Remote Access
Web Conferencing/Chat Apps, free of charge Host invites Guests to an On-line Meeting, screen/document Share may be available, Annotation provides a drawing tool Chat Apps (on smartphone) allow Calls (video) & Chats (text only) for work & play Minimum Broadband speed 5Mb/s (stable bandwidth) - Test using www.speedtest.net Cable connection upto double the speed of WiFi , test with a reel of Cat6 ethernet Cable, max 100m, fitted with RJ45 connectors Performance also impaired by "noisy neighbours" eg when USA wakes up (UK 2pm) or Middle East holiday (Fridays) Above 12 participants, Video Conferencing is impractical (image quality, audio interaction), present by Video Streaming instead (below) | ||
Functionality (free releases of software) | Usability (free releases of software) | |
AccuRx (Used by NHS) | Video, SMS Text [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Commercial (free to patients only) NHS (GP, Secondary care & Community) Database of some medical records (vaccinations) One-way SMS Text (eg test results) Maximum 4 participants for video consultation, no app required |
Air Chat (Apple) | Text only [iOS] | Text Connection via Bluetooth, no WiFi or cell telephony required Range ~5 metres Automatically detects people using the app around you |
AnyMeeting | Video, Screen share, Transcriber (records meeting as text) [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Free until 31/12/20 Prone to video issues Maximum 50 participants (claimed) |
Bitrix24 | Video, Screen share CRM (Customer Relationship Management) [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Android & iOS require app download Chrome extension optional Maximum 10 participants |
Blizz (TeamViewer) | Video, Screen share [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Participants download app Outlook extension optional Maximum 5 participants |
Chime Basic (Amazon) | Video (one to one), Screen share, [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Participants download app Sign-in to Amazon account |
| Discord | Text, Video, Screen share limited to games [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Popular with gamers |
| FaceTime (Facebook) | Video (one to one) [macOS, iOS] | Pre-installed with macOS, iOS |
| FreeConferenceCall.com | Video, Screen share [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Participants download app Maximum 1,000 participants (claimed) |
| G Suite (Google) | Video, File share Amalgamation of Gmail, Hangouts/Meet, Chat[Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | PCPro magazine: "Shambolic, bewildering mess" Host & Guests required to sign-in to a Google account |
Google Chat | Text only [Android, iOS] | Which? states 'to avoid' Lacks functionality Potentially useful if you use Gmail regularly |
Google Duo | Video [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS, Chrome] | Host & Guests required to sign-in to a Google account Maximum 8 participants |
Google Hangouts [Superseded] | Video, Screen share [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Peviously Google+ Replaced by Google Meet |
| Google Meet | Video, Screen share, Captions (translates audio to text) [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | All participants required to sign-in to a Google account Maximum 100 participants (claimed) Maximum 60 minute meetings (not enforced when tested) |
| GoToMeeting (LogMeIn) | Video, Screen share [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Maximum 3 participants Maximum 40 minute meetings |
| Houseparty | Video, Screen share [Android, iOS, PC/macOS Chrome] | Owned by developer of Fortnite Guests required to register (added to Directory) Chrome extension optional Maximum 8 participants |
iMessage (Apple) | Text only [macOS, iOS] | Text Connection via internet, rather than cell telephony |
Jitsi Meet* [Handy for casual meetings of more than 2 participants] | Video, Screen share [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Open Source, Easy to use Host/Guests not required to download app/register Chrome extension optional (for scheduling meetings & Office 365) Maximum 75 participants (claimed) Fun feature - Reports talk time of each participant |
Join.me | Video, Screen share [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Video prone to freezing (rejoin to unfreeze) Maximum 3 participants |
Kik | Text only [Android, iOS] | Which? states 'to avoid' Poor test scores & security issues |
Line | Video, text [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Popular in Japan Which? recommended |
| LR Remote | Video [Android, iOS] | LRQA (Lloyd's Register) remote audit (workplace tour) LRQA provides app registration |
Messenger (Facebook) | Video [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Participants require Facebook membership Which? recommended (inferior call qulaity on iOS) End-to-end encryption enabled manually (every chat) Maximum 8 participants |
| RingCentral | Video, Screen share [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Maximum 500 participants (claimed) |
| SGS QiiQ | Video [Android, iOS] | SGS remote audits (workplace tour) SGS provides app registration |
Signal [Handy for private meetings] | Text, Video [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Celebrity endorsements as a more secure rival to WhatsApp Host/Guests required to download app Which? recommended Maximum 8 participants (was limited to 5 participants) |
Skype - Meet Now (Microsoft) | Video, Text, Screen share [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Skype from 'Sky peer-to-peer' ('Skyper' domain unavailable) Access Meet Now via Skype Pre-installed with Windows 10Medicore video/audio quality Which? recommended Not supported by Firefox browser (found in 'More, Settings, Skype name:') End-to-end encryption only enabled via 'Private Conversation' Maximum 50 participants (claimed) |
