teamviewer vs logmein
Image: Jacob Lund/Adobe Stock

Remote access software tools are some of the most critical in today’s remote and collaborative work environments. Two of the most popular remote desktop tools for this are TeamViewer and LogMeIn.  Let’s take a look at their different features to see if one of these two remote desktop software options may serve you better than the other.

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What is TeamViewer?

TeamViewer is a remote access program to control and manage devices. Over the years, it has blossomed into a complete suite of tools that go beyond basic remote access. TeamViewer allows for access to remote devices without the need for software to be manually installed on the remote computer.

What is LogMeIn?

LogMeIn is a similar remote access software tool like TeamViewer, allowing access to remote devices without the need for software to be manually installed on the remote computer, but LogMeIn is primarily targeted toward smaller and mid-sized businesses. Unlike TeamViewer, LogMeIn also offers a free trial for users.

TeamViewer vs. LogMeIn: Feature comparison

FeaturesTeamViewerLogMeIn
Windows, macOS, Linux supportYesYes
iOS iPadOS, ChromeOS supportYesNo
Session recordingYesYes
Session transferingYesNo
File transfersYesYes
Audio and videoYesYes

Head-to-head comparison: TeamViewer vs. LogMeIn

Interface

Both TeamViewer and LogMeIn have clean, modern interfaces that make accessing their features a straightforward process. Even beginners can learn quickly, and users won’t be endlessly searching to access basic functions.

When it comes to scaling different resolutions, some users have reported that TeamViewer seems to do a better job. This isn’t to say that LogMeIn’s screen looks bad, but certain resolution pairings can cause elements to render slightly blurry. This is not a deal breaker, but it is something to note — especially if working on graphically detailed projects.

File sharing

Both of these software tools offer convenient file sharing capabilities. With TeamViewer, file sharing is accessed via a menu when right clicking on a file and choosing a Send To destination.

With LogMeIn, file sharing is accessed through a file manager screen, where files can be dragged and dropped, and each file in each destination is represented visually.

For those with a more IT support-focused need, the file manager style of LogMeIn may be more useful and familiar. But both systems work fine for small and large file transfers.

Whiteboarding

When it comes to collaboration, being able to add comments or marks to a screen can be a handy feature. TeamViewer and LogMeIn both have this ability, but the TeamViewer version has a little more depth.

With TeamViewer you have a full toolbar dedicated to Whiteboard functions, like highlighting. With LogMeIn, it’s more of an on/off feature. When on, you can mark on the screen with a pencil tool, but it lacks other functions.

Windows and macOS support

Both options here offer support for Windows and macOS, but there is a slight difference when it comes to the two.

TeamViewer offers the exact same functionality and feature set with both Windows and macOS versions; however, LogMeIn does drop some features in the macOS version. It’s unfortunate, but if you are mostly running macOS, you may want to consider TeamViewer if you require the full functionality.

Is TeamViewer or LogMeIn best for you?

Both TeamViewer and LogMeIn will perform the core functions of remote access. However, these two offerings are priced quite differently, with TeamViewer being more costly, albeit with more features, especially on macOS.  If it’s important that your business has strong collaboration tools and wider support, TeamViewer may be a better choice. If your business needs a more budget-friendly option geared toward individual users or smaller businesses, choose LogMeIn.

This article was written by James Forteze.