The 16 Best Remote Desktop Monitoring Software Solutions

Remote desktop monitoring (RDP) software allows individuals or IT administrators to access, control, and monitor computers remotely over a network connection. It offers functionalities like live viewing of desktop activities, remote control for support and system management tasks, and detailed reporting on user activities and system health. 

RDP software plays a crucial role in ensuring productivity, security, and effective management of IT resources. Whether you’re an IT professional tasked with maintaining a network of computers or a business owner who wants to monitor employee activities, having the right remote desktop monitoring solution can make all the difference.

However, with many options available in the market, choosing the right software that caters to your specific needs can be overwhelming. We’ve compiled a list of the 16 best remote desktop monitoring software to simplify the process, considering their reviews, features, and pricing. So, let’s dive into the details. 

1. Teramind — Top Rated Remote Desktop Monitoring Software

Teramind is a comprehensive platform designed to monitor user activity, detect insider threats, prevent data loss, and ensure workplace productivity, particularly in remote work environments. 

It offers various features to help organizations monitor and manage employee activities on company devices, ensuring compliance with policies and regulations while protecting against internal threats and data breaches. 

Teramind deployment options include cloud-based and on-premises.

Cloud-Based

In this model, monitoring agents installed on company devices communicate with Teramind’s cloud servers. This allows for rapid deployment and scalability without significant upfront hardware investment. 

There are two options for Teramind’s cloud deployment — private and public cloud. 

• Public Cloud. In this deployment option, you can install the Teramind agent on the stations or servers you want to monitor and immediately see the data on your dashboard. Teramind manages the cloud solution, which means everything automatically scales to ensure speed and reliability. Teramind also manages the servers, so your IT team doesn’t have to, and upgrades occur automatically. 
• Private Cloud. This combines the scalability of AWS and Azure — coupled with the security of on-premise solutions. 

With Teramind’s cloud deployment option, you get. 

• Ultra-low bandwidth consumption using the latest compression technology
• Employees and managers can work and connect from anywhere
• Secure connections & communications using highly secure SSL
• Use built-in authentication, integrate with your Active Directory, or combine local and AD-based authentication
• Redundant platform hosted in a secure, multi-homed data center. 

On-Premises. 

Teramind can be deployed within the company’s own data center for organizations with stringent data control and privacy requirements. This gives complete control over data storage and processing but requires more substantial IT infrastructure and management. 

With Teramind’s on-premises deployment option, you get: 

• Light on bandwidth. 10kbps upstream (agent to server) – depends on user activity level & number of screens. 
• Export data from Teramind directly into your SIEM via Syslog in real time.
• Self-contained, Linux-based virtual appliance that runs on VMware or Hyper-V.
• A 6-core, 12GB virtual appliance can accommodate 1000 concurrent users.
• Modest storage. Approximately 1GB per 160 hrs of data, screen at full quality, color, or 350 hours of black-and-white at 70% scale.
• Easy appliance updates. A single file is released periodically and is uploaded to the dashboard via the browser.
• Integrate Teramind with your organization’s Active Directory to import users, groups, OUs, and computers.
• Extract any data you need from Teramind and use that data in your internal applications or spreadsheets.

Key RPD Monitoring Features of Teramind

• Remote Desktop Control. Teramind offers remote desktop control, allowing administrators to take direct control of a compromised or suspect workstation in real time. This feature facilitates immediate action in critical situations, such as stopping a data breach as it happens or guiding a user through a complex compliance process. 
• RDP Session Recording. This feature captures and stores remote desktop protocol (RDP) sessions, allowing you to visualize all activities performed during these sessions. This can be helpful for auditing, forensic analysis, and ensuring that remote access to sensitive systems complies with organizational policies and standards.
• 15+ Monitoring Channels. Teramind monitors over 15 communication channels, including applications, email, websites, IM/Slack, etc. This wide range of monitoring capabilities ensures that an organization can have comprehensive visibility into how information is being shared and accessed across different platforms, helping to prevent data leaks and unauthorized access.
• Smart Rules & Automated Alerts. The platform can be configured with intelligent rules that trigger automated alerts when specific behaviors are detected. This functionality enables real-time detection of policy violations or suspicious activities, facilitating immediate investigation or intervention to mitigate risks.
• Unproductive Work Time Analysis. Teramind analyzes user activity to identify unproductive behavior patterns, such as excessive social media use or idle time. This analysis helps organizations improve productivity by addressing inefficiencies and implementing more effective work policies.

Related → How to Monitor Employees Working From Home

Additional Teramind Features.