Skype For Business [Superseded] | Video, Screen share, Remote control [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Replaced by Teams (Microsoft) |
| Slack | Video, File share [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | PCPro magazine: "Magnificent, a doddle to set up" 5Gb free Cloud storage |
| Snapchat | Photo/short video share [Android, iOS] | Popular with teenagers Supports 'disappearing photo/video' |
| StarLeaf | Video [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | |
Streamyard | Video, Screen share, Record meet [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Popular in Education Pre-record presentations Limited to to 20hrs/month (free version) Participants use browser access only Maximum 6 host+ participants |
Teams* (Microsoft) [Excellent, once you have managed to join a Meeting] | Video, Screen & File share, Record meet (Remote control - host pays subscription) [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Popular with Business PCPro magazine: "Microsoft Teams is mired in misery" Host required to sign-in to a Microsoft account (Sign-in required for both Web & App versions) Screen share particularly good (pin sharp resolution) File sharing works well (developed from SharePoint) Maximum 300 participants (claimed) |
Telegram | Video, Text & File share [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS, Linux] | Host/Guests required to download app PC & phone users need to download/register app for phone Which? recommended End-to-end encryption only enabled via 'Secret Chat' File share up to 2Gb No group calling (video) Maximum 200,000 members for Group Texts (claimed) |
UberConference | Video, Screen share [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Android & iOS require app download Chrome extension optional Maximum 10 participants |
Viber | Text, Video [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Which? recommended |
| Webex Meetings (Cisco) | Video, Screen share, Personal Rooms, Record meet [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Zoom's big brother from Cisco Popular with IT Companies Prone to audio issues Guests not required to download app/register Maximum 100 participants (claimed) Maximum 50 minute meetings |
WhatsApp* (Facebook) [Handy for casual meetings] | Video, Text, File share [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Host/Guests required to download app Which? recommended Secure (automatic end-to-end encryption) Data is not actually shared with Facebook Although backup to Apple/Google clouds is less secure Maximum 8 participants (video) |
| Whereby* | Video, Screen share [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Maximum 4 participants Guests not required to download app/register |
| Workplace (Facebook) | Video, Screen & File share, Remote control [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Rivals Microsoft Teams . . . Similar user interface to Facebook Unlimited Participants (maximum 50 Groups) Participants required to register their email address 5Gb free Cloud storage per person |
| YAC | Audio only, Screen share, Annotation [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | 'Yell Across Cubicles' Voice Messaging (voice mail) with transcription Maximum post 120 seconds |
| Zoho Remotely | Video, Screen & file share, Remote control [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Free until 1/7/20 Zoho is full CRM (Customer Relationship Management) Maximum 100 participants (claimed) |
Zoom* (Cisco) [Handy for Laptop/Desktop meetings that are either short or one-to-one] | Video, Screen share, Annotation, Remote control [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Market leader , Cisco/Zoom collaboration Default configuration is easy to use Advanced options include Breakout rooms, Video touch up Guests not required to download app/register Chrome extension optional (schedules Google Calendar) Security concerns exaggerated Maximum 100 participants (claimed) Maximum 40 minute meetings (Groups of 3 or more) One-to-one meetings unlimited time [Pro version unlimited time, but similar video resolution] |
ZoomIt* | Screen annotation tool (eg circles & arrows) Used in presentations (inc screen sharing) [Windows PC] | Microsoft download Use in conjunction with any video conferencing software |
* Recommended Adequate functionality, intuitive to use and no faults detected in the free release of the software | ||
Video Streaming (free of charge) Webinar is streamed live (real-time), Webcast is pre-recorded, Podcast is audio only (live or pre-recorded) Above 12 participants,Video Streaming is a better presentation method than Video Conferencing | ||
Functionality (free releases of software) | Usability (free releases of software) | |
| Vimeo | Webcast only [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | 170 million users (2020), mature users Maximum storage 500MB No adverts Can replace video & keep analytics (viewing stats) |
YouTube* | Webinar (& Webcast), Live chat [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Guests can pose questions, displayed via Live Chat Presenter responds on Webinar (live Video stream) 1 billion users (2020), mixed feedback (if activated) Unlimited storage Adverts unavoidable Replacing video loses analytics (viewing stats) PeerTube is a Fediverse equivalent |
* Recommended Adequate functionality, intuitive to use and no faults detected in the free release of the software | ||
Social Media (free of charge) Social Network is a dedicated website where users communicate with each other by posting messages, images & video Blog is a regularly updated web page, for communication from an individual to followers by posting informal messages, images & video | ||
Functionality (free releases of software) | Usability (free releases of software) | |
Blogger.com* | Blog [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Emails latest posts to followers |
