Introduction
With the rise of remote and hybrid work, the ability to securely access corporate devices from anywhere has become imperative. Remote access software allows IT admins and professionals to remotely manage systems, troubleshoot issues and collaborate seamlessly across geographic boundaries. In this blog, we evaluate 15 of the top free remote access solutions based on key factors to help you choose the right option.
Methods of Evaluation
We have evaluated these remote access software based on parameters like features and functionality, platform support, ease of use, security and popularity metrics. For platform support, we have looked at options for desktop platforms like Windows, MacOS and Linux as well as mobile platforms. For features, we considered aspects like remote control, file transfer, screen sharing, remote printing etc. To gauge popularity and traction, we have also considered metrics like number of backlinks, traffic and keyword search trends.
1. Zoom
Zoom is an easy to use video conferencing platform that allows users to connect via video, audio, or chat. Founded in 2011, Zoom is based in San Jose, California and publicly traded on NASDAQ. Zoom empowers users to host large online meetings and collaborate across offices and on any device.
Pros: Some key advantages of Zoom include: – Feature rich platform for online meetings and collaboration. – Free basic plan allows meetings up to 40 minutes. – Advanced features like cloud recording, virtual backgrounds, screen sharing etc. in paid plans.
Cons: The key disadvantage is that the free basic plan is limited to 40 minutes for group meetings. Some additional limitations include no cloud recording or 1:1 meetings in the free plan.
Pricing: Zoom offers various paid monthly and annual subscription plans starting from $15/month per host. Key features are unlocked with higher tier professional and business plans including longer meeting times, 1TB cloud recording storage and advanced integrations.
Some key stats about Zoom include: – Used by over 200 million daily users globally. – Holds over 90% of the market share for online meetings. – Available in over 100 languages globally.
2. Skype
Skype is a popular free video calling and messaging app that allows users to stay connected with friends and family. Skype has been around since 2003 and was originally focused on providing affordable Voice over IP (VoIP) calls. While Skype started as a calling service, it has expanded into video calling and chat. Skype can be used across multiple devices including Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android and in web browsers with a Skype account.
Pros: Some key advantages of Skype include:
– Cross-platform support via dedicated apps and browsers
– Free for peer to peer video calls and messaging
– Group calls and screen sharing available in paid plans
Cons: One potential disadvantage of Skype is that the free version has limited features. For example, calls to standard phones require purchasing Skype Credit. Some advanced collaboration tools like file sharing are only available in paid plans.
Pricing: Skype offers both free and paid plans:
– Free plan allows video calls with other Skype users and messaging
– Paid Skype Premium plans start at $2.99/month and remove calling limits while adding group calling and file sharing capabilities
Some key stats about Skype include:
– Over 40 million users make Skype calls daily
– Supported on over 100 million devices globally
– Translates conversations between users in over 55 languages
– Connects users across platforms including desktop, web, mobile and Xbox
3. Discord
Discord is a free app designed for online communities and gaming. While originally focused on gamers, it has grown to become popular for groups of friends, communities, and organizations to communicate in real-time. In addition to text chat, Discord allows users to make voice and video calls and screen share within both public and private servers.
Pros: Some key advantages of Discord include:
– Feature rich communication tool for text, voice and video within online communities
– Ability to create public and private servers for different groups
– Screen sharing functionality is useful for collaboration
– Free basic service with additional paid features for large organizations
Cons: A potential disadvantage is that Discord’s interface may not be as polished or robust as some paid business communication tools. It is primarily designed for an online community experience rather than professional collaboration.
Pricing: Discord’s basic features like text chat, screen sharing and audio calls are free to use with no limits. There is an optional premium Discord Nitro subscription available starting at $4.99/month which includes additional perks like animated avatars and wider file uploads.
Some key stats about Discord include:
– Over 250 million users worldwide
– Most popular on Windows and iOS but also available on other platforms like Android, macOS, Linux, and web
– Growing popularity beyond gaming into communities focused on music, books, movies and more
4. TeamViewer
TeamViewer is a leading remote connectivity software that allows users to remotely access and support computers and mobile devices. Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Göppingen, Germany, TeamViewer has over 2.5 billion devices installed globally and helps ensure the connectivity of people and devices worldwide.
