Trade Interceptor, one of the world’s best forex trading apps, was taken over by ThinkMarkets and rebranded as ThinkTrader in 2017. In our ThinkTrader review, we’ve looked closely at the ThinkTrader mobile interface, its main features, and why it’s one of the leading mobile trading apps. 

Note that the app is available via both the Trade Interceptor and ThinkTrader websites, as well as in the Apple and Google Play stores under the ThinkTrader name.

ThinkTrader: What does it offer?  

Since ThinkTrader took over Trade Interceptor, it has added a range of additional features, with the goal of becoming the leading mobile trading platform. It’s available on both Android and iOS devices, and in general, is suitable for everyone from complete beginners to seasoned traders. 

In addition, ThinkTrader offers trading in a range of areas, including forex, precious metals, indices, cryptocurrency, shares, commodities, and CFDs. Clients from over 180 countries are accepted (notable exceptions are the USA, Japan, and Iran), and the apps are available in all regions except the USA and Japan.

 ThinkTrader: Opening an account 

Opening a new ThinkTrader account is straightforward and shouldn’t take more than five to ten minutes. You will have to provide a significant amount of personal information, including your name, date of birth, nationality, and address. Following this, you will be asked to work through a short questionnaire about your trading knowledge and experience.

On top of this, you will need to select what trading platform, currency, and leverage you want to use. Available platforms include Meta Trader 4 and 5, as well as the native ThinkInvest and ThinkTrader interfaces. Choose from eight base currency options and leverage up to 500:1. 

Finally, account verification is usually required in accordance with your country’s regulations. We created an Australian account and were required to upload photo ID and proof of address. You may also have to pass a short knowledge-based test before your account is approved. 

ThinkTrader: Account Types 

There are six different ThinkTrader account types. For starters, a neat Demo account is available for you to test trading strategies and become familiar with the platform before risking real money. Standard and ThinkZero accounts are both great for getting started and come with slightly different fee structures and forex spreads. 

In addition, Islamic clients can apply for an Islamic account that complies with Sharia law. Two or more individuals can apply for a Joint account if they want to, and experienced traders can take advantage of exclusive benefits and advanced leverage by requesting a ThinkMarkets Pro account. 

ThinkTrader: Features 

As one of the world’s best mobile trading apps, ThinkTrader is naturally backed by an impressive range of advanced features. For starters, the entire trading experience is streamlined and beginner friendly. But, this ease of use doesn’t come at the cost of advanced capabilities. 

For example, users will be able to access a suite of technical analysis tools. Live charts are available for most forex pairs, precious metals, popular cryptocurrencies, and over 1000 stocks, among others. You can select from ten chart types, including bar, broken line, and Japanese candlestick. All charts can be zoomed, scrolled, and overlaid with any of 100 technical indicators and/or 40 analytical objects. 

On top of this, the ThinkTrader app supports cloud-based alerts, which means you will receive notifications even when it isn’t running. In-app deposits and withdrawals are also available once your account is approved, and you can keep up to date with the latest financial news through the built-in news portal. 

Another noteworthy tool is the one-click order option. This enables you to access near-instant order processing rather than wasting time confirming orders. Multiple positions can also be closed with one click. And finally, the Trend-Risk Scanner is a powerful native tool that provides information about recommended trades. 

ThinkTrader: Support 

ThinkTrader’s support team is knowledgeable, fast, and efficient. 24/5 live chat and email support are available worldwide, while phone support is available in selected countries (the UK and Australia, among others). We tested the live chat briefly and were connected with an agent almost immediately. They answered our questions fast and accurately, and you can’t ask for much more than that. An impressive range of self-help articles and other resources is also available. 

ThinkTrader: Final verdict

ThinkTrader (formerly known as Trade Interceptor) is up there with the best mobile trading apps, and for good reason. It’s a professionally designed platform that’s accessible across most of the world, and it provides a great trading experience. 

The native ThinkTrader mobile app is backed by advanced features and makes trading on the go easier than ever. On top of this, the charting tools that are built into the app are truly impressive, with candlestick support and great customizability. 

Overall, ThinkTrader is a viable option for both beginners and advanced traders. And on top of everything else, it’s worth noting that the native desktop interface is also very powerful.

ThinkTrader: The competition

Mobile trading apps are becoming increasingly popular, and ThinkTrader no longer stands out as a clear industry leader. One popular alternative is Pocket Forex, which supports 24/7 trading on a wide range of markets with 50–1000 times leverage. Another major competitor is Oanda, which has the advantage of being available to US and Japanese clients. 

• Check out our guide to the best forex trading apps

The best remote desktop software needs to be easy to use yet offer a sufficiently deep feature set to support all of your business’s IT needs. RemoteUtilities for Windows is an impressively affordable remote computer access tool that provides a wide range of access options. While it’s largely limited to operating on Windows computers, RemoteUtilities makes tasks like remote file transfer, audio sharing, and webcam access easy.

So, is this the right remote desktop connection manager for your business? In our RemoteUtilities for Windows review, we will highlight everything you need to know.

