Best Remote Access Software: Choosing Your Remote Access Solutions
Equipping your business with remote access functionalities is essential in today’s digital age. With remote access, your team can work outside the office and maintain the same level of productivity regardless of location.
Still not sure what is the best remote access software for your business? In this article, we round up the top six choices on the market, and share some tips on how to pick the right one to get the most out of your investment.
How Does Remote Desktop Software Work?
Remote access software allows users to work remotely, accessing key software installed on their business data center or desktop and connecting users remotely using the cloud.
When a remote access software is activated by a user, this begins a remote desktop session. A signal is transmitted by the client system through a listening port connected to the internet, allowing the user to work through the host device located at the business (typically a computer or network at the office). Users access the host using their remote computers using a PIN, a password, or a secure ID.
After the user logs into the system, they will then get access to the screen and/or data of the host network, allowing them to perform operations and control the system as if they were locally present at the computer or network. This means that no matter where the user may be, with proper remote access established, they can continue working as if they were at the local system.
Remote Computer Access Network Benefits
- Increased productivity by allowing employees to work remotely, even when they aren’t in the office
- Access management for the whole team becomes much simpler as the system can be accessed remotely
- Data can be accessed worldwide immediately, so urgent matters can be dealt with right away regardless of the circumstances
- By working with an IT management team to install remote access software, this also equips your business with a team that looks after the server to maximize security
What To Look For In Your Remote PC Access Solutions
The flexibility and ease-of-use offered by remote access software come with obvious trade-offs. Less secure software put businesses at the risk of security issues and hardware incompatibility, which can add extra costs on top of acquiring the software itself.
Make sure to look for the following features to get the most out of your remote access software:
- Unattended Access: remote access software should be equipped with unattended access, meaning the software can be accessed without needing to communicate with anyone at the remote end.
- Multi-Session Handling: Some remote desktop solutions are limited when it comes to the number of simultaneous sessions they can run. The more support sessions you can run at the same time, the more flexible your software will be.
- Multi-Window Control: If several users need access at the same time, your remote access solution should have multi-window control, allowing users to switch between various control windows without difficulty.
- Auto Reboot and Reconnect: One of the major limitations of many remote access solutions is the lack of rebooting and reconnecting, which can be essential in many cases. It’s important for your remote access software to give remote users the ability to reboot and reconnect the system — all while staying connected — when necessary.
Other Important Factors to Consider When Choosing Remote Access Software
Does it have all the features you need?
On top of the specialty features we mentioned above, your remote desktop software should have all the standards and advanced features you might need. These include working with computers with multiple monitors, grouping and multiple-computer access, and cross-OS support.
Is there an easy sharing tool?
Ease of collaboration should be a major consideration when it comes to remote desktop software. The best software allows for two-way communications between the remote device and the local network, with conferencing and/or chat features built into the platform. Remote users should also have the ability to simply drag and drop files for quick data transfer.
How comprehensive are its security features?
Security should always be a top concern for networks with remote access. Standard security is a remote connection worked through a 128-bit encryption. Other security standards include:
- Username and password for remote access
- One-time login password sent on another device or platform, such as through text or email
- Automatic time-out, protecting idle remote connections
- IP filtering
Does the company offer reliable customer support and help resources?
Learning to use a new software always involves a learning curve, so it is important that the software company you choose provides the proper resources and customer support services to get the most out of your remote access software. Search for resources such as comprehensive user manual documentation, searchable online knowledge center, and whether or not their customer support hours are in line with your normal working hours.
Best Remote Access Software For Businesses
We collected the best user remote access software available on the internet. This includes paid as well as free options that offer a host of functionalities designed to make workflows streamlined.
Listed below are the top software that offer: the best value for your money, basic to comprehensive remote access tools, remote support through either live chat, call, or an online resources database, and an overall good value for money.
1) RemotePC
Price: Multiple options depending on your needs. Prices for businesses start at $249.50 per year
Who is it for: Businesses and professionals who want a simple interface and fundamental functionalities
RemotePC is one of the most popular remote access software for desktops, and for good reason. This cloud-based remote access solution features web, desktop, and mobile applications for easy access and control.
RemotePC is a great way to acquire simultaneous access to another computer, whether it’s a company desktop or another one of your personal devices. The settings are easily adjustable through toggle options and the installation is straightforward – you just have to install the software on the host and client devices to get started.
The software only allows one PC screen sharing at a time, meaning no two screens can be shared during a session. On the security side, it allows the creation of one-time IDs for easy collaboration with freelancers, which can be revoked and changed whenever needed.
