ScreenConnect VS Instant Housecall
- Thread starter HepTech
- Start date
I use SC.
My friend uses IHC.
Both are GREAT products.
I chose SC because:
I want control of my host (self hosted)
Price (pay once and you own it forever)
My friend chose IHC because:
He didn't want the same thing I have
He did not want to host the server
He is more willing to pay a monthly service charge than me
But we are both happy in our decisions.
It's one of those things where you should trial both and see for yourself.
My friend uses IHC.
Both are GREAT products.
I chose SC because:
I want control of my host (self hosted)
Price (pay once and you own it forever)
My friend chose IHC because:
He didn't want the same thing I have
He did not want to host the server
He is more willing to pay a monthly service charge than me
But we are both happy in our decisions.
It's one of those things where you should trial both and see for yourself.
hmig89
Active Member
- Reaction score
- 5
- Location
- Sittingbourne, Kent
Both great products. Don't forget IHC also has lifetime licences. Depending on budget. I was on a tight budget so choose SC but not say IHC is better or worse.
- Reaction score
- 84
- Location
- East Coast, NC (USA)
Just to throw in a pro for Instant Housecall:
http://www.technibble.com/instant-housecall-and-d7-team-up-to-create-remote-d7/
http://www.technibble.com/instant-housecall-and-d7-team-up-to-create-remote-d7/
Been very satisfied with SC. Can't offer any insight into IHC, but unless you need more than 6 concurrent connections, SC is way less expensive than IHC. Also, SC allows unlimited unattended sessions whereas IHC is limited to 200 (may be academic for most people).
Also, IHC support does not appear to be well developed yet. Only a form to fill out for tech support, no phone support listed, no forum.
The D7 integration is great, but IMO IHC is still too expensive.
Also, IHC support does not appear to be well developed yet. Only a form to fill out for tech support, no phone support listed, no forum.
The D7 integration is great, but IMO IHC is still too expensive.
bigdessert
Member
- Reaction score
- 0
No experience with instant housecall but my vote goes for ScreenConnect. If you research, I am a bit of a ScreenConnect fanboy so no secret there. I know what I want in a software company and ScreenConnect has been 100%. Reliable and always on top of updates!
- Reaction score
- 3
- Location
- Raleigh, NC
Did you install ScreenConnect yet? It's self-hosted, and hosted vs self-hosted may be a large factor in your decision.
Self-hosting is great if any of these apply to you:
- You're already hosting some stuff
- You have a basic knowledge of network configuration and the few little things it takes to host your own stuff
- You have an interest in learning how to host your own stuff
- You want to save money
- You have security concerns or policies about using hosted software (though don't consider this statement FUD ... I'm not saying you should be concerned)
Hosted can be better if none of those apply to your situation.
If you don't have a strong opinion about self-hosted vs hosted, you get down to how the product performs. And the price.
I don't know too much about IHC, and most of all I don't want to start an argument, so I'm going to duck any direct comparison with them.
I can tell you we're most often compared directly with TeamViewer, LogMeIn, and Bomgar. Most of our customers were once their customers. We very rarely lose on product performance. We never lose on price.
Xander
Banned
- Reaction score
- 66
- Location
- Niagara region, Ontario
Not knocking IHC which now has a special Remote-only version of D7 incorporated but, with D7's SFX feature, you can drop that file into your SC toolkit folder and have a full version at the ready in moments.
- Reaction score
- 84
- Location
- East Coast, NC (USA)
But what you don't get is the integration between d7 and the remote software. To be fair. The SFX feature - is also for Instant Housecall which has a toolbox like feature as well; it's just unnecessary with the integrated Remote d7.
I'm just pointing out the facts, not trying to butt in and do the comparison of remote software packages themselves, and I know nothing about Screenconnect actually never having used it. I have used some of the guys they mention are now their customers, like Teamviewer, et all. And I'm not using them anymore, that's for sure. I'm just concerning myself here with the work I've put into the Remote d7 version. If that means nothing to whoever is reading this for an opinion or two, then no harm no foul, otherwise I hope it's helpful.
- Reaction score
- 43
- Location
- Toronto, Canada
Truth is, we run in very different circles. Instant Housecall caters to businesses that want a turn-key solution. Our customers don't want the hassles of editing configs, port forwarding, firewalls, dynamic IPs, and the hidden costs of buying and maintaining hardware and operating systems.
Our customers want an all-in-one solution so they can focus on running their business.
