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The Best Remote PC Access Software of 2022

By
Jeff Hale
,
Business News Daily Contributing Writer
| Updated
Jun 24, 2022

We reviewed the top remote access software providers to help you decide between RemotePC, Splashtop, ConnectWise, Zoho, GoToAssist, and more.
Best Hybrid-Remote Computer Access
Multi-to-multi monitor view
Advanced security options
Pricing as low as $5/month
Best for VoIP Connectivity
Customizable security
More than 100 integrations
Pricing as low as $24/month
Best All-in-One Remote Support and Access
Solid security features
Custom reporting
Pricing as low as $10/month
Best for Small Teams
Online access
Unlimited user licenses
Pricing as low as $4.97/month
Best Automated Customer Support
Freshdesk
AI-powered service tools
Collaboration-enhancing features
Robust communication options
We reviewed the top remote access software providers to help you decide between RemotePC, Splashtop, ConnectWise, Zoho, GoToAssist, and more.

Best Remote PC Access Software


  • The best remote PC access software solutions provide access and control from any device or major operating system in any location.
  • Businesses that are still uncertain about in-office vs. remote work should look for a provider with monthly billing options.
  • Small businesses should prioritize the number of computer licenses available with each user account.
  • This article is for business owners and IT managers who are considering implementing remote access and control software. 

Whether you are looking for a comprehensive remote solution for your IT department, a simple telecommuting solution for your staff, or a convenient tech support solution for your customers, there is remote PC access software to fit your needs. We researched and analyzed dozens of applications to find the best remote PC access software for small businesses.

Fill out this questionnaire to find vendors that meet your needs.

Compare Our Best Picks

Company Best for Monthly pricing Add-on fees Number of plans Ease of use
ConnectWise VoIP connectivity $24 to $49 per user $2,525 self-hosted options 4 Easy
GoToAssist No-download live support $55 to $69 per user $20 monthly mobile add-on 1 Very easy
RemotePC Small teams $2.47 to $37.47 per account $10 annual overage charge per computer 4 Very easy
Splashtop Hybrid-remote computer access $5 to $8.25 per user N/A 4 Very easy
Zoho Assist All-in-one remote support and access $10 to $24 per user $4 monthly storage add-on; $1 VoIP credits 5 Very easy
Freshdesk Automated customer support $0 to $99 per user $75 bot session add-on 7 Easy
Wrike Remote collaboration $0 to $24.80 per user Numerous add-ons with unlisted fees 4 Easy
Netop Compliance $11 to $33 per user Numerous add-ons and on-premises options with unlisted fees 2 Easy
Goverlan Reach Secure IT support $35 to $150 per user $55 incident managment add-on 3 Difficult
TeamViewer Multiple devices $24.90 to $206.90 per user Numerous add-ons with unlisted fees 4 Easy

Our Reviews

Splashtop: Best Hybrid-Remote Computer Access

Splashtop is a fast and simple computer access solution that feels like it was designed for everyday computer users.
It enables productive collaboration, with two users able to share access to the same computer.
All of Splashtop's business access plans require an annual commitment.

Splashtop Business Access is an easy-to-use unattended access solution with HD-quality video and sound. It has a solid selection of collaborative features and integrations with popular business software that makes it an excellent choice for companies with hybrid-remote employees and hot-desk office setups. Splashtop also works well on iOS and Android mobile apps, which are supported with every plan.

Splashtop is unique in its ability to provide multiple users with access to the same unattended computers at the same time. This collaborative feature is an incredibly useful tool to let employees in different locations prepare for a presentation together, as if they're at the same desk pulling from the same data. The ability to view multiple monitors simultaneously also helps ensure as seamless a transition from a traditional office to a home office as possible.

Splashtop recently launched an "SOS call" button that allows end-users to access Splashtop IT support directly from the desktop to get support fast. Additionally, Splashtop is dipping its toes into augmented reality with Splashtop AR, a virtual field service support feature utilizing AR alongside mobile camera sharing.

Splashtop has four annual plans geared toward businesses of all sizes. Pricing starts at $5 per month for the limited Business Access Solo plan for individual users, which is a great fit for freelancers who need regular access to an unattended computer. Its most popular plan, Business Access Pro, costs $8.25 per month and includes just about everything a small business would want to see – with the exception of single sign-on, which you can find with its enterprise options.

