Best Remote Desktop Software

A variety of things can be performed remotely with the help of remote desktop access capabilities. The remote desktop connection enables one to connect to the data from any corner of the world. In the world of cloud computing and mobile devices, businesses of all sizes can lower their production cost and efficiently enhance their IT operations in different ways by relying on the services of remote desktop connections.

By picking the best remote desktop software, the organizations can effortlessly access and manage every facet of the network in real-time from one location. This buyer’s guide to remote desktop software is intended to help out buyers explore the details of remote desktop software along with the key features, advantages, average cost, and the future scope of a remote desktop system.

Remote desktop access is a way of accessing and viewing the desktop or target computer remotely. With the help of the target computer’s actual desktop interface, the host computer (i.e., the local computer) can see and interact with the target computer. In this way, the host user can know precisely what the target user can see. It is a useful practice for technical support. 

The software is required to connect the computers. On connecting, a window will be displayed by the host computer. This window displays the target computer’s desktop. 

Remote access offers technical support to customers. With an intention to provide maintenance or the necessary support, the remote access technology can facilitate access to the client’s computer remotely. At a time, only one user is allowed to operate the remote equipment. The person sitting in front of the computer can see what the remote user is doing.

Remote desktop enables several people to access the remote desktop on their devices. These people make use of their log-ins to work at the same time. 

A remote desktop service enables businesses to store and access information in the cloud. As a result, any employee of the company can connect to a specific desktop from a remote location. The intention is to help them to fulfill their tasks from any device by connecting remotely. Nowadays, businesses prefer to have remote desktop services due to the following reasons:

• The remote desktop services save money in the long run. The organizations don’t require the office desktop system. The whole system is cloud-based that provides reliable storage solutions at only a fraction of the average IT costs. 

• The dedicated support team of remote desktop services is always ready 24/7 to help businesses with any system failures or data management issues.

• Remote desktop services help in increasing employee productivity and motivation. The remote desktop services keep their employees happy and productive by allowing their employees to complete their work remotely. Remote work provides job flexibility to employees and helps in delivering employees’ job satisfaction.  

• The remote desktop services are free from configuration issues. The users connect their computers to the remote desktop and can start working. By investing in a remote desktop service, the user can save time spent on the system and device configuration.

• The remote desktop services provide multi-layer security that helps protect everything in the business from access to migration and storage. All the company data is stored in the clouds with the help of the remote desktop. The cloud-based storage system is not affected by device failure. Cloud-based technology keeps the data updated, accessible, and secure.

• Remote desktop services allow easy data accessibility and management. From any location and device, including mobile phones, the employees can manage and access data. From anywhere, the managers can see the progress of their remote workers. Managers can monitor and measure the performance of their employees.

Remote Desktop software is a technology that makes use of virtual network computing (VNC) that enables one computer to access and control another computer remotely. This terminal service makes use of the internet/network connection. The user can access data and resources locally with the help of remote desktop software. 

The system/network administrators or technicians use remote desktop service to log in to remote users’ computers to carry out the tasks related to installing applications, removing viruses, and solving technical issues. 

In simple terms, the remote desktop app enables employees to access their files and applications from multiple servers. It supports the IT department to solve issues remotely with the help of troubleshooting techniques.

The main features of remote desktop control software are as follows:

• Multi-monitor support- Remote desktop software features multi-monitor support that helps in viewing multiple monitors. This feature is ideal for workplaces that prefer to have 2-3 monitors at a workstation which in turn helps in improving productivity.

• Built-in chat- The remote desktop support software has built-in chat functionality that helps in exchanging messages between the owner or staff member of the organization and the client. In this way, both parties stay updated on what is happening on the remote end.

• File and clipboard transfer- The built-in file and clipboard transfer feature of remote desktop connection software help deliver an adequate level of technical support to the client. With this feature, it becomes easy to install applications or replace corrupted or outdated configuration files on the remote computer. This feature helps in copying scripts or commands to the remote computer or an error message from the client’s computer. 

• Two-way desktop sharing – The remote desktop connection software helps in connecting to a remote computer screen and allows sharing the screen with just one computer or with multiple clients at once. The software provider and a remote support technician can educate users regarding the company’s product and its benefits with the help of two-way desktop sharing. 

• Branding and customization – The remote desktop tool features the options of software branding. This functionality customizes the client application to match the looks of the brand and website and helps eliminate possible confusion among new customers.