• Data Loss Prevention (DLP). Teramind’s DLP capabilities prevent sensitive data from leaving the organization through advanced content detection and blocking mechanisms. It ensures that critical information remains secure, whether employees work on-premise or remotely. 
• Insider Threat Management. This feature focuses on identifying and mitigating insider risks through malicious intent or careless actions. By analyzing user behavior, Teramind helps pinpoint potential threats before they can cause harm.
• User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA). Uses advanced algorithms to detect anomalies in user behavior that could indicate a security threat. It establishes a baseline of everyday activities to identify deviations that may signal a potential breach or malicious activity.
• Business Process Optimization. By monitoring and analyzing how employees interact with applications and data, Teramind provides insights into business processes that can be optimized for efficiency. This helps organizations streamline operations and reduce wasteful practices. 
• Hybrid Workforce Management. Teramind offers tools for managing a hybrid workforce, balancing the need for security and privacy with the flexibility of remote work. It enables organizations to monitor and manage remote employees effectively, ensuring productivity and compliance regardless of location. 

Teramind’s Pricing

Teramind’s pricing is typically structured around the number of users and the specific features required, with several tiers to accommodate different sizes and types of businesses.

• Starter. Starts at @15 per seat/month. 
• UAM. Starts at $30 per seat/month. 
• DLP. Starts at $35 per seat/month. 
• Enterprise. Tailored for large organizations needing full functionality, including video recording, forensic auditing, and more.

What Are Customers Saying About Teramind?

• Excellent product with a wide range of use cases. 
  • “Teramind is a fantastic tool for monitoring user activity/productivity but can also be used to help when troubleshooting IT issues. We implemented it over 5 years and use it on a daily basis, there is a rich feature set and the support is second to none.”
• No limits on what you can track. 
  • “Teramind gives me the peace of mind of knowing my agents are actually being productive and not actually faking the fact that they are working. Since I’m able to set Risk limits this automatically alerts me if they are doing something that is not work related.”
• The most complete tool for teleworking I have ever seen 
  • “Ease of use, and how powerful it is, because with a fairly light agent, and with few resources you can monitor as much as you want in the company’s computers, and thus also ensure that there is no data leakage, and visualize the productivity of employees.”
• Great software, recommended. 
  • “This software offers comprehensive monitoring and analytics capabilities that are unparalleled. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy to track employee activity, detect potential threats, and boost productivity effortlessly. With Teramind, I feel empowered to manage my team effectively while maintaining a secure work environment. Highly recommend it!” 

2. Veriato Cerebral 

Veriato Cerebral, formerly Veriato 360, is an employee monitoring and insider threat detection software that provides organizations comprehensive insights into user activity across their network. By analyzing and recording various user activities on company devices, this tool helps companies protect sensitive information, optimize employee productivity, and detect insider threats. 

The software captures various data types, including emails sent and received, chat and instant messages, social media interactions, file transfers, and even the screen’s content in real time. 

Furthermore, Veriato Cerebral’s key feature is its detailed video-style playback of user activity, providing an accurate replay of users’ actions on their computers. 

Why It Might Be A Good Option

• Advanced Anomaly Detection. Machine learning algorithms power this feature. It works by learning standard user behavior patterns and flagging activities deviating from them. This way, it can detect malicious intent or compromised accounts. 
• Keyword Detection and Alert System. Veriato system scans for specific keywords or phrases within communications and files, alerting administrators to potentially harmful or unauthorized data exfiltration attempts. 

Why You Might Want To Avoid Veriato Cerebral

• Complex Deployment and Poor Support. The software caused significant disruptions to our computer systems, leading to crashes and performance issues, and the company refused to offer a refund when these problems were reported [*].
• Compatibility and Setup Issues. Setting up the software for fully remote users is challenging, and it lacks native support for non-Windows devices like Chromebooks [*].
• Limited Integrations and Usability. The software has limitations in integrations, policy management, and statistical visualizations, affecting its intuitiveness and overall user experience [*]. 

Pricing Options

Veriato Cerebral pricing is based on a minimum of 5 licenses billed annually. 

• Vision. $179 per user
• Cerebral. Custom quote 

Learn more about how Veriato compares to Teramind.

3. ActivTrak

ActivTrak is a cloud-based workforce analytics and productivity management software designed to provide businesses with insights into how employees use their time during work hours. 

The platform tracks user activity data in real-time, offering a comprehensive view of how work gets done within an organization. It captures a wide range of data, including application usage, website visits, and ‘active vs. idle time’—without invading employee privacy. This data is then analyzed to produce actionable reports, helping managers understand work habits, identify productivity bottlenecks, and make informed decisions to drive business success. ActivTrak aims to make remote employee monitoring a breeze.

Why It Might Be A Good Option

• Real-time Activity Alarms. This feature notifies managers of specific behaviors or activities as they occur. You can configure the alarms based on various criteria, such as when a user visits a non-work-related website during business hours or spends too much time on unproductive tasks. They enable immediate corrective action. 
• Productivity Coaching. ActivTrak analyzes various data on employees’ work habits, identifying patterns that might indicate burnout, disengagement, or inefficiencies. Once such patterns are detected, ActivTrak automatically generates customized advice and coaching tips tailored to each individual’s work style and challenges. 

