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Best Android phones in 2024

By admin January 16, 2024

Best Android phones in 2024, Need a new phone? Look no further than this selection of best Android phones you should buy, including the best from Google, Samsung and more!

We’re approaching the tail end of 2023, and it’s safe to say that it’s been a great year for smartphone enthusiasts and those who were in the market to buy a new phone. We have seen some incredible launches from the likes of Samsung, OnePlus, and Apple, and there are simply too many good flagships to count this year. We’ve also received some solid mid-rangers and best value picks in the form of Galaxy A54 5G, Pixel 7a, and more recently, the Galaxy S23 FE.

Similarly, the foldable space was also packed with some great launches, so there’s no shortage of reliable Android phones in 2023. If you are in the market to buy a new Android flagship and can’t figure out which one is better, then check out the collection below in which I’ve highlighted some of the best phones across different categories.

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Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra in green with transparent background showing front and back of the phone with S Pen stylus

Source: Samsung

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motorola edge+ 2023 in black, transparent background, floating in air showing angular front and back sides

Source: Motorola

Motorola Edge Plus (2023)

Fantastic alternative

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Source: Samsung

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE

Best value pick

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Samsung A54 5G in black with transparent background, showing front and partial back panel

Source: Samsung

Samsung Galaxy A54 5G

Best mid-range pick

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oneplus11 device in black transparent background showing only back side

Source: OnePlus

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Best Android phones in 2024

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Best overall

The best flagship on the market, hands down

The Galaxy S23 Ultra is one of the best phones on the market, packing an all-new 200MP sensor, a refined design, a custom Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset, and One UI 5.1.

Pros

• The most versatile camera system

• Excellent performance

• S Pen included

Cons

• Too big and unwieldy to use with one hand easily

• Other than the main camera and new chip, not a major upgrade over the S22 Ultra

Considering the Galaxy S21 and S22 Ultra held this spot for almost all of 2021 and 2022, Samsung didn’t need to do much for the Galaxy S23 Ultra to claim this spot immediately upon release, particularly in the U.S. market. And while Samsung retained mostly the same display, design, and internal components except for the newest Qualcomm chip, it does bring a major update: the main camera is now a 200MP sensor, capable of shooting actual 200MP photos or 12.5MP shots using 16-in-1 pixel binning.

The new camera allows the Galaxy S23 Ultra to make further improvements to low light photography, as a normal binned photo will contain almost twice as much image information as the S22 Ultra’s main camera shots. You can also shoot in full 200MP, after which you can crop in significantly and not lose as many details as other mobile camera photos. While the other cameras on the rear — a pair of 10MP zoom lenses and the 12MP ultra-wide — remain unchanged from the S22 Ultra, Samsung’s improved computational photography plus the newer ISP in the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip make for improved photos with better exposure and colors.

The fully integrated S-Pen, 5,000 mAh battery, along with a gorgeous 6.8-inch Super AMOLED panel with excellent peak brightness and energy efficiency all make their return, making for a polished and powerful device. Throw in Android 13 with four guaranteed years of Android updates and then another year of security updates, plus great Samsung software features like Samsung DeX, and you have a do-it-all, well-rounded flagship that offers more than what any other phone has to offer. If you want the most reliable, capable, and widely available Android phone, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is still it.

Motorola Edge Plus (2023)

Fantastic alternative

A surprisingly good alternative to phones from Google & Samsung

The 2023 flagship Edge+ brings an impressive spec sheet and an affordable price. From the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor to the 165Hz pOLED display, Motorola is offering North Americans perhaps its most complete high-end phone in years.

Pros

• Great overall performance

• Reliable software experience

• Excellent battery life

Cons

• Zoom past 5x on the cameras is a mess

• Not available at carriers

The 2023 model of the Moto Edge+ is a high-end phone that once again brings Motorola into the flagship conversation. It offers a long list of features that makes it worth it in 2023 over other options out there. The Edge+ (2023) brings a lot of improvements over its predecessor to become a great alternative to flagships from Samsung and Google.

One of the highlights of this phone is its design. The Edge+ (2023) features curves on both front and back for a quad-curved design that looks beautiful and feels premium to hold. It also sports a 6.67-inch OLED panel with support for up to 165Hz refresh rate. The phone is powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip to deliver excellent performance, and it also packs a massive 5,100mAh battery for reliable battery life.

My only complaint is the availability because the Edge+ (2023) is not available on any carriers in the U.S. That’s a potential deal-breaker for those who prefer bundling their phones with qualifying plans for monthly payments instead of buying them unlocked. But if that’s not stopping you, then I can’t recommend the Moto Edge+ (2023) enough. There’s a lot to like about this particular smartphone, and you can learn more about it in our Motorola Edge+ (2023) review.

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE

Best value pick

Reliable Samsung Galaxy experience that we know and love, for cheap

The Galaxy S23 FE comes in tons of colors and gives you the core Samsung experience for a more affordable price.

Pros

• Beautiful AMOLED display

• Premium build quality

• Samsung’s One UI 5.1 software

Samsung’s new Galaxy S23 FE stands as a great choice for those who are looking to buy a Galaxy smartphone, but don’t want to shell out a premium price for it. The Galaxy S23 FE looks and feels in hand like its flagship siblings. It even has a Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with 120Hz refresh rate, which is the same as the one you get on the regular Galaxy S23. It sports Gorilla Glass 5 on both front and the back, and it even features an aluminum frame and an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.

The only difference between the Galaxy S23 FE and the regular Galaxy S23 is that the more affordable model is powered by a relatively older Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip in the U.S. as opposed to the newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip. It also features a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom as opposed to a 12MP sensor, and a 10MP selfie camera instead of a 12MP shooter on the Galaxy S23. The rest of the camera sensors are the same, though.

The fact that the Galaxy S23 FE offers a very similar experience to the more expensive flagship Galaxy S23 models for a starting price of $600 is great. That’s $200 less than the most affordable model in the flagship Galaxy S23 lineup, making it a great value pick. Google’s Pixel 7a is also a solid option to consider if you’re in the market to buy a relatively affordable phone. The Pixel 7a is, in fact, even cheaper, so it’s better suited for those who are on a tighter budget. I suggest you check out Galaxy S23 FE vs Google Pixel 7a comparison to learn more about the differences between the two.

Samsung Galaxy A54 5G

Best mid-range pick

Samsung Galaxy experience for less

The Samsung Galaxy A54 5G is a great mid-range phone. It offers a sleek design, a beautiful 120Hz display, plenty of power under the hood, and a triple camera setup on the back.

Pros

• Excellent screen at this price point

• Solid main camera

• Glass body instead of plastic

Cons

• Useless macro camera

• A bit slower than pricier phones

Samsung’s Galaxy A54 brings a 120Hz vibrant OLED display, a strong 50MP, f/1.8 main camera, and a glass body at a mid-range price. Previously, Samsung’s A series used a plastic body, so this new construction is an immediate step-up. The phone also packs a large 5,000mAh battery and keeps expandable storage, which is very rare in modern smartphones.

The A54 runs Android 13 with Samsung’s OneUI, and the software experience is pleasant. Despite the phone running on an Exynos chip — which doesn’t get the best rep — overall performance is relatively smooth. The phone isn’t going to zip around as fast as a flagship Samsung or even the OnePlus 11, but it’s not a slow phone either.

The main camera uses Samsung’s improved software processing to produce lively images, and even in low-light situations, it performs well. The ultrawide camera is just average, however, falling to the usual soft details and noise in low-light situations. However, add in official IP67 water resistance and stereo speakers, and the A54 is a very good mid-range option. It’s also cheaper than the Galaxy S23 FE, and you can check out our Galaxy S23 FE vs Galaxy A54 5G comparison to learn more about the differences between the two.

OnePlus 11

Best software and speed

Still the fastest and smoothest phone around

The OnePlus 11 is the company’s return to form, offering an almost-flagship experience at a lower price point than what Samsung charges.

Pros

• Fast, zippy UI

• Very good main camera

• Fast charging with included charger

Cons

• No official water resistance rating even though cheaper phones offer it

• No wireless charging

Look, I know OnePlus’ OxygenOS has lost a bit of its identity over the past year, ever since OnePlus and OPPO finally admitted to being the same company and OxygenOS began looking more and more like OPPO’s ColorOS. But here’s the thing: ColorOS is good, and this “colorfied” version of OxygenOS running in the OnePlus 11 is still one of the zippiest and smoothest software around.

Every Android flagship offers a 120Hz refresh rate these days, but OxygenOS’ (and ColorOS’) animations just zip around noticeably faster and smoother than, say, Samsung’s OneUI, which sees dropped frames from time to time. Google’s Pixel UI has pretty smooth animations, and a case can be made for that software taking this spot, but OxygenOS is just a bit more customizable, with a better always-on display and more useful shortcut gestures.

The OnePlus 11 itself is a fine phone, too, running on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, with a visually striking design that sees the camera module spill over the sides and blends into the chassis. It also has a very good Hasselblad camera system headlined by a 50MP IMX890 main camera plus a 48MP ultrawide shooter, and a 32MP 2x telephoto zoom lens. Photos captured by the OnePlus 11 are vibrant with punchy colors and excellent dynamic range.

The OnePlus 11 ships with a 100W fast charging brick (80W in the U.S.) that can top up the phone from 0-100% in under 25 minutes. Overall, the OnePlus 11 is a good-looking, polished Android phone that should satisfy your need for speed, and it’s priced a few hundred dollars cheaper than the Galaxy S23+.

Google Pixel 8 Pro

Best point-and-shoot camera

Google’s AI camera magic

$799 $999 Save $200

The Pixel 8 Pro is the latest flagship from Google, and it packs the best the company has to offer in 2023. It features the newest Tensor G3 processor, like its regular Pixel 8 sibling, but it comes with a 6.7-inch OLED display, a brighter screen, a larger battery, and more storage options.

Pros

• Incredible AI camera features

• Absolutely one of the best camera systems around

• Good design and build quality

Cons

• Not a big jump over the Pixel 7 Pro

• Not the best performing flagship out there

A quick comparison between the Pixel 8 Pro vs Pixel 7 Pro will tell you that the new flagship doesn’t bring a lot of new things to the table. It does offer a better camera system, though, thanks to all the new generative AI features. All of these features are scary good, and they allow you to tweak the photos after the fact, meaning you tweak and make a shot better even after capturing it.

As far as the cameras are concerned, the Pixel 8 Pro sports a triple camera setup at the back which includes a 50MP main camera, a 48MP telephoto, and a 48MP ultrawide camera. It also features a 10.5MP selfie shooter with PDAF as opposed to a 10.8MP shooter on the previous-gen model. We’ve added lots of camera samples captured using the Pixel 8 Pro in review, so be sure to check it out in case you’re wondering how good the cameras are.

In terms of the internals, we’re looking at Google’s new Tensor G3 chip inside the Pixel 8 Pro as opposed to the Tensor G2. The base variant of the Pixel 8 Pro also comes with 12GB of RAM instead of 8GB. Some other noteworthy differences between the two include a slightly bigger battery, support for faster charging, and the addition of a new temperature sensor. The Pixel 8 Pro, however, costs $100 more than the Pixel 7 Pro at launch. In fact, you’re likely to find the Pixel 7 Pro at discounted prices now, so keep that in mind.

Asus ROG Phone 7

Best gaming phone

The ultimate Android gaming phone

Packed with specs and software gaming optimizations, the Asus ROG Phone 7 is one of the best when it comes to smartphones specifically made for mobile gaming.

Pros

• Gaming-specific software

• Packed to the gills with specs

• First-party gaming accessories

Cons

• Sub-par camera performance

ASUS has a solid list of gaming phones under its belt, so it’s hardly a surprise to see an ROG phone making it to our list as the best gaming phone pick. The ROG Phone 7 comes with all the bells and whistles you’d expect from a gaming in 2023, and it’s a great pick for those who are looking to buy Android phone for gaming.

It packs a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SOC, up to 16GB of LPDDR5X memory, and up to 512GB of UFS4.0 storage. Notably, it also packs a 6,000mAh battery with 65W fast charging, which delivers up to two-day battery life. The ROG Phone 7 also boasts a huge 6.78-inch 165Hz AMOLED display, which is a fluid and responsive panel for gaming.

The ROG Phone 7 is a bit on the heavier side, weighing in at 239g, but it’s partly due to Asus’ Gamecool 7, an included cooling solution that has a large vapor chamber, graphite cooling sheets, and an external fan accessory. The extra heft is essentially just a small price to pay for a phone that runs cool and won’t thermal throttle while gaming.

The ROG Phone 7 is not for everyone, but it’s a great choice for those who are looking to buy a reliable Android handset for gaming. You can also consider checking out the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate, which steps things up, for an even better experience.

OnePlus Open

Best large foldable

Snatching the crown from Samsung’s best foldable phone

$1500 $1700 Save $200

The OnePlus Open is the company’s first foldable, featuring a sleek design, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform chip, advanced camera system, and more. It is available in two colorways and starts at $1,500.

Pros

• The best foldable phone displays yet

• Impressive camera hardware

• Great multitasking features

Cons

• No wireless charging

• A bit on the expensive side

The OnePlus Open is currently the best foldable phone you can buy in the U.S. market if you’re looking for a large-sized foldable device instead of a clamshell model. The OnePlus Open, just like the Galaxy Z Fold 5, is a book-style foldable that gets a lot of things right and offers a premium experience at a relatively lower price. It’s essentially just a rebranded OPPO Find N3, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that it’s a solid entry in the foldable space.

One of the highlights of the OnePlus Open is that there’s no noticeable crease on the internal folding display of this device. It also has a matte finish that makes it less reflective than the ones on the competing phones. The Open also sports an excellent set of cameras that can capture some photos and videos like the ones highlighted in our OnePlus Open review.

The OxygenOS powering the overall experience of the OnePlus Open is also great, and it brings some solid multitasking features to the table. Part of what makes a book-style foldable great are the multi-tasking features that let you take full advantage of the screen real-estate, and OnePlus has got it right for the most part.

