Splashtop is a remote software solution that supports businesses and teams. It allows users to remotely access their Windows and Mac computers and other shared devices, including iOS, Android and Chrome browser/Chromebook.
This application is designed with central management of user remote access in mind, so it works great for small to medium businesses with their own IT staff who may need to perform service and support of remote office machines.
Splashtop offers Business Access in two versions: Solo and Pro. It also offers SOS (formerly Service Desk), Remote Support (previously Remote Desktop) and Enterprise, which combines the features of SOS and Remote Support.
While your needs will determine the exact product offerings you may want to pursue, we will primarily be discussing the key points of Business Access Pro in this synopsis.
Splashtop most likely will be better known by our Insightful Accountant readership community. One reason I suspect this is that former users of TeamViewer who had to migrate to a paid subscription may find Splashtop a more economical alternative to their current subscription costs.
Not having been exposed to Splashtop previously, I cannot tell you what the product was like before I performed this analysis. As I understand it, Splashtop has undergone some significant updates to both the overall design and functionality.
As a result, even with a lower cost, Splashtop seems to offer advanced features and functionalities that many of the other products in the group we have been reviewing provide at higher prices.
Unlike many other products we have reviewed, Splashtop is a two-app product that requires one app to be installed on the remote computer and one to be installed on the computer from which remote control will take place.
Image source: Splashtop
To use Splashtop, you must have the Splashtop Remote Software app installed on any computer or mobile device from which you want the remote to take place. You also must install the Splashtop Streamer on the target computer you want to access remotely (shown in the figure above).
You can then make the connection between the devices (shown below).
Image source: Splashtop
When you connect to the remote device, the remote desktop appears on your local computer in a single window (shown below). If the remote computer has multiple monitors, you can choose to view each remote monitor on separate monitors on your computer or view them in a single window together.
Image source: Splashtop
Your remote window also features a toolbar to open a file-transfer menu (featuring drag-and-drop between computers) or log out or restart from the remote's menu or disconnect. The Pro version of the software also provides remote wake and reboot, desktop sharing and chat.
Splashtop includes a feature to record the remote screen session, which is saved on your local computer. Splashtop also offers a blank screen feature (shown below), which prevents others from seeing what you're doing while you are remotely controlling their computer.
Image source: Splashtop
Splashtop lets you broadcast your Windows desktop in view-only mode via a web link that can be viewed in almost any browser without requiring an app or plug-in to be downloaded.
In addition, Splashtop provides remote printing—select the file you need from the remote computer and print it on your local printer instantly without transferring the file to be printed.
Another neat feature is having two team members remotely access one computer simultaneously from different devices, although two Pro licenses are required (one license for each device accessing the remote computer).
Security settings are very good with Splashtop. You get multi-level password security, session idle timeout, remote connection, and more.
For example, you are required to authenticate every new device you attempt to make a connection with via sending an email with an authentication link. A setting on the Streamer allows the remote device to be configured whether it will require a Windows login or a security code when connecting (shown below).
Image source: Splashtop
Yes, Splashtop provides cloud-based infrastructure security with 256-bit AES encryption because it is hosted on AWS (Amazon Web Services).
If you want to explore alternatives in remote access and support software, head over to its website. It also offers a free 7-day (no credit card required) trial, which will help you decide if one of its products is right for you.
Footnotes and Disclosures:
Portions of this feature, including graphical artwork contained therein, have been used or adapted from content appearing on the Splashtop website or within their media materials. Splashtop, Splashtop Business Access and other Splashtop products mentioned are registered trademarks of Splashtop, Inc. Splashtop Inc. (founded in 2006 as DeviceVM) is headquartered in Cupertino, California (USA). All referenced source materials used, adapted or otherwise appearing within this Insightful Accountant feature are furnished solely for educational purposes.
Any other trade names used within this article, including any other vendor (app/software) discussed herein, refer to products that may be registered, trademarked or otherwise held by their respective owners. They are referenced solely for informational and educational purposes.
This is an editorial feature, not sponsored content. No vendor within this article has paid Insightful Accountant or the author any form of remuneration to be included within this feature. The article is provided solely for informational and educational purposes.
The publication of this article, nor the inclusion of this product within any related series, does not represent an endorsement by either the author or Insightful Accountant.
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