LogMeIn Pro, a longtime leader in the remote access software space, has undergone many rebrandings recently, but it's still a powerful and reliable option. It provides direct access to a host machine's command line and supports several methods of file transfers. Meanwhile, chat and whiteboard features help you collaborate and interact with whoever's computer you are controlling. The lack of a free version and high subscription costs make LogMeIn Pro less attractive for personal use, however, so RemotePC and TeamViewer remain our Editors' Choice winners. The former impresses with especially smooth performance, while the latter has a perpetually free edition for personal use.
LogMeIn Pro doesn't offer a permanently free version—just a two-week trial. This isn't unusual for remote access software, which tends to cater to the corporate IT market. However, both TeamViewer and Zoho Assist offer generous free versions for personal use.
LogMeIn Pro's Personal plan ($34.99 per month, billed annually) allows you to access two computers. It's somewhat in line with top competitors in terms of cost. TeamViewer, for example, starts at $24.90 per month (billed annually) for access to three computers. GoToMyPC, a similar app from the same company behind LogMeIn Pro, starts at $44 per computer per month (each additional computer you want to monitor means paying for another subscription).
But far cheaper options are available. Zoho Assist's paid plans start at $10 per month (billed annually) for access to 25 computers. Splashtop goes for $5 per month (billed annually) for the ability to control two computers. And RemotePC costs roughly $2.46 per month for use with a single computer. If cost is a priority, RemotePC is your best be.
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RemotePC
LogMeIn Pro has two major components: the client, which you use to access remote devices from your machine, and the host software, which you install on the device you want to access.
The LogMeIn client runs on macOS (10.13 High Sierra or newer), Windows (7 or newer), and Windows Server (2008R2 or newer). ChromeOS and linux users are out of luck. Mobile clients are available for Android and iOS. It's also possible to access devices from a web browser (recent versions of Chrome, Firefox, and Safari), though with reduced features.
The LogMeIn Pro host software supports macOS (10.13 High Sierra or newer), Windows (7 or newer), and Windows Server (2008R2 or newer). An unsupported beta version of the host is available for ChromeOS and linux machines. No host software is available for mobile devices, meaning it's not possible to remotely control those devices.
You need to create an account for LogMeIn Pro to get started, but you don't have to enter your credit card information to access the two-week trial. After you sign in, you see LogMeIn Pro's fairly basic web dashboard. From here, you can add computers to your account. Simply download the installer if you are using the computer you want to access or share a link if you're trying to set up access to someone else's machine. The latter configures everything without requiring a sign-in, making it easier for you to walk someone through the process. LogMeIn Pro asks the recipient multiple times whether they trust the person who sent the link, a wise precaution.
As mentioned, LogMeIn Pro lets you access computers remotely through your browser. Interestingly, you get full access to either PowerShell (Windows) or the terminal (macOS) on the host machine via this method. If you're working with a Windows computer, you can even see any currently running applications, the available hard drive space, and an overview of the system's hardware.
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But I still recommend installing the desktop client app. Although you can see (and even control) a remote desktop via a browser, the performance wasn't great in my tests. The link for downloading the desktop apps is in the top right corner of LogMeIn Pro's dashboard. After you install and sign into the client, you see a list of all your devices. From there, you can easily initiate the remote access functionality. Everything you can do via a browser is possible via the desktop client, including transferring files and opening the host PC's command line.
Remote desktops appear in dedicated windows, which you can start using immediately. These windows have a streamlined toolbar, with buttons for adjusting the volume level, switching monitors, and other major features. Click the Options button to access the chat, laser pointer, and whiteboard capabilities. All of these are handy if you're walking someone through something they need to do on their computer. A Blank Screen option allows you to control the remote device while hiding the screen from anyone actually sitting in front of it, which can be useful for privacy. You also get toggles for color quality, screen resolution, and sound preferences.
I tested the remote access functionality on three different computers: two running Windows 11 and a third running macOS Sequoia. Taking control of the macOS and Windows systems was smooth, both when they were on the same network and across town. The sound quality over the remote connection was also quite good. Attempting to watch videos on the remote desktop was a choppy experience, however. I don't recommend using LogMeIn Pro for remote gaming or video editing, as such.
Transferring files from one Windows computer to another couldn't be easier. Just drag the file from File Explorer on your host computer onto the remote access window. This honestly feels like magic when it works. I couldn't get this feature to work with a macOS host, though, which is disappointing.
What does work on both systems is the File Manager feature, which lets you browse the files on both devices and directly transfer them. This makes it easy to send or receive entire folders exactly where you want them.
Having full access to a desktop PC from your mobile device is a major convenience of remote access software, and LogMeIn Pro handles this well. I tried the mobile app on an iPad and was happy with how the on-screen mouse allowed me to move the pointer and click things. You can also zoom in on any region of the screen by pinching, the same way you would on a photo or website. The experience is always going to be a little clumsy, granted, but LogMeIn Pro does a good job of minimizing that awkwardness.
The mobile app also supports file transfers, meaning you can find any file from your computer and download it to your phone. Otherwise, a management panel lets you see an overview of a system's performance and even access the command line.
As mentioned, the LogMeIn Pro client asks several times whether you trust the person you're granting access to before it installs, which is good.
As a word of caution, you shouldn't install remote access software if someone you don't know asks you to. It's a common technique that hackers use to compromise your financial accounts and steal your information. If someone claiming to be tech support calls you out of the blue to diagnose a problem or fix your bank account and asks you to install a remote access app, hang up—you’re talking to a scammer. Look up the phone number for the company in question yourself instead and ask if you need to address any issues.
Final Thoughts
(Credit: GoTo)
LogMeIn Pro
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
LogMeIn Pro is a straightforward remote access solution that performs well for its intended tasks and includes helpful communication tools. But the app's main advantages are its IT-specific features: Direct access to the command line and controlled file transfers are crucial if you're managing a fleet of computers. These features might be overkill if you run a small business or just need to assist family members or friends, however, and LogMeIn Pro's prices aren't especially affordable. Our Editors' Choice winners for the category remain RemotePC, which offers much of the same functionality for a significantly lower price, and TeamViewer, which doesn't cost anything for personal use.
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About Justin Pot
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