3 Tools that allow you to Remotely Connect to your Computer from Anywhere

The past few years, and especially the last year has changed the way many business owners and employees work. There has been a mass adoption of virtual workspaces where people are no longer tethered to their offices. Instead the technology to make working from anywhere has increased and improved significantly and is accessible by anyone who has a working internet connection. Business can be conducted from your home, an airport, a café or (if you are lucky) on the beach. 

While many software, apps and programs are available in the cloud and can directly be accessed directly from your computer or smartphone internet browser, there are times when you need access to your actual desktop or another computer so that you can access the programs and data files that reside there. Luckily, there are numerous tools out there that allow small business owners to remotely connect to their computers .  Three of these are discussed below:

Splashtop:

This app is for anyone who wants to be able to access either their own or a client’s computer remotely.  Setting it up is very simple:  after setting up an account , you download install the software on the host computer (the computer that you want to access) by following the prompts. Once the software is installed you are able access the host computer from anywhere that you have internet access. When you click on the link the computer you will see exactly what is on the screen of the host computer.

Pricing: Starts at a very reasonable $7 per month which allows one person to access up to 2 computers. The higher plan that starts at $11 per month allows access up to two users simultaneously and 10 computers and provides additional feature which are especially useful when you provide tech support or training. Also includes remote “wake” and reboot which is useful when the computer is in sleep mode.

Comments: 

• Splashtop is cost effective solution if you work from home or you regularly need access clients computers. It can be a simpler alternative to VPN or windows remote desktop set up which can be complicated. Setting up Splashtop takes minutes and can be done by anyone who has ever installed software on their computer.

• It is important to address security concerns and implement protocols if you are giving access to your employees/tech support, since they will be able to access all data on the host computer.

• It is mostly like sitting in front of your computer. It is not, however, exactly like sitting in front of the computer you are accessing. There is slight loss of clarity and speed, which can be a little irksome, if you need to work on something at length. That being said, you do get used to it.

• Sending files to your own computer is very easy by using the transfer file functionality.

• You can add a maximum of two host computers with the basic plan. The upgraded plan increases this to 10 computers.

• They also have a variety of other applications including remote support services for IT professionals, a module for remote access for education/learning and support for larger enterprises.

• They have a 7 day free trial that allows you to test the software

• Also included is are iphone IOS and Android apps for your phone.

• Includes remote “wake” and reboot in the upgraded plan which is useful when the computer is in sleep mode.

Google Chrome Remote Desktop

Google makes it really easy to connect to your computer or share your screen using Chrome Remote Desktop.

• Similar to Splashtop, you would go to this link to install the app

• Once installed it will appear as a list of apps on your Chrome toolbar.

• You would then go the app and “turn on” remote desktop for the computer that you want to access.

• Choose a 6 digit pin and click on start. This installs the app.

• To access the app go to the same link from another computer, find the computer you want to access and enter your PIN. You will then be able to see the host computer on your current computer.

Pricing: Free

Comments:

• You need to be using Chrome as your internet browser to use this app

• The computer has to be on (not in sleep or hibernation mode) to access it. If you know that you will need to access your computer, you can go to the power settings on the host computer to make sure it stays on.

• You can access the host computer from another computer or your phone (for which you can download the Chrome RD app) You will be presented with a list of computers on which Chrome RD has been installed. Simply click the computer you want to access and enter the PIN.

• You can add an unlimited number of host computers

• There is no chat or remote printing functionality

• You can’t simply transfer files to your computer from the host computer. One alternative is to set up google drive or dropbox and save the files into a shared folder which will sync up on all the computers.

• You can’t reboot the host computer with Chrome RDP.

Generally Chrome RDP is great for those of you who occasionally want to access your computer remotely. For more robust virtual desktop access, a paid app such as Splashtop is recommended.

windows Remote Desktop Connection

Windows allows you to connect to another computer using the Remote Desktop feature.    This is a little more complicated to set up than either Splashtop or Chrome Remote Desktop , however, once done it is almost exactly like sitting in front of your computer. 

Pricing: Free

Comments:

• It isn’t included in the “home” version of Windows. Only WIndows Pro and Enterprise users can set up their computers for remote access.

• You can only access the one computer on which it is installed. So while useful if you want to access your own computer not the best choice for IT professionals and others who want to access client computers (unless each client configures it on their computer and gives you a login)

• Similar to Chrome RD and the basic version of Splashtop, you cannot reboot the host computer.

• When you are using Windows RD, the screen of the host computer is locked. This means that while you can work on it without issue, you cannot share what you’re doing with a user who is sitting in front of the host computer. Consequently it isn’t great for training purposes.

• The security features of the app allow you to limit access to specific groups

Instructions on how to set up a remote desktop connection can be found here

Having the option to connect to your computer when you need to work from home or somewhere other than your office is a great option to have especially now that so many more people are doing it.

Ronika Khanna is an accounting and finance professional who helps small businesses achieve their financial goals. She is the author of several books for small businesses and also provides financial consulting services.

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