Mikogo is a free, browser-based screen sharing and remote computer access platform for Windows. It allows you to create virtual meetings/webinars where any of the participant’s screens can be shared, to define which applications can or cannot be accessed remotely, and to instantly share files with participants, all without the need to configure firewalls, ports, and routers etc.
Say you want to demonstrate to your friend in another town how you perform a certain trick with Photoshop, or say you want to send your mother in a different time zone a really good freeware antispyware program and install for her on the spot. Mikogo will allow you to do all of the above.
I work in a company here in Seattle that’s been merged with another one on the east coast, and a few days ago I had to give a presentation “virtually” to a group of my colleagues back east. A conference call was arranged for the audio part, but what was needed was a platform whereby I could share my screen with multiple PCs on the other side of the continent. This being the business world, we used an expensive proprietary software, but I nonetheless started researching easy ways this could be done for free and found and tested Mikogo.
Once you download and install this program, you will have to create an account and log in. What’s really cool is that if screen sharing/broadcasting is all you need you audience on the other side would not need to create accounts or install software (they do, however, need to download and run a single no-install executable). Moreover, all interaction happens through the browser and there are no firewalls or routers to configure, no IP addresses to investigate and ports to open or close. Here are more notes on this program:
- How to share your screen: once you launch your Mikogo account and log in, right click on the Mikogo icon in the system tray and select “Start meeting”. You will be provided with a meeting ID (a kind of password) that others could use to view your screen. Once you have your meeting up and running, you can easily switch presenter to view another user’s screen rather than them seeing yours (subject to their acceptance, of course). Meeting limited to 10 participants.
- How others can view your screen: all your audience members need to do is go to the Mikogo website and click on “join meeting” which will download a small executable (approx 680K) that they can run and enter the meeting ID into. This will instantly open a browser window with your own shared screen displayed in it. They can also switch to broadcasting their screen or controlling another desktop without the need for any further download. Once the meeting is over, they can simply delete the executable and the config file that it creates (in the same directory in-which it is placed).
- Remote access: allows you to asume control of the remote computer’s keyboard and mouse. What’s worth mentioning here is that Mikogo maintains a list of programs that you can check/uncheck to enable remote access. Performance is a is a little bit sluggish, which is typical for browser based remote access I think (e.g. Yuuguu’s performance was about the same). I would be interested in a comparing remote access performance for freeware VPN solutions; if you know about this or if you use a remote access platform whose performance you like please let us know in the comments.
- Security: according to the devleopers “every bit of information that is transmitted between Mikogo users during a meeting is encrypted via a 256-Bit AES end-to-end encryption”. And as mentioned above a user needa a meeting ID to be able to join a meeting, and if you start a meeing you can at any point decide to “lock” it in order to prevent anyone from entering after that point.
- File sharing: offers a very handy file sharing option which is surprisingly fast.
- Portability: you can run Mikogo from a USB. See this page.
- Memory use: a mere 10 megs or so in the background.
- Privacy policy: the connection between computers is relayed through the Mikogo servers, which means that in theory Mikogo has access to what you broadcast. I did not find any privacy policy in the Mikogo site, but in truth I am not worried about it.
The verdict: although there exists a number of free VPN solutions, the reasons I like this one are (a) avoids the need to configure firewalls, routers, ports, etc, because it is entirely browser based, (b) avoids the need for others to install software and create accounts to see your screen remotely, and (c) works very well and does what it sets out to do. I might also mention that I am grateful that Mikogo does not include an IM client or, say, internet based teleconferencing, which would have made it unnecessarily bloated. If you want these get Pidgin for a fantastic freeware global IM client and LoudTalks for teleconferencing over VOIP.
A video demonstration of Mikogo:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=7c1KFjzFd5o
Version Tested: 1.0.070713
Compatibility: WinAll. Not sure about browser requirements if any.
Go to the Mikogo home page to download the latest version (approx 980K).
Great Vídeo-tutorial!
I will test the Mikogo when necessity of use appears here.
!
What is the capture-software name in use on video?
Zoom In and zoom Out;”the yellow circle mask” near the cursor / pointer; effects of click; I liked this software. Is it freeware?
1 4 U =P
http://www.ShowMyPC.com
VCN meets Hamachi without the configuration UltraVNC needs.
VNC, tightvnc, ultravnc do the same or more without needing accounts, logins, foreign servers,..
@anonymous,
You’re right, except Mikogo and VNC/UltraVNC are aimed towards a different target audience, and they do slightly different things.
With Mikogo, you’re up and running in 3 minutes, across company firewalls, without needing to mess with IP addresses, ports, or routers. You can be giving a presentation to 6 different people without having any one of those people opening ports, configuring firewalls, etc. Your audience can be non-techies and they can share your screen quickly and without hassle.
However, if you are tech savvy and, say, want to connect your work and home computers, I agree the above options are far better.
Check out this software as an alternative; I have used it in the past and like the functions and interface.
http://www.teamviewer.com/
@ Nathan,
I tested TeamViewer a long time ago, and I remember that it wasn’t 100% free. At first I was really excited about it, but then, after connecting for a certain period, it disconnected and refused to reconnect until a certain time had lapsed as a way to incentivize buying the paid version — which is why I never reviewed it.
Hi everyone,
I’m one of the team members behind Mikogo and I just wanted to say Hi and that its great to hear you’re all enjoying free online meetings.
4CR – you asked about the tutorial video…. We used TechSmith Camtasia Studio. Simple interface, easy to use. However, it is not free.
I’ve been in contact with Samer, and I will contact him personally as further Mikogo developments take place.
