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How to find Remote Desktop Software

Regardless of whether you need access to your home computer while you are away or if you need to remotely help someone with their computer, remote desktop access software can simplify this process significantly.

While only several years ago remote desktop software may have been a hassle to set up and ease of use was a major concern, now virtually all remote desktop software has been simplified to make installation a breeze. Most importantly, make sure to use the Features for Personal Use and Features for Support filters in order to find the remote desktop software that has all of the features you require. With 25 remote desktop software to choose from, we can help you find the best one for your needs.

How to Find Remote Desktop Software

Smart Rating
The FindTheBest Smart Rating for remote access software is a weighted average of reviews and ratings given by CNET.com and PCMAG.com
Fact: TeamViewer by TeamViewer is the highest remote desktop software with a rating of
100
, according to our database.
3 Year Price
Some remote access software comes with a lifetime license; once purchased, it does not need to be renewed.
Features for Personal Use
These features enable the remote access software to facilitate access to your personal computer.
  • Audio Support: The audio support feature lets you hear the audio generated on the remote computer through the speakers of the local computer, this means that you can run music on the remote computer and hear it on the local computer through the remote desktop software.
  • Cut, Copy, and Paste: Also known as "Clipboard Sync", this feature allows you to copy something on one computer and lets your paste it on the other.
  • Encryption: Built-in encryption features will protect the connection between the remote and local computer by encrypting the data passed between the computers.
  • File Transfer: The file transfer feature allows users to transfer files between the remote and local computers.
  • Keyboard Locking: Keyboard locking locks the mouse or keyboard on the remote computer so that no one on the other side of your remote desktop connection can use the computer.
  • Screen Blanking: Screen blanking makes the screen on the remote computer appear blank while you are accessing it from the local computer so that no one near the remote computer can see what you are doing while accessing it.
  • Mobile Access: The mobile access feature relates to the software's ability to access remote computers from a local mobile device (for example, an Android Phone or iPad).
  • Remote Printing: Remote printing gives you printing functionality in two ways: by allowing you to print files from your remote computer on to a local printer, or vice-versa, allowing you to print on a printer connected to the remote computer.

Features for Personal Use Options: 
Audio Support, Cut, Copy, and Paste, Encryption, File Transfer, Keyboard Locking, Mobile Access, Remote Printing, Screen Blanking
Features for Support
These features facilitate your ability to provide support to other computers.
  • Access Permission Request: Access permission requests are simply a necessary request for the local user to approve in order to initiate the session.
  • Chat: The chat feature signifies that the remote desktop software has a built in chat functionality.
  • Multiple Monitors: This features states whether the remote desktop software supports a multiple monitor display.
  • NAT Passthrough: The NAT passthrough feature, allows the client computer to collect to the server behind a 'network address translation' (NAT) gateway. This saves the user from having to configure the router's port forwarding rules, but can present a security risk as the connection passes through the remote access application's owner's server.
  • Remote Assistance: The remote assistance feature allows both the local and remote users to view the same screen simultaneously so that the remote user can assist the local user while the local user watches.
  • Reporting: Reporting gives administrators the ability to see usage reports or other graphics representing the functionality of the remote desktop software.
  • Seamless Window: The seamless window feature allows users to run applications on the server and have just the application window open on the local computer so that it appears as though the application is really running off of the local computer, when in fact is being run off of the server connected to the remote computer.
  • Unlimited Simultaneous Connections: This verifies whether a remote desktop software can support an unlimited number of users connecting to the same remote-local access connection.

Features for Support Options: 
Access Permission Request, Chat, Multiple Monitors, NAT Passthrough, Remote Assistance, Reporting, Seamless Window, Unlimited Simultaneous Connections
Mobile Platform
The mobile platforms accessible via remote desktop software, in addition to the operating systems of various mobile devices supported by the software.These are the names of the operating systems rather than the types of devices. (For example, a remote desktop software on the iOS mobile platform supports all devices running on iOS including but not limited to: iPod Touch, iPad, iPhone, etc.)

Mobile Platform Options: 
Android, iOS, Blackberry, Windows Mobile
Platform
The platform of a remote desktop software solution is the combination of hardware and software that the software requires and uses to run.The platform is the combination of hardware and software that enable the remote desktop to run.

Platform Options: 
Windows, Mac, Unix, Linux, Other
Software License
Remote access software may be distributed under a variety of different license types.
  • Free Software License: A free software license will usually allow for use, alteration, and even resale of the software without any fee.
  • Proprietary: A proprietary software license can be purchased for personal use.
  • Commercial: A commercial software license allows you to pay a fee in order to redistribute the software yourself.
  • SaaS: A SaaS (Software as a Service) Software license requires the purchaser to pay on a subscription basis (usually monthly) in order to use the software as as service over their network.
  • Part Free/Part Proprietary: This implies that the software may be free to use in general but with certain features that require you to pay for them.
Type of Connectable Systems
The remote access software can access various types of connectable systems.For example with an option that has "Client" and "Server" checked, the remote user can use their computer to access the server remotely. A listening option allows the local user to connect to a remote server and monitor it, but will not allow the local user to make changes.

Type of Connectable Systems Options: 
Client, Listening, Server
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What to Avoid in Remote Desktop Software

If you are going to be using a remote desktop software for a connection with your personal computer or if the you need to be sure that your connection is secure, Make sure your remote desktop software allows for encryption. Check the box next to "Encryption" under 'Features for Personal Use' in order to see only the remote desktop software that has built in encryption.

Also, if you are only going to need a remote desktop software for a couple of weeks while on a business trip don't purchase a remote desktop software with a lifetime license. This will be more expensive than simply going with a subscription license model, unless you are planning on using the software for the indefinite future.

Most Popular Side-by-Sides for Remote Desktop Software

Expert Ratings Sources: PCMag.com, CNET, LifeHacker