Why You Might Want To Avoid ActivTrak

• Limited Data Depth and Support. Activtrak’s workforce analytics data is mostly surface-level, and enhanced support is needed to utilize the collected data better [*]. 
• Poor Customer Service and Additional Costs. Customer service could be better, with more focus on sales than support. Features that could genuinely improve productivity are expensive add-ons. The software suffers from frequent alarm malfunctioning, slow performance, and ineffective data classification [*]. 
• Complicated Data Analysis. Navigating and understanding the software’s data is challenging for average users. They must sift through various features to find necessary information, which is often overly detailed rather than straightforward [*]. 

Pricing Options

• Free. $0 per user/month. 
• Essentials. $10 per user/month. 
• Professional. $17 per user/month. 
• Enterprise. Request quote. 

Related → ActivTrak vs. Teramind – Which is Best in 2024? 

4. Insightful

Insightful (formerly Workpuls) is a modern employee monitoring software designed to provide a live-view of employee activities, measure productivity, and manage remote teams better. Its focus on being a remote employee monitoring solution helps it stand out amongst the non-Teramind competition.

The platform tracks and analyzes various data points, including application and website usage, keystroke logging, and file access. It combines this data with powerful analytical tools to offer insights into employee behavior, work patterns, and productivity levels. 

This architecture is based on a three-data layer system; 

• Agent. A ‘low-footprint’ software that’s installed on the computer to monitor all employee actions. This includes website usage, mouse clicks, and even words typed. 
• Server. This collects all the data from the agent — which is then processed and organized for machine learning and analytics. This helps you build meaningful reports from your employees’ actions. 
• Dashboard. This is mainly a display and interpretation of the collected data. 

Why It Might Be A Good Option

• Automated Time Mapping. This feature automatically categorizes activities into productive and unproductive segments, giving managers a clear picture of how work time is utilized. It eliminates the need for manual timesheet entries, making tracking work hours more efficient and less prone to errors. 
• App Visibility. Insightful offers two visibility options for teams who use company-owned devices. 
  • Visible Mode. Employees see the Insightful app icon on their computers. 
  • Stealth Mode. Trackers will be hidden from employees on their computers. 

Why You Might Want To Avoid Insightful

• Unfavorable User Calculation and Support Issues. The software’s method for calculating users includes system accounts, leading to higher costs without a way to manage or exclude these accounts. Integration with Azure is poorly executed, requiring manual user management, which is impractical for medium-sized organizations. Additionally, support and billing issues are only addressed via chat, which can be frustrating [*].
• Inaccuracy in Tracking Activity. Occasional inaccuracies in tracking productive time skew productivity analyses [*].  
• Limitations in User Management. The software does not allow for the deletion of users; it only allows deactivation. Merged users cannot be separated, and automatically creating an Insightful user for each new Windows account can be inconvenient, especially for temporary or test accounts [*]. 

Pricing Options

• Productivity Management. $6.40 per seat/month. 
• Time Tracking. $8 per seat/month. 
• Process Improvement. $12 per seat/month. (Suitable for over 5o users)
• Enterprise Solution. Request quote. (Suitable for over 100 users)

Related → How to Monitor Employees’ Computer Activity

5. RDPSoft

RDPSoft specializes in Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) monitoring and management solutions. It caters to organizations that heavily rely on RDP services for their operations. RDPSoft offers a suite of tools designed to optimize RDP sessions’ performance, security, and management, particularly for IT administrators and managed service providers. 

Its flagship product, Remote Desktop Commander Suite, offers detailed tracking of user sessions, comprehensive performance reporting, and efficient management of server resources. 

RDPSoft’s solutions are designed to seamlessly integrate with existing Remote Desktop Services (RDS) infrastructure. They support Windows Server environments and are compatible with virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) setups. 

Why It Might Be A Good Option

• In-depth Activity Searches. For detailed session reviews, this feature helps find specific activities within user sessions, including network activities, application usage, and website visits.
• Comprehensive Licensing Oversight. Track various licensing types, including RDS/XenApp users and software usage, and report MSP-specific SPLA/CSP licenses.
• Dynamic Reporting Tools. Generate and schedule over 100 reports on RDS/XenApp/Horizon View/AVD session data to meet various informational needs. 

Why You Might Want To Avoid RDPSoft

• High TCO. As the number of servers increases, costs can escalate, potentially making it less affordable for businesses with tight IT budgets or those looking to scale up. 
• Reliance on Windows Server Environments. RDPSoft’s integration and compatibility are tailored primarily for Windows Server environments and related virtual desktop infrastructures. This limits its applicability for organizations with various ecosystems, including a mix of operating systems and environments beyond Windows. For example, businesses that leverage Linux servers would find RDPSoft less suitable for their needs. 

