Shift vs. RealVNC Connect

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Shift
Score 9.1 out of 10
N/A
The Shift browser merges web apps into a single window, streamlining work online and providing access to thousands of apps without leaving the browser.
$0
per year
RealVNC Connect
Score 8.4 out of 10
N/A
RealVNC® Connect is a secure remote access solution from RealVNC. It can be used to connect to a remote device anywhere in the world to view its desktop in real-time and take control as though sitting in front of it.
$99
per year (one concurrent session)
Pricing
ShiftRealVNC Connect
Editions & Modules
Free
$0
per year
Advanced
$149
per year
Teams
$149
per year per user
Essentials
$8.25
per month (billed annually) per concurrent session
Plus
$16.50
per month (billed annually) per concurrent session (add up to 3)
Premium
$29.75
per month (billed annually) per concurrent session (add up to 5)
Enterprise
Custom Pricing
per year
Enterprise
Custom Pricing
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
ShiftRealVNC Connect
Free Trial
YesYes
Free/Freemium Version
YesYes
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional DetailsPlans work on a Per Concurrent Session basis. Each plan gives access to a bundled number of devices, but limits apply to the amount of devices that can be connected at any given time. The Premium plan includes On-Demand Assist, a useful tool for providing just-in-time remote support to end-users without them needing RealVNC Connect installed on their device.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
ShiftRealVNC Connect
Features
ShiftRealVNC Connect
Remote Administration
Comparison of Remote Administration features of Product A and Product B
Shift
-
Ratings
RealVNC Connect
7.3
32 Ratings
8% below category average
Screen sharing00 Ratings9.128 Ratings
File transfer00 Ratings8.015 Ratings
Instant message00 Ratings6.119 Ratings
Secure remote access with Smart Card authentication00 Ratings7.05 Ratings
Access to sleeping/powered-off computers00 Ratings6.09 Ratings
Over-the-Internet remote session00 Ratings9.030 Ratings
Initiate remote control from mobile00 Ratings8.919 Ratings
Remote management of servers & workstations00 Ratings4.76 Ratings
Centralized management dashboard00 Ratings7.116 Ratings
Session record00 Ratings8.02 Ratings
Annotations00 Ratings5.36 Ratings
Monitoring and Alerts00 Ratings7.03 Ratings
Multi-platform remote control00 Ratings9.011 Ratings
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User Ratings
ShiftRealVNC Connect
Likelihood to Recommend
8.8
(91 ratings)
8.0
(37 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
7.6
(6 ratings)
8.0
(8 ratings)
Usability
8.4
(74 ratings)
8.0
(4 ratings)
Availability
7.3
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
8.7
(4 ratings)
8.0
(2 ratings)
Online Training
-
(0 ratings)
7.0
(2 ratings)
Implementation Rating
9.1
(2 ratings)
8.0
(2 ratings)
Configurability
6.4
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Product Scalability
7.3
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
ShiftRealVNC Connect
Likelihood to Recommend
Shift
I believe that Shift is suitable for everyone, even those with only one email account. Just being able to group email, along with Messenger, WhatsApp, and other apps, together is, in itself, a productivity hack. I have already recommended it to some of my other business owner friends.
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RealVNC
It is very easy to use if the remote device is already set up to receive connections, so if you are setting up devices before deploying them, it is a great tool to have. It is well-suited to use when shadowing users or using it as a teaching tool. There are other products that are better if you are trying to help someone on a one-use basis.
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Pros
Shift
  • Connects Gmail Email Accounts with ease
  • Makes it easy to organize a variety of apps in one dashboard
  • Unclutters your desktop with less Browser tabs and windows open at one time
  • Connects to other Productivity apps with one click
  • Acts as a central hub for all app productivity usage saving time
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RealVNC
  • VNC Connect does an excellent job in remotely connecting to a computer through either your local area network or even another computer on the internet. As long as the VNC Connect services is installed and the client is running in the background.
  • VNC Connect provides password protection to prevent unauthorized users from attempting to remotely access your computer. There's an option to have a separate password to remotely view vs view & access a computer. You can even add an additional level of security by turning on the feature to require Windows login credentials.
  • VNC Connect provides an additional set of controls after a remote connection has been established with another computer. You can have special keystrokes like Ctrl+Alt+Del sent as a command sequence to the other computer as well as access more than a single screen when in use at the remote computer location.
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Cons
Shift
  • The browser doesn't always work. Some websites refuse to load, and others time out too quickly. It is not as strong or robust a web browser as Chrome.
  • Unread counts are not always accurate.
  • I wish I could set up Google Suite products as separate workspaces.
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RealVNC
  • Its a pretty straight forward product - I would like to see more tools with a "wow" factor.
  • Panel colors are blah - I would like more eye-catching colors.
  • A more consistent look with all platforms - like Mac & PC.
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Likelihood to Renew
Shift
Shift has significantly streamlined your daily operations by bringing together all your tools, accounts, and workflows into one platform. This has reduced context-switching and improved overall productivity across Bamboo Orchard’s Innovation Studio and Venture Studio operations.The ability to create custom workspaces tailored to different projects, clients, and teams ensures that each aspect of your business is optimized for performance. This flexibility supports the unique, bespoke solutions Bamboo Orchard is known for delivering. Shift has enhanced collaboration by integrating communication tools like Slack, Zoom, and email with task management platforms. This has allowed teams to work together seamlessly, even in remote or hybrid environments. By eliminating the need for constant tab-switching and manual management of accounts, Shift has saved considerable time and effort for the team, allowing you to focus more on strategic innovation and client support. Shift’s functionality aligns perfectly with Bamboo Orchard’s mission to deliver bold, transformative innovation and tailored solutions. It supports your ability to execute efficiently and maintain focus on reshaping industries for your clients.
