Ultimately, both Splashtop and Parallels Access provide easy ways to access desktops remotely. However, Parallels Access is designed to optimize the remote viewing experience on mobile devices.
As of 2014, TeamViewer supports BlackBerry devices and the remote access solution earned top marks from us. Although it did not receive the highest score from us, Splashtop is an alternative if you want to run PC or Mac software remotely from your BlackBerry device.
TeamViewer is the only remote software app that is completely free for home users. In a 2014 Lifehacker survey of 7,780 readers, TeamViewer was overwhelmingly named the best of all remote desktop applications with more than 60 percent of the vote. TeamViewer supports one of the widest audiences of all remote desktop products, including some platforms on which few remote desktop applications run. However, because all the apps reviewed here are so good, a few nits keep it from being our top pick.
If you are willing to put up with less-than-stellar gaming performance at times and don't want to be tethered to your desk when playing games, you're likely to love Splashtop Remote. Its intuitive gesture-based controls make a tablet's touch interface feel completely natural during gaming. Splashtop also moves smoothly from the home to most business environments with its robust security, multi-user deployment and Active Directory support. With many remote desktop products failing to take Active Directory into account, Splashtop Remote is an exception that's surprisingly affordable. However, we did find some performance and user interface issues.
Ultimately, both Splashtop and Parallels Access provide easy ways to access desktops remotely. However, Parallels Access is designed to optimize the remote viewing experience on mobile devices.
Overall, if a game is setup to be run with the necessary preferences, Parallels Access far and away was the easier and faster way to run and view a game from a mobile location.
Although Parallels Access’ set up required a bit more work, the way it mimics native app behavior saves a lot of time and confusion when you’re actually working – it may not seem like a big deal, but when you’re busy and working on a small screen, it’s a real help.
I’m on the road constantly as a traveling regional sales manager and need a way to access my Asus PC at home.
As a payroll specialist, I usually have my Dell Inspiron with me at all times. But sometimes there’s an emergency when I only have my phone.
I’m a teaching student and carry an iPad with me to my classes and when I teach.
I want to like TeamViewer, but I’m just not sure how I feel about it compared to other remote access programs I’ve tried.
As an accountant, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve needed to access the files on my Dell Inspiron when I’m at a client’s home.
I work as a trademark paralegal and do most of my intensive reading and research on my home PC.