It also looks great and has a premium build to match its price tag. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 5 is also a good foldable phone overall, but it falls a bit short while going against the OnePlus Open in a head-to-head comparison. I suggest you check out our OnePlus Open vs Galaxy Z Fold 5 comparison to learn more about the differences between these two phones.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5

Best small foldable

Evenly matched with the Moto Razr+

The Galaxy Z Flip 5 is the latest compact foldable from Samsung, offering a flexible 6.7-inch internal display, a 3.4-inch external display, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, and much more.

You can score up to $600 off with trade-ins at Samsung.com.

Pros

• Compact form factor

• Bigger outer screen offers more usability

• New hinge improves the form factor

Cons

• The camera still needs work

• No DeX support

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, just like its predecessor, is a fun foldable phone that’s significantly more affordable than its bigger sibling. Unlike the Fold 5, which is a better phone for power users, the Flip 5 is a pocketable phone that’s only meant to make your smartphone experience more fun. I’d say it’s a good entry into the world of foldable, and you should consider buying one if you fancy a phone that’ll make you stand out.

Unlike other Samsung products this year, the Z Flip 5 got one big upgrade. It now sports a much bigger cover display on the outside, which lets you do more things without unfolding the phone. It’s almost the same size as the one you get on the Moto Razr+, but Samsung makes it a bit harder to use applications on it. The Flip 5 also gets the same hinge as the Fold 5, meaning it folds completely flat. Notably, it’s also powered by the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip for Galaxy, so it’s just as powerful as Samsung’s other flagship Galaxy phones this year.

I suggest you stop by our Galaxy Z Flip 5 review to learn more about it before picking one up. It’s similar to the Moto Razr+ in many ways, and I’d say they’re both evenly matched when it comes to compact foldable phones in the U.S. But the Z Flip 5 edges it out slightly in software and power.

Best Android phones: The final say

You’ll find plenty of good phones in this roundup, so I highly recommend exploring all the listings to find the right phone. But if you don’t want to spend time looking at all the options and don’t mind splurging to get the best phone, then I suggest picking the Galaxy S23 Ultra. It’s one of the most well-rounded phones you buy right now, as it gets a lot of things right for the price. Premium features like the new 200MP camera and the included S Pen make it the best in the Android space, and you can’t really go wrong with it.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Best overall

The best of the best

The Galaxy S23 Ultra is one of the best phones on the market, packing an all-new 200MP sensor, a refined design, a custom Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset, and One UI 5.1.

Phones like the OnePlus 11 and the Galaxy S23 FE also offer good value for your money, but they miss out on some features, thereby forcing you to compromise. All things considered, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra remains the undisputed champion, and it’s still the phone to pick if you’re looking for a reliable all-rounder.

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Internet

Best Free Pinterest Downloader in 2024

By admin January 15, 2024

Best Free Pinterest Downloader in 2024, Pinterest is the ideal tool for generating new ideas and gaining inspiration. One may discover a wide variety of creative expressions, including images and films, that span almost any subject they can think of. Pinterest is a platform for visual discovery that was largely developed to assist users in locating photographs of topics that interest them. These photos may include ideas for home design, tasty recipes, gardening ideas, and more.

Although the majority of users are used to adding Pins to their boards, you can also download a picture from Pinterest to your computer or smartphone and store it for offline usage.

Here is all you need to know about how to save images from Pinterest to the memory roll of any digital camera.

8 Best Pinterest Image Downloader in 2024 to Get HD Photos

Have a look at the below-mentioned most popular free Pinterest image downloader!

1. Pincase

Source: Pincase

Introducing Pincase, a powerful tool designed specifically for downloading videos and images from Pinterest. With Pincase, users can effortlessly save their favorite content from Pinterest, whether it be captivating videos or stunning images.

Pincase is a user-friendly tool designed to enhance the downloading experience on Pinterest.com by providing a convenient and free video downloading feature. Additionally, the platform offers a convenient download feature that allows users to easily download various types of media, including images, GIFs, videos, and Story Pins.

This Pinterest image downloader simplifies the downloading process by incorporating a convenient download button positioned at the upper left corner of every pin. This feature enhances the user experience and makes it more efficient to save desired images. The extension has the capability to facilitate the download of various types of content from Pinterest, including images, gifs, videos, and Story Pins. The pincase batch image downloader feature is designed to significantly enhance the efficiency of your downloading process. The feature allows for the convenient downloading of multiple files, including gifs, images, and videos, all at once.

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Best Free Pinterest Downloader in 2024

2. SavePIN Pinterest Image Downloader

Source: SavePIN Pinterest Image Downloader

Are you tired of the repetitive task of manually downloading images from Pinterest? SavePin is a comprehensive and efficient solution that caters to all of your Pinterest image-downloading requirements. With our efficient Pinterest photo downloader, users can effortlessly and promptly acquire high-resolution images. By utilizing a simple and efficient process, users have the ability to effortlessly save numerous images simultaneously, granting them convenient and unrestricted access to their collection from any location and at any given time.

This free Pinterest image downloader is compatible with a wide range of devices, ensuring that users can access it seamlessly across various platforms. The tool is completely free from any potential risks or threats, ensuring the utmost safety and security. This product is designed to seamlessly integrate with and function effectively on a wide range of devices.

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3. Pinterest Image Downloader Online

Source: Pinterest Image Downloader Online

When it comes to watermark-free Pinterest image downloads, this is the greatest tool available. The versatility of the Pinterest Image Downloader Online tool allows for seamless compatibility across multiple platforms, including Android, iPhone, and PC. This eliminates the need for users to switch between different tools when utilizing their various devices.

Users can save several photographs at once with ease using a straightforward and effective approach, which gives them convenient and unlimited access to their collection at any time and from any location.

The compatibility of this free Pinterest image downloader extends to a diverse array of devices, enabling users to effortlessly utilize it on multiple platforms. The tool boasts a remarkable level of safety and security, as it is entirely free from any potential risks or threats. The design of this product ensures a smooth and efficient integration, allowing it to effectively operate on various devices.

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4. PINTDD

Source: PINTDD

Another best free Pinterest image downloader is PINTDD. It is designed to provide users with an exhilarating experience when it comes to downloading images from Pinterest. With this exceptional tool, users can easily and conveniently download their favorite Pinterest images online, making it the ultimate treat for those who find excitement in captivating visuals. With just a few simple steps, it is possible to effortlessly download Pinterest images onto various devices such as PCs, laptops, tablets, or smartphones within a matter of seconds. This Pinterest photo downloader provides users with the ability to unlock the vast world of Pinterest. It enables users to search for and acquire high-definition quality photos from Pinterest effortlessly.

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5. DotSave

Source: DotSave

DotSave.app is another meticulously crafted web-based Pinterest image downloader that offers users an unparalleled experience in downloading videos from the platform. With its seamless functionality and user-friendly interface, it stands out as the ultimate choice for those seeking a reliable and efficient Pinterest downloader.

The main objective of the website is to provide a convenient and easy-to-use solution for users who wish to download Pinterest videos and pictures onto their devices. This allows them to access the videos offline, use them for personal purposes, or incorporate them into various creative projects. Users can select from a variety of video formats (including MP4) and quality thanks to the website.

The feature enables users to customize the downloaded videos or pictures according to their individual preferences and requirements. Users are provided with the option to select their preferred download format, such as JPEG or MP4, for the content they wish to download from Pinterest. By providing users with increased control, they are able to ensure that the downloaded files are compatible with their specific intended use.

Users can select from a variety of video formats (including MP4) and quality thanks to the website. The feature enables users to customize the downloaded videos or pictures according to their individual preferences and requirements.

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6. Pintvideodownloader.com

source:Pintvideodownloader.com

Despite being a well-known and linked platform, Pinterest does not provide its users with a way to download images, photos, or pictures from the site. In order to get over this problem, Pintvideodownloader provides you with a Pinterest image downloader that lets you download pictures of your choice.

Pintvideodownloader is a specialized platform designed specifically to assist users in the process of downloading videos from Pinterest. In addition to its other features, the platform also provides users with the ability to download images, GIFs, and stories. The Pinterest Image Downloader is designed to provide users with a user-friendly experience, ensuring that they can easily download Pinterest images and achieve a high level of satisfaction.

Furthermore, it should be noted that Pintvideodownloader consistently maintains the high quality of images without any compromise. When you make a wish, you receive precisely what you desire, including the ability to download high-definition pictures without any degradation in their quality. When using Pintvideodownloader, users can download images without any worry as there is no watermark present on the downloaded images.

The software seamlessly integrates with a wide range of web browsers and operating systems, ensuring optimal compatibility and performance across different platforms. Hence, this versatile tool can be utilized on both mobile devices and computers.

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7. BotDownloader

Source: BotDownloader

Last but not least, the BotDownloader is another free Pinterest image downloader that you can consider. It is a user-friendly tool that allows you to effortlessly download images or photos from Pinterest. Whether you use a Desktop, Laptop, PC, Tablet, or Android Phone, this tool provides a seamless experience for accessing and saving Pinterest content. Additionally, users have the option to download Pinterest photos in either jpg or png format.

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8. Pinterest HD Image & Photo Downloader

Source: Pinterest HD Image & Photo Downloader

If you are still not quite satisfied with the best free Pinterest image downloaders provided above, then here’s another one to help you. Pinterest HD Image & Photo Downloader is an HD downloader that allows you to save images or videos from the Pinterest board. All you need to do is copy the URL of the link you want to save, paste it into the website, and download content with ease.

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Final Words- Pinterest Image Downloader in 2024

Pinterest gives users the ability to construct digital bulletin boards by compiling pictures and videos related to a variety of subjects. There is no need for you to continuously look for the pictures that you like while you are logging into your account online. You will have direct access to them via the board(s) that you manage as well as the boards that you follow.

You may avoid the hassle of taking screenshots every time you wish to save a picture on Pinterest by using the options that are now accessible to you so that you can download the image instead. Using either of the following free Pinterest image downloaders you can easily download and save a high-quality picture from Pinterest to your mobile device or desktop computer.

That’s all! We hope you found the article informative and helpful. If you have any questions or further suggestions regarding the same, then please feel free to tell us in the comments section below.

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Games

The best football games on PC 2024

By admin January 15, 2024

The best football games on PC 2024, Lead your club, country, or brightest youth prospect to victory in the best football games on PC, from near-perfect simulations to soap opera stories. It can seem tough to scratch that footballing itch, especially when there are only a few mainstream games that usually spring to mind. Sure, Football Manager is the undisputed king of the football management genre, and if you’re interested in a more player-controlled affair, it’s hard to argue with FIFA’s excellent game-day presentation.

What are the best football games on PC in 2024? It can seem tough to scratch that footballing itch, especially when there are only a few mainstream games that usually spring to mind. Sure, Football Manager is the undisputed king of the football management genre, and if you’re interested in a more player-controlled affair, it’s hard to argue with FIFA’s excellent game-day presentation.

Whether it’s an under-the-radar studio, an indie title, or a mash-up of different sports, there’s a football game for every fan. To shine a light on these underappreciated classics, we’ve compiled the best PC games for football fans.

Football Drama

Football meets real-time strategy and deck-based card battle games gameplay in this delightfully humourous Demigiant title. As existentially-troubled manager Rocco Galliano, you’re tasked with turning around the fortunes of the ailing Calchester Assembled Football Club.

Doing so won’t be easy though. Like Telltale games of old, player choice is a big part of Football Drama. You’ll regularly be in conversation with journalists, the club’s owner, criminal organizations, and even your house cat, and the decisions you make during these chats have positive or negative impacts on all aspects of your management journey. Get into a spat with the man who hired you, and you could be sacked within days of taking over. Do a deal with the mafia to throw a game and find the story leaked to the press, and you could have a baying mob of angry supporters at your door.

Football Drama’s turn-based match mechanics, coupled with the use of “shout cards” you earn based on your interactions, can swing results in or out of your favor, and add an intriguing layer to its FM-inspired match engine. Your team’s stamina and card usage are pivotal to winning matches, so strategically applying them in unison will be the difference between victory and defeat.

Games and the commentary can feel a bit repetitive after a while, and there are only seven endings you can unlock despite Football Drama’s huge branching narrative. With its unique blend of gameplay, droll humor, and literary-inspired plot, however, Demigiant’s title is one you should check out.

The best football games on PC 2024

Rocket League

This isn’t your typical football game, but Rocket League is technically a soccer-based title thanks to its arcade-style football mixed with rocket-fuelled cars and vehicles.

There’s so much to like about Psyonix’s popular game. Its fluid, physics-driven mechanics are a joy and give rise to different, awesome, and sometimes hilariously bad goals and moments. Its 3-on-3 matches are always intense and results can swing one way or the other based on whether you’re having a good session or not, who you’re teamed up with, and often sheer luck about where the ball lands.

Its customization options allow you to build a vehicle that is distinctly you, and there are various game modes for you to try out until you find your perfect fit. Online casual and competitive matches, an offline Season Mode, basketball and hockey-esque extra modes, and Mutator options are just a few game types available to you, which helps if you want to mix things up and try something new.

Add all of that together with the Rocket League Season Pass – where you can earn rewards, climb up the world rankings, and get XP boosts – and this is a driving-based football title that could rival FM for your time. Check out our Rocket League review if you want to know more.

Kopanito All-Stars Soccer

Have you ever wanted to see a game with no referee and players imbued with superpowers? Kopanito All-Stars Soccer will be right up your street if so.

Merixgames’ football title has been out for a while, but its cartoonish charm and skill-based gameplay mean that there’s plenty here to keep your interest. Regional tournaments and leagues, multiplayer support for up to five players, and four difficulty levels give you your money’s worth, and there’s even the option to turn your slick or amazing goals and celebrations into animated GIFs to send to your mates if you’re in bragging mode.

It’s the game’s superpower abilities that really make it shine, though. You can teleport away from opponents, fire a super-shot goalwards that knocks all players out of the way – goalkeeper included – and even use a magnet that pulls the ball alongside you. It’s wacky but rewarding, particularly if you become a master at the game’s control system, and you’ll feel satisfied when you finally beat the game’s hardest difficulty setting after weeks of honing your craft.

Football, Tactics & Glory

On the surface, this looks like an FM22 knock-off, but there’s more to Football, Tactics & Glory than that. Combining XCOM‘s chess-like strategy with RPG elements, Creoteam’s original spin on the management sim genre provides a fun yet realistic take on player improvement and tactical game plans.

