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Best Free Remote Access Software
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Introduction
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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. There are also 2 different kinds of packages, those that are downloaded and run without requiring any installation and the other which is installed and either uninstalls at the end of the session or remains for future sessions. Unattended sessions would of course need to have the installed version to allow for connecting at any time in the future. I will explain the pros and cons of each type of session and the two categories. |
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Discussion
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Let's first talk about the two different categories, attended and unattended. Attended is of course when there is a person sitting at the computer that you want to access. This is most likely a one-time session or when helping someone fix a problem where you will not be allowed to access it without the other person being present. This type of access is usually quicker to establish but also comes with fewer capabilities when compared to a fully installed software that runs as a service. Typically the process for establishing an attended session is simple. You ask the other person to download a small application which runs in their user session and has access to everything the user has rights to. From here the situation varies but usually requires that you and the other person exchange a small passcode either auto-generated or set by you. Once they initiate the session you are connected and able to request control of their mouse and keyboard. If the software is simply run and not installed there are typically some limitations like not handling multiple monitors or losing connection and having to start the process over because it doesn't have an auto-reconnect featrure. If the software installs then typically it falls under the 'unattended' category. There are more capabilities with an unattended solution but the trade-off is that the user needs to have authority on their computer to install software. Installed software also leaves behind a footprint although there are some that ask the other person upon completion of the session whether they would like to uninstall the software.
The first and highest rated product in the 'unattended' category is 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 or remote printing but is a great solution for accessing your remote data as well as file sharing. Registration is required before using the product. It is really meant to be an install and leave it kind of tool and not for the quick connect to help a friend scenario. I still very much believe that the features and speed of LogMeIn are unmet by any other product and worth the extra hassle if you have access to the other machine(s) or means to connect remotely and install it. It is free for personal and commercial use.
 Next is TeamViewer. It is very reliable, allows both attended and unattended control and has great features. There is a portable version of the viewer if you want to use an application or they also have a web-based control site that requires no installation to remotely control computers. The web-based version uses HTML and Flash so it is usable even if the browser or firewall doesn't allow Java or ActiveX. TeamViewer is a commercial product and only allows you to use it for personal use. Any commercial use is prohibited by the TeamViewer use policy. To sum everything up, you may need different tools to accommodate different situations. In my years of experience helping people solve computer issues remotely I use the best tool for the job. When speaking with a person that has no understanding of their computer and no idea of whether they are allowed or capable of installing software I use an attended, non-installing type of tool. Other times I may choose to get the person to install an unattended tool. Let the situation dictate the best tool but always have both available. |
The fastest solution in the 'attended' category is 
The last solution in this category is 
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Related Products and Links
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Comments
New one.
Supremo : http://www.supremofree.com/index-en.aspx
I've been using LogMeIn Free for a few years. It's a fantastic, simple tool. I have it on my home and work computers so I can access my work computer when I'm working at home. My only complaint (and this issue seems to get bigger as I get older) is that the remote screen is so small that it's quite difficult to read. A real eye-strain if you use it for too long. I'm rarely on it for very long, but if you're over 40, you might not want to go with this one. Even with my glasses, it gets difficult to work with after a short time. It's too bad because it's really a great tool.
Maria
I've been using LogMeIN Free for a few years, too. In home my screen is small 15", but at work it is 24" wide, for this there is option. When you connect to the remote PC you must go to option and then you have several options, that may be useful.
1) Options -> Resolution Settings.
2) Options -> Full Screen.
3) Options -> View -> Zoom in or Scale to fit.
It is important which browser you use, because I have some problems with Mozilla and for LogMeIn I use Opera.
I hope I was helpful.
I need to print reports, etc. from my local computer so what free verison will let me do this?
Teamviewer or Mikogo
I do know that Logmein will let you but you need to purchase it the free version will not let you do this.
Nobody has commented on using Microsoft's Remote Desktop that comes free with Windows. It seems to provide reasonable control, I am wondering why there are so many other products if remote desktop does basically what is required?
