Updated on August 17, 2025 in Reviews

ConnectWise ScreenConnect vs Zoho Assist

Oliver Rieder Article author

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ConnectWise ScreenConnect vs Zoho Assist

Remote access and support tools have become essential for IT professionals, MSPs, and businesses of all sizes. In this comparison, we take a close look at two leading solutions: ConnectWise ScreenConnect (formerly ConnectWise Control) and Zoho Assist, to help you understand how they differ in features, user experience, security, and pricing.

Whether you’re managing remote teams or providing technical support, this guide will help you choose the tool that matches your workflow and priorities.

ConnectWise ScreenConnect

by ConnectWise

2.8 (854)

ConnectWise ScreenConnect is a robust remote desktop solution built for IT departments, MSPs, and enterprises. It offers both unattended and attended access, plus advanced tools for secure support, automation, and collaboration. While it may carry a higher price tag, ScreenConnect delivers premium features and deployment flexibility.

Zoho Assist

by Zoho

4.1 (5,435)

Zoho Assist, on the other hand, is known for its clean user experience and competitive pricing. It offers both remote support and unattended access through separate plans, making it accessible to smaller businesses and solo technicians. Its intuitive UI, strong integrations, and affordable tiers make it an appealing option for teams looking to get started with remote support.

Here’s how these tools stack up after testing, categorized for easier comparison:

• ScreenConnect offers both attended and unattended sessions, plus advanced workflows like Backstage for silent background support and multi-tech session transfer.
• Zoho Assist also supports both modes; it’s impressive for scheduling, session handoff, and mobile guest support out of the box.

• ScreenConnect provides drag-and-drop file transfer, annotation tools, and whiteboard support.
• Zoho Assist includes robust file-sharing, screen capture, and even voice and video chat, especially in its higher tiers.

• ScreenConnect excels in customization with its extension library, deep ConnectWise integrations, and interface branding.
• Zoho Assist integrates seamlessly with Zoho’s suite and third-party tools like Zendesk, Jira, and Google Contacts, and lets you rebrand and automate workflows.

• ScreenConnect secures sessions with AES‑256 encryption, two‑factor authentication, SSO, and detailed access control.
• Zoho Assist matches this with end-to-end encryption, role-based permissions, session audit logs, and automatic uninstall after each session.

• ScreenConnect delivers powerful tools, but with a slightly steeper learning curve, best suited to technical teams.
• Zoho Assist is intuitive, clean, and especially friendly for non-tech-savvy users.

• ScreenConnect supports automation, session queuing, diagnostics toolkits, and video auditing.
• Zoho Assist offers wake-on-LAN, session scheduling, reporting, and queues – all manageable through its straightforward web interface.

Features	Zoho Assist	ScreenConnect
Session Transfer
Session Scheduling
Backstage Mode
Multi-Monitor Navigation
File Transfer
Screen Annotation Tools
Voice/Video Chat
Whiteboard
Role-Based Access Controls
On-Prem Deployment
Extension Marketplace / Add-ons
Rebranding / White Labeling
Wake-on-LAN
Audit Logs

Both ConnectWise ScreenConnect and Zoho Assist offer clean, modern interfaces, but their design priorities differ.

ScreenConnect leans toward power users. Its dashboard is feature-dense, offering deep customization and configuration options. Navigating the admin panel reveals a wide range of settings, extensions, and granular controls.

Zoho Assist focuses on simplicity. The UI is clean, intuitive, and requires little to no onboarding. Whether you’re scheduling a session or initiating unattended access, the platform stays out of your way.

Both tools support the major platforms, but there are small differences worth noting in how deeply they integrate with each OS.

Operating System	Zoho Assist	ScreenConnect
Windows
MacOS
Linux
Android
iOS & iPadOS
Web Browser Access

Pros

Clean and intuitive interface
Affordable plans with good value
Deep integrations with Zoho ecosystem and third-party tools
Allows unlimited technicians in unattended plans

Cons

Remote support and unattended access are sold separately
Some features, like mobile support and session recording, are locked behind higher tiers

Pros

Highly customizable via extensions and branding options
Offers both cloud and on-premise deployment
Supports both attended and unattended sessions in all plans
Rich diagnostics and video auditing tools available in Premium

Cons

Pricing increases quickly as teams and feature needs grow
Interface may feel complex for smaller teams or casual users
Unattended agents require separate licensing in most plans

ConnectWise ScreenConnect and Zoho Assist both offer multiple subscription tiers, but their pricing structures and scaling models are fundamentally different. The right choice often comes down to how many users you have, how many endpoints you need to support, and how much flexibility your team requires.