Its fully customizable player faces let you give your stars some personality – in comparison to FM22’s plasticine-esque regen faces – while its mod support allows you to add in real-life leagues and tournaments to keep things fresh. Add in a helping of Twitch integration, whereby viewers can interact with streamers, and your fans can play as big a role in your management journey as you.

If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to FM22’s in-depth mechanics – or a realistic footballing alternative to Blood Bowl – Football, Tactics, & Glory is a solid PC football game.

Behold the Kickmen

Imagine a football game that was developed by someone who had no idea what football was about. If you thought of something along the lines of Behold the Kickmen, you’d be right.

A frenetic soccer sim, Behold the Kickmen reinvents football by, well, inventing something else entirely. With gameplay mechanics that include ‘more kicking’ and ‘doing goals’, this tongue-in-cheek affair takes an amusing swipe at football fanaticism.

There’s a silly story mode to keep you engaged, while you can enable a mode in the options that turns the game into a dystopian bloodsport if things are getting a bit too serious for your liking. Its lack of multiplayer is a shame as it would be funny to batter your mates into oblivion, especially in bloodsport mode. For non-football fans who want to take the mickey by playing a soccer game, though, Behold the Kickmen, is a cheap, fun indie title.

Totoball

Table football, or Foosball as it’s commonly known, is fun, so if you like that then you’ll like this surprisingly effective PC port, Totoball.

Developed by Artur Rezende, Totoball is a carbon copy of the physical game we’ve all played and loved, whether that’s in common rooms and bars across the world. Like its real-life counterpart, Totoball’s mechanics are very simple – so much so that there are only two keys you need to use to play it.

Sure, you could venture out into the real world and play table football properly. For those days when you don’t feel like leaving the house, however, Totoball is an easy game to pass the time with.

Super Arcade Football

Remember when football games were top-down 2D affairs? Super Arcade Football replicates that aesthetic. Harking back to the days of Sensible Soccer and Italia ‘90, OutoftheBit’s retro-inspired title will have you wanting to dust off your old consoles to take a trip down memory lane.

It’s faster-paced than its predecessors and is graphically superior, but all the gameplay mechanic hallmarks are here. Different types of pitch – from dry to muddy to icy – are available to play on, simple controls such as pass, shoot, and move are all you need, and there is up to four-player support if you want a friend or three to join you.

Chuck in some funny match modifiers, including bigger goals and bouncy walls, and an online mode, and Super Arcade Football is a treat for those of you who grew up during the SNES and Mega Drive era.

Pixel Cup Soccer – Ultimate Edition

Pixel Cup is a love letter to isometric football games, like Sensible Soccer, with a little injection of modern technology. Local multiplayer is supported, and there are a variety of different competitions to dig into at your leisure. There’s even support for women’s football here, with the Women’s World Cup and Pixel Cup available to play – something that very few football games, FM included, have supported.

If Super Arcade Football doesn’t bring on the nostalgia rush you were hoping for, this might just push you over the edge. With a career mode, and even a playable Qatar World Cup, Pixel Cup Soccer may look simplistic, but it packs a lot under the hood.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2021

You can’t mention FIFA without talking about its fiercest rival, Konami’s Pro Evolution Soccer series. PES 2021 doesn’t feature any upgrades from the previous year, instead, the devs focused on building eFootball 2022. Unfortunately, eFootball 2022 wasn’t the game fans were expecting as it quickly became the worst-reviewed title on Steam, with the 2023 version not doing much better.

Don’t worry, the modding community has saved the day once again. Using PES 2021 as a base, players have stuck to last year’s game as fans add in custom kits and teams. For solo players, Master League is one of the best single-player modes in any football game. In the Master League mode, players control a football club throughout several seasons. Not only will you have to deal with transfers, but creating unique training programs for the development of your players is crucial, especially for clubs without a large budget.

Football Manager 2024

While you won’t directly be contributing to the ball going into the goal, the Football Manager series puts you in the suit of one of the most important parts of any football team. Our FM24 review sings the praises of the newest entry in the series, which boasts a reworked agent system, advanced positional control, and, most importantly, the ability to import old saves into the new game. Perfect if you’ve been on that League 2 run for a few years now.

If you’re after one of the hardest FM24 challenges, check out our most difficult FM24 challenge saves, and if you want thing to look as realistic as possible, check out our guide on how to import FM24 kits and logo packs, so your team looks how they’re supposed to.

If handball being bad confuses you, and you don’t know where to start with the offside rule, we have the best sports games here, and if you would rather be the puppet master than the puppet, we have the best management games right here.

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Computer

Best Remote Desktop Software in 2024

By admin January 11, 2024

Best Remote Desktop Software in 2024, Screen sharing windows, more accurately known as Remote desktop software, are tools that allow you to access one pc from another pc remotely.By remote, we mean that users can take the access of a mouse and keyboard of a distant PC just like their own. Remote access is highly beneficial for people sitting at long distances, the IT department of large corporates and many more.

However, to do this, you need specialized software which will connect your PC to the host system. Once you have the required software in place, you can easily connect your client pc with the host pc with proper credentials.

Are you scared about the technical aspect of sharing the screen with another computer? Just download a free screen sharing software to get your job done.

List of the 9 Best Remote Desktop Software for 2024

While many Windows computers come with in-built software, however, there are several best screen sharing software that can do the job in a much better way and also provide additional features.

1. Zoho Assist

Zoho Assist is a blessing to IT departments and works on a cloud-based software platform. It is one of the best ways to connect to end customers within seconds.

It works on an On-demand mechanism and sends email invitations to its user to connect with the host PC. It supports file transfer, video, and voice chat along with solving rebooting issues on the client-side.

Additional features:

• It comes with an easy to use auto-detect tool.

• It also supports the recording of sessions for monitoring purpose.

• It can also club client system based on their location and functions.

It is one of the best troubleshooting tools for IT companies which can solve all kinds of system-related issues. This stunning application comes in both a free and paid version. With the free version, you can connect with up to 5 machines.

With all the features, this tool is undoubtedly worth a try.

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2. TeamViewer 14

This all-round software undeniably deserves a place in the list of best screen sharing software. This comprehensive tool can support multiple devices with a massive number of platforms.

It’s easy to use UI makes it the right choice. It also comes in a free version for home users. You can connect up to 4k desktops, share files, and also supports alternative VPN’s.

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3. Chrome Remote Desktop

Chrome Remote Desktop is one of the easiest and the most straightforward screen sharing application. It works as a chrome extension and is quite easy to install.

You can add multiple users to the host computer using a security pin. The only drawback of this application is that when compared to other players is has a limited number of features to offer.

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4. Remote Desktop Manager

It is a must-have application for SME businesses who are looking for an efficient system to control their computer systems remotely.

It comes with a good range of features and is quite easy to use. Individual users can opt for its limited free edition while large corporates can buy a site license to support all PC.

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5. Remote Utilities for Windows

Another most trusted and reliable option in the category of best screen sharing software is “Remote Utilities for Windows.” It comes with incredible features that can give enough competition to even the paid software.

Users can connect up to 10 PC with this feature-rich tool. It works on 2 platforms, the first one if the Host software that is installed on the Host PC and the Viewer software that need to be installed on the clients pc.

The only downside of this incredible piece of technology is that it can only work on Windows PC.

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6. LogMeIn Pro

LogMeIn is the ultimate choice for large companies which require a powerful and robust screen-sharing technology.

It is specially developed to support large enterprises and comes with a suite of sophisticated and useful tools that can easily manage multiple systems and users.

The only downside is that it does not suit everybody’s pocket. However, as an additional benefit, you get 1TB of cloud storage with its premium subscription.

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7. Remote PC

Personal or business use, Remote PC is suitable for both. It works on Cloud, which makes it a good option for individual users as well as large enterprises.

Several computers can be configured with the host PC, and additional users can also be added with an access key and password.

All the remove connection are highly secure with AES-256 encryption, and use of access credentials adds on to the security level.

A round the clock support team is also available to help users and customers. Individual users can get this stunning tool in $ 51.12 as first-year subscription.

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8. Connectwise Control

This powerful application is effortless to use and comes with an array of features. It works on 2 key options: Access and support.

Support is a Cloud-based service which supports real-time accessing of users machine. It also uses a 2FA mechanism and AES-256 encryption to ensure high-end security.

Users can schedule meetings, give remote prints, and transfer files. Its standard plan costs $35 annually and allows a single user to connect with 3 different system.

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9. VCN Connect

Another well-known name in the list of best screen sharing software is VCN Connect. It is most suited for multinational companies.

Users can easily connect, monitor, support, and collaborate with the user’s devices. Real-time remote access is quite easy with this powerful desktop tool

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What is remote desktop software?

Remote desktop software, also known as remote access software, allows users to access another computer or system remotely in real time and work on it like their local device. It ensures easy, efficient, and secure access to one or many remote desktops.

While the software can also be used for remote support, a remote desktop tool is typically used by employees to access a machine remotely rather than to resolve a technical problem. Though the maintenance functions may not be as extensive as those of remote support solutions, remote desktop tools aid support teams in performing basic maintenance tasks on numerous devices from a single station.

Typical use cases of a remote desktop tool include granting employees access to and managing distant computers anytime, from any device, which gives them the privilege to work from anywhere. Sometimes IT support professionals use remote desktop software to troubleshoot and perform maintenance tasks remotely.

What are the common features of remote desktop software?

The following are some core features of a remote desktop tool that can help users achieve greater flexibility and cost savings through remote work:

• Remote access and control: Remote desktop software provides end users access to and control over other devices not in their physical vicinity. The software facilitates the visibility of a specific window or the entire desktop.

• Multi-monitor support: Many workplaces now opt for multiple monitors at their workstations to help improve productivity. As a result, the remote desktop tool supports the capability to view multiple monitors at a time.

• Multiple operating system (OS) support: Businesses today use Windows, macOS, Linux, or other OS, and sometimes multiple OS within the same company. Remote desktop software has features to handle viewing and functioning on any OS, independent of the OS the end user is connecting from.

• Mobile device access: Remote desktop tools allow administrators to access connected mobile devices and support mobile OS like Android, iOS, and more.

• Data encryption: When a user’s device is being used and managed remotely, it may leave the user feeling vulnerable. The remote desktop tool offers a data encryption feature to secure the connection and protect data.

• File management: Remote desktop software facilitates file sharing and transfers to enable quick and effortless work discussion, collaboration among colleagues, and viewing of relevant documents when working remotely. The shared or transferred files are highly secure as permission to access them is granted only to authenticated user accounts.

• Remote configuration: The software helps configure a remote PC for access so that the end user can take complete control of the device over the internet anytime.

• Chat: The chat functionality of the remote desktop software allows users to send and receive messages between computers.

• Application management: Remote desktop tool centrally manages, configures, and monitors applications on employee devices.

• Session transfer: Access to remote sessions for IT support can be transferred between users using a remote desktop application.

• Session recording: A remote desktop tool provides the ability to record remote sessions at a desired location on the local computer.

• Security: All the data shared across a remote connection is encrypted. It also uses multi-factor authentication (MFA) to ensure only authorized users can log in and notify suspicious activities.

• Deployment flexibility: Remote desktop tools can be deployed on the cloud and on-premises, depending on the organization’s requirements.

• Remote printing: Some remote desktop solutions provide remote printing capabilities to help users print documents using a locally plugged or network printer.

• Session usage reporting: Activity log tracking and session analytics is essential for IT managers and chief information officers (CIOs) looking to track, manage, and optimize helpdesk activities.

• Branding: Remote desktop systems may let businesses customize client applications to match their websites.

What are the benefits of remote desktop software?

There are several benefits that a business can reap from a remote desktop tool. Below is a list of advantages that the tool offers:

• Efficiency: Remote desktop tools offer the potential to maintain numerous devices from a single workstation. Users can access the systems they need from wherever they are located.

• Cost savings: Remote desktop tools may require the installation of remote client software on user devices. However, some web-based remote desktop software provides remote access with zero endpoint installation or configuration. Clientless, centrally-managed solutions do not require installation, management, and software maintenance on individual devices, thereby cutting down IT support costs. Additionally, these solutions enable users to work from home with the most reliable and secure connection resulting in reduced overhead expenditure for office space, computing equipment, software, utilities, etc.

• Flexibility: Employers are increasingly promoting flexible and remote work. The ability to work from anywhere, at any time, and on multiple devices increases employee productivity and turnover. These tools enable employees to work remotely with a seamless remote desktop connection to one or many desktops at the workplace.

• Business continuity: Remote desktop platform ensures business continuity in times of crisis, such as pandemic outbreaks, harsh weather, and transportation strikes. It provides access to business applications and data from home, enabling organizations to meet their business objectives.

Who uses remote desktop software?

• Customer support teams: Employees on support teams are most likely to use the remote desktop tool. The software greatly improves the efficiency of most support teams’ day-to-day routines and tasks.

• IT departments: Software and licensing administrators in the IT department can use remote desktop tools for scheduling and running maintenance on devices, regardless of the device’s physical location or the administrator.

• Data archive teams: Teams that do heavy data archive work may also benefit from using a remote desktop tool. Data archives tend to be optimized toward UNIX systems like Linux’s numerous variants, so having a remote Linux build that can be tapped into from a Windows desktop can be incredibly valuable.

• Software engineers: Remote desktop solutions enable developers and engineers to share a single workstation, use integrated development environments (IDEs), access remote servers, and investigate bugs remotely.

• Educational institutions: Teachers, professors, educators, and administrators use remote access solutions for conducting classes and accessing tools and files from remote locations.

• Remote users: Remote employees rely on these solutions to access company files and servers and complete tasks without being in the office.

What are the Alternatives to Remote Desktop Software?

• Remote support software: Remote support and remote desktop tools are so similar that many use the two names interchangeably. There is a slight but notable difference between the two. Remote desktop software focuses more exclusively on access to and control over a remote device. While remote support software does this as well, these solutions offer more expansive features to assist with maintenance and troubleshooting.

• Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) software: Remote desktop and VDI software have similar characteristics but slightly different target functions. A remote desktop tool tends to focus on creating connections to physical devices. In contrast, a VDI tool hones in on entirely virtual desktops associated with servers or even an OS being run within another OS. VDI software allows for centralized hosting and viewership of numerous desktops, whereas remote desktop focuses on the ability to access numerous physical desktops from a single location.