BlueSky | Microblog - text, image share [Windows PC, macOS, iOS] | Under development Twitter co-founder (Jack Dorsey) is a director Depends on X (Twitter) for infrastructure |
Clubhouse | Social Network - Listen in to live conversations [iOS] | Exclusive Register via invitation from existing Clubhouse member only Similar to CB Radio (most followers are just listening) Follower may be invited to join an existing conversation Conversation is live only - not recorded by the app Maximum 5,000 people in a room (claimed) |
| Facebook (Meta) | Social Network [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Mark Zuckerberg's original Connects 'like-minded' people Personal Profile advertises your social status Add other users as friends & send messages Diaspora is a Fediverse equivalent |
Facebook Notes [Superseded] | Blog [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Cannot upload video clips or gif files |
Hive Social (Raluca Pop/ Kassandra Pop) | Photo/short video share, Direct messaging [Android, iOS] | Hybrid between Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr Explicit images permitted |
Instagram Instagram Direct (Facebook) | Photo/short video share, Direct messaging [Android, iOS] [Windows PC, macOS limited functionality] | Posts are shared publically or with followers Instagram Direct supports 'disappearing photo/video' Windows PC, macOS cannot post photos/videos Pixelfed is a Fediverse equivalent |
LinkedIn* | Social Network [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Connects professional people LinkedIn Profile is an online Curriculum Vitae Post updates to showcase professional achievements |
Mastodon (Fediverse, non profit) | Microblog - text, video share [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Federated - no centralised management team Alternative to X (Twitter) for your community Posts are largely algorithm-free Hashtag search only (not full-text searching) Toots (posts) are limited to 500 characters Boost (Retweet) cannot add own comment No secure one-to-one messaging Edit button means users themselves can moderate (block) Follow people with no obligation for them to reciprocate |
Pinterest (Reddit Inc) | Social Network - image & video share [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Majority female users Pin is an uploaded image Board is a collection of Pins dedicated to a theme Cannot 'like' a Pin |
Reddit (Reddit Inc) | Bulletin board - text, video share [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Reddit (Read-it) Users cast positive upvotes or negative downvotes for each post Reddit Premium is ad free Lemmy is a Fediverse equivalent |
Threads (Meta/Facebook) | Microblog - text, video share [Android, iOS] | Launched 2023 Not available in European Union Requires Instagram account & uses same handle Conversations (posts) are limited to 500 characters Content moderated (blocked) by Threads only Follow people with no obligation for them to reciprocate |
TikTok (ByteDance Technology, increasingly banned) | Social Network - text, Video Share, Direct Messaging [Android, iOS] | Banned on UK goverment devices Banned in many US states (because Chinese owned) Banned in India (because of a border clash with China) Not available in China (Douyin app offered instead) Facing an EU ban (non compliance with Digital Services Act) Video/music editing tools Virtual gifts (can be exchanged for money) |
Tumblr (Automattic (Wordpress)) | Microblog - text, video share [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Tumblr from 'tumblelogs' (short form blogs) Users comment, reblog & like posts via a dashboard Add tags to images to facilitate user searches |
X Twitter (Elon Musk bought for $44B) | Microblog - text, video share [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Beloved of politicians & news organisations Tweets (posts) are limited to 280 characters Content moderated (blocked) by Twitter only Follow people with no obligation for them to reciprocate Mastodon is a Fediverse equivalent |
* Recommended Adequate functionality, intuitive to use and no faults detected in the free release of the software | ||
Remote Desktop Control (free of charge) Takeover mouse & keyboard control | ||
Functionality (free releases of software) | Usability (free releases of software) | |
AnyDesk | Remote control [Windows PC, macOS] | Personal version free v Professional Popular with IT support desks |
Chrome Remote Desktop | Remote control [Windows PC, macOS] | Chrome extension PC Pro reports easy to set up |
ConnectWise Control | Remote control - host pays subscription [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | ConnectWise Control Access - IT support within your company ConnectWise Control Support - IT support outside your company Web based PC Pro recommended |
ISL Online | Remote control - host pays subscription [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Web based PC Pro recommended |
LogMeIn Rescue | Remote control - host pays subscription [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Popular with IT support desks 'Guest' required to download app & allow access |
LogMeIn GoToAssist | Remote control - host pays subscription [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Web based Popular with IT support desks |
NetSupport Manager | Remote control - host pays subscription [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Web based |
Remote Desktop Connection | Remote Control [Windows PC, macOS] | Pre-installed with Windows 7 only |
| TeamViewer | Remote control - host pays subscription [Windows PC, macOS] | Popular with IT support desks |
Quick Assist* | Remote Control [Windows PC] | Pre-installed with Windows 10 |
* Recommended Adequate functionality, intuitive to use and no faults detected in the free release of the software | ||