Remote Utilities for Windows: Plans and pricing

Remote Utilities for Windows pricing is based on the number of licenses you need for your IT team and the quantity of remote computers you plan to connect. IT managers can share a technician license, but you can only have concurrent sessions up to the number of purchased licenses.

Technician licenses are available for free and allow you to have up to 10 remote computers in your address book. If you need to access more remote desktops, there are several options available. You can access up to 20 computers with a $99 license, 50 computers with a $249 license, and an unlimited number of computers with a $499 license. Remote Utilities also offers a site-wide plan that costs $12,000, which includes an unlimited number of technician licenses.

Alternatively, you can pay $29 per remote host to allow an unlimited number of technicians to access a limited number of remote computers concurrently (you must purchase a minimum of 10 remote hosts).

It's important to note that these prices are one-time fees, not subscriptions. You get access to any major upgrades released within one year of purchase. However, after that, you’ll need to pay to upgrade the software.

Remote Utilities for Windows: Features and utilities

 RemoteUtilities for Windows includes a number of features that are relatively simple but extremely helpful. Beyond  remote desktop functionality on Windows 10 and older versions of Windows, you can drag and drop files between connected computers and make use of a shared clipboard. On top of that, you to take control of the webcam, share audio across devices, and record high-definition video of remote sessions. 

Another thing that many business users will appreciate is that Remote Utilities enables you to integrate with your own server. IT managers can thus set up user-based access roles, sync host computer addresses for all technicians, and add additional layers of security.

It’s worth noting that while Remote Utilities primarily works for Windows, there’s also a controller app available for iOS and Android devices. You still can’t connect to one of these devices as a host, though. Remote Utilities is also developing clients for Mac and Linux computers, but they’re in beta at the time of writing.

Remote Utilities for Windows: Setup 

Unfortunately, getting started with Remote Utilities is pretty cumbersome. Downloading and installing the technician and endpoint versions of the software onto the appropriate computers is fast. But, once that’s done, you need to connect to each remote computer one at a time and verify the connection. This takes around 5 minutes per endpoint computer, and potentially longer if you’re routing connections through an in-house secure server rather than over the internet. 

Remote Utilities for Windows: Interface and performance

The Remote Utilities user interface is fairly user-friendly. It resembles Windows File Explorer, except that instead of folders, the software displays remote computers in your address book. It’s easy to start up a connection just by double-clicking on a remote computer, and you don’t necessarily have to take full control of the host when starting a session. Instead, you can enter view-only, file transfer, or screen recorder modes, among other options.

Performance can vary somewhat widely since your connection speed will depend on the internet connections of both the controller and host computers. That said, we tested a full control session between two computers running Windows 10 on a 26 Mbps connection and there was no noticeable lag.

We also tested out the file transfer performance. Dragging and dropping a 100MB file from the host to the control computer took about four minutes with a 3Mbps upload connection. That’s about what we’d expect based on the connection speed.

Remote Utilities for Windows: Security

Remote Utilities does a nice job at managing security. Technicians’ address books can be encrypted, and the platform supports two-factor authentication when logging in to the controller software. When you connect to a host computer, Remote Utilities automatically tests its identity to ensure the IP address hasn’t been commandeered. 

Another plus for security is that Remote Utilities for Windows doesn’t support web-based user accounts or password management. Although that means you can’t access cloud accounts from the software, it does ensure Remote Utilities doesn’t contain the necessary information to compromise those accounts. 

Remote Utilities for Windows: Support

Customer support at Remote Utilities is good but not instantaneous. You can only contact the company by email, and your estimated response time depends on your technician license level. Site-wide license holders can expect a response within two hours, while responses for other license holders can take up to eight hours. Remote Utilities’ support team only works Monday to Friday, US Eastern time. 

Thankfully, you can get answers to most questions through the company’s online documentation. Remote Utilities also runs a community forum, where support team members frequently respond to questions. 

Remote Utilities for Windows: Pros and cons

Remote Utilities for Windows is a powerful remote desktop software designed for comprehensive access and control over remote PCs from anywhere. It is ideal for IT professionals, system administrators, and support teams, enabling seamless remote support, network management, and screen sharing. The software operates under a server-agent model, where the agent runs on remote computers, and the administrator or support personnel controls the server.

Remote Utilities offers many features, including complete control and viewing modes, file transfer, remote task manager, terminal, inventory manager, and more. It supports over 15 connection modes, making it suitable for various remote access needs.

One of the standout features is its flexibility in connection options. It supports direct connections via IP address, LAN, and an Internet ID feature, which allows connection over the Internet, bypassing firewalls and NAT devices. This makes it versatile for accessing machines across different environments and setups.

Security is a top priority for Remote Utilities, as it employs robust encryption standards, including AES-256-bit encryption for data transfer. The software also supports two-factor authentication and provides a comprehensive set of permissions for each user, enhancing the security of remote access to systems.