Read Splashtop Review

ConnectWise Control: Best Remote PC Access Software for VoIP Connectivity

ConnectWise Control is an exceptionally scalable computer access solution.
It's ideal for any business that has not fully committed to remote or hybrid-remote work.
Some users will find the setup and implementation more difficult than the setup for other products we've reviewed in this category.

ConnectWise Control is a scalable remote access and support solution with custom security features, above-average communication tools and multi-device functionality. The software provides individuals, remote workers, and IT teams with immediate and secure access to unattended computers wherever there's a strong internet connection. ConnectWise separates itself as one of the more flexible remote access companies in features, terms and pricing.

Advanced features such as the View premium extension allow technicians access to a customer's mobile phone camera through a browser-based livestream session to troubleshoot issues more effectively. This same feature is useful for collaboration with hybrid-remote employees working from different locations, making them feel like they're at the same desk. ConnectWise extends communication flexibility with VoIP audio for meetings in addition to access and support sessions for companies or teams that depend on VoIP phone systems.

ConnectWise Control offers three software packages differentiated by their features and session limits. The pricing ranges from $24 to $49 per month, with annual and monthly billing options. It also offers a stand-alone plan for unattended access that starts at $30 per month for 25 agents. This is an excellent option for small businesses with hybrid-remote employees who need regular access to their office computers' data.

Read ConnectWise Control Review

Zoho Assist: Best All-in-One Remote Support and Access

Zoho Assist offers a great deal of flexibility to help businesses create the ideal remote support and unattended access system.
It has a wide range of security and privacy features to protect sensitive data.
Zoho Assist places a 2GB limit on file transfers between devices.

Zoho Assist is a cloud-based remote access and control solution that streamlines customer service and supports employees when they're out of the office. While both core functions of remote support and unattended access are available from the same user dashboard, they are different products in terms of pricing. For companies searching for both features in one package, with perhaps a slightly stronger emphasis on the customer support side, Zoho Assist is an ideal solution.

As a customer service support tool, Zoho Assist is designed to be incorporated into existing systems and processes. That means it works seamlessly with other popular business tools, including Google Workspace, Jira, Zendesk, and Zoho's more than 45 other integrated applications. Communication tools such as Slack are also available, alongside text, voice, and video chat to make remote support sessions as effective as possible.

Zoho Assist’s newest remote assistance solution offers the ability to solve complex real-world issues — like troubleshooting heavy machinery at a mining site, customer service situations and more — through live camera streaming and AR annotation and text, voice, or video. Users of Zoho’s Augmented Reality (AR) Remote Assistance, which is available to all customers, can assign different tasks to different technicians, add more visual information to the live camera stream and create a reliable knowledge base, ultimately helping them solve issues faster.

Zoho Assist offers three plans for remote support that vary substantially in features and range in price from $10 to $24 per monthly user. It also offers two plans for unattended access that grant unlimited technicians access to 25 unattended computers, starting at $10 per month. Some small businesses and individuals may even find the free plan – with access to five computers along with some other basic features – to be more than adequate.

Read Zoho Assist Review

RemotePC: Best Remote PC Access Software for Small Teams

RemotePC's unlimited user licenses for all professional plans make it a cost-effective solution for small businesses.
RemotePC Viewer Lite provides quick access to your remote computers from any web browser.
The selection of business software integrations is lacking compared to other providers we've reviewed.

RemotePC is a secure remote access and control tool with effective features that stand out for small business owners and their employees. It's easy to install and simple to use, making it a great fit for small businesses and individuals without access to dedicated IT staff. The convenient web access feature ensures that you and your team can access your remote computers and data from any web browser, no matter where your business takes you.

The majority of the remote access plans allow an unlimited number of user licenses for access to 10 or more computers. This level of open access is one of the reasons RemotePC stands out in a competitive field. Its SOHO (small office and home office) plan is perfectly catered to small businesses with a few employees who work both from the office and remotely throughout the week.

IDrive, the parent company of RemotePC, recently announced that it now offers endpoint cloud backup support for Linux machines. IDrive 360 backup for Linux uses a web-based Graphical User Interface (GUI) that lets users view and manage any number of computers remotely and run simultaneous backups for multiple Linux machines. If your company operates on Linux, this product can be a great addition to your existing RemotePC subscription to ensure the secure management of your cloud-based data backups.

