Pros & Cons
-
- Dependable remote access
- Simple file transfers
-
- Extraordinarily high costs
- Browser-based version is missing features
- Classic version is aging
GoToMyPC Specs
| Desktop Shortcut for Remote PC | |
| Drag-and-Drop File Transfer |
GoToMyPC has been in the remote access game for nearly three decades, but it isn’t as compelling or straightforward as it used to be. It's now split between a Classic desktop app that feels dated and a modern, browser-based version that is still in beta after several years. Moreover, GoToMyPC is several times more expensive than alternatives. The software works fine if you can look past those issues, but we lowered its rating by half a star because it's gradually becoming less competitive. You're far better off with our Editors’ Choice winners for the category: RemotePC offers affordable plans for businesses, while TeamViewer offers a generous free version for personal use.
Pricing: Way Too Expensive
No free version of GoToMyPC is available; only a seven-day trial. The Personal plan starts at $44 per computer per month for access to a single computer. You pay the same price for each computer you want to connect, so connecting five computers costs $220 per month.
The Pro plan lets you access enrolled computers from an unlimited number of remote devices. It costs a little less per PC at $41.50 per month, but a two-PC minimum means you must pay at least $83 per month.
A Corporate plan costs $28 per computer per month, with a minimum of five PCs, so it starts at $140 per month. It adds a few features for business users, such as advanced administration tools and Wake on LAN. The latter means you can remotely wake up a PC that's in sleep mode or powered off, as long as it's connected to your local area network.
I tested GoToMyPC's Personal plan for this review. Note that although the company's pricing page says that only the Personal plan includes the Zero-Download Connect in Browser and One-click File Access features, a company representative said these features are also available in the Pro and Corporate plans. If you're an account manager, you can enable this feature for users in your organization.
GoToMyPC’s price is incredibly high compared with other remote access software, particularly for personal use. TeamViewer, for example, is free for individuals, with paid plans starting at $24.90 per month for access to three devices. That's much cheaper than GoToMyPC, but RemotePC is an even better value—it starts at $29.50 per year (around $2.46 per month) to control one device and $99.50 per year (around $8.29 per month) to access 10 computers. Access to 10 devices with GoToMyPC would cost $280 per month with the Corporate plan or $440 per month with the Personal plan!
Interface and Ease of Use: Two Versions, Both With Flaws
GoToMyPC offers two versions: a Classic desktop-based application and a new browser-based version. The latter is still in beta, and it doesn’t have all the features of the former. Meanwhile, the Classic version feels outdated and has some problems that the new version doesn’t. A company representative told me that GoTo was working on adding features to the new GoToMyPC and bringing it out of beta, but did not provide a time frame. The company also said it was working on these features eighteen months ago at the time of the last review update. I focus on the browser-based version for this review.
GoToMyPC can provide access to only macOS and Windows computers. Using the browser-based version of GoToMyPC, you can access those machines via practically any device, including those running ChromeOS and Linux. GoToMyPC recommends Chrome, Edge, or Opera for optimal performance, although it works just fine in Firefox and Safari. The service also has mobile apps for Android and iOS. You can still download the Classic GoToMyPC app for macOS and Windows if you want to (the toggle to switch between versions is on the service's website), but the company encourages you to use the new version.
Once you create a GoToMyPC account on the company's website, you can activate a computer for remote access by clicking Add New Computer. You should download and install this background server software (available for macOS and Windows) only on the computer you want to access (not on the devices you plan to access it from). During setup, you set an access code that you will use later to connect to that PC.
To remotely access your PCs, log in to your GoToMyPC account online. Then, simply click Connect and enter the access code for the device in question. The remote session happens in your browser, as do file transfers. On mobile devices, you install the GoToMyPC app from the Apple App Store or Google Play, but it otherwise works similarly. Log in, choose your device, and enter the access code.
Similar Products
Our Current Picks for The Best Remote Access Software for 2026
For this review, I accessed a Windows 11 desktop computer from an Android phone, a Chromebook, an iPad Air, a MacBook Air, and a Windows 11 laptop.
Performance: Reliable, But Not the Smoothest
The new version runs well for a browser-based solution that's still technically in beta. Over my local network, the connection was smooth, with frame rates reaching 80fps according to GoToMyPC’s included diagnostics panel. I also connected via tethering my laptop to my phone’s cellular data. The performance was reasonable even over that connection, and I was able to watch YouTube videos with audio. However, the experience wasn’t quite as smooth as with native remote desktop tools I’ve tested, such as Splashtop. Browser-driven remote desktop tools are convenient and cross-platform, but native remote access apps generally deliver smoother streams.
I ran into some issues with the Classic version in testing. For example, the screen looked washed out when HDR was enabled on the host PC. This wasn't a problem with the new version.
The mobile version works well, too, even if it’s a little odd. You get an on-screen mouse with tappable buttons, and you move it by dragging it across your screen. Driving your PC from the mobile app takes some adjustment, but you can click and drag fairly intuitively. It's also possible to pinch to zoom in and out on any region of the screen, and to use a three-finger tap to toggle the on-screen keyboard.
Extra Features: File Transfers, Remote Audio, and More
The right-side panel in the web client lets you browse the files on the PC you’re controlling, view file details, and download them to the device you’re connecting from. GoToMyPC’s sidebar also provides system information, including CPU usage, storage, and memory stats. You can lower the stream quality for better performance from here, too.
Remote audio works well—simply click the Remote Sound button on the toolbar to hear audio from the remote PC without any additional setup. You can initiate a file transfer connection and transfer files back and forth without viewing the remote desktop by clicking the Manage Files button next to a computer in the GoToMyPC console.
As mentioned, some features that are still available for the older, Classic version aren't in the new web-based one. For example, you can't click and drag files from the host computer to the device that you’re controlling. A guest access feature that allowed people without a subscription to control your computer is also gone. If you need those features, you should stick with the Classic version.
Security: Is GoToMyPC Safe to Use?
GoToMyPC says it uses end-to-end AES 256-bit encryption to protect your data in transit. You also have to enter a remote computer’s access code when you connect to it. The app always notifies you when someone is connected to your PC, and GoToMyPC supports multi-factor authentication to protect your account.
You should never install GoToMyPC or any other remote access software if someone you don’t know asks you to. Cybercriminals could use it to compromise your computer and gain access to your data. If someone you don’t recognize calls you and claims to be tech support, hang up. Reach out to any companies involved over official channels if you have concerns.
GoToMyPC subscriptions include the complimentary Bitdefender-powered LogMeIn antivirus. However, you can buy another remote access tool and a different antivirus protection for much less money than a GoToMyPC subscription.