Pricing Options

RDPSoft is priced based on licenses, which are issued based on the number of terminal servers and workstations it collects data from, not the number of computers where it is installed. 

• Suite. Starts from $12.99 per server/month (White Glove and installation cost $299). 
• Perpetual Licensing. Request quote.

6. LogMeIn

LogMeIn is a remote access and management solution that facilitates remote work, support, and collaboration. It offers many tools, including remote desktop access, meeting and collaboration platforms, and IT management services. 

LogMeIn’s products are mostly tailored for businesses seeking to enhance remote operations, ensure secure access to systems and data, and improve team collaboration. 

A quick example is LogMeIn’s flagship service, LogMeIn Pro, which provides users with remote access to their computers from anywhere. It enables file transfer, remote printing, and complete desktop control. 

Why It Might Be A Good Option

• LogMeIn Central. Provides a centralized console for managing and monitoring a company’s remote access needs, including deploying updates, managing security settings, and monitoring system health across devices. 
• Rescue Live Lens. Offers a video-aided support to troubleshoot problems such as software issues, by allowing users to share live video streams from their mobile device’s camera with a support agent. 

Why You Might Want To Avoid LogMeIn

• Connectivity Issues. The free plan of LogMeIn offers limited features unsuitable for advanced users, with occasional connectivity issues affecting its reliability [*].
• Deployment Challenges. Compared to more widely used alternatives, deployment is more challenging because customers must be guided through the software download process. The service has also experienced significant annual price increases, transitioning from a free option to a costly option [*].
• Stability Issues on Macs. LogMeIn Pro underperforms on Mac devices, with frequent connection drops experienced within minutes of usage, unlike the stable connections seen on Windows PCs [*]. 

Pricing Options

• LogMeIn Central. Starts at $80 per month/billed annually (minimum of 25 computers). 
• LogMeIn Pro. 
  • Individuals. $30 per month for up to 2 computers.
  • Power Users. $70 per month for up to 5 computers. 
  • Small Business. $129 per month for up to 10 computers.  
• LogMeIn Rescue. $108.25 per month 

7. Atera

Atera is a cloud-based management platform integrating remote monitoring and management (RMM), professional services automation (PSA), and remote access into a single unified platform. This allows IT departments and managed service providers (MSPs) to manage their IT infrastructure remotely without on-site visits. This includes real-time alerts, system health monitoring, patch management, and automation of routine tasks to ensure systems are running optimally. 

Atera also features an ‘OS patch management’ feature for Mac and Windows, plus integration with Homebrew and Chocolatey to automate software installation, patching, and updates. It also integrates remote access with Splashtop, Teamviewer, ConnectWise, and AnyDesk, making it easy for employees to access their work PCs from home.  

Why It Might Be A Good Option

• Built-in Network Discovery. Automatically identifies and catalogs all devices within a network, streamlining the setup process for IT managers. This is particularly useful for maintaining an up-to-date inventory of client assets and ensuring that network monitoring is easy to set up. 
• Custom Alert Settings. You can set threshold alerts based on the performance categories you need, including memory consumption, CPU utilization, and hardware conditions (such as disk space and temperature). Additionally, you can implement ‘auto-healing’ scripts that automatically address issues when specific alerts are activated—for instance, restarting the system upon reaching a preset CPU load limit. 

Why You Might Want To Avoid Atera

• Inaccurate Remote Desktop Detection. Atera’s dashboard inaccurately displays some Windows PCs as offline when they are not, affecting operational visibility [*].
• Connection Problems on Mac. Remote desktop connections frequently crash, and numerous problems occur when using Mac OS. This includes devices appearing offline, the inability to fetch system specifications, and issues deploying applications [*]. 
• Insufficient Analysis. The tool’s analysis lacks specificity, creating additional work for the IT team and wasting more time on further investigations [*]. 

Pricing Options

• Atera for MSPS. 
  • Pro. $99 per technician/month. 
  • Growth. $129 per technician/month. 
  • Power. $169 per technician/month. 
  • Superpower. Contact sales. 

• Atera for IT Departments. 
  • Professional. $149 per technician/month. 
  • Expert. $169 per technician/month. 
  • Master. $199 per technician/month. 
  • Enterprise. Contact sales. 

8. NinjaOne

NinjaOne is a unified IT management platform that streamlines the process of monitoring, managing, and supporting IT infrastructure for MSPs and IT departments. This solution combines remote monitoring and management (RMM), endpoint management, backup, and more into a user-friendly interface. 

MSPs managing clients’ systems can use NinjaOne’s ‘credential exchange’ feature to obtain seamless and secure access to their client’s endpoint without sharing admin permissions. 