With the exception of the consumer-level plan, pricing for RemotePC's four remote access plans is largely based on the number of accessible computers, with some additional features for large teams and enterprises. Pricing ranges from $4.97 per month for the Consumer plan to $37.47 for the Enterprise plan with access to 100 computers. RemotePC also has the separate HelpDesk remote support tool, which is currently available for $4.16 per month for the first year and included for free with all Team and Enterprise remote access plans.

Read RemotePC Review

Freshdesk: Best Remote PC Access Software for Automated Customer Support

Freshdesk has powerful automation capabilities that improve customer outcomes while increasing efficiency.
This software makes it easy for customer service teams to collaborate and stay organized.
The standout AI features are only available as part of the top-tier Enterprise plan, and both sessions are limited.

Freshdesk is an AI-powered omnichannel platform that helps businesses provide smarter customer service and collaborative customer success. This all-in-one customer service platform solves unique challenges by meeting customers wherever they are through modern communication on the web, mobile devices, WhatsApp and more. Freshdesk helps lighten the workload with chatbots powered by Freddy AI, which can understand customer intent and automate routine workflows when resolving an issue.

Freshdesk makes ticketing easier with intelligent assignments based on a team member's current workload or skill level, or by utilizing a round-robin method. You can set time- and event-triggered automation to handle repetitive helpdesk tasks and free up time for you and your team to serve your customers with a more human touch. The program also makes collaboration and teamwork easier with the abilities to share ownership of tickets, split tickets into smaller tasks, and link similar issues together to ensure the subject matter experts can handle the issue efficiently.

Freshdesk offers four pricing tiers for the Support Desk product, ranging from free to $79 per monthly user (billed annually). Each tier is heavily differentiated by the available features, with the Pro and Enterprise options best suited for business use. Freshdesk also offers three pricing tiers for the Omnichannel support tool, ranging in price from $29 to $99 per monthly agent (billed annually). Billing options are also available at a higher rate for monthly plans. We really like the 21-day free trial option with all plans, especially considering that most competitors limit trials to seven days.

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TeamViewer: Best Remote PC Access Software for Multiple Devices

TeamViewer offers far more device compatibility and support than any competitor in this category.
It provides full device control regardless of the endpoint type, display, screen or keyboard.
The price per user is higher than those of most competitors.

TeamViewer is an integrated remote access, control and support solution for all connectivity needs. It functions on every major computer and mobile operating system, including Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. As an easy-to-use remote access tool, it supports basic file sharing, wake-on-LAN, remote printing, black screen for private sessions, mobile-to-mobile connections, and video conferencing.

TeamViewer's exceptional multi-device support goes far beyond the average consumer's home computers and smartphones. It also supports connections to servers, augmented reality devices, and commercial-grade machines anywhere there's an internet connection. In fact, TeamViewer blows the competition away by supporting 127 manufacturers for mobile devices, operating systems and IoT devices in use today across a variety of industries.

TeamViewer's connectivity solution is now integrated into SoftBank Commerce & Service (SB C&S) aerial drones. The software enables the real-time sharing of aerial video and audio streams to multiple remotely connected devices through a 4G or LTE mobile network. The solution enables a variety of industries to have seamless aerial visibility in multiple scenarios.

You can choose from three subscriptions that range in features, seats and sessions. The middle-tier plan includes multiple seats, allowing one user to connect at one time for $102.90 per month, billed annually. This plan allows up to 300 managed devices and 15 licensed users. Additional concurrent users are available upon request as part of the add-on options. TeamViewer also has a new basic remote access plan for $24.90 per month, billed annually. This plan includes remote access to three computers for one user.

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GoToAssist: Best Remote PC Access Software for No-Download Live Support

GoToAssist offers large businesses and IT service companies cost-effective access to thousands of unattended computers.
It's great for any business that's looking for a remote access solution primarily for the live support features.
The mobile add-on that enables support for more devices costs an extra $20 per month.

GoToAssist is a powerful solution for unattended computer access with unlimited live end-user support through one powerful platform. A single agent account includes access to up to 10,000 unattended computers, making it a cost-effective solution for IT service companies and large businesses with GoToAssist is a powerful solution for unattended computer access with unlimited live end-user support through one powerful platform. A single agent account includes access to up to 10,000 unattended computers, making it a cost-effective solution for IT service companies and large businesses with remote teams. Providing support with GoToAssist is quick and easy from a web browser, allowing users to join a session with a key or link.

