Alternatives to GoToMyPC for Remote Access
GoToMyPC might be my preference for remote computer access, but the fact is, there are many other options out there that will help you connect to your computer remotely and allow you to work on your desktop as if you were right there in front of it.
LogMeIn
LogMeIn is one such alternative. The program is very similar to GoToMyPC and I’ve actually used it when I wanted to access my desktop computer from my laptop computer without having to set up a home network. I didn’t keep the program, although it was no cost for the non-pro version.
LogMeIn vs. GoToMyPC
Some users have reported speed and reliability issues with LogMeIn Free and of course there are fewer features. The Pro version has a lot of the same features as GoToMyPC. GoToMyPC seemed faster to me and had less hang ups. Others also report issues with dropped connections with LogMeIn.
My problem with this particular remote access computer software was simply that I liked the interface for GoToMyPC better. GoToMyPC has really nice scale features that make my desktop look as good as possible even when I’m working on a much smaller screen. I was also comparing a program meant only for basic access to a remote PC or Mac for individuals with the powerful GoToMyPC program. GoToMyPC doesn’t offer a no-cost version at all. So, if you’re looking only for that very basic access, LogMeIn might be an option for you, but if you want more features, you might as well go with the more recommended remote access software, GoToMyPC.
Click here to visit the GoToMyPC website
Access your computer remotely and securely
TeamViewer
TeamViewer is another GoToMyPC alternative and it is a no-cost solution, although there are charges if you use it for business. Since the entire reason I need it remote computer access is to connect to my office PC, I don’t qualify for the no-cost non-commercial use. Still, it’s an option with a lot of features. I haven’t used this program so I can’t evaluate how it meets its claims.
Still Recommend GoToMyPC
Despite the availability of other remote computer access software, I still prefer GoToMyPC and I still recommend it as the easiest solution to setting up true full-featured remote PC access (and Mac remote access).
GoToMyPC has the best printing capabilities and I often print to the computer hooked up to my work desktop, the printer on my work network, and my home printer connected to my home computer. All these print options work just like normal printing from any computer.
I do file transfers quite often, preferring to work on the Excel installed locally when I am making a lot of edits to a spreadsheet and often creating scans and documents at home that I then drag and drop to my office desktop.
GoToMyPC isn’t resource intensive. I use it on an older computer that doesn’t have a lot of memory just as successfully as when I use it on my newer, more powerful computer.
I’ve previously discussed other reasons why I don’t like other options for remotely connecting to my office computer and those reasons haven’t changed for me over time. Security of my files and computers is always uppermost in my mind. Peace of mind is worth a lot. My job is stressful sometimes and I don’t need to be worrying about remote access security for my host computer (office) or my client computers (home). The company I work for can afford to bring in an IT guy when issues arise. Me, not so much.
Click here to visit the GoToMyPC website
August 24th, 2011 at 5:54 am
Vote for GoToMyPc and would also add Techinline remote desktop as a good alternative to all expensive tools if you are looking to use it for business tasks.
October 21st, 2011 at 3:55 pm
GoToMyPC is the classical hosted solution. I would also recommend business users to consider appliance-based solution, such as RHUB remote support appliance. It does not have recurring monthly fee and is with more security features.
December 1st, 2011 at 9:54 pm
Janet, I haven’t heard of this software. I admit, I generally recommend the easiest solution for remote access that I have found, which is GoToMyPC, which I still use and I still think is one of the simplest ways for most people to get remote computer access without having to worry too much about installation and security. There are a lot of people out there like me who just want something that works, that offers plenty of useful features, and that lets them do their work without worrying about all the bad stuff than can come from opening your computer up to being remotely accessed from another computer!
January 11th, 2012 at 8:02 am
You may also want to try free Ammyy Admin
http://www.ammyy.com
It doesn’t require installation or specific config. It works behind gateways NAT without port mapping as well as within one LAN.
Good alternative though!
January 11th, 2012 at 5:30 pm
I checked it out. The problem is that Ammyy is free only for non-commercial/non-business use but that’s not what I use remote access for! I definitely use it for work, which is my boss’s attempt to make money, and my attempt to help. :) It’s an interesting looking program but seems a little more complicated than GoToMyPC. I’m not saying it is, because I haven’t used Ammyy, but I have used GoToMyPC extensively and it’s very easy to set up and use and no one has to be present at the host computer to allow a session to start (the first-time use instructions seem to say this is necessary to start a session). That’s extremely important to me because most of the time, no one is at the office when I need to access the computer!