VPN (Virtual Private Network) for remote file access, printing, desktop control (£ Fee - to access your Server) Operating a Remote PC with a VPN connection is indistinguishable(1) from sitting at an Office-based PC that is wired directly to your Server (1)Minimum (home) Broadband 10Mb/s (stable bandwidth); Each VPN connection (into existing Server) costs approx £50/year | ||
Functionality | Usability | |
Smoothwall Open VPN | Server software charge for access [Windows PC, macOS] | Popular in education sector |
| SonicWall VPN | Server software charge for access [Windows PC, macOS] | SonicWALL security specialists have VPN products: i) NetExtender (app available from SonicWall) ii) Mobile Connect (app available in Windows 10 Store) Disconnect after each session to avoid erroring |
Windows VPN* | Server software charge for access [Windows PC] | Pre-installed with Windows 7, 10 Disconnects overnight automatically |
VPN (Virtual Private Network) or Proxy Server, for enhanced privacy/disguising location (£ Fee - to access other Servers) VPNS encrypts data, which adds protection over unsecured WiFi, although utilising a VPN simply transfers your trust to the VPN company VPN can be routed through a server abroad, so impersonating a different country of residence, allowing access to media restricted by country | ||
Functionality | Usability | |
| Express VPN (Netherlands based) | Some Server access included (94 countries) [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS, Linux] | Price ~£114/ year Download speed ~220MPS |
| NordVPN (Panama registered) | Some Server access included (59 countries) [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Price ~£106/ year Download speed ~235MPS |
| Private Internet Access* (Kape Technologies) | Some Server access included (10,000 Servers, in different countries) [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS, Linux] | Price ~£97/ year Download speed ~154MPS |
* Recommended Adequate functionality, intuitive to use and no faults detected in the free release of the software | ||
File Storage(2)/Connection for sharing PC's data with the data stored in a remote (Cloud) server (free of charge) Access PC files as normal; Accessing Cloud data is more clunky (via Web Browser) & may be limited to File transfer (for off-line editing) (2)File storage in the Cloud is an inadequate backup, as Cloud data ultimately replicates the current PC data | ||
Functionality (free releases of software) | Usability (free releases of software) | |
| Box | File sync PC data to Cloud, Version history [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Synchronising errors (sub folder files not copied over) 10GB free Cloud storage 5GB lmit on a single file size |
| Dropbox* | File sync PC data to Cloud, Version history, Document collaboration [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | The original (Dropbox released in 2008) Remarkably, can be installed without PC admin permissions Dropbox Vault is a true backup (snapshot, not synced) 2GB free Cloud storage Dropbox Plus ~£100/ year provides 2TB Cloud storage |
Foldr | File access to company (not Cloud) server [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Access all company server's files via web browser No Cloud Storage |
| Google Drive | File sync PC data to Cloud, Version history, Document collaboration [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Realtime document collaboration (shared document is edited by others before your eyes) Synchronising errors (duplicated files) Not to be confused with Google Cloud Storage 15GB free Cloud storage (but that includes Gmail data) |
Google One | Google Drive upgrade of Cloud storage | Starting price £15.99pa for 100Gb Cloud storage Required when exceed Google Drive free 15Gb Cloud storage Cloud storage can be shared between 6 users |
One Drive* | File sync PC data to Cloud [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Incorporated in Microsoft Office 365 5GB free Cloud storage |
SharePoint | One Drive syncs Sharepoint data Document collaboration [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Incorporated in Microsoft Office 365 Cloud Storage via One Drive |
Synology Drive ShareSync | File sync PC data to Cloud [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Able to choose folder location on PC |
| WeTransfer* | Document transmission [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Transmit up to 2GB of files Cloud Storage only temporay Transfer (link) expires after 7 days |
* Recommended Adequate functionality, intuitive to use and no faults detected in the free release of the software | ||
One-to-One Primarily for one-to-one communication although group (conference) facility is often available | ||
Functionality (free releases of software) | Usability (free releases of software) | |
Uniplex (unidirectional), text & image [Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | Maximum file size 10MB (most email servers) Limited by the recipient taking the time to read the email Good for confirming (record of) a conversation/transaction | |
| Telephone | Duplex (bidirectional) audio, caller display [Handset or Windows PC, Android, macOS, iOS] | i) Landline, via PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) UK PSTN will be shutdown in 2025 ii) Laptop or router, via VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) iii) Mobile phone, via terrestial network provider (line of sight) iv) Satellite phone, via satellite Answer machines vulnerable to hacking Good for reducing ambiguity & urgent communication |
SMS (Texting) | Uniplex (unidirectional), text & image if supported by network provider [Handset] | Short Message Service, via network provider (line of sight) Maximum 160 characters Not encrypted Good for urgent communication |
* Recommended Adequate functionality, intuitive to use and no faults detected in the free release of the software | ||