In recent years, screen sharing has grown to be an indispensable tool for general and IT businesses alike. At RDS-Tools, we understand the need for robust and efficient solutions that cater to businesses of all sizes. Read on for an in-depth overview of screen sharing and its benefits, followed by a run-down of our top pick of screen sharing tools for 2024, including our own RDS-Tools software and some promising contenders.

RDS-Tools Remote Support is designed to meet the unique needs of remote desktop services (RDS) environments, providing seamless screen sharing and remote control functionalities. Whether you sell IT software and solutions or SaaS or work in IT for a larger company, this article aims to help you in your search for the ideal solution to fit your current collaborative support needs. Indeed, to help you navigate your options, we have created a checklist to determine your specific needs and find the best solution.

Understanding Screen Sharing

Screen sharing involves allowing them to see what you see via the internet by broadcasting your device's screen, while controlling other screens acts similarly but in reverse. This process is crucial for collaborative projects and network-wide updates, software demos and virtual meetings, training and remote IT support. By sharing screens, your agents can offer guided assistance or present information effectively to clients, as well as work together seamlessly, regardless of their physical location.

Checklist for Choosing Screen Sharing Software

Choosing a screen sharing tool, as with any product, requires knowing what you are after and how much you can spend. Consider your needs according to the checklist below to make sense of the information and pick amongst the available products those which suit your company. This should bring you a great deal closer to allowing users to share their visual workspace in real-time whatever your budget .

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1. Collaboration Needs

• Type of Collaboration:
  • Are you conducting virtual meetings, training sessions, or providing remote support?
  • Do you need features like co-browsing, annotations, or file sharing?
• Frequency:
  • How often will you be using the screen sharing software?
  • Is it for daily team meetings or occasional client presentations?

2. User Base

• Number of Users:
  • How many team members will be using the software?
  • Do you need to accommodate large groups or one-on-one sessions?
• Technical Expertise:
  • What is the technical skill level of your users?
  • Is the software intuitive enough for non-technical users?

3. Infrastructure Compatibility

• Operating Systems:
  • What operating systems are in use (Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android)?
• Devices:
  • Will users be accessing the software from desktops, laptops, tablets, or smartphones?
• Network Requirements:
  • Do you have the necessary bandwidth to support high-quality screen sharing sessions?

4. Security Requirements

• Data Protection:
  • Does the software offer encryption and secure access controls?
• Compliance:
  • Are there specific regulatory requirements (e.g., GDPR) your organization must adhere to?

5. Feature Set

• Core Features:
  • Does the software include essential features like screen sharing, remote control, and session recording?
• Advanced Features:
  • Are features like virtual whiteboards, meeting scheduling, and integration with other tools important to your workflow?

6. Budget

• Cost:
  • What is your budget for screen sharing software?
• Pricing Models:
  • Are you looking for free tools, subscription-based plans, or one-time purchases?
• Scalability:
  • Does the pricing model allow you to scale as your team grows?

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Taking Stock to Choose Methodically

By exploring product features and comparing key players on the market with some upcoming screen sharing software innovators, you can decide on a better solution for your needs. Whether yours is a small business or a large enterprise, there is a screen sharing tool that can help you better collaborate with your team to carry out great teamwork from anywhere.

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Explore these options, consider your requirements and choose the screen sharing software that will keep your remote operations running smoothly.

Screen Sharing Software Pick

Based on the above checklist, here are details of our pick amongst top screen sharing tools and upcoming developers available. They offer a range of features to meet various professional screen sharing and control needs.

1. RDS-Tools Remote Support: Quick and Easy

Best For: Enterprises, MSPs, SaaS, SMBs.
Favourite Features: Remote desktop control with 2FA security, cross-platform compatibility, chat support, copy-paste and clipboard, unattended, wake-on-LAN.
Special Notes: seamless integration with RDS environments, cross-platform capabilities and self-hosted well-distributed servers worldwide for greater security and speed.

Price: Subscription. From $8 per month per user. See website. Or contact for special requirements pricing.

Description:

RDS Tools Remote Support provides a comprehensive suite of features tailored for solo IT agents and teams alike. Designed for ease of use and high security, it is an ideal solution for businesses seeking to carry out efficient remote assistance and use strong stable screen sharing capabilities. The software enables remote sessions between Windows and Mac OS using the relevant RDP client, ensuring broad compatibility and smooth operation across various devices. With robust security measures like two-factor authentication and secure session recordings, RDS-Tools Remote Support stands out as a reliable choice for maintaining secure and effective remote support operations.

2. TeamViewer: Secure Remote Support

Best For: Enterprises, SMBs.
Favourite Features: Remote control, session recording.
Special Notes: High security, ideal for remote support.
Price: Remote Access £24.90/month/user, Business £50.90/month/user, Premium £112.90/month/user, Corporate £229.80/month/user.

Description:
TeamViewer is a top choice for remote support and access, offering secure and reliable screen sharing and remote control capabilities. Its features include session recording, which is useful for training and documentation. TeamViewer supports a wide range of devices and operating systems, making it a flexible solution for businesses needing to support remote workers or clients. With its robust security measures, TeamViewer ensures that all remote sessions are safe and compliant with industry standards, making it an essential tool for IT support teams.