Starting a remote support session from a web browser is as easy as logging in to your account and inviting a user to join your session with a link or support key. From there, screensharing and other diagnostic tools are readily accessible to help you troubleshoot the issue efficiently. The customer isn't required to install any software or perform any complex tasks like with some other software, which can be difficult to accomplish when experiencing a technical issue.

GoToAssist has very simple pricing based on the number of agents, with annual and monthly billing options starting at $55 per month (billed annually for a single agent). If you want the mobile add-on, you'll have to pay an additional $20 per month per agent. This feature adds a remote view for Android and iOS, as well as remote control functionality for Android.

">remote teams. Providing support with GoToAssist is quick and easy from a web browser, allowing users to join a session with a key or link.

Starting a remote support session from a web browser is as easy as logging in to your account and inviting a user to join your session with a link or support key. From there, screensharing and other diagnostic tools are readily accessible to help you troubleshoot the issue efficiently. The customer isn't required to install any software or perform any complex tasks like with some other software, which can be difficult to accomplish when experiencing a technical issue.

GoToAssist has very simple pricing based on the number of agents, with annual and monthly billing options starting at $55 per month (billed annually for a single agent). If you want the mobile add-on, you'll have to pay an additional $20 per month per agent. This feature adds a remote view for Android and iOS, as well as remote control functionality for Android.

Read GoToAssist Review

Wrike: Best Remote PC Access Software for Remote Collaboration

Wrike keeps data centralized and accessible to help remote employees work and collaborate efficiently.
Six subscription options allow companies of all sizes to build the perfect work management solution for their needs.
It's more of a project management solution than a remote access and control system.

Wrike (now part of Citrix) is a collaborative work management platform with 360-degree visibility, cross-department collaboration and efficient automation tools. While it's not a pure remote access and control solution like most other products we've reviewed in this category, it is an incredibly helpful tool for ensuring remote workers have access to the data they need to work and collaborate effectively. Wrike's variety of plans for every team allows businesses of all sizes to build the right solution for their needs.

Wrike's work management software helps remote teams and employees come together and collaborate through a cloud-based digital workspace. All details and discussions become part of your centralized data, always up to date and easily accessible. Your team can personalize priorities, share progress with stakeholders, and automatically visualize their work with custom and preconfigured templates, cutting down on emails by as much as 90%, according to Wrike.

Wrike recently unveiled Cloud Content Connector, an application programming interface (API) that integrates Wrike with any digital asset management (DAM) partners, like MediaValet, Bynder, and Tenovos (Wrike’s current partners). Cloud Content Connector allows teams to better manage their workflow in one place and pairs with Wrike’s proofing feature. The interface eliminates app toggling and version control issues to improve the customer experience and provide a more creatively driven and focused setup. Cloud Content Connector also allows customers access to Wrike’s integration with ShareFile, a secure file sharing and transferring service. 

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Netop: Best Remote PC Access Software for Compliance

Netop includes all of the security and privacy features necessary to satisfy any compliance standard.
It has exceptional cross-platform functionality, with support for more than 40 different OS versions across Mac, Windows, Linux, Android and iOS.
The entry-level price is steep compared to other remote access providers.

Netop provides secure remote access, classroom management, and live chat solutions for a variety of businesses and IT environments. Thanks to features such as advanced logging, multifactor authentication, and user-based permissions, it excels at satisfying any compliance standard, including PCI, ISO 27002 and HIPAA. Netop Remote Control, available as a cloud or on-premises solution, is a feature-rich and cost-effective way to solve customer issues quickly.

The system centralizes user information across a broad range of devices in a single network or multiple network segments, or when connected over the internet. Netop also integrates with directory systems and services, making user management across large groups more efficient. The software's audit logs provide necessary oversight of all remote activity for compliance.

Netop's remote access software pricing works on a sliding scale based on the number of seats. Small businesses with fewer than 25 devices will pay $33 per annual device on the cloud-based version, while large businesses with more than 500 devices will pay $11.75 per device each year. On-premises options are also available, with custom pricing based on the number of devices and users. Available add-ons include mobile services for an extra $15 per annual user and OnDemand (no download) remote control for $240 per annual user. A virtual private cloud is also available with custom pricing that requires discussion with a Netop sales agent.