Pros: Key advantages of using TeamViewer include:
– Easy to use with intuitive interface
– Support remote control, file transfer, chat and meetings
– Support all major platforms including Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS and Android
– Connect remotely from anywhere via internet connection
– Provides remote support to customers and easy device management
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that the free version only allows remote access to one computer at a time for personal/non-commercial use. For businesses or advanced usage additional paid licenses are required.
Pricing: TeamViewer offers both free and paid subscription plans. The free plan provides remote access to a single computer for personal/non-commercial use. For commercial/business use, paid subscriptions start from around $50 per year for a 5-license pack.
Some key stats about TeamViewer include:
– Over 2.5 billion devices installed globally
– Available on all major platforms including Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android
– Used in over 190 countries
– Supports remote desktop access, remote control, online meetings, collaboration and file transfers
5. WebEx
Webex is a collaboration software owned by Cisco that allows users to host online meetings, video calls, messaging, and file sharing. Originally launched in 1995 as a web conferencing platform, Webex has since expanded to offer a full suite of collaboration tools for both personal and business use. With industry-leading video technology and an intuitive interface, Webex is one of the top remote connectivity solutions for businesses and organizations of all sizes.
Pros: Some key advantages of Webex include:
– Robust platform for online meetings and collaborations
– Free plan allows meetings up to 50 participants
– Integrated options for team messaging and file sharing
– Intuitive interface that is easy for both technicians and non-technicians to use
– Strong security features like automatic encryption of meetings and two-factor authentication
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that Webex lacks some customization features available in paid competitors. Additionally, storage space is limited on the free tier.
Pricing: Webex offers several paid plans in addition to a generous free tier. The free plan supports meetings of up to 50 participants with storage of up to 1GB. Paid ‘Standard’ and ‘Premium’ plans start at $14.95/host/month and $24.95/host/month respectively and remove participant limits while adding features like call recording and transcription.
Some key stats about Webex include:
– Over 350 million users globally
– Hosts over 4 billion meeting minutes per month
– Integrates with over 300+ apps including Google Workspace, Microsoft Teams, Slack and more
– Named a leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for meeting solutions for 11 years running
6. AT&T Access
AT&T Access provides free remote access software for both personal and business use. It allows you to remotely access your computer from anywhere via a secure VPN tunnel. With AT&T Access, you can remotely access files, applications and devices from your desktop or laptop.
Pros: The main advantages of AT&T Access include:
– Reliable remote connection via VPN.
– Rich set of collaboration features like file sharing, chat, remote control etc.
– Secured remote access through SSL based tunnels.
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that the free version only allows one remote connection at a time.
Pricing: AT&T Access is free to use for both personal and commercial purposes. Paid pro and business plans start at $9.99/month which unlock additional features like remote support for multiple computers simultaneously.
Some key features of AT&T Access include:
– Supports remote access from Windows, Mac, iOS and Android devices.
– Easy one-click login for quick remote connections.
– 256-bit AES encryption for secured remote access.
– Supports file transfer, chat & remote control capabilities.
7. AnyDesk
AnyDesk is a cross-platform remote desktop software that allows users to remotely access and control computers running Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iOS. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, AnyDesk has emerged as one of the leading free remote access software solutions on the market.
Pros: Some key advantages of AnyDesk include:
– Cross-platform support for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iOS devices
– Ability to remote control another device, transfer files, use remote printing and chat capabilities
– Free personal use license with no feature limitations
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that the free version only allows remote connections to one device at a time. For simultaneous connections to multiple devices, an AnyDesk subscription is required.
Pricing: AnyDesk offers a simple freemium pricing model. The basic version for personal use is completely free with no limitations. For commercial use and additional features like remote support for an unlimited number of devices, remote application support, and active directory integration, paid subscription plans starting from $8.33/user/month are available.
Some key stats about AnyDesk include:
– Over 100 million downloads worldwide
– Available in over 30 languages
– Supports remote connections between Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iOS devices
8. LogMeIn
LogMeIn is a leading software-as-a-service company that offers a wide range of remote access and collaboration solutions. Founded in 2003, LogMeIn has grown to support millions of users around the world. One of their most popular products is LogMeIn Rescue, which provides remote support and remote access functionality.
