TeamViewer Review

If you provide remote access support, it’s crucial that the software is easy to download and set up because the person on the other end isn’t necessarily tech-savvy. And if you’re primarily interested in accessing specific machines, you want software that you can sign in securely and leave running in the background. TeamViewer does both of these things extremely well, along with offering some of the smoothest remote controls on the market. It works across platforms and is free for non-commercial use. It’s a bit pricey for business use, but that doesn’t stop it from earning our Editors’ Choice award for remote access software.

How much does TeamViewer cost?

TeamViewer sells a variety of services, mostly for businesses, but here I focus on TeamViewer for single users. Single users can choose a free option for personal use only, a plan called TeamViewer Remote Access ($298.80 per year), and TeamViewer Business ($610.80).

For a long time, the free version had all the features of TeamViewer, but now this limited. In short, free users don’t get video or audio chat, can only transfer one file, and can only add up to three managed devices. Beyond that, though, home users get everything TeamViewer has to offer, which is perfect for paid people Volunteer tech support for friends and family.

The TeamViewer Remote Access plan allows a licensed individual to access up to three unattended devices. TeamViewer Business allows one licensed person to manage up to 200 computers, and you get phone support and some other business-oriented features. Beyond that, plans are set up for teams and initiatives. They cost much more and allow for more licensed users.

TeamViewer’s business prices are at the top of the range for what you want to pay. RemotePC, which is similar, doesn’t have a free version, but paid plans for individuals (not businesses) start at $29.50 a year. The cheapest business plan with multiple licenses starts at $99.50 a year. Like TeamViewer, GoToMyPC is primarily aimed at businesses and starts at $498 per year.

Canceling a TeamViewer plan is a bit of a hassle as you can’t do it on the website. Users are asked to email the support team instead.

Is TeamViewer really free?

The free version of TeamViewer is powered by an AI designed to detect commercial activity that blocks access to users deemed suspicious. Some legitimate home users are caught and cut off by the AI. Many negative reviews on Google Play or the App Store complain about accounts being deactivated automatically and without warning. Such instances tend to be extreme, however. One such reviewer claims to be using TeamViewer to play PC games on their Mac, and I find it understandable that the bandwidth required would look like a commercial use of an algorithm. (virtualization software or Steam Remote Play They’d be better served anyway.) In any case, users can appeal, so it’s more of a nuisance than a deal breaker.

TeamViewer platform support

TeamViewer offers clients for macOS, Linux, and mobile platforms. I tested the software on computers running Windows 10, Windows 11, and macOS 14 and found that all these versions supported all the features I expected. The macOS version of TeamViewer is feature-complete—nothing is missing or not working.

Is TeamViewer safe to use?

According to the company, TeamViewer is protected by end-to-end 256-bit AES encryption, multi-factor authentication (which you should absolutely use), and other industry-grade security features. The company is certified according to SOC2, HIPAA/HITECH, ISO/IEC 27001, and ISO 9001:2015.

Still, some amount of security is up to you. The most important safety measures are: never Install remote access software if someone you don’t know tells you to. Cyber ​​criminals can take advantage of remote access software to gain access to your computer, personal information and financial accounts. For example, if someone claiming to be tech support calls you to “diagnose a problem” or “fix your bank account,” asks you to install a remote access app, hangs up—the person you’re talking to is a Call the dedicated phone number for the company in question instead of the scammer and ask if you have a problem to resolve.

Getting Started with TeamViewer

Remote access software, by nature, needs to be installed on at least two machines: the computer you want to access remotely and the one you’re connecting from. It’s best if the process is straightforward, especially if you have to talk someone through the installation over the phone.

To get started, visit TeamViewer.com and download the client. TeamViewer is in the middle of rolling out a new user interface for the desktop application to connect to devices—starting in July 2024, you have the option of using the legacy interface or the new one (shown below). I found the old interface easier to navigate than the new one, which appears to be based on the web version of TeamViewer, although it’s still a work in progress. However, the changes are purely cosmetic, as the actual process of remotely accessing other devices has not changed regardless of the interface you use.

The new interface requires a TeamViewer account, which you can get for free if the account is for personal use. This requirement may point to a new change and a future where all TeamViewer users need an account to control other computers. Users who prefer the old system, which did not require an account, can continue to use the old interface for now.

The new user interface streamlines the connection process. You can now send a link to anyone whose computer you want to access Previously, you required the person to go to TeamViewer, download the software, and give you their ID and password. But now, you can create a session and send the user a link for the session. The link guides the person through downloading TeamViewer, and along the way, it checks that the user knows what they’re doing. It’s a good balance between ease of use and security. The legacy system, with TeamViewer IDs and passwords, is still available if you prefer.

Note that it is possible to set up TeamViewer on multiple devices and control one from the other without this process. This is ideal if, for example, you want to take control of your desktop computer while you’re on the road with your laptop or want to grab a file from that computer.

Smooth controls

I tested TeamViewer both on my local home network and outside in Portland, Oregon, near a food cart pod that doesn’t have particularly great Wi-Fi. I’ve connected a Macbook, an iPad and a laptop running Windows 11 to a Windows 10 machine. TeamViewer has done a great job with all these combinations

On my local network, I hardly notice when I’m using remote access software. Everything is more or less felt in real time. I can browse the web, write a document, even edit photos over the network with only occasional problems caused by lag. The results aren’t quite as smooth from my home, but I still have no problem accessing other machines. Lag is not a problem.

TeamViewer supports system audio sharing, which, in my tests, worked flawlessly. I could listen to music without much interruption. On my local network, I can even watch a video with sound like this, albeit a bit stuttering. It worked better than other apps I tested, including Remote PC and GoToMyPC. TeamViewer offers audio sharing on Windows and macOS computers, unlike GoToMyPC, which can only share audio from Windows.

File sharing (and your face)

TeamViewer offers a file-transfer mode for any device connected to you. It features a two-pane file browser, available for sending and receiving all files on both computers, allowing you to transfer files directly from one folder to another on a device.

TeamViewer includes audio and video chat (paid accounts only) so you can see and talk to the computer you’re helping to control. A whiteboard feature lets you draw on the screen so you can point things out, which is handy when using TeamViewer to provide support. With audio and video chat and whiteboard features, you can speak out loud, draw on parts of the screen for emphasis, and even look the person you’re working with in the eye. The only other remote management app we’ve reviewed that has a whiteboard is Remote PC. TeamViewer allows you to record a remote session (paid accounts only).

Verdict: Almost flawless remote access

Remote access software is borderline magic when it works well, allowing you to view and control one computer from another. TeamViewer has been providing this practical magic since 2005, and it shows. Whether you’re providing technical support for someone else or need access to your own computer from the road, every potential stumbling block seems to be anticipated. This makes TeamViewer our Editors’ Choice winner for remote access software, especially for free personal use, and our go-to app for remotely running our own computers.