I have tried logmein but also want remote wakeup, which is available but only if there is already another computer on the same local network already running logmein. I can do this with wolcmd and knowing the mac address, and using dyndns to overcome the dynamic IP issue, having a dyndns client updating the IP from time to time. So it seems I can use remote desktop by using the dyndns domain name.
Any comments about the limitations of remote desktop?
Another BIG limitation of RDP is it's not included with ANY of the "Home" versions of Windows, which are the versions that come with most off-the-shelf consumer computers (i.e., the ones your mom, kids, grandmother, and anyone else that might need some remote help would most likely purchase. Or even me, when I just want a cheap-o media-center PC).
At this writing Win 8 has not been released, but I'd bet it will be the same deal, because RDP is a big incentive to pay extra for the "Pro" version if you know what it is and use it. But it's not a big enough incentive for consumer computer manufacturers to add "Pro" versions and bump the price up on their PCs in a cut-throat market when "Aunt Martha" has no idea what it is.
there are few tings ms remote desktop makes it NOT user friendly:
1. most people would have dynamic IP address that changes periodically. although it can be solved by combination of registering a domain name and use of third party software such as dyndns or no-ip etc., but it's a hassle, and frankly lots of users would not know where to begin.
2. port 3389 needs to be open on routers/firewalls, many home users would have no idea how to approach.
3. it logs off the user who is logged in on the other side, which makes IT support a pain.
however, if the connection is established via ms RDP, it's awesome.
Sometimes Windows Remote Desktop cannot access an XP machine from a Windows 7 machine. That is my problem and I cannot seem to find out why. So, I am using TeamViewer.
It is typcially a permissions issue. You need to set your RD login to equal that of the local admin.
Geoffk you seem to know exactly what you are talking about...please contact me i need your help
I use LogMeIn on 100 clients and have no problems other than some issues with WOL under Windows 7. Machines that worked perfectly under XP Pro SP2 seem not to want to wake up under Windows 7 and 2008 ServerR2. Can't see why as all this happens before machine boots. LogMeIn support seem to have no idea.
Mikogo is not free for commercial use.
Another good remote access software is TIGHTVNC. Whicn can be downloaded from net. There are two files Tvnserver.exe & Vncviewer.exe these two files are enough, need not to be installed, just copy on desktop & when required can run from desktop.
Method - 1 :
The Expert (who is giving support) can run VNCVIEWER.EXE on his pc & TVNSERVER.EXE to be installed at customer's pc & Put it on startup so it will get started when Windows starts. Then just ask the customer his I.P. & in Expert Pc start VNCVIEWER.EXE & give that customer's I.P. & click on connect so the customer's Pc will be displayed. If the customer has LAN system at his place then there may be some Router settings for different Ports.
Method - 2 :
If any problem in getting customer's I.P., then just start VNCVIEWER.EXE at Expert's Pc & click on " Listening Mode" . So it wil be in Startup Menu.
Then ask customer to start TVNSERVER.EXE or if in startup then it will be in startup menu near clock in right bottom of desktop, just Right click it & click on
" Attach Listening Viewer ", so it will ask I.P. then give the customer Our I.P. & click on Attach.
For any method TVNSERVER.EXE to be installed at Customer's pc & VNCVIEWER.EXE to be installed in Listening mode at Expert's Pc.
LogMeIn should not really be considered a free software because it is not free for commercial use which means that IT professionals will not find it useful.
[Moderator's note : matter related to commercial site removed]
Logmein Free is indeed free for Commercial use. Their community forums confirm it.
MIKOGO is really a very good desktop sharing software with minimum settings on the computer of the person who is going to give support to his customers. New Version 4 is somewhat complicated but older version is very good. The Expert has to just start mikogo on his pc & tell the customer to click - " JOIN SESSION " option in his mikogo. The expert has to tell the customers his session ID & when customer click this no. & join session mikogo will ask customer " Allow remote control of mouse / keyboard " so he has to Accept that & the desktop will be displayed on Exprt's Computer.
Thanks for the great review and to all those contributing to the conversation.
I need a free product that my clients can just click a button and Run - and tell me the numbers. They definitely don't know how to install a program, so the simple way is best.