Pros: Key advantages of LogMeIn Rescue include:
– Wide range of remote access and collaboration features in one solution
– Intuitive agent requires no installation on the client side, simplifying remote support
– Cloud-based solution allows remote access from anywhere via a web browser
– Robust security features like AES-256 encryption and two-factor authentication
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that the free personal plan only supports one remote session at a time for remote desktop and file access functionality.
Pricing: LogMeIn Rescue offers three pricing tiers:
– Free Personal Plan: Supports one remote connection, remote access for screen sharing and files.
– Pro Plan: Starts at $49/month per agent, removes remote connection limits and adds remote printing, wake-on-LAN and remote chat.
– Business Plans: Start at $99/month per agent, add cloud recording, centralized management and SLA support.
Some key stats about LogMeIn Rescue include:
– Used by over 5 million IT professionals worldwide
– Supports remote access to computers and mobile devices running Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS and Android
– Allows remote control of the user’s screen
– Features remote chat, file transfer and remote printing
9. ClickMeeting
ClickMeeting is a leading web-based video conferencing and online meeting solution. As a cloud-based platform, ClickMeeting requires no installation and can be accessed directly from any modern web browser. This makes it very easy to set up online meetings or webinars without any upfront software costs or compatibility issues.
Pros: Some key advantages of ClickMeeting include:
– Cloud-based with no installations required
– Integrated with remote desktop and other collaboration tools for seamless online meetings
– Free plan with up to 3 remote sessions per month
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that the free plan only allows for 3 remote sessions per month, so you need an paid upgraded plan for more extensive usage.
Pricing: ClickMeeting offers several paid plans starting at $14 per month for up to 50 participants. Additional features like webinar recordings, custom branding, and larger participant capacities are included in the higher tier plans.
Some key stats about ClickMeeting include:
– Used by over 2 million users worldwide
– Conducted over 25 million meetings to date
– Integrations with tools like GoToMeeting, Join.me, Skype for Business, and Zoom
– Available in over 40 languages
10. RealVNC
RealVNC is a leading remote access software that provides secure remote connections across various platforms. Founded in 1996, RealVNC enables users to remotely access and support computers and servers from anywhere. With millions of users worldwide, it is one of the most popular and trusted remote access solutions in the market.
Pros: Some key advantages of RealVNC include:
– Cross-platform support for Windows, Linux, Mac, iOS and Android
– Feature rich with options like chat, file transfers, remote printing etc.
– Intuitive and easy to use interface
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that the free personal license only allows remote access to a single computer.
Pricing: RealVNC offers both free and paid plans. The free personal license allows remote access to a single computer. Paid professional licenses start at $49/year for up to 5 computers.
Some key stats about RealVNC:
– Over 25 million downloads to date
– Used by 90% of the Fortune 500
– Supports Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS and Android
– 99.9% uptime service level agreement
11. join.me
Join.me is a free remote access and screen sharing software made by LogMeIn. It allows users to easily share their screen and collaborate with others in real-time from any device without requiring any downloads or installations.
Pros: Some key advantages of Join.me include:
– Web based for easy access without installation
– Free plan allows screen sharing up to 3 attendees
– Integration with GoToMeeting and other apps
Cons: The main disadvantage of Join.me’s free plan is the limited number of attendees for screen sharing sessions at 3 viewers. Paid plans are required for larger collaboration needs.
Pricing: Join.me offers both free and paid plans. The free basic plan allows screen sharing up to 3 viewers. Paid plans start at $9.99/month and remove attendee limits.
Some key stats about Join.me include:
– Over 50 million users worldwide
– Available on all major platforms including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android
– Free accounts allow screen sharing with up to 3 viewers
– Integrations with Google Meet, Zoom, GoToMeeting and other platforms
12. Whereby
Whereby is a free remote access and screen sharing tool that allows users to easily start video and screen sharing calls through a web browser. Founded in 2012 and based in Oslo, Norway, Whereby has grown to support over 50,000 domains. Whereby provides a simple solution for quick video and screen sharing calls between colleagues, clients and partners.