• Auto Reboot and Reconnect- The remote desktop tool has an auto reboot and reconnects feature that enables bringing the computer to a relatively clean state by clearing caches and flushing the memory, which in turn helps in giving the opportunity to start anew. 

• Multi-Window Control- If there is a need to support several users simultaneously, remote desktop support software can open up multiple remote desktop control windows with the help of multi-window control. 

• Encrypted viewership – The remote desktop software provides data encryption that helps in a secure connection. It helps in checking that the data does not go to the unrequired places.

• Unattended access- The remote desktop software allows users to have remote access to the client’s computer at any time. This feature enables remote support technicians to connect to the client’s computer when there is no one physically present at the remote end or a need to support specific customers regularly. 

• Multi-session handling – The remote desktop software can provide high-quality remote support with the help of multi-session handling. The advanced remote desktop support software enables to run as many sessions as required by the user and allows switching between the sessions in the process. 

Other required features of the remote desktop tool are:

• Video session recording – The remote desktop solution allows recording and storing the remote support sessions for future demonstration and education purposes. 

• Session usage reporting – This feature of remote desktop software helps in tracking the user's work if he operates with a one-person tech support business. This feature also allows the manager of a large company’s helpdesk team to stay on top of how and when the software is being used.

• Remote screen scaling – The remote desktop software features remote screen scaling, which helps in working on a remote machine with a larger or smaller screen resolution.

• Log off/log on and switch user – This feature of remote desktop support software allows for the installation of software or updates for each remote user. If you need to perform numerous operations that require admin rights, then this feature proves to be useful for you. 

• Restart in safe mode- Many times, the computer may function only in a secure mode. With the help of restart in the safe mode feature, the remote desktop software allows users to reboot the remote computer into safe mode and run antivirus software to cure infected files.

•  Miscellaneous features- The remote desktop software features audit and compliance, real-time chat, remote access, audio, and video calls, session transfer, security, session recording.

Both VPN and remote desktop systems are ways of accessing resources that are in a remote location, but they both differ in what they are allowed to access to the users. 

Functionality:

VPN serves as a private network. It runs on top of a more extensive public network. While the remote desktop system is the application that enables users to control a computer remotely.

Flexibility:

The VPN allows access to shared network resources while a remote desktop allows access and control to a specific computer.

Security:

VPN is considered ideal from a security standpoint and encrypts the connection with military-grade encryption. It considerably reduces the risk of intrusion or theft of data. On the other hand, remote desktop solutions use encrypted channels to provide a safe remote environment. However, some older clients may not be compatible with this encryption.

Based on the situation, businesses or individuals can choose between a VPN and remote desktop apps. 

It would be great to use a remote desktop system:

• If the employees need to access and want to use a standalone system from a remote location. 
• The IT team can efficiently perform troubleshooting and maintenance activities with a remote desktop system. 
• The IT team can remotely access employees’ computers.
• If the individuals want to access the home computer from a remote location, they can use remote desktop tools. The users can access applications and files on any device at any time and over any type of connection.

The remote desktop solutions are apt in the wide range of processes, functionalities, and capabilities. The remote desktop system can be combined with a VPN to provide maximum functionality and security.

The benefits of having the remote desktop software are as follows:

• Ensures flexibility – The remote desktop connection software provides flexibility to the users. The user can effortlessly work from any place. The employees don't need to be at their workplace to carry out a specific job. In the same manner, even business owners are not required to execute certain transactions at their offices. Only computers and a source of the internet are required to carry out the work. 

• Faster Troubleshooting – The remote desktop system allows the IT team to do their tasks remotely and efficiently troubleshoot issues from a remote location. It is easy to manage the remote access connections with the help of reliable and secure remote desktop connection software. The IT team can easily and quickly troubleshoot the issues around remote desktop software or the corporate network itself. If technical problems occur, then the IT team is not required to go where the server is located to fix the issues.

• Simplifies remote work for employees- The remote desktop control software enables employees to work safely at their home office or abroad from any device, platform, or network. The employees can remotely access important files and share their screens for meetings and troubleshooting with the help of remote desktop functionalities.

• Improved web security – The reliable remote desktop support software can increase the security of the remote network has. The remote network desktop software has data in a secure database that is protected by encryption technology. The incorporation of new and improved remote desktop tools can efficiently manage servers, desktops, applications, and mobile devices remotely, which helps solve problems efficiently.

• Easy and simple administration – The remote desktop software helps administrators manage the remote network. These administrators can effortlessly consent to which permissions to grant a specific user and which permissions or files must be restricted to the users. 

