RealVNC Viewer: Remote Desktop

This was exactly what I was looking for. High quality Remote Desktop software, free for home use (5 Computers, more than enough for my needs). Set up was very simple and the “How to” video is excellent for users not use to setting up Remote Desktop software packages. The picture quality is exemplary using the desktop app or the IOS app. The user interface is smooth and seamless and can be easily configured to fill your whole screen. It’s that good you don’t realise you on a different computer, whilst using the desktop app. The IOS has a few finger strokes to master but it doesn’t take long and the help ? can be used at anytime to remind you what they are. Having used Logmein, TeamViewer, UltraVNC and Remote Host this is by far the best in my honest opinion.

I use this to connect remotely and control computers on my home network from my iPad. It’s great for those small things you have to do, say while watching TV, you can work on your PC without leaving the sofa. I also have a server with no keyboard, mouse or screen. I manage it using VNC. When used in conjunction/ mirroring on an Apple TV it makes the TV the main screen and the iPad becomes a full time touchpad and keyboard. The advantage of VNC over some other tools is it doesn’t use the internet it works on your local network, no outside connection required, communication is device to device, not via a 3rd party based somewhere in Germany.

What seems a little clunky and slow on the iPhone when you have a poor signal, is acceptably fast on a decent desktop machine with broadband, BUT either way VNC allows us - a small band of volunteers - to control a community hydroelectric scheme generating 50kW. This app saves innumerable site visits and commuter miles to keep control of a high-tech zero-carbon electricity generator connected to the National Grid. Slow it may be on the iPhone but I can interrogate it from anywhere on the planet. Remarkable. The norm is complete control from my armchair :-) Update March 2018 - it’s not slow any longer on the iPhone. VERY useful, slick and quick. √

This little beauty works better than any other remote desktop app I've ever tried, and I think I must've tried them all! It's fast and faultless, the way I can control my PC from my iPad is just awesome everything works exactly the way you should. The only slight niggle is the way it closes down after just a few seconds of inactivity when I'm doing something else on the iPad. If there was a way to extend the time-out feature, I would like that. But apart from that its perfect.

On balance and in vie that it’s free, this is a great VNC app. The linked address book of particularly handy to save addresses and share then between devices. For me it would be better still if there was an option to use the cursor or turn it off and just use touchscreen directly (like tight VNC I think). Connection can be a little glitchy when reception or WiFi has been regained but the app hasn’t caught up or some particular connections (via lan or wan) where the connection repeatedly connects and disconnects. Both are better that non previous versions though.