TightVNC Vs. LogMeIn
Virtual network computing, or VNC, allows one computer to remotely access another computer with an Internet connection. Both TightVNC and LogMeIn provide VNC software for connecting remote computers. While individuals and businesses can use either program, the number of remote users you need to support, as well as other factors, may make one program more suitable for your particular needs.
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Operating Systems
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TightVNC is available for Windows computers only. LogMeIn has versions for both Windows and Mac computers.
Security
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TightVNC does not encrypt its connection. This could be a security risk. All of LogMeIn's versions provide 256-bit Secure Socket Layer, or SSL ,encryption. This is the same encryption used to protect online banking accounts. This also applies to LogMeIn's free version. For casual remote access among friends and family, you can use TightVNC. However, if you are accessing a computer for business or other sensitive data, TightVNC does not have the security features to protect your information.
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Free Versions
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Both TightVNC and LogMeIn have free versions. You can use either program to open files, check email messages and run other programs on the host computer. LogMeIn also has a Wake on LAN feature that allows you to wake up a host computer that has gone into sleep mode. TightVNC allows file transfers between computers. LogMeIn only provides this transfer feature in the Pro version.
LogMeIn Pro
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Unlike TightVNC, LogMeIn provides a number of additional features through a paid version. Extra benefits of LogMeIn Pro include secure file transfers, printing of remote files and using download links to share files with other computers. At the time of publication, LogMeIn Pro is about $70 per year.
Web-Based Management
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TightVNC requires you to download and manage your remote connections with software on your local computer. LogMeIn's free and paid versions do the same thing. However, you can also purchase LogMeIn Central to administer all users and remote computers through a website account. For example, you can add or remove remote users by sending them a link. LogMeIn Central has a number of extra benefits. Examples include simultaneous Windows updates on all computers, automation of management tasks and generation of computer usage reports. With a price tag of about $300 per year at the time of publication, LogMeIn Central is designed for use by corporations that have many remote users to administer.
Additonal LogMeIn Options
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LogMeIn has a number of other services not provided by TightVNC. For example, LogMeIn Rescue allows remote technical support without any software downloads. Other services include LogMeIn Ignition for remote access with a mobile phone, the join.me service for screen sharing and LogMeIn Hamachi for network connectivity. The company also has LogMeIn Backup to back up your data to a secure server and Remotely Anywhere for remote system administration. At the time of publication, prices range from about $40 to over $1,000 per year for these various services.
Connection Procedures
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TightVNC has two kinds of downloads. For the host computer, you download the TightVNC Server. For the remote computer that will access the host, you download the TightVNC Viewer. However, both the server and viewer are contained in the standard download package. You will see an option to choose one or both during the download procedure. To connect with TightVNC, hover over the TightVNC Server icon in the computer tray. The Internet Protocol (IP) address appears. You enter that IP address in the Viewer next to "TightVNC Server" to access the host. With LogMeIn, you only download the software to the host computer. To remotely connect, you access the LogMeIn website with a username and password and view the computer in the "My Computers" section.
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