Go To Your PC for Free :: A Review of Remote Access and File Sharing Software and Services

Let’s face it. A lot of people use GoToMyPC to access files. It’s pretty simple and reasonably easy to install. But, it’s expensive. GoToMyPC charges $9.95/month or $99/year to connect one user and two computers. Adding a user is another $99/year if paid in advance, and every additional computer connection is $9.95/month each. Just my opinion, but that’s a bit rich to occasionally access a file.

While GoToMyPC is ok as a remote access tool, it lacks a lot of functionality for accessing and sharing different media. For instance, you can’t share a file with multiple users nor can you stream your audio or video playlists. There are other limitations including having to sync files once you’ve accessed and resaved them.

Another large drawback is that GoToMyPC is anything but transparent when accessing a file remotely. Let’s say you’re at work and want to access a file from your home computer. You login to GoToMyPC and remotely access your home computer. Unfortunately, little Johnny is doing his science project at the same time and entering data into a spreadsheet program. While you access your file, little Johnny is left in suspended animation—that is, he can’t do anything until you’ve finished accessing the file remotely. 

So if you want to access and share files remotely, there are other services that offer greater functionality for less money than GoToMyPC. For $99/year plus all the add-ons, it’s worth a search.

One of my favorites for remote access and file sharing is  HomePipe. HomePipe is an easy, fast and convenient alternative to GoToMyPC. For the occasional user, there’s no monthly fee to access and share files online. And you can share files of any size with anyone you choose on any platform at no additional cost. There are no extra charges to connect additional Internet or broadband-connected devices with HomePipe – those $9.95/year charges for each additional device after the first computer with GoToMyPC can rack up pretty quickly.

HomePipe takes literally seconds to setup and it doesn’t “freeze” your computer or mobile device when accessing a file remotely. You can seamlessly stream music or videos and access photos or documents from your home or work computer (works for both PC and Mac) to your Android phone while little Johnny finishes his science project uninterrupted.  Unlike GoToMyPC, HomePipe users can also share one file with multiple users—very helpful if you have a tight schedule and need feedback fast.  

If you compare functionality with GoToMyPC, HomePipe offers a better overall value. HomePipe is simple, easy to use and transparent to the remote computer. Plus, HomePipe provides greater flexibility as you can stream your music with HomePipe—you can’t with GoToMyPC. HomePipe also eliminates the need to synch and organize files in the cloud. Best of all, HomePipe is cost-effective since the Lite Edition is absolutely free. The unlimited use version called HomePipe Standard Edition is still only $23.99/year which beats $99/year or more a year for GoToMyPC.

So why spend hundreds of dollars to remotely access and share files with GoToMyPC when you can do it for free with HomePipe?  Compare GoToMyPC and HomePipe here.