Best remote desktop software for small businesses

[Sa_muel]

Hi everyone!
I run a small business with a team of about five people. We're not in the tech industry, but we've recently moved to a hybrid work model. Some of the team works from home a few days a week and I occasionally need to access our work computers remotely.
I'm looking for a reliable and secure remote desktop solution that's easy to set up. Ideally, it should be cost-effective and work well across both Windows and macOS devices.
Thanks!

 

[Lind]

I’ve tried a few that I can recommend.
AnyDesk is easy to set up and use. There’s a free version, but it has some time limits.
HelpWire is free and works great on both Windows and Mac. I’ve been using it for a while and haven’t run into any issues or limits.
Windows also has its own Remote Desktop built in. It’s a bit trickier to set up and only works between Windows PCs, but it does the job and you don’t need to install anything.
TeamViewer is another solid option. It’s just as easy to use as AnyDesk, but again, the free version has limits.
Hope that helps!

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

I occasionally need to access our work computers remotely.

Why not address that rather than increase security risks?

Google, MS etc have shared drives - don't keep anything locally!

 

[ThatDevAaron]

Get business WIFI with a static IP;

Setup a secure VPN only you/authorized personnel can access.

Enable Windows RDP (Remote Desktop Protool) and setup secure authentication - only accessible if connected to the VPN via the machines local address.

Anydesk etc is overkill, this is what you need, for an enterprise-scale solution, that is easily scalable.

 

[Alfred Ng]

I’ve tried a few that I can recommend.
AnyDesk is easy to set up and use. There’s a free version, but it has some time limits.
HelpWire is free and works great on both Windows and Mac. I’ve been using it for a while and haven’t run into any issues or limits.
Windows also has its own Remote Desktop built in. It’s a bit trickier to set up and only works between Windows PCs, but it does the job and you don’t need to install anything.
TeamViewer is another solid option. It’s just as easy to use as AnyDesk, but again, the free version has limits.
Hope that helps!

for the free version, if you heavily use it (maybe anydesk think you are commercial use), it will show a count down from 9999 seconds before you can remote.

Mac has app to remote desktop to Windows machine.

 

[Martin Patfield]

I like AnyDesk but I have two monitors at home and office which is annoying when wondering why the email or document hasn't opened on the screen!

TeamViewer allows you to open two windows which is more useful

Google Chrome has a remote desktop connection.

 

[fisicx]

A VPN might be the best solution. You dial in to your desktop in the office

 

[macScot]

Hi everyone!
I run a small business with a team of about five people. We're not in the tech industry, but we've recently moved to a hybrid work model. Some of the team works from home a few days a week and I occasionally need to access our work computers remotely.
I'm looking for a reliable and secure remote desktop solution that's easy to set up. Ideally, it should be cost-effective and work well across both Windows and macOS devices.
Thanks!

Chrome Remote Desktop is free if you have gmail accounts.
RealVNC is good.

Otherwise as others have stated, set up a business VPN, some routers come with this functionality, then you can use free tools for remote screen sharing.

If you are tech savvy then you could look at Rust Desk which is open source and you can self-host it yourself.

 

[HandyChrisDIY]

I'd also go with Teamviewer - simple to use and reliable.

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

Why not address that rather than increase security risks?

Google, MS etc have shared drives - don't keep anything locally!

I agree with this even someone with my limited tech ZX81 expertise uses. cloud systems now

 

[tony84]

Is citrix still a thing?
When I was at school we could log on to our school computers from home using that.

 

[Zammo]

Hi Sa_muel, why do they need to access their office desktops? Are they accessing the office via work-supplied laptops or on their own devices at home? Are you a Microsoft 365 user or a Google user? Are the applications you use in your business not SaaS based applications that you can access via the internet directly? How about using virtual desktops that can be accessed remotely?

There are many factors you should consider. Do you have an existing remote IT support provider? Consider making sure all access is secure and would allow your business to achieve a Cyber Essentials accreditation. If not, then you are risking your data and reputation.

What about remote communications tools for customer communications and inter-staff communications?

Sorry, lots of questions. But these should be answered while finding the best solution for your specific circumstances and the combination of applications that you and your staff use.

 

[DaveITGuy]

Rust is good alternative to Teamviewer, otherwise Teamviewer is good but can get expensive