• Screen sharing software: These systems partially match the functionality of remote desktop solutions by allowing users to share screens and demonstrate processes to viewers. Sales, marketing, and support teams use screen sharing tools to provide demos, brainstorm, and resolve technical issues.

Challenges with remote desktop software

Remote desktop tools can come with their own set of challenges.

• Connectivity: Remote desktop usage occurs entirely via the internet, so connectivity issues can end up disrupting the experience. When implementing a remote desktop tool, users must ensure high internet connectivity.

• Hardware dilemmas: Remote desktop software relies partly on the end device’s hardware functioning optimally. If there is an issue with the end device’s hardware, the software may not be able to access the remote device.

• Privacy: The means to take control of other users’ computers remotely does come with a certain degree of privacy risk. In the wrong hands, losing control of one’s computer means compromised data on the computer or an entire network. Companies need to use strong endpoint protection software when implementing remote support software to protect internal devices.

• Operating system compatibility: Some remote desktop systems may not efficiently support different operating systems such as Linux, macOS. or their outdated versions. This Os non-compatibility makes it challenging for remote users to receive timely solutions.

• High-performance tasks: Network speed and bandwidth variation may impact remote desktop tools’ ability to to complete tasks demanding high computational resources, including video rendering, data analysis, and graphic design.

• User experience: Complex remote desktop applications make it difficult for users to log in, establish connections with remote devices, and share files.

How to choose remote desktop software

Organizations buying remote desktop software must consider business-specific needs and the following factors to maximize the return on their investment.

• Device whitelisting and authentication: Choosing a remote desktop platform with device or endpoint authentication is crucial for preventing unauthorized systems from connecting with remote devices and gaining unattended access.

• Two-factor authentication (2FA): Remote desktop solutions with 2FA capabilities verify user identity to protect devices and data from brute-force attacks, social engineering, and phishing.

• Security compliance: Buyers must ensure that the remote access tool of their choice meets different security standards, including General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), System and Organization Controls (SOC 2), Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Also, consider choosing solutions that update security protocols regularly.

• Ease of use: Selecting a user-friendly remote desktop tool is essential for ensuring that even non-technical users have a seamless experience while using the system. Moreover, users should be able to install the application without any difficulty.

• File transfer: Remote desktop tools with file sharing features allow users to share presentations, documents, and data, enabling them to send or receive files immediately. Also, consider looking for systems with remote printing, chat, multi-monitor support, and remote wake-on-LAN functionalities.

• Available on mobile devices: Choosing a system that users can access from a phone or tablet helps technical support specialists resolve issues on the go.

• Price and customer support: Consider thoroughly evaluating customer support availability and features against price to find the best solution.

Depending on their organizations’ sizes, needs, and preferences, buyers must try different tools to find the one that best fits their compatibility, security, usability requirements, and budget.

Remote desktop software pricing

Remote desktop software is available in two deployment models: on-premises and cloud. Based on the models, the software can also be purchased as a perpetual license or as annual or monthly subscriptions. Remote desktop tools are priced as a perpetual license for on-premises software, whereas cloud-based solutions are available on a subscription basis. Some remote desktop tools can be downloaded for free private usage and are available as a three-tier license, often business, premium, or corporate.

Remote desktop software pricing varies depending on the number of seats, devices, and features organizations require. Below is a general overview of pricing based on tiers buyers choose.

• Entry-level plans range from $10 to $15 monthly and include basic features. These plans suit individual users and small businesses.

• Mid-range plans can cost businesses up to $35 per month. They provide more features suitable for larger business teams.

• Advanced plans cost around $75 monthly and offer advanced support and user management features. These are ideal for larger enterprises with extensive business requirements.

Implementation of remote desktop software

How is remote desktop software implemented?

There are generally two ways in which a remote desktop software is implemented:

• OS-based implementation: OS-based remote desktop solutions are built directly into the OS. No extra software is required to use OS-based remote desktop solutions as the tools are already installed. For example, some versions of Windows come with built-in remote desktop software.

• Third-party-based implementation: Third-party-based implementation is needed when remote desktop software has to be licensed by the user. Once the buyer has decided on the software that fits their particular needs and installed it, it should be ready for use.

Remote desktop software trends

• Companies will adopt a hybrid workplace model: Companies are now looking at providing the choice of working from the office only for a few days a week. The remote working element in a hybrid workplace is a trend that is expected to grow. Employees within an organization have increasingly started preferring to work from home or anywhere else with flexible working schedules. Employers are also providing the flexibility to do so. Remote desktop and remote support software will be widely used when working remotely, as they provide seamless IT support without letting external factors hinder business processes from running smoothly.

• Organizations will opt for consolidation of remote work tools: Organizations use multiple software solutions such as video conferencing, remote support, and remote desktop to enable effective collaboration across employees, clients, and partners. It is essential to consolidate these tools and provide the organization with better visibility to enhance operational productivity, thereby reducing the need to monitor each device individually. The adoption of centralized solutions is expected to rise, considering it would help companies ensure compliance and tackle software management issues.

• BYOD trends continue gaining popularity: Many organizations encourage employees to use BYOD devices to control capital expenditure costs rising from hardware purchase and maintenance. Employees using their devices often rely on remote desktop solutions to connect with peers or access server files. Remote workers using their devices for office work are more likely to experience cybersecurity threats. Businesses must continue investing in cybersecurity, cloud security, and vulnerability management tools to prevent data leaks and unauthorized access and mitigate remote work tech vulnerability.

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Application

Best Free Phone Number Apps 2024

By admin January 11, 2024

Best Free Phone Number Apps 2024 Here, you will learn about the 9 best free phone number applications for Android that allow you to make phone calls free anywhere in the world. We all have witnessed the era of utilizing actual landline phones but eventually, it comes to an end. Between easily available Internet & cheaper smartphones, it is easy to drop that cord for good. You will still need to get a data connection like WiFi or a carrier plan, but there are certain applications available over the web that allow you to make phone calls at no cost.

Free calling tools help you make or receive international and domestic calls for free using cellular data or WiFi. Phone number apps include other much-needed features such as transferring, call recording, call forwarding, and customized voicemail greetings. Such apps give you a second phone number (typically in the US) that you can consider to text or call any other America-based number, and fortunately, it will exactly show that you are in the US only.

This write-up contains a descriptive list of top-notch free phone number apps for Android, and it will help you make the right decision.

9 Best Free Calling Apps for Android to Making Free Phone Calls in 2024

Below listed are some of the most popular phone number apps that you can consider to make calls for free across the globe. Without further ado, let’s get started.

1. Dingtone

Dingtone is one of the most excellent phone number apps available on the Google Play Store. The application can give you a phone number according to your local area code. Moreover, it can make phone calls across 200 countries. With this free number app, users can easily make an unlimited number of calls over mobile data as long as their corresponding friends & family use the same application. The in-app purchases enable you to make phone calls even to real phone numbers through a credit system. Later on, you can add or get more free credits via numerous adverts and promotions.

Key Features of Dingtone:

• Make phone calls to anyone without any sort of hindrances.

• It supports international calling.

• Make video & voice calls, and send messages in over 200 countries.

• Supports conference calls.

• Comes with an in-built recorder that allows you to record calls.

Get it on Play Store

Best Free Phone Number Apps 2024

2. Hushed

Yet another free phone number app for Android is Hushed. It lets you call, and send pictures, videos, and texts to any number across the world. This app helps you keep your real number safe and protected by giving you a second number that you can consider to make phone calls. What’s more, it allows you to add and manage multiple phone numbers. In addition to this, it also lets you forward a call to another number. Using this tool, the users can also record and customize their voicemails.

Key Features of Hushed:

• Completely free to use.

• Keep your conversation secure and private.

• Enables you to integrate the app with Slack or DropBox.

• You can even access your number through WiFi or a data connection.

• Users can manage more than one number.

• It has full talk, text (SMS), picture messaging, and MMS capabilities.

Get it on Play Store

3. Grasshopper

Grasshopper is a free phone number app that offers excellent communication solutions for small organizations or businesses. The tool provides a one phone number that can be accessed on currently existing mobile devices or landlines, without any hassles. Moreover, it lets you receive multiple calls at the same time by routing to another team member or phone. Its WiFi calling feature easily detects suspected spam calls. Users even can modify the call forwarding settings.

Key Features of Grasshopper:

• You can make and receive phone calls through a mobile or desktop application.

• This app converts voicemail messages to text so that you can easily read without listening.

• It offers a complete view of your business interactions across multiple channels.

• Allows you to record professional messages in order to welcome your clients or customers.

• The tool lets you send/share fax documents as a PDF from your preferred email.

Get it on Play Store

4. Ring4

Be it for business or personal purposes, Ring4 is the best free phone number app that you can consider in order to generate a second phone number. Not only a second phone line or eSim, but Ring4 also supports high-definition (HD) video conferencing, call recording, voicemails, robot call blocking, and international calls. With an unlimited call, text, and video meeting plan, Ring4 is an excellent solution for your virtual office.

Key Features of Ring4:

• Creating and managing multiple phone lines is much easier.

• Allows you to choose a number with your local Area code.

• Provides a contact list and dial-pad.

• Comes with in-built recorders that help you record any call with ease.

• Its smart block feature lets you block unwanted calls.

• Enables you to customize voicemail messages or greetings.

• You can send text messages along with emoticons and picture messaging.

Get it on Play Store

5. MightyCall

MightyCall is one of the best virtual phone systems designed especially for small businesses. This free phone number app enables you to make and answer calls on any device of your choice. It also lets you reject the call, accept, or send it to voicemail. The application helps you to form your flow with a conversational and clear chart. Moreover, it provides you with the complete history of your communications. You can effortlessly forward calls to any phone number or device.

Key Features of MightyCall:

• Offers unlimited calling.

• You can choose a toll-free or area code number without paying a penny.

• Allows you to record your calls.

• Lets you listen to voicemails and receive notifications.

• You can even visualize your voicemail.

• Organize all contacts related to your business in one place.

Get it on Play Store

6. GrooVeIP

GrooVeIP is another deserving free phone number app for Android. Using this application, you can get a real US phone number that you actually give to other people. This service supports both texts and calls. In addition, the app contains in-app purchases. If we talk about the free part, then it is a little bit iffy. You can also earn credits at no cost. But for this, you will have to watch advertisements and complete the required offers. We understand that it is a bit daunting but it works like magic. Additionally, there’s also an option to purchase credits. Not for unlimited, but the tool is a perfect choice for limited free calls.

Key Features of GrooVeIP:

• Lightweight and easy-to-use tool.

• It has a separate dialer that can be accessed to make phone calls.

• This Android free phone number app will provide you with free credits every month.

• Easily call any landline or mobile phone in Canada or the US.

• Send text messages to friends & family.

Get it on Play Store

7. ConXhub

Last but not least, ConXhub is another free phone number app for Android users. It is a lightweight and user-friendly application that enables users to generate multiple numbers and profiles. Using this advanced business phone number app, you can even receive phone calls from multiple numbers. Not only for Android, but it is also available for iOS devices.

Key Features of ConXhub:

• Provides good and high-quality calls.

• Lets you forward calls to any phone or mobile device around the world.

• It can provide you with a local, international or toll-free number from any country of your choice.

• Simple and quick navigation.

Get it on Play Store

8. Phone.com

Last but not least, Phone.com is the last free phone number app for Android. This tool is quite more advanced than any other conventional alternative. This tool is used by a lot of businesses to take care of their professional needs like sales, support, and many more.

Key Features of ConXhub:

• The interface of the app is quite simple.

• You can create multiple numbers as per the number of users with the tool.

• You can use the app to send SMS and MMS from your smartphone.

• The app also supports conference calls.

Get it on Play Store

9. 2ndLine – Second Phone Number

Here’s yet another of the best free phone number apps for Android. 2ndLine – Second Phone Number is an amazing app that allows you to get the caller ID of the user calling you. You can even search for the phone number on the app and get its details.

Key Features of 2ndLine – Second Phone Number:

• The tool can easily transcribe text from a voicemail.

• The app works well in the US and Canada.

• 2ndLine – The second Phone Number allows picture messaging.

• The app is compatible with Android smartphones and tablets.

Get it on Play Store

That’s A Wrap!

So, the above suggested were some of the best free phone number apps available for Android. We hope you liked the information shared in this article helpful.

If we missed out on anything, then let us know in the comments section below. Furthermore, you can also drop your queries or doubts in the comments. Before you go, do subscribe to our Newsletter for receiving daily technology updates.

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Internet

Best Game Streaming Services for 2024

By admin January 11, 2024

Best Game Streaming Services for 2024, Do you want to play popular video games, but don’t own a console or gaming PC? These top streaming services let you access remote hardware to play games on almost any device you already own.

Stadia is dead, but game streaming isn’t. Although Google no longer lets you remotely play games, several other big names have their own options. These services let you stream new and classic titles as if you have a gaming PC or a console right in front of you—only they’re located in a server rack somewhere else in the country. They give you access to big gaming power for a monthly fee—all you need is a modest PC or mobile device that can connect to a strong internet signal.

You’ll find our top, tested picks below, as well as buying tips to help you find the best game streaming services for your budget or platform.

Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks

Shadow

Best for Full Remote PC Access

Why We Picked It

Shadow is the most powerful gaming streaming service because it isn’t limited to games. Instead, it lets you remotely access a full Windows PC with 28GB of RAM and an Nvidia RTX A4500 GPU (the approximate equivalent to a GeForce RTX 3070). That means you can run anything on it, from any game store, or manually install any game or software yourself. Shadow is also the priciest service we’ve tested, but its functionality is worth the expense.

Who It’s For

For gamers, Shadow is a fantastic way to get all of the benefits of a full gaming PC on a much cheaper computer. Outside of gaming, Shadow is an ideal service for creatives who need more power than their local hardware provides.

Best Game Streaming Services for 2024

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate

Best Dedicated Game Streaming Service

Why We Picked It

For $16.99 per month, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate includes a selection of hundreds of games for both Xbox and Windows. It also features cloud gaming as part of the membership, accessible on Android devices. In this case, the game streaming is a bonus feature that’s still in beta, but we’ve been impressed by how well it works so far.