ScreenConnect uses a technician-based pricing model, where you pay per concurrent user and optionally add endpoint agents for unattended access. All support plans include both attended and unattended access, with tiered feature sets.

• One Plan – $30/month billed annually.

A single tech can run one session at a time and access up to 10 unattended devices. Best for solo techs or freelancers.
• Standard Plan – $45/month billed annually.

Adds up to 3 concurrent sessions and unlimited unattended endpoints. Includes chat, file transfer, and basic remote tools.
• Premium Plan – $55/month billed annually.

Adds features like session recording, video auditing, and advanced diagnostics.
• Access Plan (Unattended only) – Starts at $41/month for 25 endpoints.

Designed for IT teams needing persistent access to devices without session-based support.

Peculiarity: You’re paying for technician concurrency and endpoint count separately, which offers flexibility but can add up quickly for larger teams.

Zoho Assist offers separate pricing plans for Remote Support and Unattended Access, which is helpful if you only need one or the other. Plans scale per technician, but unattended plans include unlimited tech access (per account).

• Free Plan – 1 tech, 5 unattended computers, basic tools.

Remote Support

• Standard: $10/month (billed annually) – session transfer, chat, reboot, file sharing.
• Professional: $15/month – scheduling, mobile support, reporting.
• Enterprise: $24/month – session recording, remote print, video calls.

Unattended Access

• Standard: $10/month – 25 endpoints, bulk deployment, Wake-on-LAN.
• Professional: $15/month – advanced reporting, remote print, audit tools.

Peculiarity: You get generous features even in lower tiers, and plans are budget-friendly for small businesses.

Plan Type	Zoho Assist	ScreenConnect
Free Version	Yes (limited)	No
Entry Paid Plan	$10/month (Remote or Unattended)	$30/month per tech
Top Tier Plan	$24/month (Enterprise)	$55/month per tech
Separate Remote/Unattended	Yes	No (combined in Support plans)
Unattended Access Model	25 devices per plan, scale up	25+ devices billed separately
Concurrent Session Limits	Plan-based	Strict per-plan limit
Unlimited Technicians	Yes (Unattended plans)	No
On-Prem Option	No	Yes (Standard/Premium)

If the subscription costs or feature complexity of ScreenConnect and Zoho Assist feel excessive for your needs, HelpWire offers a full-featured remote support solution at no cost.

HelpWire

Get started with secure, full-featured remote support – no limitations.

Join free

Price - Free

Supported systems - Windows, macOS, Linux

With HelpWire, you can start a support session through a simple link – no complicated setup required on the client side. Its interface is clean and intuitive, making it ideal for both technicians and end users.

Drag-and-drop file transfer
Multi-monitor support
In-session chat
Admin privileges for troubleshooting
AES-256 encryption with TLS for security

HelpWire delivers everything you’d expect from a professional remote access tool, minus the price tag. It’s a perfect option for freelancers, small businesses, or teams testing new workflows without committing to a paid plan.

Both ConnectWise ScreenConnect and Zoho Assist are excellent remote access tools, but they cater to different needs and priorities.

If you’re part of an IT team or managed service provider that requires deep customization, on-prem deployment, and advanced diagnostics, ScreenConnect is built for you. Just be prepared for higher pricing, especially as your technician count grows.

Zoho Assist, by contrast, stands out for its simplicity, affordability, and accessibility. It’s a strong fit for small businesses, helpdesks, and solo IT professionals who want reliable remote access without a steep learning curve. While its split pricing model (remote support vs. unattended access) may require extra planning, you get excellent value at each tier.

If neither option aligns with your current budget or needs, HelpWire offers a free alternative that doesn’t compromise on core functionality, making it perfect for lean teams or those just getting started.

ConnectWise ScreenConnect vs Zoho Assist

Overview

Features

1. Remote Access & Session Management

2. File Transfer & Collaboration

3. Customization & Integrations

4. Security & Compliance

5. Performance & User Experience

6. Monitoring & Management Tools

Interface Comparison