ScreenConnect vs Zoho Assist

March 17, 2025 | Author: Michael Stromann
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ScreenConnect
ScreenConnect is a self-hosted remote support, access, and meeting solution. Use remote support and access to repair computers, provide updates, and manage machines. Conduct online seminars and presentations using remote meetings. ScreenConnect is a comprehensive, one-time-payment alternative to the expensive SaaS-based solutions that charge recurring monthly fees.
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Zoho Assist
Zoho Assist provides a simple and straight forward user interface to connect to remote computers anywhere on the globe, as long as they are hooked to the internet, even through firewalls and proxies. Once your customer approves access, control the remote computer as if it were in front of you, provide fast support and impress, without leaving your seat. Moreover, with online remote support you save time and all that money involved in travel.

In the vast universe of remote support tools, ScreenConnect and Zoho Assist are two intergalactic cousins who both happen to share the peculiar ability to allow humans to control computers far, far away. They both allow cross-platform access, as though the laws of space and time no longer matter and they enable file transfers as if one could magically transport a file from one planet to another. They also offer the curious power of unattended access and have the foresight to record sessions, presumably for moments of great contemplation or bureaucratic audits.

Now, ScreenConnect, the elder of the two, came into existence back in 2008. Born in the land of the free and home to pizza, ConnectWise, ScreenConnect’s ambitions are aimed squarely at the professional world. The software is finely tuned for those whose job it is to keep everything running smoothly in the world of IT support and managed services. The thing is, if you're a fan of customization and branding, ScreenConnect is like your personal spaceship where you can paint the walls any color you like. It also has an affinity for third-party integrations, a feature that no doubt excites those who live to make systems play well together.

Meanwhile, Zoho Assist, which only arrived on the scene in 2014, is like a fresh-faced recruit eager to make its mark. With a background in India, it's ready to take on the small businesses and IT professionals who need to quickly zip in and solve problems, rather than embark on complex multi-planetary adventures. It’s cloud-based, which means you don’t have to worry about intergalactic server issues and its interface is as friendly as a coffee break with your most helpful friend. Its integrations with CRM systems and rich reporting tools suggest that it’s the kind of software that dreams of one day becoming the tool of choice for the small but mighty.

See also: Top 10 Remote Support software
Author: Michael Stromann
Michael is an expert in IT Service Management, IT Security and software development. With his extensive experience as a software developer and active involvement in multiple ERP implementation projects, Michael brings a wealth of practical knowledge to his writings. Having previously worked at SAP, he has honed his expertise and gained a deep understanding of software development and implementation processes. Currently, as a freelance developer, Michael continues to contribute to the IT community by sharing his insights through guest articles published on several IT portals. You can contact Michael by email [email protected]