Who It’s For

Hard-core gamers. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate offers a huge selection of excellent games, including the most recent releases from Microsoft and Bethesda, for a pretty reasonable price. Plus, you can stream them to a PC, an Xbox, or an Android phone.

Amazon Luna

Best for Many Streaming Options

Why We Picked It

Amazon Luna offers multiple channel-based choices for game streaming, with a compelling (if uneven) game selection on the $9.99-per-month Luna+ channel, the $17.99-per-month Ubisoft+ channel, and the $4.99 Jackbox Games channel. If you have Amazon Prime, Prime Gaming offers a small selection of streaming titles you can play without an additional subscription. We strongly recommend getting the $49.99 Amazon Luna Controller, as it uses its own Wi-Fi connection to improve performance (the controller also makes it easy to switch between Luna-compatible devices).

Who It’s For

Amazon devotees. The Luna+ channel game list is pretty hit-or-miss and doesn’t include the most recent releases, and the Ubisoft+ channel is ridiculously expensive. However, $5 for all of the Jackbox games is a nice option if you want to host a party.

Nvidia GeForce Now

Best for Steam Gamers

Why We Picked It

GeForce Now doesn’t have a dedicated game catalog, but it lets you stream titles from your Epic Game Store, Steam, and UPlay libraries (including Fortnite and more than 80 other free-to-play titles). If you own a gaming PC with an RTX graphics card, you’ll be happy to know that GeForce Now supports ray tracing, too. The rather sudden removal of Blizzard’s games means that you can’t be certain if a title you want to play will stay on the service.

Still, if you want to try GeForce Now without paying the $9.99 monthly Priority subscription ($49.99 per six months) or $19.99 monthly 4080-equipped Ultimate subscription ($99.99 per six months), you can use the service for free with one-hour sessions, less access to servers, and no RTX compatibility.

Who It’s For

This is for PC gamers who want the best possible PC gaming experience, but don’t have the hardware for it. Shadow is more flexible since it’s just a powerful Windows PC, but GeForce Now lets you leverage the power of a 4080 graphics card.

Antstream Arcade

Best for Gen X Gamers

Why We Picked It

If you like retro gaming, check out AntStream. This service focuses almost exclusively on 1980s-era arcade and computer titles (like Amiga, Commodore 64, and Spectrum ZX). Featuring more than 1,300 games, Antsream has one of the largest streaming libraries, but most of those options are at least 30 years old and may not appeal to everyone.

Who It’s For

This is strictly for retro gamers with a ton of nostalgia for arcade games from the mid-1990s and earlier, as well as for pre-Windows gaming computers. Where else can you stream games for the Amstrad?

Sony PlayStation Plus Premium

Best for PlayStation Fans

Why We Picked It

PlayStation Now was Sony’s dedicated game streaming service, but it’s since been rolled into the highest-tier PlayStation Plus subscription service. Unlike Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, PlayStation Now doesn’t work with mobile devices and it doesn’t feel quite as responsive even under good network conditions. It also only streams up to PlayStation 4 games; you need a PS5 if you want to play games for that system.

Who It’s For

Dedicated PlayStation fans who want to play the entire PlayStation Plus Classics Catalog, as well as more recent PS4 games, on a PC.

Buying Guide: The Best Game Streaming Services for 2024

What Is a Game Streaming Service?

Game streaming lets you remotely access hardware on the service’s servers. You use a client to log into a powerful PC over the internet, and the games you play run on that PC instead of your own hardware. The client simply provides a live feed of the video and audio coming from the server hardware, and sends all of your inputs to that server to translate into gaming commands. Essentially, you’re controlling a computer that isn’t in front of you, and seeing everything that computer displays.

How Do You Stream Games?

As you can imagine, you need a fast network connection for these services to be useful. If your internet is slow or inconsistent, the inputs you send won’t come through properly, and you’ll experience gameplay lag and glitches. More than a fraction of a second of lag between your commands and the system responding can make a game unplayable.

Depending on the game streaming service, you’ll need an internet connection with speeds that are at least 5Mbps to 20Mbps. You don’t need a wired hookup, but it helps, as does 5GHz Wi-Fi. You don’t want to skimp on your router for these services, and you should seriously consider a fiber connection if it’s available in your area.

With a fast and consistent connection, gameplay can feel instantaneous, with input lag of milliseconds. This makes most games perfectly playable, though it might still be too slow for competitive gaming. If you’re controlling a multiplayer shooter or fighting game, every frame can make a difference, and you might not want to rely on a streaming service in those cases.

What Is the Best Game Streaming Platform?

Every publicly released game streaming service is available on Windows in some form, either as a dedicated app or in a web browser. This effectively lets you turn even a cheap work laptop into a high-end gaming PC. PC clients have the added benefit of supporting even faster and more stable Ethernet connections, in addition to Wi-Fi.

You can also use a smartphone to play games on most streaming services. Every service except PlayStation Now has an Android app, though the iOS game streaming ecosystem is a bit shakier with some services like Xbox Game Pass Ultimate using a browser app as a work-around from the iOS App Store. Just remember you’ll be playing console and PC games on a smaller smartphone or tablet screen, which can feel awkward.

Several of the services also have straight-to-TV options, either directly through a smart TV platform or with extra hardware like a media streamer. Amazon Luna works with Amazon Fire TV devices. Nvidia GeForce Now works with certain LG and Samsung TVs, and has an Android TV/Google TV app. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate also works on recent Samsung TVs. PlayStation Now works on any PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5.

How Do You Play Games on Streaming Services?

You almost certainly need a gamepad. Amazon Luna works with some Bluetooth gamepads, but the Luna Controller is the best way to play over that service. GeForce Now works best with an Xbox Wireless Controller, but you can also use any XInput-compatible wireless gamepad. PlayStation Now is compatible with DualShock 4, DualSense, and Xbox controllers.

Shadow, meanwhile, works with any wired gamepad that’s compatible with Windows, but it doesn’t support Bluetooth controllers. You’ll also want a keyboard and mouse. After all, you’re accessing a Windows PC directly, so the ability to move a pointer and enter text is useful. You can use a touch screen and on-screen keyboard if you’re using the Shadow Android app, but if you want to get the most out of a Windows PC, you really need a mouse and keyboard.

Play More Games

If you’re looking for specific games to play through these services, check out The Best PC Games and The Best Xbox Games. Curious about owning your hardware? Take a look at The Best Gaming PCs.

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Best VPN services for 2024

By admin January 10, 2024

Best VPN services for 2024, Looking for the best VPN to ensure your online privacy at an affordable price? In today’s internet-driven world, protecting your personal and financial data from cybercriminals is more important than ever. Identity thieves, hackers, and other digital miscreants cause substantial financial losses to businesses and individuals around the world every year.

The good news is that a reliable VPN is one of the easiest, cheapest, and most effective ways to safeguard your online activities from unwanted network intruders. However, selecting the most suitable VPN for your specific needs and budget can be challenging. Don’t worry — we’ve got you covered. Our comprehensive guide to the best VPN services covers pricing, features, and all the information you need to make an informed decision.

Best VPN 2024

1. NordVPN

NordVPN

NordVPN isn’t free, but with three different encryption protocols (IKEv2/IPsec, OpenVPN, and NordLynx), it’s easy to see that this provider values your privacy. The company has also worked hard to build up its server network to include more than 5,200 servers in 60 countries around the world.

One stand-out feature that makes NordVPN a strong contender for the best VPN service out there is split tunneling. If you’re not familiar, split tunneling is the ability to whitelist some activities (such as gaming or streaming) to bypass the VPN and use the regular “clearnet” for better performance.

Best VPN services for 2024

2. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN’s “#1 Trusted Leader in VPN” claim may be a bit difficult to prove, but the service offers a compelling list of features nonetheless. It also constantly tries to make regular improvements in speed and simultaneous streaming capabilities, and with support for all major platforms (Windows, MacOS, Android, etc.), you won’t need to worry about compatibility. ExpressVPN shows up on a number of best VPN lists, including our list of the best VPN for Linux and the best VPN for Windows, so its relatively high prices seem justified.

The more than 3,000 servers are all well-placed throughout common travel destinations and urban centers. Any package will land you high-speed unlimited bandwidth and 24-hour customer service. With so many features, including bypassing ISP throttling, built-in threat protection, and split tunneling, it’s no wonder this vendor is considered the best VPN by many users — although you should note that ExpressVPN only supports up to five simultaneous connections with a single subscription, which is the lowest number of the services on our list.

3. Surfshark

It may not quite rank as the best VPN, but when it comes to price, Surfshark is hard to beat and is a great option for those looking to protect their privacy while minimizing costs. Surfshark is available for as cheaply as $60 for the two-year plan, and to sweeten the deal even more, that includes an unlimited number of simultaneous connections.

Feature-wise, Surfshark is fairly basic. This isn’t necessarily a problem if you don’t need any bells and whistles and just want a solid VPN on the cheap. In fact, the simple, no-nonsense interface, intuitive setup, and simple operation could easily be selling points if you explicitly don’t want to fuss with unnecessary complications. It supports a host of different devices, and it’s one of our top picks for the best Apple TV VPN, too.

4. IPVanish

IPVanish offers all the key features you could need from a VPN at a great price. With regular sales being part of the IPVanish experience, you can commit for a year at a very low cost, enjoying the protection that comes from a choice of more than 2,000 VPN servers across more than 75 different locations.

Besides offering extensive protection whether you’re browsing from home or using a public Wi-Fi hotspot, IPVanish also makes it simpler to avoid Deep Packet Inspection — a method used by ISPs to limit your internet speed at times. The VPN offers unmetered data transfer caps and there’s no limit on how many devices you can use it with so it’s incredibly flexible for high-volume users and larger local networks.

No logs are kept, plus there’s a choice of multiple connection protocols which is useful if you want to get more involved in your VPN settings. 24/7 customer support means the VPN is always on hand to help you out, too. Not that you should need it too often thanks to simple-to-use apps for all major platforms. It’s a great service and it’ll even help you avoid geo-restrictions on many of your favorite streaming apps.

5. AtlasVPN

AtlasVPN is a newcomer to the VPN industry, but it comes packed with secure and steadfast features that challenge even the big players. What’s amazing about this VPN is that it has a comprehensive free data plan that is one of the best on the market, and if you decide to upgrade to the faster, premium servers, then it only costs $49 per year or $72 for three years. While the server network may be considerably smaller than its competitors, it is a newer service with much more room to expand.

In terms of security, although the service is young, it didn’t cut any corners when constructing the server security. You can feel comfortable knowing you’re protected behind 256-bit encryption, WireGuard protocols, IPv6 leak protection, and a whole host of other features. Whether you’re browsing the internet casually, conducting important transactions, gaming, or streaming, you’ll find that AtlasVPN’s servers are ideal for you.

6. Hotspot Shield

Speed can be a limiting factor with even the best VPN, and Hotspot Shield — a relatively new player in the virtual private network space — sought to make that problem its main focus. With up to gigabit speeds, we can safely say that Hotspot Shield seems to have succeeded in that endeavor.

The virtual private network was named the fasted VPN in 2019 and 2020 by Speedtest.net, too, so that doesn’t appear to be mere marketing. But Hotspot Shield isn’t a one-trick pony and has more to offer than just fast speeds. Its list of features also includes military-grade encryption and unlimited bandwidth (at gigabit speeds, mind you).

Hotspot Shield is also very simple to set up and use, but we’d like to see a few more customization options, such as control over encryption protocols. This is part of the deal you get with this VPN, though, as Hotspot Shield utilizes its own proprietary “Hydra” encryption protocol which the company claims is what makes it so fast. That’s just the nature of this beast, it seems.

7. PrivadoVPN

With VPNs, it’s all about location, location, location. PrivadoVPN is a Swiss company and is thus free from the laws of the U.S. and the European Union. Switzerland has pretty robust privacy laws, as well. It’s also not a member of the “fourteen eyes surveillance network,” so user traffic isn’t logged and passes through privacy-friendly countries. That means you needn’t worry about your true IP address being revealed.

Interestingly, PrivadoVPN operates one of the smaller server networks of all the providers on our list, measuring in at more than 320 servers spread between 58 physical locations in 47 countries, but that doesn’t preclude it from being a contender for the best VPN of 2023. That’s because it only offers physical server locations not virtual ones because it is not willing to compromise the quality of its service so it can promote a higher number.

If routing around region-based content restrictions and other geographical hassles is your priority, you might be better served with a VPN that has a wider global server spread, such as ExpressVPN. Although, having said that, PrivadoVPN is a fraction of the cost and covers a large chunk of countries, so if the one you’re wanting to virtually jump to is on its list, then we’d recommend taking it for a spin.

PrivadoVPN has it where it counts, though, with several encryption protocols to choose from: OpenVPN, IKEv2, and SOCKS5. The addition of SOCKS5 proxy support is noteworthy, as it allows for fast and seamless peer-to-peer transferring of large files, which is something many VPNs shy away from. This makes PrivadoVPN perhaps the best VPN service for peer-to-peer file transfers if that’s your primary use case for one of these services.

It’s not the cheapest VPN on our list, although that’s offset by the fact that you can use the VPN on up to ten devices simultaneously. There’s also a free app-based package that gives you 10GB of bandwidth per month.

8. CyberGhost

With more than ten million active users and over 7,000 servers spread across the globe, CyberGhost is a giant in the VPN space. It’s also one of the most versatile virtual private networks out there, both in terms of supported devices/platforms as well as what activities it’s useful for.

CyberGhost VPN is compatible with computers, mobile devices, smart TVs, and even gaming consoles, and one great feature of the VPN is that it will automatically connect you to the best server for whatever you’re doing at the moment. That’s a vital consideration for bandwidth-heavy activities like gaming and streaming.

Another feather in the CyberGhost cap is that it supports peer-to-peer file transfers (read: It’s good to go for torrenting, and as we mentioned, it’ll select the best server for it so you get the fastest upload/download times). The interface is great, too, particularly on the computer. It gives you complete control and lots of configuration options including preferred server setups for your most-used programs and apps.

For encryption protocols, CyberGhost supports OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard, wrapping your connection in AES 256-bit encryption to keep your data and IP address hidden. CyberGhost is based in Romania and has a no-logs policy, and while this should keep you safe from certain prying eyes, this hasn’t been independently audited.