• Makes collaboration easy – Remote desktop support software offers remote collaboration tools that include video conferencing, chat functions, file sharing, and shared word processing. With the help of remote desktop tools, it becomes easy and simple to quickly and securely communicate with a colleague across town or clients on the other side of the country.

• Business Continuity – In times of trouble, the remote desktop connection software can significantly enhance the business ability, even during any pandemic like COVID-19. Even the employees who are unable to get to the office due to impediments such as inclement weather, transportation strikes, or mild illness can still have access to the business applications and data from home, which in turn helps in meeting the business goals in a timely basis.

• Enhances employee efficiency and retention – The trend of working remotely and in a comfortable setting can increase productivity. Flexible work arrangements have a positive impact on the employees' job satisfaction and increase their chances of working with the present employers long-term. 

• Lessen maintenance costs- The remote desktop solutions require the installation of remote client software on user devices. Few web-based remote desktop support software has no endpoint installation or configuration. There is no need to install, manage, and maintain the software on individual devices due to centrally-managed remote desktop solutions. As a result, it significantly reduces IT support costs.

• Latest products and services – Several remote desktop support software solutions provide users and business owners access to the latest hardware and software solutions. In some cases, the support services offer consultations regarding how to achieve success in the business. In simple terms, it means that remote desktop solutions remain updated about the latest products and services, which in turn benefit the business organizations.

Other advantages of remote desktop software are:

• Universal Talent Pool – The remote desktop connection software enables organizations to leverage a wider global talent pool, which in turn helps talented people living in far-flung locales to have well-paying and satisfying work opportunities. 

• Lessen overhead-  Businesses can lessen overhead expenses of office space, utilities, furniture, computing equipment, and other types of related costs when employees are working from home by making use of the remote desktop system.

• Optimized software licensing – The organizations can optimize software licensing agreements by hosting applications centrally and offering remote access to employees. 

Nowadays, organizations of all sizes are encouraging remote work; as a result, the demand for cybersecurity is increasing tremendously. Without compromising security, enterprise businesses and vendors prefer a scalable technology solution that is possible with a remote desktop system. 

The latest trends which can be observed in demanding remote desktop systems are as follows:

• Remote work will continue to grow in the future. The SMBs (small businesses) have started giving importance to remote work. Due to this growing trend, it becomes essential to protect core business networks and facilitate workforce productivity, which can be possible by following highly secure and sound cybersecurity.

• While working remotely, the IT teams have to work hard to keep the remote teams happily productive so they will implement sound remote support, which will help resolve work issues efficiently. The organizations can set robust remote work policies and can invest more in training the staff. The organizations may use multi-factor authentication whenever possible and ensure that remote connections are encrypted end-to-end. 

• To overcome the rising cybercrime, organizations can set rules for logging and auditing that include session recording as per the requirement. The organization can lock down connections to common threat vectors such as POS (Point-of-Sale) and IoT (Internet of things) machines. 

• The virtual desktops hosted in the cloud can be the future of remote work. With the help of virtual desktops, the employees can use their own devices and keep their data centrally managed in the cloud.

• There can be an increase in IoT endpoints, so it becomes vital that remote desktop solutions continue to protect the connections between IoT devices and core business networks. The remote desktop system can ensure proper network segmentation; it can centralize security protocol around remote monitoring and management and implement activity and event logging systems on connected devices.

• The companies can use reliable remote desktop tools, which can help in setting security-centric policies for remote access and remote desktop control. The genuine remote desktop system can ensure the organizations follow that audit logging best practices. 

• The business can remain productive by using fast remote connections to scale expertise without compromising security. The organizations can consolidate support tools for vendors and managed service providers (MSPs) to help them gain productivity.

• To lessen the chances of supply chain attacks, businesses can permit remote access by making use of strict and granular security controls that includes whitelisting application access. The companies can audit their partners and service providers for security best practices and compliance.

Before picking the best remote desktop software, make sure you consider the following points:

• Ensure that the remote desktop support software is convenient and easy to use. It should not be expensive. As per the business requirements, the remote desktop app should be able to offer subscription-based or perpetual pricing options. With clear-cut pricing, it becomes easy to know how much the buyer has to pay for a secure remote desktop system.

• Make sure that the remote desktop tools make the work of the user seamless. The remote desktop system should have the capability to remove the distance between files and employees; and problems and solutions. In this way, it can help in saving both time and money in the process.