For "Do-It-Yourselfers" who are more price sensitive, there are lots of options out there. Some are self-hosted, like Simple-Help and Screen Connect. Others are free, like UltraVNC.
Each has benefits and drawbacks. Some of our customers started their business on a shoestring and upgrade to Instant Housecall when the time is right.
Xander brought up a great point about d7. Anyone can buy a remote tool plus a copy of d7, then configure it, create a ZIP, upload it, and rinse and repeat every time they make a configuration change. Finally they have to remember to clean everything up by hand at the end of a session, so they don't leave their tools on a customer's PC.
Instant Housecall customers don't want that. They want seamless integration, and they don't want to think about whether they left their technician tools on a client's PC or copy configs back and forth.
Remote d7 is fully integrated with Instant Housecall. Nick says his favorite feature is "Google this" -- it opens queries on the technician's PC so your customer's aren't watching you research. I like that when you save your diagnostic reports, they're saved on the technician's computer, where they belong.
I really wanted to avoid turning this this thread into duelling sales pitches and I still do.
Every product has its benefits. The best thing is to try the solutions that make sense for your business then let the merits of each speak for itself.
If you have questions about Instant Housecall or how it compares to other products on the market, contact me directly. I can be reached at the number on our website or at corey@instanthousecall.com.
Our customers want an all-in-one solution so they can focus on running their business.
For "Do-It-Yourselfers" who are more price sensitive, there are lots of options out there. Some are self-hosted, like Simple-Help and Screen Connect. Others are free, like UltraVNC.
Each has benefits and drawbacks. Some of our customers started their business on a shoestring and upgrade to Instant Housecall when the time is right.
Xander brought up a great point about d7. Anyone can buy a remote tool plus a copy of d7, then configure it, create a ZIP, upload it, and rinse and repeat every time they make a configuration change. Finally they have to remember to clean everything up by hand at the end of a session, so they don't leave their tools on a customer's PC.
Instant Housecall customers don't want that. They want seamless integration, and they don't want to think about whether they left their technician tools on a client's PC or copy configs back and forth.
Remote d7 is fully integrated with Instant Housecall. Nick says his favorite feature is "Google this" -- it opens queries on the technician's PC so your customer's aren't watching you research. I like that when you save your diagnostic reports, they're saved on the technician's computer, where they belong.
I really wanted to avoid turning this this thread into duelling sales pitches and I still do.
Every product has its benefits. The best thing is to try the solutions that make sense for your business then let the merits of each speak for itself.
If you have questions about Instant Housecall or how it compares to other products on the market, contact me directly. I can be reached at the number on our website or at corey@instanthousecall.com.
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I have tried a lot of remote support software in the past using my own branded ultra vnc and Ammy admin etc.
I got tired of always asking customers to disable the firewall because the anti-virus products, (most of the them, kept blocking the exes.) and it is a real pain.
Any way i looked at screen connect and i trialed it, but i decided to sack it off. reason is i cannot be bothered with all the port forwarding, messing around with dyn dsn. Sure self hosted is great, but i have had a few problems with this type of config in the past. Now i just like to make life easy!.
I decided to trial IHC and i am happy. No problems with virus software so far. Also the reboot in to safemode and reconnect is splendid. Works every time. I feel instant house call is one of the best in the industry right now and will only get better with time.
The software removes itself after a session and reports are also generated which is cool as well as the payment method. I have afew issues with branding but im sure the developers will add more support to this in future. IHC is one of those products where every one like me will see it and then come back to it later down the line and think why did i miss this one. This is the business.
Dont sleep on this one folks.
I got tired of always asking customers to disable the firewall because the anti-virus products, (most of the them, kept blocking the exes.) and it is a real pain.
Any way i looked at screen connect and i trialed it, but i decided to sack it off. reason is i cannot be bothered with all the port forwarding, messing around with dyn dsn. Sure self hosted is great, but i have had a few problems with this type of config in the past. Now i just like to make life easy!.
I decided to trial IHC and i am happy. No problems with virus software so far. Also the reboot in to safemode and reconnect is splendid. Works every time. I feel instant house call is one of the best in the industry right now and will only get better with time.
The software removes itself after a session and reports are also generated which is cool as well as the payment method. I have afew issues with branding but im sure the developers will add more support to this in future. IHC is one of those products where every one like me will see it and then come back to it later down the line and think why did i miss this one. This is the business.
Dont sleep on this one folks.