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RealVNC
VNC is a solid product for the price. It simply works and its reliable across different platforms. Some products state they work well in the Mac environment but don't deliver. This one does what it says. Connections are reliable, but of course, this depends on internet connections. The product works well over wireless connections as well. It delivers on what a remote tool should deliver on. My technicians are happy with the product and customers appreciate the ease of use when letting us connect to their systems. Some also appreciate the remote support while they are multi-task.
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Usability
Shift
Setting up Shift is very simple and highly intuitive, making it easy to use. Once you set up the accounts and program integrations, you can easily click on precisely what you need, requiring barely any thought or effort. It feels truly seamless and straightforward to use. I have no issues with use, and I use it every day.
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RealVNC
It's a niche product and in that niche they try to cater to as many use cases as they can. Other as a TCO aspect i don't see many use cases where you can't use this product as the one tool for all remote session use cases in your company
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Reliability and Availability
Shift
Its basically been great. In 3 years I had one issue of repeated crashes which was fixed with a version change and an issue where slack wouldn't load after a slack update but that fixed within a few weeks
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RealVNC
No answers on this topic
Performance
Shift
Its pretty performant on my GPU based laptop as it can use the hardware to accelerate processing. However it is memory hungry. If I had a normal amount of RAM on my laptop I wouldn't imagine it would be a little slower
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RealVNC
No answers on this topic
Support Rating
Shift
I have only had to use their support a couple of times, but was able to get an answer and things resolved within a couple of hours. There was no issue with contacting them, received responses and updates in a timely manner and they were able to resolve the small issues we had. It was a pleasure to work with them
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RealVNC
VNC Connect is a reliable product that has been around for a long time. It is reasonably priced and works well in the Mac & PC environment. When you have a small team that supports many users we need tools that we can rely upon and that will get the job done on the first try. Many customers appreciate the quick assistance and can multi-task while our team works on their computer issues remotely. From a customer service point of view, this tool gives us transparency and efficient effectiveness.
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Online Training
Shift
No answers on this topic
RealVNC
The training is very informative, quick and to the point. All of the details one would need are present so the user doesn't have to go searching for additional information just to use the application. The layout of the training was also neat and concise, some of the other training sessions for other companies I've done in the past were confusing and not well thought out, this one is much more superior
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Implementation Rating
Shift
I was completely satisfied with the implementation of Shift, rating it a 10. The process was straightforward and required minimal effort to get started. Key insights include the importance of pre-configuring the app with essential tools and accounts for the team to ensure a smooth transition. Shift’s intuitive setup and integration process allowed us to onboard quickly without disrupting workflows. Additionally, its user-friendly design made it easy for team members to adapt without extensive training.
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RealVNC
No problem at all, love the product.
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Alternatives Considered
Shift
I used to use a similar product called Station. In all honesty, Station was better but was discontinued. Shift is the nearest equivalent and works just as well. Station was free, Shift is an annual payment so I have peace of mind it's more likely to be around for the long term.
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RealVNC
VNC is light and sleek with the quick setup, was impressed with the quick setup despite poor Internet connection outdoor. TeamViewer is good, but the pricing is not as good as VNC. Both do the basic job, but VNC still outperform TeamViewer in terms of performance and ease of use.
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Scalability
Shift
All our departments use this product and its very effective at keeping us organised on a client by client basis
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RealVNC
No answers on this topic
Return on Investment
Shift
  • Keeping all my inboxes in one place so I can easily shift between them 1000% increases my productivity
  • reducing the number of browser and application tabs helps keep my computer running quicker.
  • I can easily see the number of emails in each inbox and prioritize accordingly throughout the day.
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RealVNC
  • I have just used the software for about 1 month and so far so god. I am saving time whenever I can access my client's computers from my desk as opposed to having to leave my office to go to their offices. Saves me time and the client money.
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ScreenShots

RealVNC Connect Screenshots

Screenshot of the Device List in the Connect v8 desktop appScreenshot of On-Demand Assist, which can be used to start a remote support session using a single-use code.