• The remote desktop service should have a customizable user management system. The user management should be secure, easy to use, fast, and simple to understand. The remote desktop system can specify admin and access rights on a user-by-user basis. If a third-party vendor needs access to a particular app for fixing a problem, then access should be given to that app alone for a specified amount of time. The more extensive corporate network should not be able to divulge potential threats and malevolent behavior.

• Check that the remote desktop software system provides excellent security with multiple layers of defense. The remote desktop service has strong encryption, IP/MAC address filtering, secure deployment tools, and multi-factor authentication. 

• Ensure that the remote desktop connection software should be installed on servers and control units where a single technician can check production and efficiency from anywhere in the world.

• Before finalizing the remote desktop system, it would be great to talk to the existing clients who are familiar with that particular remote desktop app so that you can get the knowledge of that software.

• Know your goals before investing in a remote desktop app. It would be great if your shortlisted or chosen remote desktop service provides a free trial so that you can make out whether that particular remote desktop solution will meet your business demands.

• Clearly define your business's current needs and future requirements in terms of remote desktop support software that will be going to serve so that you don’t have to overpay for the features. 

• Ensure that the software company offers its users training regarding how to use remote desktop software. Research what options the software company provides for training the users. Check whether the software company provides online training through videos, in-person training, or providing manuals to the users.

Other essential points to be considered before investing in the remote desktop connection software:

• Ensure that the remote desktop software meets the standards for compliance. The industries have different types of requirements regarding their IT compliance.

• Check whether your remote desktop software is scalable or not. The businesses will eventually expand, so the remote desktop software should be such that it scales to future requirements.

• Ensure that your remote desktop system provides a fully integrated suite of products that can be used together in a time of need.

• Look for a reliable remote desktop product roadmap where the vendor can support your future direction. 

• Consider how the remote desktop system investment can enhance the services, which in turn help in benefitting the customers’ businesses, or how that remote desktop service can deliver effective results to the end-users.

• It is advisable to run remote desktop software through the third-party risk management process. In this way, you can avoid breaches.

• Do thorough R&D and research on the remote desktop service. Request a final demo of the remote desktop product. Include all the key personnel who would be using the remote desktop software on the demo as well.

• Always check the contractual service level agreement in detail before signing a contract. In this way, you will come to know the specific services the vendor will be delivering.

The cost of remote desktop support software can differ based on that remote desktop app's functions and features. The market is flooded with remote desktop connection software that charges monthly or annually. Some vendors also offer free remote desktop software with limited functionalities. 

Lots of factors are involved in the price of remote desktop software:

• What type of features is the remote desktop app offering?
• What type of quality of service and user support is offered by the remote desktop system?
• What are the key elements offered by the remote desktop solution?
• Which type of interface is employed by remote desktop support software?
• How many numbers of users and admins are allowed by remote desktop connection software?
• For which size of the business that specific remote desktop software can be used?
• Whether the remote desktop software is cloud-based?

All these factors play an essential role in deciding the price of the remote desktop connection software. 

If you are into a startup or a growing small organization, you can have remote desktop software packages that offer basic features. You will find that these types of remote desktop tools are affordable to buy. On the contrary, users in large-scale businesses prefer to have powerful features, so they move for advanced plans. As a result, the cost of these types of remote desktop systems can be a bit costlier.

The remote desktop connection software cost can start as low as $4.08 per month(for example, Hubstaff). The price can reach as high as $ 79/month (for instance, Atera). Moreover, some other charges are associated with the remote desktop app, which includes the cost of the maintenance, setting up, and support.

If you are looking for the best free remote desktop software solutions, explore GoodFirms remote desktop software list. Teamviewer, Aeroadmin, TightVNC, Splashtop Personal, xrdp, X2Go, Xpra, Zoho Assist, Litemanager, are free remote desktop software that can help you in meeting the unique demands of your small organizations.

GoodFirms is consistently budding in terms of listing software categories along with their authentic reviews. This platform serves as a dynamic and fast-moving company that believes in conducting thorough research on the latest business trends. The organizations can meet their growing business demands and can efficiently achieve their future goals by going through the list of top remote desktop software presented by GoodFirms and investing in one. 

GoodFirms proffer IT services that include software development and maintenance, product development, and other types of related services to domestic and overseas clients. It follows the customer-centric approach. The dedicated team of experts at GoodFirms holds the ability and experience to create successful solutions for today’s business needs. Confidently, they can satisfy the IT service seekers with their quality service.