration software and offers remote support services. It supports up to 10 participants at a time and has flexible price plans.

GoSupportNow Features

1. Supports 10 participants at a time.
2. Allows you to convert a remote support session into an interactive web conferencing session.
3. Supports Windows and Mac OS

GoSupportNow Price

GoSupportNow plans start at $20/month for 1 user. You can add more users for $1/month.

Why do we recommend GoSupportNow?

This is an affordable option for individuals and small and midsized businesses looking for remote desktop support and a decent alternative to Teamviewer.

 

(7) Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager

Remote Desktop Manager from Devolutions is a comprehensive package that supports a range of remote protocols and platforms. It is ideally suited to IT professionals, freelancers and self-employed workers that need to communicate with their clients or business owners remotely.  It is basically a remote connections manager that features a technologically robust platform and can work with multiple remote desktop connections.

Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager Features

1. This software supports the following protocols: VNC, Citrix, LogMeIn, TeamViewer, Putty, HTTP, FTP.
2. All data is safely encrypted through AES encryption.
3. Password protection is through external applications such as KeePass and LastPass.
4. It supports and integrates with many other popular services that provide remote access such as Intel AMT support, Hyper-V dashboard, Windows PowerShell support, Advanced Data Source support, Integrated password manager, many VPN connections and Microsoft Azure Console.

Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager Prices

Remote Desktop Manager from Devolutions is available in two forms: Free and Enterprise. The Free version is ideal for stand-alone users.  Enterprise version is targeted at multiple users and teams.  The user license for the Enterprise version costs $149.99 per user. The site license for Enterprise costs $2,999.99.

Why do we recommend Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager?

Remote Desktop Manager is secure, fast and responsive enough to access information across multiple platforms. It is already used by over 300,000 people in more than 130 countries.