Why It Might Be A Good Option

• Automated Patch Management System. This feature helps keep endpoint software current and provides detailed control over the deployment process. It allows IT departments to schedule patches during low-impact hours and prevent disruptions. 
• Advanced Endpoint Management Capabilities. This offers detailed insights and actions for each device, including remote command execution, file transfer, and direct support session initiation.  

Why You Might Want To Avoid NinjaOne

• Inadequate Patching Capabilities. Windows and third-party patching capabilities are insufficient, leading to the use of alternative tools. Mac OS patching has consistently failed, and the absence of live customer support is a noted disadvantage [*].
• Insufficient Backup and Reporting Features. Reporting capabilities are minimal, and integration and backup functionalities have notable gaps. For example, NAS backups, Office 365 backups, and granular SQL/Exchange backups are absent [*]. 
• TeamViewer Integration Limitations. The integration between the remote management system and TeamViewer is flawed, lacking in feature access and consistent corporate account recognition, which impacts remote support efficiency [*].

Pricing Options

• NinjaOne offers a ‘per device’ pricing model — but the exact figures aren’t disclosed. However, several users in this public forum claim they pay around $4 per endpoint/month. 

9. Pulseway

Pulseway offers complete remote monitoring and management solutions through automation, patching, remote control, and network discovery. It features a mobile app that gives you a real-time view across your network and provides comprehensive control from any location. This includes instant notifications about system status, health, and performance issues directly to your mobile device with complete visibility. 

Using the monitoring Cloud API/REST API, you can view system resources, logged-in users, network performance, Windows updates, IIS, SQL Server, Exchange, Active Directory, VMware, Hyper-V, and SNMP-enabled devices. 

Why It Might Be A Good Option

• Automation Workflows. This allows users to set up complex, conditional tasks that can be executed automatically when certain triggers are met. 
• Advanced Remote Control. This feature enables IT professionals to directly control devices to troubleshoot and resolve issues as if they were physically present. This is possible via a secure, two-way chat function, allowing seamless communication between IT teams and end-users during support sessions. 

Why You Might Want To Avoid Pulseway

• Fragmented Functionality for Mac OS. Pulseway lacks remote access support for Mac OS and splits key functions across different platforms, complicating user interactions and configuration management [*].
• Cost Concerns for Larger Environments. Pulseway’s pricing can become too expensive—even for large IT setups, especially when they need to monitor additional servers and devices. The mobile app also lacks the comprehensive control available on the desktop version [*].
• Limited Antivirus Integration. The integration with Webroot antivirus is limited, requiring direct access to the Webroot dashboard for site additions or policy configurations rather than allowing management from the Pulseway dashboard [*].

Pricing Options

• Pulseway offers only one pricing option, starting from $27 per month for a minimum of 20 endpoints.

10. N-able

The N-able RMM platform features a user-friendly, integrated dashboard that’s generally operational within minutes. It delivers all the necessary tools to manage, maintain, and enhance your IT environments.

With its clear dashboards and alerts, you can concentrate on critical problems and resolve them quickly. It also allows you to establish patch management strategies to automate your patching workflow, tailor patches for specific devices, or manually accept or reject patches. 

One of the platform’s key features is the ‘Cloud Commander,’ an RMM-integrated multi-tenant solution for Microsoft’s cloud. It lets you manage, secure, standardize, and automate Microsoft 365 users, Azure resources, and Intune devices. 

Why It Might Be A Good Option

• N-central. This offers extensive monitoring, integrated patch management, top-tier endpoint security, and backup solutions to enhance your operation. It allows you to identify, observe, and control entire networks. Using profiles, regulations, or filters, you can also pre-set or upgrade your devices en masse (across various sites).  
• N-sight. This is an endpoint management and remote access feature powered by Take Control. IT departments can manage all users and endpoints while automating routine tasks. It also comes with 400 pre-configured scripts and device policy assignments. 

Why You Might Want To Avoid N-able

• Command-Line Display Issues. The command-line tool experiences glitches, especially when transitioning to PowerShell, resulting in unreadable output due to color-matching issues [*]. 
• Remote Access Instability. Compared to other products on the market, N-able’s remote access stability is subpar [*]. 
• Automation Manager Interface Challenges. The Automation Manager interface presents a significant learning curve and usability challenges, making it difficult to implement PowerShell scripts effectively for endpoint monitoring and alerting [*]. 

Pricing Options

• N-sight RMM. Starts at $99 per month. 
• N-central. Contact N-able to request a quote. 

11. Datto RMM (by Kaseya)

Datto RMM is a remote monitoring software that remotely secures, monitors, and manages endpoints to reduce costs and improve network efficiency for MSPs. Its cloud-based infrastructure makes it easy to deploy, allowing MSPs to scale their services up or down based on demand quickly.  