Love TeamViewer, but the 'only use for personal' message makes it look unprofessional. I didn't know about Mikogo, so am excited to try it.
Thanks again - this is so timely!
I like GBridge SW
easy to use and its free
http://www.gbridge.com/
Though TeamViewer I found OK but you to pay for getting uninterrupted access over a period of time.
All above mentined softwares are not free for Servers. Yes few are free for home systems but with annoying messages. How can i get free server Remote sessions. i have found free such as Tight VNC and RealVNC but still testing them.
Thanks
Is there any reason that Gbridge has not been considered?
* A P2P Virtual Private Network infrastructure
* Allows secure Multi-User, Multi-pc connectivity
* Allows File transfer and backup routines
* Supports google apps
* Allows sharing of computer desktops
* Has folder synchronization - one or both ways
* Allows MS file/printer share amongst own pcs
Can get FAQ list from http://www.gbridge.com/faq.php#gv10
The reason is that all that gbridge allows is attended meaning your friend need to be on the other side and give permission for every action you take.. we are talking about remote access our PC or customers PC, not sharing files and desk.. you can do that on msn if the other person is there to be guided!!
I've been using Gbridge for a couple years and unattended sessions is an easy option to setup (therefore you should include it in this list)
The software uses a VNC connection (or windows remote desktop) to share desktops and really the only reason not to use it is because it is currently Windows only.
FYI option is under DesktopShare Configure
Try mingleview. This software has many new features over its competitors like first application with unlimited participants. It does not require installation and also gives you HD Quality of video and gives Secure peer 2 peer connection built over SSL.
In the beginning i dint know security when it was its p2p then after seeing SSL security
Mingleview requires IPv6, as I recall. Of course, any current copy of Windows will probably support IPv6 just fine; however, as one of my clients recently learned the hard way...
...not every router does. His D-Link at home is a little bit older (vintage 2007, I think), and it's IPv4-only...
...hence, Mingleview, when he tried it, did not work on his machine... even though his Windows Vista supports IPv6.
So that's something to think about with regard ti Mingleview: Many routers and switches (especially for home use) -- even if they're not really, all things considered, all that terribly old -- cannot necessarily handle IPv6.
Hope that helps!
______________________________________
Gregg L. DesElms
Napa, California USA
Does mingleview allow printing and/or file transers?
No that is not available now but u can try LANoi (lanoninternet) for that
The best I like is Logmein FREE. But they are very very very very expensive. Its not for users like us. They want big money from big companies. So, my conclusion about this product is the best of use and worst of pricing.
I've been reading a lot about the programs that link two computers together. I already have a home network, but that does not allow me to take control of my desktop programs, only files. I am disabled and cannot sit at the desktop anymore, so I need access to the programs and data it holds. A "Remote Desktop Connection" program was installed on both Windows XP computers, but has never worked at all.
Is there a program that will allow me to operate my desktop from my laptop, just as if I were sitting at the desktop? Since I don't travel, I don't need anything over the Internet. I'd prefer that only my home network were involved. I'm able to follow directions written in plain English, but I'm not terribly tech savvy. A simple program would be great.
I don't know if the same programs would need to be installed on the laptop as the desktop. It would seem to me that if I were using the desktop via my laptop, I should be able to have a lot of free space on my laptop for file storage or non-connected programs. Am I correct?
Thanks for any suggestions...oh, and I'd appreciate it if the program was free to use long term.
Adie
The best solution for you would probably be one of the USB-based keyboard/mouse sharing cable dongles, ie you connect the two computers via the USB device cable and you can then use your laptop to control both computers / copy files back and forth. You just need to be able to see your desktop screen from where you are, ie a long cable or a full KVM switch solution.
Adie,
The most user friendly program I can think of that would be pretty reliable for you would be one of the VNC programs like RealVNC, TightVNC or UltraVNC. UltraVNC is my favorite of these. Once you install the full package on a machine it will ask you to give that machine a password and then you install either the full package or just the viewer you will then use the viewer to connect to the other machine by either IP address or machine name.
Give it a try and see what you think.
-Jason
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