Expert’s Rating
Pros
- Free for private use
- Easy to make use of
- Fast and dependable
- Supports desktop and cell gadgets
- Doesn’t require set up to make use of
Cons
- Main display can initially confuse new customers
- Occasional nags without spending a dime customers
Our Verdict
TeamViewer is straightforward, free for private use, and ticks all of the distant management software program bins corresponding to chat and file switch. Meetings and distant video assist are additionally a part of the deal in case you pony up for a subscription.
Price When Reviewed
Free
Best Prices Today
TeamViewer is distant connectivity software program for PCs that’s as highly effective as they arrive, but free for private use, and simple sufficient for the uninitiated. I’ve used it extensively with computer-challenged family members—to nice reward and profit.
Features
Like all distant management software program, TeamViewer permits you to log onto one other pc and use it as if it had been your individual. If your older family members are having an issue logging on to their checking account, have them obtain and run/set up TeamViewer, name you with the ID and password, and you’ll go surfing and clarify stuff. (Or, extra doubtless, merely repair the issue.)
Once you’re logged on, you may also assist them arrange the pc for unattended entry, so that they don’t should repeat the obtain/set up course of or give you the ID and password. As the identify of the perform implies, they don’t have to truly be on the pc both. So lengthy because it’s nonetheless operating, you’re good to go.
On the opposite hand, in case you’re safety aware, you possibly can depart unattended entry disabled. If you’re actually, actually safety aware, TeamViewer additionally affords the choice whenever you run the installer to easily run this system for a single session.
Normally, you’ll view the remotely managed pc’s desktop in a window on the machine you’re controlling it from. Note the choices on the high of the window proven beneath. On the opposite finish, TeamViewer will open a tab within the decrease right-hand portion of the helpee’s desktop.
This serves to inform them that there’s somebody remotely logged onto the machine (the desktop background additionally turns black), and in addition gives the mechanism to finish the session at any time. You can see it within the display seize beneath in its retracted state.
TeamViewer additionally permits file transfers, has a chat perform, helps a number of shows, and can preserve monitor of all of the computer systems you’ve logged onto you probably have an account. Without one, it nonetheless remembers IDs (which don’t usually change) although you’re by yourself as to which is which.
As of March 2020, at the start of the what, TeamViewer additionally applied a conferences perform. Yes, one other participant you most likely didn’t learn about within the rush to Zoom. The firm can be providing distant video assist alongside the identical traces.
There are TeamViewer purchasers obtainable for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. You can just about management any machine from some other machine. Nice.
Interface
TeamViewer’s interface is clear, easy, and simple—as soon as it. The one recurring challenge I’ve had with new, and even repeat helpees is that they usually don’t spot the ID and password immediately. Take a glance beneath.
The drawback is that eye is drawn to the far-right column due to the daring blue components—particularly the one that claims “Connect.” Understandably, new customers will gravitate to this button. I’m so used to this, I simply make clear “middle column” after I sense hesitation.
Anyone who’s savvy sufficient to manage one other pc utilizing TeamViewer must be able to finding that performance. If the display beneath had been offered to the potential control-ee, it will reduce down on loads of clarify time.
Perhaps separate management and entry on the lefthand navigation pane, and have this system keep in mind which part you had been on. That means, each helper and helpees would all the time see solely the pertinent choices.
Pricing and plans
While TeamViewer is free for you and me, the corporate is just not Google with a gold mine of a search engine–it makes its cash within the enterprise and huge enterprise sector. If you’re a small to medium enterprise, or IT with distant management wants, a TeamViewer account makes loads of sense. For the common person, not a lot. The picture beneath reveals why.
For mentioned companies with the necessity, there’s nothing higher for distant management, or higher supported that I’m conscious of. And IT contractors can simply cowl the associated fee by way of buyer billing. Also, the pricing seems like a cut price whenever you begin including PCs to a service corresponding to GoToMyPC.
TeamViewer is free for infrequent, private use. Don’t abuse it. If you do use this system too usually, you’ll get dialogs providing you a pay model. I’m undecided what occurs in case you ignore mentioned “warnings,” as I by no means have, however clearly there’s some telemetry between the corporate and the purchasers.
Indeed, on the very least, preliminary communications require a visit to TeamViewer’s portal to re-route communications in accordance with the IDs concerned.
Performance
I’ve used TeamViewer a whole bunch of instances over time, and it’s all the time functioned completely. And in as of late of ever-expanding bandwidth, it may be surprisingly facile. I’ve transferred recordsdata, helped out my sister, mom, and associates with nary an hiccup.
Used on an area community, TeamViewer additionally seeks the shortest route as soon as IDs have been exchanged, so most knowledge by no means travels outdoors the LAN, making management very fast.
The best, most full freebie
As TeamViewer is free for private, occasional use and much simpler to arrange than VNC, Microsoft’s and Apple’s Remote desktops, and others, it’s what I take advantage of for advert hoc help. That mentioned, Chrome Remote Desktop, although not as full featured is a competitor.
Kudos to TeamViewer for offering it. It actually is a lily among the many thorns, so use it as the corporate requests.