If that’s not a deal-breaker, CyberGhost is a strong contender for the best VPN of 2023 (take a look at our NordVPN vs CyberGhost comparison for more information on how it stacks up to the best) if you’re looking for the sweet spot between versatility and price. A limited-time introductory offer lets new subscribers grab their first two years of service for $57, which averages to just over $2 per month.

9. PureVPN

With a name like PureVPN, this virtual private network had better offer some viable protection — and it does. The software’s hallmarks lie in its ability to connect to a mélange of services for different activities, with wide compatibility with various devices and software interfaces.

The service starts at $55 for two years, making PureVPN another one of the best cheap VPNs on our roundup. That subscription includes port forwarding, multiple encryption protocols (PPTP, SSTP, L2TP/IPSec, IKEv2, and OpenVPN UDP/TCP), malware blocking, P2P support, and an audited no-log policy. You can also get some premium add-ons like encrypted file transfers and a password manager at extra cost.

As with any good virtual private network service, PureVPN will prevent websites from viewing your personal IP address, thus preventing others from identifying you or your geographic location. And with more than 6,500 servers on six continents, you won’t be at a loss for worldwide connection points to choose from.

Like NordVPN, PureVPN features split tunneling that allows you to whitelist certain activities you don’t need or want to go through the VPN, allowing you to use online services and browse the web through the VPN and on the clearnet simultaneously. PureVPN also offers you a personal IP address for you to use with certain sites and services — a good idea for those that require logins.

10. TunnelBear

Our second-to-last pick isn’t as feature-rich as the others listed on our best VPN of 2023 roundup, but it’s nonetheless worth a mention if you’re looking for another no-frills (read: cheap) virtual private network that doesn’t bog you down with features you don’t need. TunnelBear puts ease of use and newbie-friendliness front and center. If you’re new to VPNs and find all this a bit intimidating, this big bear might be the one for you.

The main appeal of TunnelBear is simplicity and ease of use. You don’t have to fuss around with choosing encryption protocols or any other complicated setup. That’s bad news for advanced users who want more control and customization options, but it’s great for average folks who don’t want or need all that stuff getting in the way. TunnelBear does what it needs to do with good encryption, a kill switch, and a no-logging policy, with the added benefit of full yearly independent audits that the company releases to the public.

That simplicity does, however, bring a couple of bear-sized caveats. Firstly, there’s no free VPN trial or money-back guarantee, which could be a non-starter for many who are new to the VPN game and don’t want to fully commit to a service right away. If this describes you, you’re probably better served with a VPN that has a 30- to 45-day refund period.

12. Kaspersky VPN

For those looking for an affordable VPN option that hides your IP address well and protects you online, then Kaspersky VPN Secure Connection might be for you. You can get a full-year subscription to Kaspersky for only $34 right now, or $7 for a monthly subscription.

What’s perhaps even more enticing is the free data service that Kaspersky VPN provides its customers. If you’re unsure about how VPNs work and want to test one out before you commit to a subscription, then you can utilize the free data service first. While there may be other providers that gift users more megabytes per month, the benefit of using Kaspersky’s VPN is the combination of its free service as well as its cheap monthly price. There’s even a 30-day money-back guarantee for the premium product if it’s not a fit.

Secure Connection has outperformed nearly all others in independent speed testing, making it a great companion for gaming, streaming, torrenting and downloading. It has recently added support for popular streaming platforms, and you can also now connect your router and other devices directly to the VPN to protect your entire network.

13. AdGuard VPN

Stop for a moment and think about the main reason why you typically use a VPN. Ultimately, it’s for privacy and protection and that’s precisely what AdGuard VPN offers, at an incredibly accessible price. If you want to give the service a try, you’ll get 3GB of fast, protected bandwidth all for the low price of free. From there, it’s $2 per month with the current deal – we’ll explain that in more detail below. AdGuard has 1,000+ servers spread across 53 countries worldwide, including just about anywhere you’d want access to, within U.S. borders and beyond.

Following the “Ninja Code,” AdGuard does not record, collect, or share data with third parties, and they have a no-log policy for users. The service utilizes a proprietary fast and secure protocol, developed in-house, that blends both speed and security so there’s no compromise on your part when you’re browsing. It blocks ads and trackers with the help of a DNS server, and you can set up website exclusions, a sort of whitelist for websites where you don’t want the VPN to be active while browsing.

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Best outdoor security cameras 2024

By admin January 8, 2024

Best outdoor security cameras 2024, If you’re shopping for the best outdoor security cameras of 2024, you’ll want to find something that’s weatherproof, captures high-quality footage, and works well at night. It’s also important to consider your budget and ongoing subscriptions that may be required to access premium features such as cloud saving and person detection.

Regardless of your budget, there’s an outdoor security camera that’ll fit your needs. From premium products crafted by Ring to budget-friendly options like those from Wyze, there are dozens of well-reviewed models that are perfect for protecting your home.

In fact, some of the best outdoor security cameras also double as floodlights, allowing you to light up your yard. Others are wireless for easy installation, while a handful require wired connections (though this allows for continuous monitoring).

Below, you’ll find a list of the best outdoor security cameras of 2024. You can’t go wrong with any of them, but each one caters to a specific audience and budget, so take a closer look at each to figure out which is best for your home.

John Velasco / Digital Trends

Arlo Pro 4

Best outdoor security camera

The Arlo Pro 3 was our pick for the best outdoor security camera for some time, but after testing the Arlo Pro 4, it brings a couple of new additions that help it earn our top pick. Just like its predecessor, it packs 2K video resolution and a wide 160-degree viewing angle. Also included are a weatherproof camera with color night vision, a built-in LED spotlight, and a built-in siren that can alert you to danger.

What makes this model superior is the fact that it no longer is tethered to a hub in order to talk with your home’s Wi-Fi network. You won’t need it this time, which certainly streamlines the setup process. And best of all, not only does it perform as exquisitely as the Arlo Pro 3 when it comes to safeguarding your home, but it now boasts a lower starting cost of $200 for a single camera, whereas the Arlo Pro 3 started at $500 for a 2K camera system.

The Arlo Pro 4 includes a three-month free trial of Arlo Smart, which gives you access to advanced features like 30 days of recording history, activity zones, enhanced 911 calling, and advanced detection features.

Best outdoor security cameras 2024

.Arlo

Arlo Pro 5S 2K

Best premium outdoor security camera

Pros

• Captures 2K footage

• Low Power mode extends battery life

• Impressive 160-degree field of view

Cons

• Expensive

• Very similar to the more-affordable Arlo Pro 4

The Arlo Pro 5S 2K doesn’t cut any corners. Featuring a camera that captures 2K video, a wide field of view, sleek design, and color night vision, few products can match its performance. Unfortunately, all those features come at a price, as the Arlo Pro 5S 2K clocks in at $250.

That makes it one of the most expensive security cameras on this list, but if money is no object, it deserves a closer look. Not only does it offer every feature found on our beloved Arlo Pro 4, but it also features Dual-Band Wi-Fi for simplified installation, SecureLink Connectivity that allows it to stay protected during power outages, and a Low Power Mode that offers a 30% boost to battery life.

But beyond those features, it’s eerily similar to its cheaper sibling. Still, if you need an outdoor security camera that’s as cutting-edge as possible, you can’t do better than the Arlo Pro 5S.

Wyze Cam v3

Best budget outdoor security camera

Night vision is a vital feature for every outdoor security cam — you don’t want the darkness to hide any detail, especially if something like a break-in happens. While our top cam picks include various kinds of night vision, Wyze’s indoor/outdoor cam is particularly notable thanks to its Starlight Sensor, which can record night-time video in full color for users.

This wired cam includes all the other smart features that make Wyze’s cams a great pick, including a motion and sound sensor for alerts, detection zones, sensitivity settings that you can tweak for best results, and two-way audio for communication. It’s also compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant and is friendly with IFTTT if you’d like to set up complex routines based on the alerts the cam gives you.

The Wyze Cam v3 also has one of the best free video storage options around, with a 14-day cloud storage option for video clips at zero cost. There’s also an SD card slot for local storage if you prefer that method. While it’s an indoor/outdoor cam, you don’t need to worry: All the outdoor IP65 resistances are included for all types of weather.

Ring Spotlight Cam Pro

Best wireless outdoor security cam

Amazon’s update to the Ring Spotlight Cam is an excellent option for those who don’t want a full floodlight camera, but would still like lots of illumination for their porch, patio, or driveway. The surprisingly bright LED lights on either side of the cam can be set to light up along with the motion detection features.

There’s a little bit of everything packed into the Spotlight Cam Pro’s design, including basics like 1080p video, night vision, and two-way audio. But Ring also has some extras, like a siren you can sound, advanced 3D motion detection, and a “Bird’s Eye” view option that gives you a model for where a subject may have gone. We also like that it’s battery-powered with an option to plug into an outlet.

As with all Ring cams, you will really want a Ring Protect plan to enable video storage and video sharing, but otherwise, this is the most comprehensive wireless security cam we’ve seen to date.

Blink Wired Floodlight Camera

Best floodlight camera

Blink makes plenty of great outdoor cameras, but few are as great as the Blink Wired Floodlight Camera. As one of the newest members of the Blink family, the Wired Floodlight Camera offers heaps of functionality despite its budget-friendly price of $99.

In case the name didn’t give it away, the Blink Wired Floodlight Camera isn’t just an outdoor camera – it’s also a floodlight. And a bright one at that, capable of producing 2,600 lumens of LED light. You’ll also benefit from motion detection, a wired connection that offers a constant power supply, and color night vision. Its design is a bit bulkier than others on this list, but that’s largely due to the massive floodlights that loom over the camera.

Anyone in the market for an outdoor camera that’s both affordable and powerful (and comes with shockingly bright floodlights) should give strong consideration to Blink’s new product. But if you’re looking for something with a more streamlined design, consider looking back at the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro mentioned above.

.Phil Nickinson / Digital Trends

Ring Stick Up Cam Pro

Best indoor and outdoor security camera

Pros

• Easy installation process

• 1080p video with HDR support

• Can also double as an indoor cam

Cons

• Expensive

• No privacy shutter

It’s a bit expensive, but you’re getting a lot of value out of this investment. The Ring Stick Up Cam Pro is designed to work both indoors and outside – giving it plenty of versatility. Along with its weatherproofing, the camera offers HDR video and films in 1080p, supports two-way audio, and is easy to install thanks to its wire-free setup.

One minor sticking point is its lack of a built-in privacy shutter. That might be an issue if you’re using it indoors, though you can quickly toggle alerts off and disarm the camera from the Ring smartphone app. But if you have it installed outside, you likely won’t miss the feature. You’ll also want to spring for a monthly Ring subscription to unlock additional features such as cloud saves and smart alerts.

Beyond those minor quirks, there’s not much to dislike about this powerful outdoor camera. Homes with other Ring products already installed will love how easy it is to sync the device with the rest of their smart home, and Ring newcomers will enjoy its high-quality images, simple setup, and generous 155-degree viewing angle.

Ring Stick Up Cam Pro

Best indoor and outdoor security camera

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I place outdoor security cameras?

FBI crime data indicates that most (around 55%) home intruders try to get into homes through either the front or back door. So, you may want to have your security camera scoping out your doors. It’s also a good idea to cover other entry points, like back windows, that are hidden away where someone could break in without being seen.

Where exactly to mount your outdoor cameras, however, depends on your property and your individual needs. You may have a shed in the back that contains expensive lawn equipment, for instance, and you might want to place more focus on that area. Perhaps your neighborhood has experienced a few break-ins recently, and the intruders typically enter through the garage, so you want to cover your garage area.

How many security cameras do I need?

Typically, having at least two outdoor cameras is ideal, not including your video doorbell. If you have a video doorbell to watch your porch, combined with an outdoor security camera covering the front and back areas of your home, this should be sufficient. However, if you have a large property, live in an area where there’s a lot of property crime, or if you have vehicles or valuables stored on your property, you may want to add in an extra camera or two.

Can you use an indoor security camera outdoors?

No. An indoor camera does not have the necessary protection from the elements, so it won’t hold up outside. Some cameras are rated for indoor or outdoor use, and you can use those cameras outside. If you want to point your indoor camera out a window to watch the outdoors, you technically can do so. However, the camera’s features probably won’t work as well, and you’re better off just buying a cheap outdoor camera.

Can outdoor security cameras be used indoors?

Yes, although it’s not usually recommended because the cameras designed for outdoor use may not work optimally indoors. Again, you can opt for a camera that’s rated for both indoors and outdoors, like a dome camera.

Do all outdoor security cameras have two-way audio?

The short answer is no. Many wired outdoor cameras feature two-way audio, which allows you to speak back and forth with someone through the camera via an app on your phone, but not all outdoor cameras have this feature.

If two-way audio is something you’re interested in, consider doing research on which cameras have it, and of the ones that do, read up on which are better. Not all two-way audio is created equal — some companies do it well, while others do not. Keep in mind that cameras with two-way audio might cost a bit more than those that don’t feature the technology.

How well does night vision work on an outdoor security camera?

Night vision on cameras typically uses infrared light to illuminate dark images at night. Essentially, cameras with night vision use this technology to backlight images to help you see what’s happening in the field of view. Most outdoor security cameras feature night vision, but the quality varies from model to model.

If you’re looking for superior night vision, go for the Arlo camera listed above, or research night vision quality before making a purchase.

How well do outdoor security cameras detect motion?

Motion sensitivity in outdoor security cameras varies widely, but generally, the technology works well regardless of the model you choose. Most cameras, even inexpensive ones, do an excellent job of detecting motion, and, if the camera is connected to an app, it will send a motion alert to your phone. Most people find that motion settings on cameras are too sensitive, meaning that things like rain, bugs, or even bright sunlight can trigger an alert.

If you’re concerned about motion alerts, consider buying a camera that not only sends you motion alerts so you can monitor what’s happening on your property but also allows you to adjust the motion sensitivity so that small things aren’t triggering it all the time.

Can outdoor security cameras survive severe weather?

Most outdoor cameras have a rating of IP65 or higher, which means they are waterproof and can withstand someone spraying a hose on them. That usually (but not always) means that a camera with that rating can withstand extreme temperatures ranging from -40 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit or similar.