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codegreen
Well-Known Member
- Reaction score
- 34
- Location
- New Brunswick, Canada
Legacy, you have a blank intro and a single "hello" post from over a year ago. Both Jake from SC and Corey from IHC are respected participants on this forum. I'm sure neither of them would appreciate someone with no posting history shilling for their products.
You're a tech and you can't master a 60-second port forwarding setup?
bubbajoe, code green
I have been slack with my intro i know. There was no need to diss me, as loose lips sink ships my friends.
I appreciate the feedback, now lets carry on with the topic. I have a purchased version of IHC, thats all you need to know. I have been in business for the past 5 years
I have been slack with my intro i know. There was no need to diss me, as loose lips sink ships my friends.
I appreciate the feedback, now lets carry on with the topic. I have a purchased version of IHC, thats all you need to know. I have been in business for the past 5 years
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knc
Active Member
- Reaction score
- 43
- Location
- Kingston, Ny
One of the best features I have found with IHC is I can use it regardless what computer I am using. Just log into the console from the PC I want to use and the sessions go there. I don't know if Screenconnect can do that.
So I can do remote support in my office, but when I am out of the office I can do remote work on my laptop.
That is a great feature for me.
So I can do remote support in my office, but when I am out of the office I can do remote work on my laptop.
That is a great feature for me.
I too like the feature of using diferent workstations to login. IHC is also portable on a usb stick, which is great as i can add it to my tool kit.
I suppose it is what works for your business in the long run with remote support software as i said i looked at IHC in the past, but always seem to keep comming back to it and im happy i have it in my bag.
I suppose it is what works for your business in the long run with remote support software as i said i looked at IHC in the past, but always seem to keep comming back to it and im happy i have it in my bag.
I reckon you aren't aware that ScreenConnect is also re-sold through hosting companies. If you are more comfortable with someone else hosting a service for you, don't let that keep you from really giving SC a shot.
SAG,
I will certainly look at that in the future as im always looking at different remote products to test. I never rule any products out. I did notice other companies host the SC. So I am open minded and i will re test the product but i must say there is something which defo caught my eye with IHC which made make the purchase and as i said i am happy. So for now i will keep using IHC, Ammyy Admin and my Ultravnc branded until i get bored. By the way the developer of supremo free has informed his paid product when launched could be a good contender with the competition, so we shall see.
I will certainly look at that in the future as im always looking at different remote products to test. I never rule any products out. I did notice other companies host the SC. So I am open minded and i will re test the product but i must say there is something which defo caught my eye with IHC which made make the purchase and as i said i am happy. So for now i will keep using IHC, Ammyy Admin and my Ultravnc branded until i get bored. By the way the developer of supremo free has informed his paid product when launched could be a good contender with the competition, so we shall see.
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minc3d
New Member
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- Chicago, IL
We just dumped GoToAssist for ScreenConnect and couldn't be happier. We're hosting it up on an Azure server (of the 'small" size - works just fine) and it took me about an hour from purchase to configuration of the entire thing.
Yes, it's not as easy as going with a fully hosted product, but if you are willing to toss in 45 mins of elbow grease to get your server going, this is a product that will reward for the long term.
The best part? The excellent pricing and forgiving licensing model that distinguishes between "sessions" instead of "technicians" like GoToAssist did.
We went with a 2 license pack and after the ACRBO discount, it only cost my company $510 out the door. I would have paid close to $990 for the same level of service from GoToAssist.
And no, we do not pay for our Azure server in the cloud. As a Microsoft partner, you are entitled to free Azure usage rights for a certain number of "usage hours" per month. Much better than Amazon's AWS as far as I'm concerned.
Hope to review ScreenConnect fully when they launch their new version 4 in the next month or two.
Yes, it's not as easy as going with a fully hosted product, but if you are willing to toss in 45 mins of elbow grease to get your server going, this is a product that will reward for the long term.
The best part? The excellent pricing and forgiving licensing model that distinguishes between "sessions" instead of "technicians" like GoToAssist did.
We went with a 2 license pack and after the ACRBO discount, it only cost my company $510 out the door. I would have paid close to $990 for the same level of service from GoToAssist.
And no, we do not pay for our Azure server in the cloud. As a Microsoft partner, you are entitled to free Azure usage rights for a certain number of "usage hours" per month. Much better than Amazon's AWS as far as I'm concerned.
Hope to review ScreenConnect fully when they launch their new version 4 in the next month or two.
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