Best Free Remote Access Software
Remote Access Software (RAS) allows a user to remotely administer another computer through a GUI (Graphical User Interface). RAS software usually falls into three categories: attended (someone must be present on the remote machine), unattended, and self-hosted RPC proxy servers (middleware for accessing firewall-protected networks). In this review, we are interested in the first and second categories.
RAS software usually works by installing a program to act as a server on the host (remote) machine, and then running a client application on your local machine to handle the connection, authentication, and any encryption to the remote PC. One of the original RAS programs was AT&T's “VNC” and many of the programs available today are derivations of that.
A short-list of those worthy of consideration would include RealVNC, TightVNC, EsVNC and UltraVNC. While each program has its merits, our top pick would go to UltraVNC because of its active development, good forum support and excellent encryption plug-in. UltraVNC is a client/server package that allows remote control of another PC using any TCP/IP connection. The stable release works with Windows W9x/NT/2K/XP, while a recently-released beta version provides greater support for Vista. UltraVNC offers all the features you need, including auto-configuration, easy user interface, extensive hotkeys and embedded file transfer. Add to that the fact that it's free, secure, reliable and reasonably speedy and you have a winner. Just the thing for accessing your home PC while traveling, off-site troubleshooting, or general network administration. UltraVNC can run as an attended or unattended remote access system.
The VNC variants offer an interesting way of getting around firewalls. Suppose you want to login from home to your computer at work, but there's a firewall installed at work. They've locked out the incoming ports. You can use the VNC Viewer in Listening mode to defeat that by triggering an outgoing connection from work to home using, say an email filter to run the command "winvnc.exe" -connect <your home IP number>" and having the VNC viewer listen on your home computer (vncviewer.exe -listen or similar). All you do is send the triggering email to yourself at work which activates the vnc server to connect to your home computer.
Perhaps the easiest way yet to remotely control a distant PC is CrossLoop – just install it on your machine and have someone do the same thing at the other end and you are away. Before you get your hopes up, let us say that it is no substitute for the products above that allow you to login to a remote PC without anyone in attendance. By contrast, CrossLoop requires someone at the other end. If you can live with that limitation, CrossLoop may just what you have been looking for. It works like this:
The user on the remote PC runs CrossLoop and generates a random 12 digit key which they send to you by email, phone, whatever. You plug this key into a copy of CrossLoop running on your own PC and request a connection with the remote. If the remote user accepts the connection you can then take control of the remote PC. At all times the user at the remote sees on his screen exactly what is happening.
That's pretty much standard remote computing, but it is the ease of use that makes CrossLoop different. No complex commands or firewall configuration are needed, just the ability to follow simple on-screen instructions. It supports 128-bit Blowfish encrypted connections and allows for two-way file transfers between the client and host PCs. Unlike Windows Remote Desktop, it will run on any PC from Windows 98 onwards. Just the thing for helping a friend with a PC problem, remote support or remote user training. Version 2 adds creation of a free CrossLoop accounts to create a dynamic public profile page, reserve your custom CrossLoop URL, view your session history, as well as widgets to promote yourself as a tech support specialist.
An alternative to VNC-based products is the free version of the commercial remote access product LogMeIn. This is a web-based service that's extremely easy to set up and use and can be accessed from any PC with a browser. The free version won't allow file transfer and remote printing but is a great solution for accessing your remote data as well as file sharing. Registration is required.
UltraVNC
Website: http://www.uvnc.com/
Author: UltraVNC
Date: December 9, 2007 (beta)
Download File size: 1.7MB
License: Free Open Source
Operating systems supported: Windows 95-Vista (beta)
64 Bit Capable: No
Other languages supported:
Additional Software Required: No
CrossLoop
Website: https://www.crossloop.com/landing.htm
Author: CrossLoop
Date: November 1, 2007
Download File size: 2.33MB
License: Freeware
Operating systems supported: Windows 98-Vista
64 Bit Capable: No
Other languages supported:
Additional Software Required:
LogMeIn
Website: https://secure.logmein.com/products/free/
Author: LogMeIn
Date: November 6, 2007
Download File size: 8.82MB
License: Freeware (registration required)
Operating systems supported: Windows 2000-Vista, Mac OS X
64 Bit Capable: No
Other languages supported:
Additional Software Required:
This software category is maintained by volunteer editor Andrew Waters.
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Has anyone used DESKTRA Yet??
www.desktra.com?
Bless
Annie
TeamViewer is a nice one... quite simple to use
Anupam Shriwatri, India
I think i found a good replacement fopr MS windows RDP.