Furthermore, MSPs looking for custom integrations with Datto RMM can connect using an Open REST API. Real-time performance notifications are also available using powerful built-in monitors like WMI, Perfmon, SNMP, Network Bandwidth, and Eventlog. 

Why It Might Be A Good Option

• Direct-to-Device Remote Controls. This provides technicians with fast, secure, and unattended access to any device under management without disrupting the end-user’s workflow. 
• Autotask PSA Integration. This creates a seamless workflow between remote management and professional services automation. This integration enhances operational efficiency by streamlining ticketing, billing, and client management processes, enabling MSPs to deliver a higher level of service with less administrative overhead. 

Why You Might Want To Avoid Datto RMM

• Limited Device Management and Visibility. The software lacks comprehensive drill-down capabilities for device management, which hinders the ability to easily navigate from user profiles to specific network switch ports and their statuses [*].
• Service Reliability Issues. Occasional downtimes of the Datto RMM service can cause servers or workstations to appear offline, leading to confusion [*].
• Interface Inconsistency. Features are unevenly distributed between the old and new interfaces, making users frequently switch between them for daily tasks [*].
• Lack of On-Premises Deployment Option. The absence of an on-premises deployment option limits the software’s applicability for specific clients [*].

Pricing Options

• Datto RMM does not have a pricing option on the website; rather, you must ‘request pricing.’ Meanwhile, certain users on this public forum give a ballpark estimate of $100 for AutoTask Pro per user and $2.50 for RMM per endpoint.  

12. Hubstaff 

Hubstaff’s remote work software is a complete suite designed to meet the needs of businesses, freelancers, and remote teams looking to optimize productivity, streamline workflows, and manage projects efficiently from anywhere. The software features time tracking, activity monitoring, project management, and automated payroll, all integrated into a user-friendly platform. 

The time-tracking feature, for example, accurately records time spent on tasks and projects, providing detailed insights into where and how work time is allocated. This functionality is complemented by activity monitoring, which measures keyboard and mouse activity levels, offering an additional layer of productivity analysis. 

Why It Might Be A Good Option

• Advanced Screenshot And Screen Recording. Managers can take screenshots up to three times per ten minutes or turn them off completely. These settings are adjustable per user, and you can choose your dashboard widgets to see only the most important information. 
• Automated Payroll System. Hubstaff allows businesses to set up automatic payments based on tracked hours, enabling different pay rates and schedules. The platform also integrates with popular payment gateways, such as Hubstaff Pay, Wise, Payoneer, and PayPal. Businesses can also set payment frequency depending on their internal payment structure. 

Why You Might Want To Avoid Hubstaff

• Integration Shortcomings with Work Management Systems. Integrating Hubstaff and systems like Monday.com could be more effective, with many tasks and boards failing to sync properly [*]. 
• Constant Changes in Billing and Pricing. Frequent changes to billing models and plans lead to unpredictable pricing, with administrative accounts billed as regular users. The QuickBooks integration is problematic, complicating payroll calculations due to issues with time adjustments [*].
• Constant Technical Glitches. Users experience constant downtimes and occasional software freezes, leading to complete logouts and restarts [*]. 

Pricing Options

• Starter. $4.99 per seat/month. 
• Grow. $7.50 per seat/month. 
• Team. $10 per seat/month. 
• Enterprise. $25 per seat/month. 
• Hubstaff also offers add-ons at an extra cost. 

Learn how Hubstaff compares to Teramind here.

13. Toggl Track

Toggl Track is a cloud-based time tracking and productivity tool developed for freelancers, teams, and businesses looking to streamline their time management, project productivity, and work efficiency. 

Known for its simplicity and user-friendly interface, Toggl Track offers robust features, including detailed time tracking, insightful reports, and project management capabilities. The tool also supports project-based time tracking, which allows users to assign time entries to specific projects and clients, facilitating accurate billing and project management. 

Why It Might Be A Good Option

• Background Tracking. This can automatically detect when users are working on their devices and prompt them to track that time if they haven’t already started a timer. This ensures that work hours are accurately captured, even if the user forgets to start a timer manually. 
• Locked time entries. This feature prevents changes to time entry data after a set date and ensures complete and accurate reports. 

Why You Might Want To Avoid Hubstaff

• Tracking and Interface Challenges. Issues with accurately capturing session finish times on desktop [*].
• Complicated Workspace Setup. Modifying workspace details like names doesn’t update as expected, complicating project selection [*].
• Syncing Issues Across Devices. Syncing inconsistencies when switching between computers using the desktop app lead to inaccurate time blocks. Searching for and updating older projects could be more efficient, but it requires manual web interface intervention [*]. 

Pricing Options

• Free. $0 free for up to 5 users. 
• Starter. $9 per user/month. 
• Premium. $18 per user/month. 
• Enterprise. Request quote. Features unlimited users. 

