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NoMachine vs TeamViewer

Author: Oliver Rieder
Oliver Rieder Article author

Remote access software is an essential solution for individuals or organizations who need to manage and access remotely located computers. Many remote access tools are on the market with different features that appeal to various audiences. This article looks at the differences between TeamViewer and NoMachine to help you select the right one for your situation.

Useful tip:  Both NoMachine and TeamViewer don’t allow commercial use with a free license. Additionally, TeamViewer applies pattern-based detection that can cut you off mid-session. Skip to the HelpWire comparison to see its advantages in terms of free, commercial use.

Overview

NoMachine
NoMachine S.à r.l.

NoMachine provides remote desktop access along with support for files, video, audio, documents, and full system control from another device.

NoMachine uses its proprietary NX technology to provide users with an exceptionally fast and reliable remote desktop solution. All major operating systems are supported by this flexible remote access software including Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, and Android. Non-commercial users can enjoy the application free of charge with no restrictions or ads.

NoMachine enables users to access and transfer files from remote computers. Sessions can be recorded for later use. Video and audio streaming capabilities allow real-time communication.

TeamViewer
by TeamViewer GmbH

TeamViewer is a widely used remote access solution that offers features such as remote access and control, file transfer, unattended access, and device management.

TeamViewer is well-known throughout the computing community as an excellent remote desktop application. It is easy to use, enabling new users to easily connect to remote desktop computers or servers. The tool is widely used by remote support technicians or individuals to implement screen sharing. TeamViewer is considered both a collaborative and remote management tool.

Extensive operating system support makes TeamViewer a versatile solution. In addition to the standard Windows, Linux, and macOS support, the software can be installed on mobile devices utilizing Android, iOS, or Raspberry Pi. A new feature is TeamViewer Pilot that enables remote maintenance to be conducted with the assistance of augmented reality.

Feature

NoMachine

NoMachine is designed to satisfy the needs of a variety of users with its array of powerful features. The free version of the tool provides users with the ability to perform all typical remote access and screen sharing functions. There are no limits regarding the type of content that can be transferred between local and remote devices. You can be at work and use NoMachine to connect to your home computer to retrieve a presentation to your tablet or smartphone.

The paid subscriptions to NoMachine provide additional features based on the plan you select. If necessary, you can obtain tools that allow you to link to thousands of devices with fast and reliable connections.

TeamViewer

TeamViewer is also a flexible solution that supports the Windows, Linux, and Mac operating systems as well as offering a version compatible with iPhones. It’s a lightweight program with a mobile version that can be installed on a USB stick for easy use when traveling. Almost all remote access scenarios can be addressed with TeamViewer.

A nice feature of TeamViewer that contributes to its utility as a remote support tool is the ability to run the program without installation. This means users can simply download and run the program, allowing remote technicians to connect to their machine for troubleshooting. A license and full TeamViewer installation is required on the support staff’s computer.

TeamViewer provides a status display, enabling users to locate and communicate with each other. It’s a great tool for sharing content like presentations and product demonstrations with multiple remote users.

Here’s a table comparing the two tool’s features.

FeatureTeamViewerNoMachine
File Transfer  
Audio support  
Remote printing  
USB sharing  
Session recording  
Session transfer  
Mobile access  
Real-time chat  

Interface Comparison

Thanks to an intuitive and user-friendly GUI, both apps perform exceptionally well. Both tools even allow users to connect with portable devices just as easily as they can connect to remote desktops, and demonstrate silky-smooth image scaling.

TeamViewer
NoMachine

Operating System

Both solutions support a wide variety of operating systems. Also, you can compare Microsoft RDP and TeamViewer by the number of operating systems accessible for remote support.

Supported OSTeamViewerNoMachine
Windows  
MacOS  
Linux  
Android  
iOS  
Chrome OS  
ARM  
Raspberry Pi  

Pros And Cons

See below for a detailed list of pros and cons encompassing both remote access software tools. We recommend balancing these pros and cons against NoMachine and RDP (ensuring the best possible decision is made).