Pros: Some key advantages of Whereby include:
– Simple and quick to use interface designed for spontaneous calls
– Screen sharing makes it easy to collaborate and discuss documents
– Free plan is sufficient for most basic video and screen sharing needs
– Works cross-platform via browsers on any device
Cons: The main disadvantage of the free Whereby plan is the limit of 4 participants on free calls. For teams or meetings with more than 4 attendees, an upgrade to a paid plan would be required.
Pricing: Whereby offers three paid plans in addition to the free plan:
– Professional – $9/host/mo, removes participant limits
– Business – $15/host/mo, adds enterprise features
– Enterprise – Custom pricing, for large organizations
Some key stats about Whereby include:
– Over 50,000 domains use Whereby
– Free plan allows calls with up to 4 participants
– No signups or downloads required, calls can start within browsers
13. ConnectWise Control
ConnectWise Control, formerly known as ScreenConnect, is a leading provider of remote access and support software. Founded in 2004, ConnectWise Control provides remote desktop access and support solutions to over 35,000 companies worldwide. Their flagship product allows technicians to remotely access and support computers, servers and other devices.
Pros: Some key advantages of ConnectWise Control include:
– Feature rich with remote support, file transfers and chat options
– Intuitive interface for both technician and customer devices
– Unlimited remote access sessions in free plan
Cons: A potential disadvantage is that the free plan only allows one technician and up to 3 remote connections at once. For businesses needing additional technicians or concurrent connections, an paid upgraded plan would be required.
Pricing: ConnectWise Control offers a free basic plan as well as monthly or annual subscription plans starting at $39 per technician per month. Paid plans remove connection limits and provide additional features and support.
Some key stats about ConnectWise Control include:
– Over 35,000 companies worldwide use ConnectWise Control
– Supports remote connections to Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS and Android devices
– Allows unlimited remote sessions in their free plan
14. FreeConferenceCall.com
FreeConferenceCall.com is a free audio conferencing service that lets users have phone or web conferences for free. Founded in 2005, FreeConferenceCall.com has become one of the most popular solutions for easy and affordable online meetings. Users can easily participate in conferences via phone numbers or online through a web client.
Pros: Some key advantages of FreeConferenceCall.com include:
– Free of charge for basic audio conferencing
– Integrations to start calls directly from email clients and calendars
– Toll-free and local phone numbers available for users to dial into conferences
– Recordings can be downloaded as MP3 files after calls
Cons: One potential disadvantage is the lack of video conferencing capabilities. FreeConferenceCall.com only offers basic audio conferencing services via phone or web.
Pricing: FreeConferenceCall.com offers free basic audio conferencing via phone or web. There are no pricing or credit cards required to sign up for an account or host conference calls.
Some key stats about FreeConferenceCall.com include:
– Over 35 million users worldwide
– Integrations with major calendars like Google Calendar and Outlook
– Average of 60,000 conference calls hosted daily
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15. uberConference
uberConference is a free remote access software that provides video conferencing solutions. Founded in 2002 and based in San Francisco, uberConference aims to make meetings easy and accessible for all. With its simple interface optimized for video calls, uberConference allows users to meet face-to-face from anywhere.
Pros: Some key advantages of uberConference include:
– Simple and intuitive interface makes conferencing effortless
– Screen sharing allows collaboration on documents in real-time
– Call recording saves transcripts and allows sharing
– Integrations with other tools streamline communication workflows
Cons: A potential disadvantage is the limited number of participants for the free plan at 12 users. For larger team meetings, an upgrade may be needed.
Pricing: uberConference offers a free Basic plan for up to 12 participants as well as paid Pro ($9.99/month) and Business ($14.99/month) plans that unlock more features like custom URLs, 1GB of storage, and unlimited participants.
Some key stats about uberConference include:
– Free plan allows video conferences for up to 12 participants
– Used by over 5 million users worldwide
– Integrates with platforms like G Suite, Office 365, and Slack
– Available as both a web app and Chrome/Firefox extension
Conclusion
With the hybrid work era in full swing, reliance on remote access tools will only increase in the coming years. This evaluation of the top 15 free options provides a comprehensive overview of features, platform coverage and popularity to help you choose the right solution for your remote connectivity needs. Based on a balanced analysis of functionality and popularity signals, some of the top performers included Zoom, TeamViewer, AnyDesk, LogMeIn and ConnectWise Control.