Cameras vary slightly in terms of survival in extreme weather, but anything with a rating of IP65 or higher will be fine for most climates. If you live in an extremely hot or extremely cold climate, you might want to consider a camera with a rating of IP66 or higher.

Do I have to pay for storage for an outdoor camera?

This depends a lot on the brand and the model. Generally, if a security cam has a memory card slot, you can use native storage without paying anything — it’s just a little trickier to manage. If you want video footage to be uploaded to the cloud for easier viewing and saving, you’ll often have to pay for it. Brands like Arlo and Ring only allow for free livestreaming video and require a plan if you want to save video for any length of time. Google is one of the best options here because its Nest cam offers a certain amount of free online storage without needing a subscription.

Is an outdoor security camera ever illegal?

It can be, although privacy laws haven’t entirely caught up with home security cams yet. Generally speaking, you can’t point a camera where people have the expectation of privacy. Pointing a cam at your porch and the street in front? Totally fine, it’s considered a public area. Pointing a camera so that it captures footage of your neighbor’s backyard or looks into their windows? Illegal, and you could get successfully sued for it.

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Featured

The best PDF editors for 2024

By admin January 7, 2024

The best PDF editors for 2024, The PDF file format has great support for text and video, as well as an efficient file size, making it a great format for all kinds of documents and data. It’s also excellent for preserving the quality and formatting of a document.

Adobe Acrobat is perhaps the most well-known PDF editor, but there are other options to consider. Having access to a PDF editor opens the possibility of editing document texts, adding images, filling out forms, combining PDF files, and converting your PDF files to other formats. A PDF editor is a useful tool if you work with this format regularly, and these are the best ones to use.

Adobe Acrobat Pro

The best PDF editor overall

Adobe

Adobe first introduced the PDF format over 30 years ago, and Acrobat Pro is the current industry standard for editing PDF files. It’s a PDF editor that combines the hallmarks of the other programs on our list into a unified piece of software. It’s also one of the few premium programs available for both Windows and macOS. Acrobat Pro boasts dedicated mobile functionality (with iOS and Android apps) and the ability to convert various file formats to PDF, including multiple web pages (HTML), Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, and even scans or image files like PNG or JPG.

Simply put, you can’t do much better than the premium version of Adobe Acrobat Reader for editing your PDF files. It has an array of text-editing options and can instantly convert and save scanned documents to PDF. It even has the ability to merge multiple PDF files. Adobe’s editing options also include reordering pages, page rotation, annotations, page cropping, page removals, and being able to split PDFs into separate files.

Get Adobe Acrobat Pro

The best PDF editors for 2024

[dropcap type=”background”] Best Free FPS Games for Mac 2024 [/dropcap]

PDFgear

The best free PDF editor

.Jon Martindale/Screenshot / DigitalTrends

PDFgear is a free PDF editor that rivals some of the best paid-for solutions with its range of features. It’s the new favorite app of one of our Computing section writers. It even has ChatGPT built right in, letting it summarize PDFs or search information in them for quick reference. PDFgear can also edit, merge, compress, convert, and even sign PDFs. You can draw with a mouse, upload a signature image, or type in your signature.

Better yet, its offline application is free, so you can sign and edit important and sensitive documents without fear of some online service looking over your shoulder. There’s an online editor if you need to sign or edit a PDF when you don’t have the option of installing the application, and it’s just as fully featured.

PDFgear isn’t just a great PDF editor, it’s a productivity-boosting tool. With its AI integration, you can find information from PDFs faster and interact with them in natural ways — just ask the AI to perform a task.

Try PDFgear

Microsoft Word

The most convenient PDF editor

.Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you use Microsoft Office, then you already have access to a versatile PDF document editor.

In the past, versions of Microsoft Word were limited to saving a document in or out of the PDF format, and that was about it. However, the more recent 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Microsoft 365 versions allow you to open a PDF and then make specific edits to the piece as a Word document. When finished, you can save it as a PDF again. This is especially useful because many people are already most comfortable editing documents in the Microsoft Word format.

It’s a simple tool, and formatting doesn’t always line up correctly based on the PDF, but it’s an excellent alternative if you need to dip into a PDF fast for a bit of basic editing or text changes. Plus, Word is a straightforward editing tool for employees and students who are already familiar with Word and don’t want to learn a new program.

While there are limited ways you can use Microsoft Word for free, it is generally software that you have to pay to use, either via a subscription or a hefty one-time payment.

Try Microsoft Word

PDF Architect 9

The best full-featured PDF editor

.Image used with permission by copyright holder

German company Pdfforge has a unique purchase model for its PDF Architect program. It’s available as a free download or as part of three separate packages (Standard, Professional, and Pro+OCR). Each package includes a set of modules for the program, which dictate its editing power. The Standard package includes the Edit, Convert, and Page modules. Professional features all the modules from the Standard package and adds the Review/Comment, Secure, and Forms modules. Finally, Pro+OCR has everything from the Professional package and the OCR Advanced module. Full descriptions of each module can be found on the Pdfforge website.

The premium versions of PDF Architect have pricey annual subscriptions but the full suite of editing tools makes up one of the most complete, inclusive PDF editors out there. The latest version of PDF Architect is PDF Architect 9, and premium subscriptions to it include features such as editing text, the ability to convert PDFs into other file formats, support for comments/annotations, and password protection of your PDFs.

The free version of PDF Architect comes with the ability to create PDFs from Microsoft Office documents (Excel, PowerPoint, and Word), the ability to view PDFs, and you can use it to merge PDFs. The free version also lets you remove, rotate, and move pages.

Get PDF Architect 9

Sejda PDF Editor

The best online PDF editor

.Image used with permission by copyright holder

Sejda is a web app designed for speedy PDF editing, and it does that very well. It’s straightforward, focusing on fast PDF signatures and only basic text editing for the files you upload. But that’s also why we like it. This online, free PDF editor lets you do all sorts of things to PDFs, including changing font formatting, adding images, filling out forms, adding or editing hyperlinks, adding form fields, making annotations, and signing PDFs. You can even sign a PDF file with four options: Drawing your signature with your mouse, typing in your name, uploading an image of your signature, or using your webcam to capture a signature you wrote on a piece of paper.

It provides explicit instructions, making it hard to mess anything up, and it’s quick. If your boss or co-worker doesn’t really understand how to use technology or have the patience to download new apps — but you still need their signature on a random PDF file — this is one of the best ways to e-sign a document.

If you’re looking for an easy online PDF editor, then give this one a shot. The free version does come with some limitations, however: You can only upload up to 200 pages or 50 Mb, and you can only do three “tasks per hour.”

Get Sejda

PDFescape

The best free PDF editor

.Image used with permission by copyright holder

PDFescape is a free web app, so it’s accessible through your favorite browser. There’s no lengthy installation process to slow down your work. Users can access the editor using any operating system, as long as they can connect to the internet. PDFescape’s service is compatible with Safari, Microsoft Edge, Chrome, Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Opera browsers.

You can just pull up a PDF document in the PDF viewer and start adding text and images and even white-out old content. There are handy features like zoom and rotate to see small or awkwardly angled text better, and you can use a flurry of standard tools, such as a form designer and several annotation features.

There’s also a desktop version with all of the same features as the free online version, plus desktop PDF editing, more editing features, the ability to print and scan to PDF, and you can convert your PDF files to other formats. Depending on which premium plan you select, the desktop version can cost $3 or $6 per month (when billed annually). Luckily, you won’t need an internet connection to use the premium desktop versions, and $3 to $6 a month isn’t too bad. Overall, it’s a functional, simple PDF editing tool. If you aren’t looking for anything too complicated, give it a try.

Get PDFescape

PDF-XChange Editor

Another great free PDF editor

.PDF-XChange Editor/Tracker Software

PDF-XChange Editor is a free PDF editor that comes with a laundry list of features. Some of these features include editing text, adding or listening to audio comments, annotations, adding custom stamps, adding or editing hyperlinks, and the ability to move, add, or edit bookmarks. You won’t, however, be able to edit scanned documents. PDF-XChange has support for Sharepoint, Google Drive, and Microsoft Office 365, which means you can access documents via those cloud services and convert them to or from a PDF as needed by using PDF-XChange Editor.

If you need more than what the free version offers, you’ll need to upgrade to purchasing a license. If you do so, you’ll gain access to features such as Bates numbering, deleting pages, moving pages, inserting blank pages, and header and footer support. It’s also worth noting that the free version will put a watermark on the documents you edit or create with that version. Licenses start at $56 for one user with one year of maintenance.

PDF-XChange Editor is only compatible with Windows devices.

Get PDF-XChange Editor

PDFelement Pro

.iSkySoft / iSkySoft

PDFelement Pro from iSkysoft is a free and paid-for PDF editor with a range of impressive features. PDFelement Pro offers two kinds of free trials of their PDF editing software: unregistered vs. registered. The unregistered free trial lets you download and use the software for free without creating an account, but it only lets you use a few features like viewing and creating PDFs. A registered free trial means you have to create an account but it’s only a 14-day free trial in which you’re allowed to try out “nearly all” its features. Both free trial types will still add watermarks to PDFs you save.

If you don’t want the watermarked trial versions, you can choose between purchasing one of three plans: a year plan, a two-year plan, or a perpetual plan. They all pretty much offer the same benefits (no watermarks are added, full access to all features, and free tech support), but how long you have access to its features and how updates are handled depends on which plan you pick. The premium versions also include features like: compressing PDFs and extended access (beyond the 14-day trial) to features like page cropping, signing PDFs, and page splitting. PDFelement Pro also includes AI tools, such as summarizing and translating documents.

PDFelement Pro is available for both Windows and MacOS devices.

Get PDFelement Pro

FAQ

What should you look for in a PDF editor?

There are a few factors you should look for when choosing a PDF editor:

• File format compatibility and support. Will it allow you to convert your document file into a PDF or vice versa? Which file formats does the PDF editor support, and do they include the format of your particular document? This is particularly important for editing scanned documents.

• Will the edited version of your document retain the same formatting as the original? Sometimes, after editing a PDF via a third-party app or editor, you can lose your document’s original formatting, or the formatting will just look awkward and off. Make sure that the editor you choose is able to keep your newly edited document formatted the same.

• Does it have a simple interface with a few features or a complex one with lots of editing options, and which do you prefer? This depends on your actual needs. If you frequently edit PDFs and need access to lots of editing features, you may be better off using an app with lots of options but a cluttered user interface. Learning how to use it may take longer, but if you’re a frequent PDF editor, it may be worth it in the long run. If all you need is a quick edit here and there and don’t require complicated edits, you should opt for an editor with a simple and easy-to-use interface, though you may sacrifice access to more detailed editing features.

• Free or paid? Free editing apps tend to be best for those who don’t need to edit PDFs that often or don’t need access to a wide variety of editing options. Premium editing apps tend to be more worth it for those who regularly edit PDFs and need to do extensive and detailed editing. This is because paying a subscription or one-time fee will usually unlock more features or editing options that the free versions don’t have.

What are the benefits of using Microsoft Word to edit PDFs?

There are lots of benefits to using Microsoft Word for editing PDFs:

• You’re probably already familiar with the software. It’s likely that you’ve already used Microsoft Word before in school or at the office. So you won’t need to learn new editing software, and it’ll be easier for you to use.

• It’s probably already on your computer. If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, you already have Microsoft Word on your computer, which means you don’t need to download or pay for a new editing software.

• You can easily convert it to a Word document for editing and then save it again as PDF. Later versions of Word will allow you to convert your PDFs into Word documents for easy editing. Then you can save your newly edited Word document as a PDF.

• It’s ideal for quick editing or text changes. If all you need to do is change a few words or make other minor edits, Microsoft Word is a good option for those quick-and-dirty edits. If you need a PDF editor that can handle more complex edits or does a better job of maintaining your document’s original formatting, then you may want to look at other PDF editor options.

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Software

Best Data Recovery Software for Mac 2024

By admin January 4, 2024

Best Data Recovery Software for Mac 2024, Macs are beloved for their sleek design and high-tech capabilities, particularly among creatives across various fields. Yet, like any other computer, they are not immune to data loss, a situation that can be incredibly distressing for users.

To address this concern, we have delved into the world of data recovery software tailored for Mac. In this article, you’ll find insights that will guide you in selecting the ideal solution to restore your valuable data, ensuring you’re well-prepared for any unforeseen data loss scenarios.

Key Criteria for Selecting Mac Data Recovery Software

There are many data recovery solutions from which to choose when data loss strikes your Mac. Several factors may influence which one you choose to use to recover your lost data. Here are some things to consider when naming your selection.

• Functionality: The most important aspect of recovery software is its ability to get your lost files back. You should choose a flexible solution that allows you to recover data from multiple types of storage devices and restore the file types that interest you.

• Ease-of-use: You will likely use data recovery software under less than optimal conditions. Losing data is stressful and you don’t need to increase the tension by using software that requires you to use arcane commands. Look for a tool that makes it easy for you to recover your lost files and folders.

• Reliability: You may only have one chance to recover your lost data so you want to use a tool created by reliable developers. It’s a good idea to check out some reviews of the products under consideration to see which ones have a proven track record of success with high recovery rates.

• Price: There is a wide range in the pricing of Mac data recovery solutions. You can obtain freeware solutions or commercial applications. In most cases, a paid/freemium solution will offer more functionality and ease of use than free alternatives.

In order for you to gain a better understanding of the situation in the Mac data recovery software market, we have prepared a diagram with interesting statistics for you.

The data for this chart was sourced from Google Ads and represents the average number of monthly searches in English worldwide. We combined various instances of writing the names of the same software (e.g., “easeus data recovery mac”, “easeus data recovery wizard for mac”, “easeus for mac”).

Stellar Data Recovery has restricted access to similar data in Google Ads for their brand. According to third-party services, the popularity of the brand (query) “Stellar Data Recovery (for) Mac” is approximately 500 queries per month. While R-Studio for Mac has numerous monthly searches, we did not include them all, as “R-Studio for Mac” can also refer to RStudio, an integrated development environment (IDE) for the R programming language, not just data recovery software.

