Log me in (AKA logmein) no longer free! Alternatives?

I logged into my account today to find out the free version will be discontinued in 7 days. The entry level paid version only allows 2 computers at $100 / year. It is discounted to $50 right now but that just won't work for me since I use it to support many family members that each require help a few times a year. What are good alternatives that support Apple and Windows?

I use Jump Desktop from iOS and Android devices. It does what I need it to do. It has Mac support now. I only started using it because the mobile clients were free when I was looking for a replacement for whatever I used before.

TeamViewer. Although I imagine it is only a matter of time for them too.

Dramatic Marlin wrote:

TeamViewer. Although I imagine it is only a matter of time for them too.

I was using Splashtop and recently moved to TeamViewer.

Splashtop has faster response but limited to the same LAN (or pay for premium).
TeamViewer stutters a bit, but works just fine over mobile AND LAN.

Hope it stays free.

There's a bunch of free Android based apps as well.

Yeah, I was pretty bummed that there wasn't much warning.

I just started playing with Chrome Remote Desktop this morning, and it works quite nice so far.

There are no mobile apps yet, but they are incoming for Android and iOS.

Chrome remote desktop looks neat but It sounds like I would need to be logged onto chrome on the other computers for unattended access?

I will check out Teamviewer. Is there a limit to how many computers will work with the free one?

EvilDead wrote:

Chrome remote desktop looks neat but It sounds like I would need to be logged onto chrome on the other computers for unattended access?

I will check out Teamviewer. Is there a limit to how many computers will work with the free one?

You just need to install a small helper executable. Some people A) don't like unnecessary processes cluttering up things and B) don't trust Google with a random widget that is always running, but I've found it to be extremely useful for getting to my desktop.

join.me

Free and uses the same tech as logmein...

fangblackbone wrote:

join.me

Free and uses the same tech as logmein...

Just checked out the home page... and it doesn't look free anymore either.

I use crossloop for my family support. I have to walk them through the 'allowing' portion but I'd rather it not be on all the time either.

fangblackbone wrote:

join.me

I use this quite a bit and while it may use the same tech behind LogMeIn it most assuredly doesn't work anything like it. No clicking on certain UI elements and it will not even show you if a UAC warning pops up. Does not work without another human at the other keyboard.

No clicking on certain UI elements and it will not even show you if a UAC warning pops up. Does not work without another human at the other keyboard.

These are definitely some of the setbacks for it. The other is typically the person on the other end can't figure out how to install the small app on their end so it takes more hand holding there.

Dramatic Marlin wrote:

TeamViewer. Although I imagine it is only a matter of time for them too.

I cam to post this. I have been using it and it works just fine. I only use it for helping family with little stuff but it has been decent.

Michael wrote:

You just need to install a small helper executable. Some people A) don't like unnecessary processes cluttering up things and B) don't trust Google with a random widget that is always running, but I've found it to be extremely useful for getting to my desktop.

Yeah, but does that executable keep you logged into your gmail / chrome account on the respective PC? I don't want others having access to my email and files.

EvilDead wrote:
Michael wrote:

You just need to install a small helper executable. Some people A) don't like unnecessary processes cluttering up things and B) don't trust Google with a random widget that is always running, but I've found it to be extremely useful for getting to my desktop.

Yeah, but does that executable keep you logged into your gmail / chrome account on the respective PC? I don't want others having access to my email and files.

If you are using it to connect two of your own computers unattended, then this should not be an issue if your pcs are locked and password protected.

However, if you are using it for remote assistance, there is a separate option for that. I have not tested it yet, but I presume another user will also need a Google account and would have to stand by to swap auth codes.

PaladinTom wrote:

However, if you are using it for remote assistance, there is a separate option for that. I have not tested it yet, but I presume another user will also need a Google account and would have to stand by to swap auth codes.

It would be for remote assistance. For logmein I just installed the client and they would call me whenever they wanted me to log in (usually to remove whatever they downloaded that changed their homepage). I have tried the Logmein rescue before with my aunt and that was a nightmare because it requires the user to run a web app. It probably took me 20 minutes to get her to stop typing the URL into the Google search bar.

I have tried the Logmein rescue before with my aunt and that was a nightmare because it requires the user to run a web app. It probably took me 20 minutes to get her to stop typing the URL into the Google search bar.

Welcome to my world. Except it is much worse when the person on the other end is a phd that blames you for their inability to use a computer.

fangblackbone wrote:
I have tried the Logmein rescue before with my aunt and that was a nightmare because it requires the user to run a web app. It probably took me 20 minutes to get her to stop typing the URL into the Google search bar.

Welcome to my world. Except it is much worse when the person on the other end is a phd that blames you for their inability to use a computer.

Haha, I feel your pain. I work for a PC based ultrasound company and I deal with doctors daily. Very few of them know how to navigate Windows and practically none of them are pleasant about it.

I'll second the recommendation for Teamviewer ... when I had a decent internet connection, I used it for transferring files between campus and home. The college I graduated from also has a license for it for the helpdesk ...

