Need help picking remote software!

TechLady

Well-Known Member
Reaction score
3,174
Location
CA
I'm trying to choose a good remote support client for my first real entry into this kind of work. I know this has been discussed before, (sorry) but I still am having a hard time judging pros and cons. I have used CrossLoop in the past, but wasn't 100% thrilled with it. I recently used TeamViewer and it is fantastic, but way out of my price range at the moment, as I am not doing that much remote work yet. At the same time I don't want to have to switch all my clients to different software later so ideally I'd like to pick the right one now. My eyes are glazing over with all the different options. :confused:
 
I'm trying to choose a good remote support client for my first real entry into this kind of work. I know this has been discussed before, (sorry) but I still am having a hard time judging pros and cons. I have used CrossLoop in the past, but wasn't 100% thrilled with it. I recently used TeamViewer and it is fantastic, but way out of my price range at the moment, as I am not doing that much remote work yet. At the same time I don't want to have to switch all my clients to different software later so ideally I'd like to pick the right one now. My eyes are glazing over with all the different options. :confused:

join.me if you want free WebEx
 
If you don't want to pay monthly then look at ScreenConnect, pricing is great and full of features.
 
Re: ScreenConnect, how have you guys set it up? Is it running on anything special?
 
SC runs on one of your own machines -- you host it and, in my case, it just means adjusting a few router settings (which they'll help with).

I'm still trialing and the only issues I've had with it are that it can't (yet?) touch dialog windows from Kaspersky or Avast. They say they're looking in on that.


(Join.me is alright but it is in no way a remote support app. It's a web-meeting app and not very robust)
 
I am a fan of GoToAssist.com. I was initially paying $99.00/month. I called to tell them I wanted to cancel due to the high monthly fees. They lowered the monthly cost to $48.50, which is more in my price range. They offer special pricing every now and again. Try to call a rep if you are happy with the trial to see if they will work with you.

If you can justify the $129.00 monthly fee, some techs use LogMeInRescue (LMIR). It is quite a nice remote services software program. The monthly fee can easily pay for itself in 1 job.

I also hear that TeamViewer is fantastic, but laying out a huge chunk of change like that hurts. Plus, a company I know that uses them said they were not grandfathered in on new releases. Say what? They are irked after dumping a lot of money to find out that they were forever stuck on the release they purchased, that is, unless they wanted to shell out more coinage.

These 3 options are all pay-for programs. I am not sure about the free or low cost options as I have always used, and been very happy with, GoToAssist.com.

I see that GoToAssit.com is now $69.00/month for GoToAssistExpress and not $99.00 like it used to be. They also have a $9.95 day pass which might work out nice if you have 1-5 jobs per month.
 
Last edited:
I think the reason this gets asked so much is that there is no clear winner.

The best ones - logmein and teamviewer etc are quite a lot better than the cheap ones but very expensive, especially for the sole trader.

Pretty much all the others have speed issues or missing features which make them a pain to use.

I gave up on the many VNC based ones ages ago.
 
We've been trialing screenconnect and so far it looks very good.
Performance is good and I like that it is hosted locally. All customisable too so the page looks like our website for continuity from the customers point of view.
Price is good too compared to most of the others.
 
Remote support

I have been using Techinline, it has a per use cost but is very low $5 which is a lot better than some, it will also let you brand it so your clients see your name when the CLinet ID's are shown. It is really worth a look see. I have also used Instant Housecall which I liked very much but it was not cost effective for a small shop.
 
Go with your first mind. I use team-viewer on my website 1010computers.com and starting off entry level you will be fine with the free version. It gives you a certain number of connections before it begins to charge and hopefully you will have charged for those free connections and will have the chance to work up the funds to purchase.

It does relay the message that it is a free version at the end of every session but by the end of the session the problem is resolved the customer is happy and they don't seem to care about the message (atleast from my experience).

It is very user friendly and robust. And in comparison I feel it is the best bang for your buck because there is no monthly fee (just a 1time fee for a lifetime license) and as a business owner I feel it is better to pay a large amount upfront then to have a constant revolving debt that never ends.


Hope this helps.
 
I have been using Techinline, it has a per use cost but is very low $5 which is a lot better than some, it will also let you brand it so your clients see your name when the CLinet ID's are shown. It is really worth a look see. I have also used Instant Housecall which I liked very much but it was not cost effective for a small shop.

+1 for Techinline. I have had no problems with it and love that its a PAYG system (no contracts, no monthly fees). My remote support business is very low volume so I find this system ideal.
 
I personally use LMI Rescue. I don't do a ton of remote service calls but the value it adds to support customers after the fact is well worth it. I also use it for small business maintenance and feel it presents a more professional appearance to clients especially with the different access options. I have many clients who have no problem with unattended access but I like that it always shows when I was last logged in and they can revoke the privilege at any time. I am just getting ready to try the smart phone support and I think it will be one of the things that will give me competitive advantage in the small business sector. Finally, setting up the branding wasn't that difficult and it easily integrates into your website as well.
 
I'm still trialing and the only issues I've had with it are that it can't (yet?) touch dialog windows from Kaspersky or Avast. They say they're looking in on that.

Re your issues with Kaspersky, I had the same issues with both Screenconnect and Logmein and found that it was the Proactive Defense (Under Settings) that was causing this. You either need to turn off the function or register the remote software with Kaspersky. I guess Avast must have a similar setting.
 
I personally use LMI Rescue. I don't do a ton of remote service calls but the value it adds to support customers after the fact is well worth it. I also use it for small business maintenance and feel it presents a more professional appearance to clients especially with the different access options. I have many clients who have no problem with unattended access but I like that it always shows when I was last logged in and they can revoke the privilege at any time. I am just getting ready to try the smart phone support and I think it will be one of the things that will give me competitive advantage in the small business sector. Finally, setting up the branding wasn't that difficult and it easily integrates into your website as well.

I agree. I use logmein rescue as well.
 
Go with your first mind. I use team-viewer on my website 1010computers.com and starting off entry level you will be fine with the free version. It gives you a certain number of connections before it begins to charge and hopefully you will have charged for those free connections and will have the chance to work up the funds to purchase.

This is what I was hoping to do, maybe.

Has anyone tried Radmin? It's $50. http://www.radmin.com/products/radmin/
 
Teamviewer +1, definitely worth the money especially if you use the free version to save up for the premium version like 1010Computers said
 
Back
Top