TeamViewer:

Pros

  • Free for non-commercial use
  • A large and comprehensive set of features
  • Strong, multi-level security
  • An attractive and intuitive user interface
  • Offers a combination of a remote access app and an online meeting platform in one solution
  • Supports multi-monitor displays

Cons

  • Security features can be annoying when connecting to multiple machines
  • It’s an expensive solution if you need more than the free version
  • Some options may be difficult to locate

NoMachine

Pros

  • Free forever for individual use
  • An extensive set of features designed to meet the needs of a diverse user community
  • Fast connectivity with very low lag
  • Facilitates the recording of remote sessions
  • Facilitates the recording of remote sessions

Cons

  • Limited compatibility with mobile devices
  • Can present a substantial learning curve to take advantage of all its features

Pricing

A variety of pricing plans are available with both tools. Armed with the knowledge of these two apps, you can easily compare the pricing policy with the other two remote assistance tools, s.a. TeamViewer and GoToMyPC.

NoMachine

NoMachine offers a free option – “NoMachine for Everybody” that you can use for non-commercial purposes. Users just need to download and install it without any sign-ups.

Although you can use the free version for a little bit of business-related work such as accessing your business documents from a PC, it’s not permitted to use it for direct commercial use.

However, if your requirements are more and you want to use the software professionally, don’t worry. You can use their high plans suitable for professionals and enterprises. These higher plans are not free; their pricing starts at $44.50 per year and you get a lot of customization options. The plans can extend up to thousands of dollars. You can choose them based on your business requirements and budget.

TeamViewer

TeamViewer offers five different payment packages and a free plan for personal use. Two are for single users, two are for teams, and there’s also an enterprise plan. The cost for each plan is as follows:

The first two single users plans consist of TeamViewer Remote Access, which costs $24.90 monthly and includes one license, and the TeamViewer Business, which costs $50.90 monthly and includes one license.

The two Teams plans include TeamViewer Premium, which costs $120.90 monthly but includes 15 licenses, and also the TeamViewer Corporate, which costs $245.90 monthly and includes 30 licenses.

TeamViewer Tensor is designed for enterprises, as we pointed out at the beginning of this article. As such, you’ll have to request a quote customized to your business’s specific needs.

TeamViewer also offers its users add-ons and various third-party integrations, along with a 14-day free trial.

Pricing plans Teamviewer NoMachine
Free Trial Yes (14 days) No
Free personal version Yes Yes
Level 1 $24.90/month $44.50/year
Level 2 $50.90/month $84.50/year
Level 3 $120.90/month $124.50/year
Level 4  $245.90/month $164.50/year
Level 5 Custom pricing $244.50/year
Level 6 N/A $324.50/year

The Third Option - Get Free Commercial Use with HelpWire

TeamViewer and NoMachine disallow free commercial use. HelpWire allows free professional use with quick set-up. Sign up today. No billing required.

HelpWire takes a different approach from TeamViewer and NoMachine. While NoMachine’s free tier is explicitly non-commercial, and TeamViewer enforces its personal-use policy through automated pattern detection, HelpWire is free for professional use and requires only an email to sign up, with no billing information needed at any point.

Unlike NoMachine, the process to start a session is very simple – just send a link to the remote user, with minimal setup required on their side and no account creation. Additionally, your sessions will not be interrupted by software-imposed timeouts during active work.

FeatureHelpWireTeamViewerNoMachine
Free commercial use
No session interruptions⚠️ May falsely detect commercial use
Easy start✅ Just a link❌ Need remote ID + password❌ Client installation on both devices
No self-hosting required✅ ⚠️ Peer-to-peer with a free license
Starting commercial priceFree$24.90/mo (billed annually)$44.50/yr per computer (Enterprise Desktop)

Conclusion

Both of these remote support tools offer the basic functionality required of this type of software. The differences in their additional features may make one more appropriate for your specific business or personal situation. One example where TeamViewer may be a better solution for small and medium businesses is its tools for creating online presentations and holding meetings, though the business licenses can end up being a bit expensive.

NoMachine does not offer this type of functionality but does provide a reliable remote support platform.