 

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Goverlan Reach: Best Remote PC Access Software for Secure IT Support

This system management tool provides technical support with zero downtime or interruptions for the customer.
It integrates with service desk providers for perfect case notes and the ability to open, resolve, and close incidents in one tool.
The advanced set of tools may be overly complex for anyone without IT experience.

Goverlan Reach is a highly secure platform for remote IT support, designed with small businesses and enterprises in mind. It has a range of features to increase ticket close rates and improve customer service efficiency. It also excels with on-demand unattended access, stringent compliance mandates and behind-the-scenes IT support.

Goverlan complies with various regulations imposed on government agencies, healthcare organizations, and financial institutions as a result of its focus on security. Its on-premises implementation is bolstered with the use of one-time passwords, detailed audits of operator actions, AES 256-bit end-to-end encryption, and enterprise-class authentication. As part of the most recent update in Goverlan Reach 10, it added complete remote system management for macOS and new tools to remove lag and jitter when supporting multi-4K monitors.

Goverlan offers three preconfigured plans that range in price from $35 to $150 per month per user. The entry-level plan includes centralized configuration and auditing, secure unattended or on-demand access, advanced remote control, and behind-the-scenes capabilities that allow technicians to troubleshoot issues without disrupting the computer user's work. Unlike many competitors in this category, Goverlan lets you mix and match its editions and options to build a custom solution. For $55 per month, Professional and Enterprise subscribers can add the Incident Magic module, which provides simple access and incident management automation, saving roughly 45 minutes per tech each day, according to Goverlan.

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How Much Does Remote PC Access Software Cost?

The average cost of remote PC access software can be difficult to determine, since companies often use different pricing structures. For example, some companies charge based on the number of individual user licenses, whereas others are based on the number of devices accessed or concurrent sessions. Most plans are billed annually, often offering first-year discounts. Most remote access software has a seven- to 30-day free trial available for your team to test out the features.

As an example of going market rates, these are the pricing structures for some of our best picks:

  • RemotePC: Small business plans have unlimited concurrent access and range from $59.62 (one user license, access to 10 computers) to $224.62 (unlimited user licenses, access to 50 computers) annually.

  • Zoho Assist: Unattended access plans cost $10 to $15 per month (access to 25 computers), billed annually.

  • ConnectWise Control: Small business support and access packages cost $24 (one user, access to 10 devices), $39 (one user, access to unlimited devices, three concurrent sessions), and $49 (one user, access to unlimited devices, 10 concurrent sessions) per month, billed annually. Access-only plans start at $30 per month, billed annually, for 25 unattended access agents.

  • GoToAssist: The business plan for one agent costs $55 per month if billed annually or $69 per month if billed monthly. Full mobile support to remotely view Android and iOS devices and control Android devices is available as an add-on for $20 per monthly agent.

  • Splashtop: The small business packages cost $5 (one user, access to two devices) and $8.25 (three users, access to 10 computers per user), billed annually. Volume discounts are available for larger teams – as low as $6.19 per monthly user.

Pricing may differ based on available discounts or pricing adjustments. Be sure to factor in additional taxes or fees that the software provider may charge. Most of these companies have additional plans for remote support, sometimes mobile device access as well. The best plans are easily scalable and include automatic updates.

Key TakeawayKey takeaway: Prices vary widely for remote PC access software, depending on the vendor's particular pricing model, fees and available discounts.

What Is Remote PC Access Software, and How Does It Work?

Remote PC access software remotely connects two or more devices for the purpose of transferring files, offering remote technical support and collaborating with others. Remote access software is often compatible across multiple platforms (e.g., PC, Mac, iOS, Android) and can be accessed via software installation or web-based links, depending on the software application you're using. 

Regardless whether the software is installed on each device, most remote PC access software comes with secure access restrictions like multifactor authentication, secure session codes, brute force protection and role-based security settings. Some applications only let you access devices that are already turned on, while others remotely "wake up" and connect to inactive devices. 

When you successfully access a remote device, you have the ability to deploy customer support, transfer files and chat between devices. Some remote PC access software comes with other helpful features like remote printing and recording.