2) Zoho Assist
Price: Prices start at $8 per year for unattended (no remote support) access and supported access
Who is it for: B2Bs requiring on-the-go collaboration with a wide range of devices
Zoho Assist is a favorite collaboration tool among B2Bs and B2Cs. With branding capabilities, you can share your workspace with clients and easily exchange files and data remotely. The software matches this level of collaboration by putting in place reliable security integrations like breach notification, role-based access, and data encryption, among others.
This platform is built with collaboration in mind as it offers features like file transfer, VoIP, and text chatting, allowing easy communication among connected devices. As a hands-off option, Zoho Assist allows unattended access for uninterrupted work.
One of Zoho Assist’s most attractive remote PC access features is their compatibility with a wide array of devices, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Chromebooks, and even Raspberry Pi devices. As of the moment, the screen sharing functionality is only limited to Chromebooks devices.
3) Chrome Remote Desktop
Price: Free
Who is it for: Google Chrome-based business owners looking for a free remote computer access solution
Chrome Remote Desktop is a free Chrome extension. It’s compatible with any Chrome-enabled device, whether it’s your computer or an Android or iOS device. This allows any computer to act as a host as long as it has Google Chrome installed.
Access is provided through a user-generated PIN that can be changed whenever. As a free remote access software, Chrome Remote Desktop doesn’t offer comprehensive functionalities that other software do. It lacks collaborative tools such as chatting between the host and client devices, remote printing, and drag-and-drop file sharing.
On the other hand, it’s a decent option if you’re looking for a free solution with reliable screen sharing capabilities. If you’re a small business with limited resources and are already subscribed to a cloud-based drive, Chrome Remote Desktop might provide the extra support you need to be truly productive.
4) TeamViewer
Price: Single user plans start at $49 a month; Multi-user plans start at $99 per month
Who is it for: Mac-based businesses that require comprehensive security and flexible access options with endpoint devices and servers
TeamViewer offers all the features of a remote desktop software including drag-and-drop file sharing and remote printing. It also allows easy collaboration between devices using text chat, video, and VoIP integrations.
TeamViewer is considered one of the most secure remote access software on the market. This program allows two-factor authentication, as well as user and IP whitelisting for flexible security options. The program keeps an eye out for unusual behavior (new logins in new locations) and forces security updates.
Like Zoho Assist, TeamViewer has customization and branding options, making it a great tool for B2Bs. On top of 4K remote desktop access, this software can remotely reboot a computer into Safe Mode whenever necessary.
Popular customer-forward features include a whiteboard that allows collaborators to view, highlight, and draw on the remote screen, as well as meeting invitations and screen sharing.
5) Splashtop
Price: Pricing is based on the number of devices and access needed. Prices start at $4.54 per user per month for basic features and $8.25 per user per month for the all-in version
Who is it for: Businesses looking for a scalable solution and want access to good remote support
Splashtop is compatible with a wide range of devices, from Windows to Chromebook. It supports the functionalities you’d expect from remote PC access software such as remote printing and drag-and-drop file transfer.
Additional features for those with the Business Access Pro subscription include session recording, user management, and multi-to-multi monitor screen sharing. Ultimately, Splashtop is a scalable tool with multiple unlockable benefits you could get access to as your business operations become more complex.
On the security end, Splashtop is compliant with HIPAA and PCI, among other government and industry standards. Its foremost security features include multi level password security, two-step verification, and data encryption.
The remote support options for Splashtop are also limitless. The company has a comprehensive resources page with blogs and video tutorials. Live chat or text with a technical support representative can also be arranged.
Our top choice: Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Connection
Price: Remote Desktop Connection is completely free to users and comes along with your Windows Pro, Business, or Ultimate license
Who is it for: Microsoft-based businesses who are looking for a complete, robust solution that performs well with a range of other devices including Android and iOS-empowered devices.
No matter how many desktop sharing software come out of the market, nothing performs quite as well as Microsoft’s Remote Desktop.
With the Remote Desktop app, users can access files remotely through their mobile devices just as easily as accessing it on a laptop or personal computer. Keyboard shortcuts are available on the mobile app, providing a seamless computer-like experience.
On top of remote file access, Microsoft’s powerful remote sharing app enables users to print documents from any location. The software also allows the host computer to publish additional resources, share virtual desktops, and run RemoteApp programs for easy collaboration. Performance on screen sharing and video playback was also great, but this might vary depending on your internet connection.
The main reason we recommend Microsoft Remote Desktop on top of other remote access software is because of its flexible security options. Admins can manually add users and restrict access through network verification or by implementing a log-in system.
Although set-up can be tricky to beginners, business owners can save time and energy by going through a one-time set-up and having all settings configured and running efficiently in the background.
Remote Access Made Easy
Need help figuring out what remote access software to invest in for your business? We offer a one-time set-up service for Microsoft Remote Desktop so you can get the most out of this free app.
Get in touch with our IT experts at Abacus and we’ll have you set up in no time.