Top 10 Best Data Recovery Software for Mac

So, here’s an overview of ten of the best data recovery software solutions for Mac. We’ve included paid, freemium, and freeware data recovery applications for your Mac or MacBook.

1. Disk Drill for Mac

Disk Drill is a comprehensive data recovery tool that makes it easy for anyone to restore accidentally deleted files and folders.

Pros:

• Intuitive and user-friendly interface

• Runs natively on M1/M2 devices

• Simple yet effective recovery procedure

• Scan results can be mounted as a virtual disk

• Recovers all lost or deleted files, even from an emptied Trash

• Advanced scanning algorithms

• Support for over 400 filetypes

• Market-leading RAW file scanner

Cons:

• No phone support

• The free version only provides file previews

Download Disk Drill

User Experience

Disk Drill simplifies the data recovery process, making it easy for anyone to recover their lost and deleted data. With just a few clicks, you can select the disk for recovery and start scanning the device for recoverable files and folders. Quick or deep scans can be employed to control the recovery and locate the maximum number of items to be restored.

Effective filters help control the scanning and recovery process by allowing you to focus on the files that matter. Scans can be paused and resumed at any time to make it more convenient to recover your lost data. When the scan is complete, the results can be mounted as a virtual disk, streamlining the recovery process.

The inclusion of the free data protection tools Recovery Vault and Guaranteed Recovery helps you keep your valuable information safe and furnish a simplified recovery method if you accidentally deleted a protected file. The tool is a comprehensive data recovery and protection solution that keeps your files and folders secure.

Free limits: You can preview all recoverable files with the free version of Disk Drill.

Price: $89.00

OS version: Disk Drill supports all versions of the Mac operating system from macOS X 10.5 to macOS Ventura.

2. R-Studio for Mac

This product was developed for data recovery professionals and includes many features that are not usually required for individual use.

Pros:

• Windows Explorer type interface

• Can repair damaged RAID arrays

• S.M.A.R.T. disk monitoring tools

• Recover any file type from any disk-based storage device

Cons:

• Designed for professionals and may be too complicated for average users

• Features can be hard to locate

Download R-Studio

User Experience

R-Studio is a full-featured recovery application that is suitable for professional use. It has an impressive number of features that, in some cases, may over-complicate the recovery process for inexperienced users. The advanced capabilities of the tool include the ability to repair damaged RAID implementations and perform network data recovery. Excellent documentation is available that covers all types of data recovery situations.

You can preview recoverable files with the demo version before making a financial commitment and the application provides a wealth of advanced features. At times, it can be hard to locate specific features in the tool’s interface. It’s worth the effort if you need access to its hexadecimal editor or disk copy module. R-Studio provides an excellent recovery application tailored to the needs of professionals and advanced computer users.

Free limits: File preview of recoverable files is available for free.

Price: $79.99 for the basic version

OS version: macOS X 10.5 through macOS 12 Monterey.

3. iBoysoft Data Recovery for Mac

iBoysoft Data Recovery is a versatile recovery tool for Mac that lets you get back lost and deleted files from a wide variety of storage devices. The application can help you address a Mac that won’t boot or recover files lost from an emptied Trash bin. You can also obtain a version of the software for the Windows platform.

Pros:

• Free 1 GB data recovery

• Compatible with M1 and T2 Macs

• Quick and Deep scans for optimal recovery results

• Free scan and preview of recoverable files

• Scan results can be saved and reloaded

Cons:

• The license model is expensive

Download iBoysoft Data Recovery

User Experience

Recovering data with iBoysoft is simple enough that any Mac user can perform the activity. The software uses a three-step process that scans a device, previews recoverable data, and lets you choose which files you want to recover. A free download lets users recover 1 GB while they test-drive the product.

The tool supports over 1000 different file types and can recover just about any type of data deleted from your Mac. Virtually all disk-based storage devices are supported including SD cards and external USB drives. This software solution can help users recover from multiple data loss scenarios including formatted disks and emptied Trash bins. It offers a simple tool with professional-grade recovery functionality.

Free limits: 1 GB free recovery with the free version of the tool.

Price: A monthly license is $89.95 and a yearly license is $99.95

OS version: macOS all versions, including macOS 13 Ventura.

4. Data Rescue for Mac

Data Rescue 6 is a paid data recovery solution for Mac that supports the newest versions of macOS and machines running the M1/M2 chip.

Pros:

• View previous scan results

• Clone drives to avoid hardware failures

• Quick and deep scan options

• A secure erase tool to protect sensitive data

• A single license provides Mac and Windows support

Cons:

• No phone support is offered

• A professional license is expensive

Download Data Rescue

User Experience

Data Rescue 6 for Mac is a commercial data recovery tool that enables new users to preview recoverable files and folders for free. The solution supports the recovery of hundreds of file formats including all popular types found on your Mac. Users can recover data from all types of disk-based storage devices including internal drives, SD cards, and external disks.

You can clone your hard drive with the software to protect valuable data from hardware failure. Quick and deep scanning options let you control recovery and help locate hard-to-find items. Users can store up to 15 scans for historical comparison. Data Rescue 6 also provides virtual RAID support to assist with recovering data from a failing RAID configuration.

Free limits: Scan and preview recoverable files.

Price: Standard license $79/Professional license $399

OS version: macOS 10.12 through macOS 13 Ventura.

5. PhotoRec for Mac

This freeware recovery tool is compatible with all versions of Mac operating systems and provides a command-line user interface.

Pros:

• Free and unlimited recovery

• Support for Mac, Windows, and Linux operating systems

• Wide-ranging filesystem support

• Supports recovery of many different filetypes

Cons:

• Command-line interface

• Files are recovered with generic names and need to be renamed

Download PhotoRec

User Experience

Users who are not intimidated by a command-line interface will find PhotoRec to be a valuable piece of freeware. It supports all versions of the Mac operating system as well as Windows and Linux systems. The tool supports an impressive array of file types and filesystems, making it ideal for a variety of data recovery scenarios.

The menu-driven, command-line interface does require some knowledge of the underlying system that more intuitive applications keep hidden from users. This can make the tool hard to operate for inexperienced computer users. Another drawback of this tool is that files are recovered with generic names, forcing users to review and rename them after recovery is completed.

Free limits: unlimited free recovery.

Price: Freeware

OS version: all latest versions of macOS are supported.

6. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard provides user-friendly file recovery software for Mac systems.

Pros:

• The tool provides users with an extensive knowledge base to assist their recovery efforts.

• An easy-to-use and intuitive interface makes it possible for anyone to successfully recover lost data.

• This MacBook recovery software produces good recovery results.

Cons:

• The tool can be slow when recovering large files.

• Lack of data protection tools.

Download EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard

User Experience

Recovering files with EaseUS is a simple process that anyone can perform with a few clicks. Select the device to be scanned and the tool will return a list of recoverable data that it can restore. The results can be filtered in multiple ways to make it easier to find the specific files that interest you.

The tool can be a little slower than other paid solutions which could be an issue when recovering a large amount of data. While this may be annoying to some users, the recovery results themselves were very good. A little patience may be required when using this too, but in the end, you should be satisfied with the recovery results.

Free limits: The free tool can preview recoverable files on Mac and restore up to 2 GB of data.

Price: $89.95

OS version: Supports all versions of the macOS operating system.

7. Wondershare Recoverit for Mac

Pros:

• Supports recovery of over 1000 file types

• Supports over 2000 types of storage devices

• 95% successful recovery rate

• Quick and deep scan options

• Repairs corrupted videos

Cons:

• Limited free recovery

• An expensive yearly license is required

Download Wondershare Recoverit

User Experience:

Wondershare Recoverit is a commercial data recovery solution for Mac that supports a wide variety of storage devices and file formats. The tool features a simple user interface that makes it easy for anyone to recover accidentally lost and deleted data. Just a few clicks and you can start recovering lost files and folders.

Recoverit offers users a quick and deep scan option. Usually, it’s best to try a quick scan first and reserve the deep scan for when your files can’t be found. Deep scan performs a signature-based search that may be necessary to recover from drive corruption of formatting. This tool can also repair corrupted videos in various formats including MOV, ACI, and MP4.

Free limits: Free recovery of up to 100MB.

Price: Individual $79.99-$139.99 per year.

OS version: macOS 10.10 through macOS 13 Ventura.

8. Stellar Data Recovery for Mac

Stellar Data Recovery provides a complete macOS data recovery software solution that can recover lost files due to accidental deletion, formatting, or drive corruption.

Pros:

• This Mac recovery software can be used to retrieve files from virtually any portable disk-based storage device that you can connect to your machine.

• Any file extension is potentially recoverable when using this software.

• A nice online guide helps inexperienced users recover their lost data.

• The software can be used to repair corrupted video and image files.

Cons:

• Your Mac needs 8GB of RAM to fully utilize this tool’s features.

• Repairing corrupted images or video files requires the premium version of the tool.

Download Stellar Data Recovery

User Experience

This file recovery software is easy to use and provides advanced functionality that can help recover long-lost files. It’s designed to recover lost files for all users from novices to experienced Mac owners. The tool supports all major file formats and can recover data on virtually any type of disk-based device.

The personal version of the tool is most suitable for recovering internal system files. If you want to recover lost files from USB drives or other storage devices, you should look into the premium versions of this recovery software. The premium tool also can repair corrupt videos and photos. All in all, this file recovery software solution for macOS provides a satisfactory data recovery experience.

Free limits: The free tool can preview recoverable files on Mac and restore up to 1 GB of data.

Price: $79.99 for the personal version, $99.99 premium version, and $149 for the technician version of this macOS data recovery software.

OS version: Supports all versions of the macOS operating system.

9. Mac Free Any Data Recovery

This file recovery software for Mac is an all-purpose tool that retrieves lost data in many different situations.

Pros:

• A 90-day money-back guarantee protects your investment.

• The tool offers free lifetime upgrades.

• Advanced search options are included to make it easy to locate lost files.

• Multi-language 24/7 customer support is provided to resolve issues with the software.

Cons:

• The trial version is only equipped to perform quick scans which may not locate lost data.

• The user interface is not as streamlined as other paid solutions.

Download Mac Free Any Data Recovery

User Experience

The user interface of this Mac recovery software is a little harder to navigate than some competing products. This can make it hard for new users to locate some of its features so they can efficiently recover their lost data. Once users get comfortable with the interface the tool is not difficult to use.

Many different types of files can be recovered with this tool including video and audio formats not found in some other solutions. The recovery performance is good, and files are recovered reasonably quickly. You can use this solution to recover files from your internal hard drive as well as from all types of disk-based storage devices.

Free lifetime updates and a 90-day money-back guarantee are very nice features of this software solution. One potential issue is that payment is conducted through a third-party processor which may discourage some users from purchasing the tool.

Free limits: The trial version of this Mac recovery software can be used to restore up to 2 GB of data.

Price: $59.99 for one computer, $119.99 for unlimited computers.

OS version: Supports all versions of the macOS operating system.

10. DiskWarrior

Pros:

• SMART monitoring to display drive health

• Developed specially for Mac operating systems

• Multiple support options including email and phone

• Patented preview feature to view repaired files before changes are made

Cons:

• Not suitable for individual file recovery

• No free trial is offered

• It does not support Apple File System (APFS) disks

Download DiskWarrior

User Experience:

Disk Warrior is a tool designed to prevent and resolve directory damage to your Mac that can lead to inconsistent performance and instability. The solution rebuilds a disk by recovering data from the original directory. The new directory is optimized for improved performance.

DiskWarrior focuses exclusively on creating error-free directories to recover lost files and prevent disk errors. The tool supports SMART monitoring and can be configured to automatically check drive health so you can address issues before being faced with a hardware failure. DiskWarrior ships on a flash drive that can be used to rebuild the directory of your Mac’s startup disk.

Free limits: No free trial available

Price: $119.95 plus shipping for the included flash drive

OS version: OS X 10.8 – macOS 13 Ventura

Honorable Mentions

We chose to exclude the following software solutions from our list of reliable data recovery tools. While they may work for you, we suggest that you stick to our recommended products for the best recovery results.

• M3 Data Recovery – iBoysoft was previously a white label clone of M3 recovery software. Recently, M3 has become an affiliate of iBoysoft and iBoysoft has now replaced it as the name brand of this recovery solution.

• Ontrack – We did not include this solution on our list of recovery products since it appears to just be a clone of Stellar data recovery. It may also be a dead project that will not offer updates in the future.

• Minitool – The Mac version of Minitool has become Stellar Data Recovery which is why we did not include it as a recommended product. We recommend you go directly for Stellar’s solution if you want to try this recovery tool.

• Recuva for Mac – There is no Recuva for Mac. Clicking on the download link for this product gives you a DMG file that contains the Wondershare data recovery tool. We tend to stay away from applications that use this kind of misleading advertising. The original Recuva is only available on Windows.

• iCare Recovery Data Recovery – When you try to download the iCare Data Recovery solution, you are redirected to Stellar data recovery software. We suggest if you want Stellar, you should go directly to their site rather than using a clone product.

• Safe365 Data Recovery – This program appears to be a clone of EaseUS data recovery software. While it has serviceable data recovery capabilities, you should stick with the original EaseUS product rather than this copy.

• Magoshare Data Recovery Enterprise – If the user interface of this tool looks familiar, it is because this solution is a white label clone of EaseUS data recovery software.

• Card Rescue – You might only get one shot at recovering your lost files. We found the recovery capabilities of this tool lacking as it did not do a good job of getting our files back and are not recommending it to our readers.

• iSkysoft data recovery – We chose not to include iSkysoft because it is simply a clone of Wondershare RecoverIt. In all cases, we prefer to use the original product instead of a renamed clone.

• Softtote – Softtote is a paid tool that offers 1GB of free recovery. The solution provides limited support for new versions of macOS. The tool only supports a limited number of file formats which may make it unsuitable for your recovery situation. The free version of the tool lets you recover as many BMP, JPG, PNG, TIF, or MP3 files as you wish.

• Lazesoft Mac Data Recovery – Lazesoft Mac Data Recovery is a free tool that has not been updated since 2014. You may experience issues when using the tool on modern operating systems. You should exercise caution if you are attempting to recover valuable data. Users can recover lost data from an iPod with this tool. The preview function lets you see what is recoverable while a scan is running.

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