Remote PC Access Software Features

Depending on how you plan to use your remote PC access software, whether as an IT support or a remote work solution, some features are more important than others. In general, though, these remote access tools and features are highly desirable in any remote control software:

  • Quick and convenient access options (e.g., web browser links)

  • Cross-platform access to connect to any type of device (Windows, Linux, Mac, Chrome OS, Raspberry Pi, iOS, Android, Windows Mobile, BlackBerry)

  • Integrations with other platforms and software (e.g., Google Workspace, Jira, Zendesk)

  • High-end security measures (AES 256-bit encryption, brute-force protection, screen blanking, keyboard locking, HIPAA and GDPR compliance)

  • Session scheduling, recording, reporting and management

  • Monitor grouping, control exchange and mass deployment

  • Collaboration and communication tools (drag-and-drop file transfer, text chat, voice, video, annotations, whiteboards)

  • Scalability to support business growth

  • Personalized branding for unique customer experiences

  • Knowledgeable customer support and other resources

When comparing pricing and software, be sure to compare the features available in each specific plan you are considering. Many remote access software plans are tiered, with lower plans tending to have very basic features.

Uses for Remote PC Access Software

Businesses use remote access software for several reasons. The simplest scenario is to support remote or traveling workers. With the software, remote workers can access their office desktop device, transfer files between devices and collaborate with co-workers. Features like wake-on-LAN, session recording and remote printing can be especially useful for remote workers.   

IT departments also use secure remote access and support software for tech support, troubleshooting, mass deployments and file implementation. It can be beneficial for your business to have an IT technician who can remotely access employee and customer devices to resolve technical issues. Features like grouping, cross-platform access and high-end security measures are important to consider for this type of access and control. Although many remote PC access software companies offer plans specifically for IT solutions, some companies package these capabilities with their multiuser remote access plans.  

Another convenient use for remote PC access software is accessing client devices. This is useful for conducting training demos, hosting classes or group projects, and interacting with clients. Drag-and-drop file transfer, communication tools and personalized branding can be especially convenient for this type of remote access.  

Advantages of Remote PC Access Software

Businesses use remote access software for several reasons. The simplest scenario is to support remote or traveling workers. With this type of software, remote workers can access their office desktop computers, transfer files between devices, and collaborate with co-workers. Features like wake-on-LAN, session recording and remote printing can be especially useful for remote workers.

IT departments also use secure remote access and support software for tech support, troubleshooting, mass deployments, and file implementation. It may be beneficial for your business to have an IT technician who can remotely access employee and customer devices to resolve technical issues. Features like grouping, cross-platform access, and high-end security measures are important to consider for this type of access and control. Although many remote PC access software companies offer plans specifically for IT solutions, some companies package these capabilities with their multiuser remote access plans.

Another convenient use for remote PC access software is accessing your customers' devices. This is useful for conducting training demos, hosting classes or group projects, and generally interacting with clients. Drag-and-drop file transfer, communication tools, and personalized branding are especially convenient for this type of remote access. 

Choosing Remote Access Support

Follow these general steps to choose your remote access support solution.

1. Define your use case.

Many software providers in this category offer a mix of remote access and IT support solutions, since the underlying technology is fairly similar between the two services. For companies that need both, there is no shortage of options for all-in-one systems. However, many shoppers in this category are strictly looking for remote access solutions and will want to make sure they don't pay for features they don't need.

2. Determine your users and unattended devices.

Since pricing for this category is largely dictated by the number of users and remote computers, it's important to take a detailed inventory of the individuals and devices you'll want to access and support. Most of the companies we've reviewed will let you adjust your plan to a higher number of both items should your business grow. However, many companies only offer annual subscriptions that will not let you downsize in the middle of your contract.

3. Decide on an annual or monthly term.

Continued uncertainty with COVID-19 restrictions and office closures are forcing many organizations to remain flexible in the tools they use to support remote work. If your company has not committed to remote or hybrid-remote plans for the next year, you'll likely want to limit your search to companies that offer monthly subscription options, which are typically priced a bit higher than the annual equivalent.

4. Find the best deal.

Once you've determined your ideal use case, the people and equipment you want to support, and your acceptable length of commitment, you're probably ready to purchase based on the best deal. While that doesn't necessarily mean choosing the plan with the lowest monthly or annual fee, it does mean finding the best price for the features you find most valuable. If all you're looking to accomplish is remote access to one office computer, then shopping for the lowest price at this point will lead you to the best deal for your needs.