Other than that, I hope you all continue to enjoy Mikogo.
Regards,
Andrew
http://www.Mikogo.com
Hi Andrew.
Thanks by the answer. Know that the attention been suitable to me by his answer, even not being on his product, contributed very much to the image that here you represent. The attention for with the user of his tools is of fudamental importance for the correct use of same, guaranteeing full satisfaction of the user, serving also like return of informations for improvement of the product and adaptation of the same to the market.
Also know that the video-tutorial was very useful to clarify the use of the software, I believe that avoiding including what someone do the download of the software and discover after this one does not devote himself to the use that he wants, and sometimes spreading bad impressions on the software not for his quality, but for a mistake of choice.
The use of the software was still not necessary for me, I wait for them to myself what when it needs this one carries out the function. Certainly I will remember the product and will recommend the same thing for the one who needs such a type of tool.
Keep on giving this good service of contact with the client and it will have the best return.
Best Regards
*Thanks to the Samer for the informations on new products / services and space for the contact with the readers.
Thanks 4CR for the comments. Appreciate it.
I hope that when you do use Mikogo you’ll be sure to let me know about it.
Regards,
Andrew
CrossLoop ( http://www.crossloop.com ) is also a good utility to take over another screen. But this utility is focused on helping people with their computer problems.
Very good program, worked just the way we needed
Nice review Samer! Andrew from Mikogo approached me for a review as well, and mentioned that you had taken a look at it here.
I agree with your review, but I think that the lack of IM or teleconferencing could hurt the product. What could be nice, however, is the ability to include add-ons for Skype, Messenger, AIM, or whatever you wanted…
Hey Rob,
When you have a moment, you might enjoy checking out the Mikogo Skype Extra which you can find at https://extras.skype.com/1672/view
Also there is a Firefox Add-on: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/6779
Please feel free to check these add-ons and let me know what you think.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Thanks
Andrew
The Mikogo Team
Thanks for showing me this software. I really like this software because it is very similar to WebEx and performs all communications over standard HTTP and requires no additional configuration. I’ve been looking seemingly for ever to find a tool just like this and am very thankfull for your review.
One question I have though is, How long will this be free? I hope it is not one of those, plant the seed and then charge when there is a large enough user base.
If so, then I suppose there will be another freebie out there to take its place.
Thanks again…
Tom
A similar type of remote pc access software that also is great for troubleshooting can be found at http://www.proxy networks.com
The guys at Proxy Networks have a terrific support team that can even help technical buffoons like me. Watch out though, this is a business oriented program. I know about it because my company uses it. They have a 30 day free trial, but then you’ll have to pay. Take a look if you are in the need for technical support for stuff like this.
Oops… mess up the link there. Sorry guys. Let’s try it again:
http://www.proxynetworks.com
Andrew,
Thanks for the follow-up to user comments/questions. Any response to the privacy policy of Mikogo since everything is flowing through your servers?
We use RHUB Web Conferencing–it has a lot of the same features (and more), but it also allows for more personalization, which is why our company went with their application.
Here’s the link to their site if you want to check them out: http://rhubcom.com/v4/web_conferencing/home.html
(QUOTE) “I tested TeamViewer a long time ago, and I remember that it wasn’t 100% free. At first I was really excited about it, but then, after connecting for a certain period, it disconnected and refused to reconnect until a certain time had lapsed as a way to incentivize buying the paid version —” (END QUOTE)
Teamviewer no longer has any limitations in its free version. You just have to promise–twice–that you will use it only for personal use.
For online conferencing and presentations, MIkogo sounds like it would be my choice.
But Teamviewer is more suitable for what I need. When I’m in the office I may need to get a file from my home computer. When I’m at home, I may need to run a program that is installed on the desktop in my office.
In this regard, it is more like GoToMyPC or LogMeIn, as opposed to Mikogo or CrossLoop.
Just like any other popular remote access software mikogo delivers very good stable remote connection.
i’ve tried other web conferencing tools like Webex, GoToMeeting (w/c goes along with skype very well) and 321meet. Webex and GoToMeeting are really cool but quite expensive while the only free one i tried was 321meet.com. Neat features, easy to use and very satisfying. But I’ve also heard of Mikigo and that it’s also free. So i will be trying this as well.
i’ve tried other web conferencing tools like Webex, GoToMeeting (w/c goes along with skype very well) and 321meet. Webex and GoToMeeting are really cool but quite expensive while the only free one i tried was 321meet.com. Neat features, easy to use and very satisfying and no downloads. But I’ve also heard of Mikigo and that it’s also free. Pretty much works like the 1 i’m previously using. So i will be trying this as well, and try to check it out.
I’ve heard of Mikigo for screen sharing and some remote access applications. It is actually free for commericial use as well. We tested it out along with some other products in our evaluation session. We found it to be to slow for our needs and it did not include some of the feature we needed.
We also tested out LogMeIn Rescue. It was a good product and had a lot of bells and whistles. If I remember correctly it was just very expensive for a yearly subscription. We also looked at TeamViewer- which we liked as well but it was crazy expensive to add Smartphone support.
What we found we really liked were self-hosted softwares. We tested Bomgar and loved the software but the price was outragous for a little IT compnay
….sooooo finally we found a lesser known product, ScreenConnect. So far we’ve had no major issues with it and it has most of the feature our techs need. They keep rolling out new updates and we’ve made a couple suggestions for features that I think they are working on.
I think most of the free products just set limitations on features available when using the non-commercial edition.
@ Raymond: try TeamViewer and see if it works for you.
try mingleview freeware for multiple participants & free for commercial use.