3. Google Meet: Seamlessly Integrated

Best For: Individuals, SMBs.
Favourite Features: Integration with Google Workspace, ease of use.
Special Notes: Ideal for users within the Google ecosystem, supports up to 100 participants on the free plan.
Price: Free for personal use, Business Starter £7/month/user, Business Standard £12/month/user, Business Plus £18/month/user.

Description:
Google Meet is a natural choice for teams already using Google Workspace. Its seamless integration with Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Drive enhances productivity by streamlining workflows. The platform supports high-quality video and screen sharing capabilities, making it ideal for meetings and collaborative work. The free version accommodates up to 100 participants, which is sufficient for many SMBs. Although its feature set is more limited compared to some competitors, its ease of use and strong integration with other Google tools make it a convenient option for those deeply embedded in the Google ecosystem.

4 . Microsoft Teams: Collaboration Powerhouse

Best For: Enterprises, SMBs.
Favourite Features: deep Office365 integration, digital whiteboard, real-time document collaboration, video conferencing.
Special Notes: Ideal for users heavily invested in the Microsoft ecosystem, extensive feature set.
Price: Free, Microsoft 365 Business Basic £5/month/user, Microsoft 365 Business Standard £12.50/month/user, Office 365 E3 £20/month/user.

Description:
Microsoft Teams is a comprehensive collaboration tool that integrates deeply with Office 365 applications. Its video conferencing and screen sharing features are complemented by digital whiteboards, file sharing and real-time document collaboration. This makes it an excellent choice for businesses heavily invested in the Microsoft ecosystem. While its extensive feature set can have a learning curve, it offers robust solutions for large teams, enhancing productivity and communication across various departments.

5. Zoom: Popular and Feature-Rich

Best For: Enterprises, Individuals, SMBs.
Favourite Features: Video conferencing, multiple screen sharing, breakout rooms, annotations, high-definition video and audio.
Special Notes: Widely adopted, integrates with numerous third-party apps, strong security features.
Price: Free, Pro £14.99/month/user, Business £19.99/month/user, Enterprise: contact for pricing.

Description:
Popular during the pandemic, Zoom has become a household name in video conferencing. Its comprehensive suite of features is indeed adapted both for personal and professional use. Additionally, its robust screen sharing capabilities allow multiple participants to share their screens simultaneously, making it ideal for collaborative meetings. Zoom's breakout rooms and annotation tools enhance interaction and engagement during sessions. The platform's high-definition video and audio ensure clear communication, while its extensive third-party integrations and strong security measures, including end-to-end encryption, make it a trusted choice for individuals, SMBs and enterprises.

6. Webex: Feature-Rich and Scalable

Best For: Enterprises, SMBs.
Favourite Features: AI assistant, large participant capacity.
Special Notes: Feature-rich with a complex interface, supports up to 1000 participants.
Price: Free, Meet Plan £14.50/month/user, Suite Plan £25/month/user, Enterprise contact for pricing.

Description:
Webex, developed by Cisco, offers a robust platform for video conferencing and screen sharing with advanced features like AI-driven meeting summaries and noise cancellation. It supports large meetings with up to 1000 participants, making it suitable for enterprises. The platform’s rich feature set includes tools for collaboration and productivity, but it may require some time to master due to its complexity. Webex is ideal for businesses that need a powerful and scalable solution for virtual meetings and webinars.

7. ClickMeeting: Scalable Webinar Solution

Best For: Individuals, SMBs.
Favourite Features: Webinar hosting, video conferencing.
Special Notes: Browser-based, scalable for any size.
Price: Contact for pricing.

Description:
ClickMeeting is a powerful platform for hosting webinars and video conferences. Its browser-based interface is easy to use and requires no downloads, making it accessible for users on any device. The platform supports a wide range of interactive features, including live chat, polls and Q&A sessions, which are ideal for engaging large audiences. ClickMeeting is particularly suitable for educational purposes, marketing presentations, and corporate communications, offering scalability to meet the needs of various event sizes.

8. CrankWheel: Instant Screen Sharing

Best For: Sales teams, SMBs.
Favourite Features: Real-time screen sharing, link sharing via email/SMS .
Special Notes: No downloads required, accessible on any device.

Price: Free, Pro £19/month/user, Enterprise £89/month/user.

Description:
CrankWheel offers a unique approach to screen sharing by allowing users to share their screens instantly via a link sent through email or SMS. This eliminates the need for software downloads, making it highly accessible for clients and prospects. CrankWheel’s focus on sales presentations makes it an excellent tool for sales teams needing quick and reliable screen sharing capabilities. Its ease of use and instant access features help streamline the sales process, ensuring effective and timely communication with potential customers.

Conclusion on Best Screen Sharing Software for Remote Collaboration

Choosing the right screen sharing software requires a thorough understanding of your needs and the features each tool offers. By considering the type of collaboration, user base, infrastructure compatibility, security requirements, feature set and budget, our aim is you can select a solution which will enhance your remote operations and boost productivity.

For effective collaboration, support and training, picking the right screen sharing software for your business will make a huge difference. We hope you have a better overview of the screen sharing software available and feel equipped to choose. Whatever your business, knowing your requirements will guide you to the most suitable screen sharing tool. Why not explore screen sharing with RDS Remote Support test its options and capabilities, and let it daily streamline and simplify your screen sharing and control experience. Beyond support, welcome to great collaborative teamwork and training from anywhere.