TravelClip
http://www.travel-clip.com/travelclip/
I'ts a trail for 14 days, and works just fine.
No install, direct executable.
dirkpelgrims@gmail.com
This is not freeware.
Gencontrol is also useful...
ive found teamviewer very good as well because you dont need a user to answer and let you get onto the remote desktop, you obviously only need the password to let you get onto the remote desktop.
I also use a freeware voice communication program called 'Walkie Talkie' that needs to be answered on the remote desktop, However you can answer the call yourself on the remote desktop by using teamviewer :)
Oh yeah before i finish this post another nice thing about teamviewer is i can open the webcam software and see who in my lounge and kitchen area using my webcam and even record every thing the camera see's and play sound files to get my wifes attention and even shutdown my main computer, all from my laptop :)
unfortunately ive only tested it on lan. It should work the same way on internet.
:(
yep, for the end-user TV is excellent. you don't even have to install anything, creates a temp folder in my doc folder, and it can bypass firewall at ease (just don't forget to delete TV firewall rules in the end of session).
By the way, I'm using 64 bit Vista.
Thanks,
Ariel
Do I need a VPN before I can use VNC? If not, please let me know what I need to do.
Thanks,
Ariel
Anyone knows one RAS with sound?
Nice article Andrew,
A nice clean site too, fast loading without a ton of bells and whistles just good information.
I just downloaded and gave the Free TeamViewer and simple client TeamViewerQS (Quick Support module no install version for the remote user) a try and it worked very well. It was very easy for the non tech user to get going (once we got the program downloaded and found where it had downloaded too on his system lol ) Ran it, had him tell me the ID and password and that was it on his end. For the full program on my end in this case it wasn't much more complicated and looks like setting it up to allow me to remotely access my system when I am at another location isn't very complicated either.
I am quite impressed with the performance too, my last time using similar software was with the earlier Laplink remote access products years ago, that was a bit more complex to get going doing remote install via dialup modem. I do wonder how the performance would compare over the faster net connection nowadays.
Paul
I'm currently using Techinline Remote Desktop (www.techinline.com) which I personally find to be the easiest for both my clients and myself to use. You don't have to install anything, all your client has to do is give you a 6 digit code which you enter on your own end, and you're in! Also, the pricing is very reasonable, it's $30 a month or $300 (I think) for the entire year. When comparing to LogMeIn, Webex, GoToAssist, I think that's a great deal
Sounds very similar to Crossloop, which is freeware and is excellent! Crossloop.com
The one problem I have with Crossloop is that you have to be using an account with administrator privileges (I've confirmed this with Crossloop's support staff). Since I've recommended to the people I might help remotely to use limited accounts for their computing, there's a bit of a rub.
I'll be trying some of the other alternatives suggested.
Pierre.
We'd rather concentrate on freeware.
logmein works on 64bit vista. running it right now. :-)
Another fantastic, free and reliable utility: RD Tabs.
http://www.avianwaves.com/Tech/Tools/RDTabs/
Enjoy!
Arik, Israel
Installed TightVNC on a Vista and a xp computer and it works great. Since I will be using several computers I went back and installed the winvnc service on the Vista machine and there I had major problems. Winvnc would not run or display an icon even after running the service helper. I started the server in the vista machine and the viewer in the XP machine and found that I only could get a mirror connection. Uninstalled on both machines, the XP machine worked properly but the Vista machine did not un-register anything, I could not stop the server so had to go into the registry and delete all references, restart, delete the VNC directory, regedit the registry and delete all references, restart and reinstall to get everything working again. MY advice Do Not install winvnc server on a vista machine - but it could just be my HP computer....
Team Viewer, apologize
Team View is another very nice freeware for home use. One nice feature, it allows for file transfer.
I've used TeamViewer and would recommend it. You can download either the standard install file and/or a stand-alone .exe that doesn't need to be installed. That way, it can be used on systems which don't allow installs (IT lockout). It seems to be very secure and is extremely easy to use.
Another vote for TeamViewer! Had previously used RealVNC but find this easier to use. Includes File Transfer and VPN options and good preset options. Installed on both ends and connected the first time; no tweaking. This is a professional package that is free for home use.
http://www.teamviewer.com/index.aspx
Hi Andrew,
Just wanted to add another possible entry. Showmypc.com is very similar to Logmein but is open source based using VNC over SSH. It is a free service. There are a few additional paid services available as well. I've used Showmypc several times and have been pleased. I believe it would make a nice addition to this category.
Thanks,
Edward A. Weissbard(Techsupportalert.com Editor) edward@techsupportalert.com
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