Free Remote Access and Screen Sharing Tools

Free Remote Access Tools

Logmein.com offers a remote access service that's very similar to GotoMyPC. Although it may be a little confusing when perusing the Logmein website, the 'Logmein Free' option is what you want - not a free trial of the paid product. After filling out the form, just download and install the LogMeIn software on the PC or Mac computer you want to access. Then log into your LogMeIn Free account from another computer and click the icon corresponding to the computer you want to control. Just as with GotoMyPC, you'll have complete access to the remote desktop, files and applications just as if you were sitting in front of it.
I used GotoMyPC for over a year before I discovered Logmein Free. And now, several years later, I've found that LogMeIn does just about everything I need in a remote access tool. There's also a paid LogMeIn Pro option, which gives you additional features such as file transfer, remote sound (so you can hear what's coming from the remote speakers), and the ability to print remote files on your local computer.
Crossloop is a free screen-sharing tool that can connect two PC or Mac computers. Here's how it works: Both parties download and run the tiny Crossloop program, then the person who wants help clicks the Share tab, and send the access code to the helper. The helper clicks the Access tab, enters the code, and Crossloop ensures the right machines get connected to one another through the magic of the Internet. Crossloop just works, and doesn't require either party to muck with obscure firewall or router settings.
TeamViewer is another free, full-featured remote desktop program. You can control another computer that's connected to the Internet, or share files with a group of co-workers. TeamViewer works on Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Apple, and Android devices. You can also initiate a remote desktop session over the Web without any downloads.
UltraVNC is designed specifically for tech support applications. It is a free, open-source program developed by people who do tech support for a living, so it has numerous bells and whistles designed for such work. No host software is required with the SingleClick addon. Text chat is supported so you can talk to a client while showing him or her what to do visually. UltraVNC supports multiple monitors for tech support reps who have several clients going at once. It works with Windows and Linux computers. If you turn on the hidden VNC client in Mac OS X, you can connect to a Mac with UltraVNC.

Which Remote Access Tool is Best?

If you want a simple way to quickly connect to another person's computer without the need to install any software, try the web version of TeamViewer. With a few clicks, both parties can securely connect to initiate a screen sharing session.
You may be looking for a solution that enables you to login remotely to another computer, without any action being taken on the other end. Maybe you travel with a laptop, and want to login to your home or office computer. Or maybe you have an unattended offsite server where you occasionally need to login. For those cases, I recommend either UltraVNC or LogMein Free. Both allow you to install a small agent program on the remote computer, which sits and waits for your request to login. I use both, for the precise reasons given above.
If you have a friend or relative who often needs computer help, these free tools are the next best thing to being right there beside them. They may actually be better, since you don't have to travel to their home in order to help them solve their computer or Internet problems.