Eezy_Bordone wrote:

I use crossloop for my family support. I have to walk them through the 'allowing' portion but I'd rather it not be on all the time either.

I was a longtime Crossloop user for that reason. It definitely wasn't as powerful as other remote software, but it was easy to initiate and wasn't always on. Then around mid January, without notice, it stopped working.

Then this went up:

To support our rapidly growing AVG CloudCare offering, AVG Technologies in 2012 acquired some of CrossLoop’s assets, including the service provided at the www.crossloop.com website. AVG has made the business decision to no longer provide the remote support and management tools available through the CrossLoop website.

Effective today, January 31, 2014, the CrossLoop website at www.crossloop.com and related products and services are no longer available (pursuant to the terms of use available at http://www.crossloop.com/termsofserv...). This announcement applies to any and all versions of the product, including paid and free releases. It will no longer be possible to register for a user account, or purchase or access the CrossLoop website, services or products.

AVG is providing a full refund on valid, active subscriptions. If you feel you are entitled to a refund but have not received one by February 28, 2014, please notify us at [email protected].

If you wish to contact us directly with regards to your account, or for any other questions, please contact us at [email protected].

We thank you for being a customer.

I've been using the ScreenConnect trial for the last couple weeks but don't like it near as well as Crossloop.

Thanks for the recommendations on Teamviewer guys. It seems to be filling the Logmein gap well. Is there a limit to the number of PCs I can add to my free account?

I do use TeamViewer. My friend around me did gave it bad rep, but with Logmein going premium, they changed their minds.

I do love TeamViewer, as I use it to help my folks thru that tool, which are 8-9 hours drive away.

I just came across Pertino earlier. Free for 3 devices. No personal experience with it.

Just wanted to throw my support behind teamviewer.

As a guy who used logmein ignition on the iphone/ipod touch for years (and years--originally bought about 8 years ago to circumvent highschool blocks to playing runescape [....i mean who didn't, right?!?1...RIGHT?!?!??!11]), and finally switched over to android, I had to switch to a new (FREE) service as well.

Frankly, I haven't found any real difference in my standard usage of controlling my computer from a remote place. It feels just-the-same to me (though on a larger phone).

Oh, and hearthstone plays well enough

Evanatious wrote:

Just wanted to throw my support behind teamviewer.

As a guy who used logmein ignition on the iphone/ipod touch for years (and years--originally bought about 8 years ago to circumvent highschool blocks to playing runescape [....i mean who didn't, right?!?1...RIGHT?!?!??!11]), and finally switched over to android, I had to switch to a new (FREE) service as well.

Frankly, I haven't found any real difference in my standard usage of controlling my computer from a remote place. It feels just-the-same to me (though on a larger phone).

Oh, and hearthstone plays well enough

If you paid for Ignition, didn't you get grandfarthered in to LogMeIn?

PaladinTom wrote:
Evanatious wrote:

Just wanted to throw my support behind teamviewer.

As a guy who used logmein ignition on the iphone/ipod touch for years (and years--originally bought about 8 years ago to circumvent highschool blocks to playing runescape [....i mean who didn't, right?!?1...RIGHT?!?!??!11]), and finally switched over to android, I had to switch to a new (FREE) service as well.

Frankly, I haven't found any real difference in my standard usage of controlling my computer from a remote place. It feels just-the-same to me (though on a larger phone).

Oh, and hearthstone plays well enough

If you paid for Ignition, didn't you get grandfarthered in to LogMeIn?

It appears that they gave me a six-month free trial, but no actual love past that. Either way, if I understand Ignition correctly it would be based on a per-device basis. I bought it for iOS, and unfortunately there is no way of transferring that to my Android phone.

Basically whenever I even think about looking into it, I just launch my teamviewer app, and it works as well as LogMeIn has for me in the past--less the above headaches.

You can try using RHUB`s remote support servers for remotely accessing MAC and Windows computers from anywhere. It is easy to use and best part is, it is only one time cost as compared to hosted services.

Arise!

Does anyone have any thoughts on Chrome Remote Desktop (CRD) vs TeamViewer?

I use TeamViewer to access my Mom and In-Law's computer and will probably continue to do so because the Win8 and iPad apps are quite nice, but I'm considering CRD for a few personal computers of mine now that they finally released their iPad app.

I don't like the idea of leaving a client running all the time, but I understand it's a necessary evil. Is Chrome's any more lightweight than TeamViewer's? There's also the issue of security which I confess absolute ignorance of, except having pretty good passwords for both Google and TeamViewer.

Thoughts?

Well, if it is anything like Chromecast, the desktop client works better than the mobile client. That being said, I find streaming through Chrome to be very seamless. (netflix and youtube are my primary streams)

For a while if my wife used the netflix app on her iphone or ipad we would have to pause, stop, rewind on the desktop. They have since added more features to the mobile app. I haven't completely ruled out that this may be a Netflix problem and not a Chromecast problem.