Our Methodology

Locating the Best Services

With several great remote PC access solutions available, we had to take a deep dive to discover the best applications. We started by compiling the names of remote support software companies from our current vendor list and then scouted other potential businesses to add to it. Our list totaled nearly two dozen remote PC access software providers. From there, we created a list of features that every great remote PC access application should have.

Choosing the Best Services

From this comprehensive list, we settled on 15 remote PC access options to consider as best picks: AnyDesk, Anyplace Control, BeyondTrust, ConnectWise Control, GoToMyPC, LogMeIn, NoMachine, Radmin, Remote Utilities, RemotePC, ShowMyPC, Splashtop, TeamViewer, VNC Connect and Zoho Assist.

Researching Each Service

Next, we researched each application, scrutinizing the services and features they offer as well as pricing structures. We pored over each company's website and additional online resources to learn about each program's functionality, the overall usability of the software and the support resources each vendor offers. We then contacted each company to assess the quality of customer service before determining our final recommendations.

Analyzing Each Service

After researching each service, we analyzed our results to evaluate which remote access vendors are the best for small businesses in different use cases. When you are researching remote PC access solutions for your business, take some time early in the process to outline which remote control features are essential for you and then identify which software programs support those features. Pricing for remote access software varies, so it will also be immensely helpful as you research solutions to know beforehand how many computers, users and concurrent sessions you'll need.

Remote PC Access Software FAQs

Why is remote desktop software helpful?

Remote desktop software has many uses and could be very beneficial to your business. One basic use for remote access software is for your staff to remotely access their office computers when they're at home or out in the field. This is helpful for efficiency and sometimes necessary for companies that rely heavily on offsite workers.

Another great advantage of remote access and support software is the ability it gives IT departments to deploy various protocols across several devices, and for help desks to assist staff and customers in troubleshooting tech problems. This use can increase your desktop security, team efficiency and customer satisfaction.

What is the most common use for remote desktop software?

Remote PC access software is commonly used for employees who need to access their office computers remotely, and tech teams that need to provide on-demand issue resolution for their colleagues and customers. The skill levels of your users may vary, so it is important to choose software that is scalable to fit their capabilities. Functions like file transferring, screen blanking, and keyboard locking are great for remote workers, and monitor grouping, mass deployment, and control exchange are useful for tech support teams.

Who needs remote access software?

Any team can benefit from remote access software, but some teams heavily rely on it. For example, tech support and IT departments need remote access software to connect to other users' devices. Without it, they would not be able to provide remote tech support to their co-workers and customers.

Companies that depend on offsite staff to access onsite devices also need a remote access solution. Instead of physically going to the office to record information, remote workers can access their work computers from wherever they are. Educators may need remote access software for similar reasons, and it can be a valuable tool for teaching remotely and collaborating with students. 

What is the best free remote access software?

While there are free remote access software options with useful features, many of them are for personal, noncommercial use. Free remote access options often have limited tools and security measures as well. However, if you can't afford a subscription, you might consider the free remote access software plans from TeamViewer, UltraVNC and Microsoft Remote Desktop. 

What to expect in 2022

Although remote PC access software has been available for years, we’ve seen it become an increasingly critical component of the workforce amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Many companies quickly shifted to telecommuting in 2020, and many are maintaining a hybrid or flexible work model in 2022 and beyond.

As remote desktop access and other work-from-home technologies continue to develop, the market is expected to continue its growth. According to Fortune Business Insights, the global remote desktop market size was $1,753.2 million in 2020. It increased to $2,022.9 million in 2021 and is slated to spike to $5,994.8 million by 2028. 

North America is poised to be a dominant force in the market share because of the aforementioned adoption of remote work, as well as the United States and Canada’s big-name software providers. The Asian Pacific region and Europe are also expected to see major growth in this sector.

Jeff Hale
Jeff Hale
Business News Daily Contributing Writer
Jeff Hale is a writer and editor based in San Diego with a background in business development and marketing. He has identified new market opportunities for Fortune 500 companies and developed communications strategies and digital branding for tech startups and small businesses. Jeff covers emerging technologies and business solutions with a focus on efficiency and growth. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of California, Irvine, and an MBA from Chapman University.
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