14. Monitask 

Monitask is an all-in-one employee productivity tracking and workforce analytics platform. It offers a comprehensive set of features that enable businesses to effectively track work hours, monitor employee activity, and analyze productivity levels in real-time. 

Monitask focuses on simplicity and ease of use, ensuring businesses of all sizes can implement and benefit from its capabilities without a steep learning curve. The platform supports screenshot capture, application and website monitoring, and detailed reporting, providing managers with insights to optimize team performance and project management. 

Why It Might Be A Good Option

• Live Dashboard. This gives managers and team leaders a real-time overview of employee activity, including current tasks, active applications, and websites visited. 
• Smartblur Screenshots. This tool selectively conceals sensitive information during employee monitoring and even screen sharing. It also allows for random or scheduled captures of employees’ screens. 

Why You Might Want To Avoid Monitask

• Administrative Billing Issues. Even though they are admins and inactive users, users experience inappropriate billing that often remains unresolved for a long time [*]. 
• Problems with Time Management Functionality. The interface does not intuitively offer options to manually adjust time entries, complicating corrections for untracked work periods [*].
• Feature Limitations. The tool lacks vital features, such as providing client access for project reviews and tracking non-billable hours without deletion [*]. 

Pricing Options

• Pro. $5.99 per user/month.
• Business. $8.99 per user/month.
• Enterprise. Contact sales. 

15. VeriClock

VeriClock offers a real-time monitoring solution that simplifies tracking employee work hours. A quick example is the GPS location tracking feature, which allows clock-ins and clock-outs via web, SMS, phone calls, and mobile apps. This enables employers to verify employee locations, which is ideal for managing remote or field-based teams. 

Due to its flexibility, VeriClock is widely suitable for industries such as construction, field services, and remote work environments. With this, businesses can track time against specific jobs or projects, facilitating accurate job costing and making managing budgets and project timelines easier. In addition, employees’ hours are recorded on digital timesheets, which managers can quickly review and approve, streamlining the payroll process and reducing errors. 

Why It Might Be A Good Option

• TimeGuard. This feature continuously monitors clock-in data. When it identifies an employee who has yet to clock out as expected by the end of their scheduled shift or after a pre-determined amount of time, it automatically clocks them out. 
• Digital Signatures. Opens a direct line of communication, allowing for the easy resolution of potential disputes over time tracking. Employers and employees can review past time cards and messages directly through the platform. 

Why You Might Want To Avoid VeriClock

• Charges Per User. In addition to its base monthly fee, VeriClock charges per user, which could potentially add up for larger organizations or those with a high number of employees needing access​ [*]
• Long Development Time for Custom Features. For instance, it was noted that developing a custom payroll import file took several weeks. This might indicate that some customizations or integrations can be time-consuming​ [*]
• Complex Integration Process with Additional Software. Though VeriClock integrates with popular accounting software like QuickBooks and Sage, some businesses might require integration with other platforms or find the setup process for these integrations less straightforward than desired​ [*]. 

Pricing Options

• Offers a $10 per month account fee and $5 per user. 

16. Interguard

InterGuard is an all-in-one employee monitoring and control platform deployed on the endpoint and managed via a web-based admin console. The solution is tailored for organizations seeking insights into employee behavior and protecting against internal and external threats. 

For example, its user activity monitoring feature records all user activity on the endpoint, even when not connected to network devices. This activity is logged, analyzed, and indexed for alerts, playbacks, audit trails, and behavioral benchmarking. 

In addition, in cases of potential breach, Integuard allows admins to remotely control a user’s PC or laptop, delete or retrieve files, or lock down the endpoint if necessary. 

Why It Might Be A Good Option

• Data Loss Prevention (DLP). This is designed to prevent unauthorized access or transfer of sensitive company information. This module allows for creating policies that automatically block or alert administrators about potentially risky activities, such as the unauthorized sharing of protected files. 
• Web Filtering. Agent-based endpoint solution allows you to record and filter web activity, on or off the network. Block adult sites, gambling, videos, social networks, shopping sites, and other inappropriate content or applications. 

Why You Might Want To Avoid Interguard

• High Minimum License Requirement. Certain features, such as the silent installer, require more than ten licenses, which can be inconvenient for organizations that need fewer licenses​ [*]​.
• Snapshot Quantity Guesswork. Purchasing SmartCamera Snapshots can be tricky, as estimating the needed quantity is difficult. One user reported using up to 10,000 snapshots for a single employee in less than a month ​[*].
• Limited Support Post-Purchase. Some users have reported a lack of support after purchasing the product, making it difficult to resolve issues as they arise​ [*]. 

Pricing Options

• Starts at $25 per user/month (5-user minimum).  

What To Look for When Evaluating a Remote Desktop Monitoring Tool

When evaluating a remote desktop monitoring tool, it’s essential to scrutinize various technical and operational aspects to ensure it meets your organization’s specific needs. 

