Remote Desktop Applications – which ones to try out

04.02.2020 1,301 5

Martin Pramatarov

Imagine a scenario where you want to access a business computer (a server or a personal computer) in the office through a second device via the Internet and remotely use its desktop with all the software. It doesn’t matter if you are just two offices away or in a different country. Then you need a Remote Desktop Application.

This user’s ability to access a computer from a location different from the physical location of the computer works thanks to a software (applications) or operating system (OS) feature.

There are many applications with different features, but they generally capture mouse, keyboard and/or touch inputs from the target computer and send them to the controlling device.

We can get a remote control of computers, servers, and smartphones. That sounds great but… Watch out! Use it only with the permission of the owner of the server device.

Main uses of Remote Desktop Apps

• Technical support. Providers of software, hardware, Internet services and more have found a really useful and effective tool in this remote access. They can help their clients with different kinds of system struggles. Without being physically in the client’s location providers can guide their clients or even directly solve the problems. This improves the business operation by reducing time and costs.
• Work from anywhere. Nobody likes to work on holidays but… having this remote access is so valuable when important business decisions require the urgent sending of files, presentations, budgets, contracts, etc.
• Stretch company resources. Some businesses centralize their computer/server tasks and information for their employees who are located in different countries or just work from home. They offer proper virtual environments for every employee to connect, no matter the location. The result can be an attractive reduction in expenses. This also means that the company should just own a powerful server while all the clients’ devices (your employees’ devices) needn’t be as powerful. They just need to be able to install and run the Remote Desktop application.
• Protect your data. A combination of Virtualization and Remote desktop solutions to store all your information in data centers. And they encrypt all the connections to the remote desktop to avoid hacking. So in case of disaster or threat, there is a way to recover your crucial business data.

Which remote desktop apps to try out?

There is a wide variety – for different operating systems (OSes), for individuals or companies, free and paid ones. Since “free” is a really attractive word, let’s go from there with some recommendations you could try out without paying.

• Chrome Remote Desktop. It is considered one of the easiest to use. It runs through a Google Chrome browser and can remotely access a Linux, Mac, Chromebook or Windows computer. The biggest advantage – the fact that it’s free and easy to use. It has client apps for the major computer and mobile OSes. As for the disadvantages, since it is running through the browser, it might be more resource-hungry than the rest.
• RealVNC. It is a cloud-based service that allows access to Linux, PC, and Mac systems. It is free for non-commercial use. It provides excellent encryption, drag-and-drop file sharing, session recording, client apps for mobile OSes (iOS and Android) and more.
• Microsoft Remote Desktop. Windows is one of the most popular OSes. It is a little bit harder to set up than others but definitely a solid choice. It works only on PRO, Business and Ultimate versions of Windows and it doesn’t allow auto-reconnect after a reboot of the control device.
• Zoho Assist. Another cloud-based service that offers remote access and remote desktop utilities. It is protected by 256-bit AES encryption. Good for help desk and tech support. It adds a video call feature to the typical mix for a Remote Desktop Application. As you could have guessed, it provides client apps for all the popular OSes – Windows, Linux, Chrome OS, macOS, iOS and Android.

The list can be very long. It is important to know that depending on your specific needs or the ones in your business, there is a wide variety of apps at your disposal – from very simple and free to really enhanced paid applications.