Remote Utilities for Windows offers a flexible licensing model that caters to small—and large-scale operations. It provides a free version for up to 10 remote PCs, which is beneficial for small businesses or personal use. The commercial licenses are competitively priced and available as a one-time purchase, including minor updates without recurring subscription fees.

Remote Utilities has many features and capabilities which may overwhelm new users. The initial setup and configuration could be challenging for individuals with less technical knowledge or without extensive IT backgrounds.

Although remote utilities generally provide a smooth remote access experience, their performance may be suboptimal compared to low bandwidth connections. Users may experience lag or slower response times, impacting efficiency in real-time support scenarios.

While Remote Utilities offers a Viewer app for macOS and Linux, its full range of features and functionalities is primarily optimized for Windows. This may limit its usefulness in mixed OS environments.

Some users have mentioned that while the support team is helpful, the available resources, such as tutorials and documentation, could be more comprehensive. Navigating through advanced features or troubleshooting issues might require contacting support directly, which can be time-consuming.

Remote Utilities for Windows: Final verdict

Remote Utilities for Windows is an affordable remote desktop connection manager for Windows computers. The licenses are available for a one-time cost, which can save businesses a significant amount of money. This software has some handy features to help IT teams manage helpdesk services. While it would be better if this platform supported Mac and Linux computers, it's still a good option if your company primarily uses Windows devices.

Remote Utilities for Windows is a robust solution for comprehensive remote access and management tools. Its rich feature set, flexibility, and strong security posture, it caterll to IT professionals and businesses looking to streamline their remote support and network management tasks.

However, potential users must consider its steeper learning curve and platform-specific focus. For organizations with diverse or non-Windows environments, compatibility and user experience are crucial factors. Evaluating Remote Utilities through its free version can provide valuable insights into whether it aligns with an organization's specific remote access needs and technical capabilities. In summary, Remote Utilities for Windows is a contender worth considering in remote desktop solutions, especially for those heavily reliant on Windows ecosystems.

Remote Utilities for Windows: The competition

Arguably, the biggest downside to remote utilities is that they only enable you to connect to Windows computers. If you need a remote desktop on a Mac computer, it's worth looking into GoToMyPC or TeamViewer. Both platforms offer much of the same functionality as Remote Utilities, including drag-and-drop file transfer, screen recording, and audio sharing.

But they can also be much more expensive. GoToMyPC charges $33 to $35 per technician license per month for an unlimited number of endpoint computers. Meanwhile, TeamViewer charges $49 monthly for one user and one concurrent session or $199 for unlimited users and three concurrent sessions.

To find out more about Remote Utilities forWindows'' competition, read our Best remote desktop software guide.

What to look for in a remote desktop solution

In today's digital age, remote desktop solutions have become a cornerstone of business operations, enabling employees to access their work environment anywhere in the world. This technology supports the growing trend of remote work and ensures that organizations can maintain their productivity levels, irrespective of their physical location. But with many options available, how do you choose the right one for your needs? Here are some key aspects to consider when searching for a remote desktop solution.

Seamless Connectivity and Accessibility—The foremost attribute of an efficient remote desktop solution is its ability to provide smooth, easy-to-establish connections. It should empower users to access their desktops and applications with minimal effort and without the need for extensive technical knowledge. The solution must be compatible across various devices and operating systems to ensure all team members can stay connected regardless of their preferred gadgets.

Security Features - With cyber threats at an all-time high, security has never been more critical. A suitable remote desktop tool should offer robust security measures, including end-to-end encryption, multi-factor authentication, and regular security updates to protect against vulnerabilities. The ability to set granular access controls and monitor user activity can further enhance the security of sensitive organizational data.

Performance and Reliability - The effectiveness of a remote desktop solution also hinges on its performance. It should provide a smooth, lag-free experience, closely mimicking the feel of working directly on the host computer. High reliability, with minimal downtime and quick recovery options, ensures that work can proceed uninterrupted, thus maintaining high productivity levels.

Support and Scalability - As businesses grow, their needs evolve. A scalable remote desktop solution, allowing for easy addition of new users and resources, can be a valuable asset. Equally important is responsive customer support. A provider that offers prompt, efficient help when issues arise can save precious time and resources.

Cost-Effectiveness - While it's crucial to not tortoise on essential features, the cost is a significant factor for most organizations. The ideal solution would offer a transparent pricing model that scales with your needs, ensuring you only pay for what you use. Evaluate not just the initial costs, but also long-term expenses, including updates and support.

User Experience—Last but not least, the user experience cannot be overlooked. A user-friendly interface, minimal latency, and the ability to personalize settings can make a big difference in daily operations. The solution must have intuitive controls that don't steepsteeplearning curve for new users.

Choosing the right remote desktop solution involves carefully balancing performance, security, ease of use, and cost. As businesses continue to evolve, the ability to work remotely efficiently will become even more critical. Evaluating your options based on these criteria can go a long way in ensuring that your choice not only meets your current needs but is also a viable long-term solution as your organization grows. In this selection process, insights from current users and expert reviews can also provide valuable perspectives, helping to narrow down the choices to the solution best suited to your unique requirements.