Below are some critical areas you should focus on during your evaluation. 

Remote Desktop Monitoring Capabilities

Your preferred remote computer monitoring software should be comprehensive enough to provide real-time visibility into all remote desktop sessions. This includes tracking who is logged in, from where, what operations are being performed, and the resources being accessed or modified. 

Also, consider advanced features like session recording, live session viewing, and alerts for specific activities — this can be crucial for security and compliance. The ability to generate detailed reports for audit trails and to perform analytics on the collected data to identify trends or anomalies is also vital. 

Support for Implementation

The implementation process significantly affects the success of a remote desktop monitoring solution. During this phase, it is advisable to look for tools that offer robust support, including detailed documentation, responsive customer service, and possibly on-site training or assistance. 

The vendor should provide clear guidelines on integrating the tool with your existing infrastructure and troubleshooting support for any issues that arise during setup. Opt for tools that offer a smooth, straightforward implementation process, minimizing downtime and reducing the burden on your IT team. 

Incident Response and Reporting

To mitigate risks and adhere to external policies and regulations, having a tool with effective incident response and reporting capabilities is critical.

Ideally, the tool should enable you to quickly identify, investigate, and respond to security incidents or policy violations. For this, look for features like automated alerts based on predefined criteria, easy-to-use investigation tools, and the ability to generate comprehensive reports detailing incidents and actions. These reports should be customizable to meet the requirements of different stakeholders, including IT staff, management, and auditors. 

Ease of Use

The primary purpose of purchasing a tool is to be able to use it. As such, consider a solution with an intuitive interface and a low learning curve, allowing users to navigate and utilize its features efficiently. 

Consider tools that offer customizable dashboards so users can quickly access the information most relevant to their roles. Additionally, consider the availability of mobile apps or web-based interfaces that enable monitoring and management from anywhere, enhancing flexibility and responsiveness. 

Scalability and Flexibility

As your organization grows, your remote desktop monitoring tool needs to scale accordingly without significant additional costs or complexity. 

For this, evaluate whether the tool efficiently handles increasing remote sessions, users, and data volumes. It should also be flexible enough to adapt to changing business requirements, such as supporting new operating systems, applications, or compliance standards. 

Integration with Existing Systems

The remote desktop monitoring tool should seamlessly integrate with your existing IT infrastructure for maximum efficiency and effectiveness according to your company’s policies. This includes compatibility with operating systems, directories (like Active Directory), network configurations, and security tools.  

Integration capabilities streamline workflows, automate data sharing between systems (e.g., for incident response), and enhance overall security posture. Also, ensure the tool offers APIs or other software integrations. 

Teramind: The Best Way to Monitor Remote Desktops 

Teramind is the best way to monitor remote desktops (and other remote devices), thanks to its comprehensive suite of tools designed to enhance security, efficiency, and compliance. 

Whether you’re looking to safeguard sensitive data, optimize employee productivity, or ensure adherence to regulatory standards, Teramind provides a robust, user-friendly platform that meets the diverse needs of modern workplaces. 

With Teramind, you can.

• Get Ahead of Threats. Be proactively alerted to anomalous and malicious behaviors that could indicate an impending attack or data breach.
• Prevent Data Leaks. Implement controls on how company data and files are accessed and shared to avoid accidental and intentional leaks.
• Mitigate Malware Risks. Protect your systems against malware through preventive measures against phishing campaigns, safeguarding your users and data.
• Enforce Access Controls. Maintain stringent access control policies for privileged users and continuously monitor those with the most access from one central location.
• Trace Data Breaches. Accurately pinpoint the timing and origin of a data breach with comprehensive activity reports, enhancing your response and mitigation strategies.
• Secure Off-Hours Access. This feature automatically locks out users during non-working hours or from unrecognized sources and IP addresses, adding an extra layer of security.

FAQs

Can remote desktops be monitored?

Yes, remote desktops can be monitored using remote desktop monitoring software. This software allows businesses to track and record user activity, detect anomalies, prevent data leaks, enforce access controls, and enhance overall security and compliance.

How do I monitor a remote desktop session?

To monitor a remote desktop session, you can use remote desktop monitoring software. This software allows businesses to track user activity, detect anomalies, and enforce access controls for enhanced security and compliance. Simply install the software on the remote desktop and start monitoring.

How can I see what my employees are doing on their computers?

To see what your employees are doing on their computers, you can use remote desktop monitoring software. This software enables you to track user activity, ensuring productivity, data security, and compliance with regulations.

Is it illegal to monitor employees’ computers?

No, it is generally not illegal to monitor employees’ computers, as long as certain conditions are met. However, it is important to inform employees about the monitoring and comply with applicable laws and regulations to ensure transparency and privacy protection.