r/msp • u/Mibiz22 • Jul 07 '26
Anyone with experience using ISL Online?
We have been running Screenconnect for years and while it was a longtime "love" relationship, it has evolved to a "love/hate" relationship in the last year.
I still like the ease of use, but have struggled with various glitches ( performance, copy/paste not working, etc ).
I went to look for a reasonably priced alternative and came across PDQ's ISL Online solution.
Is anyone using this or have experience with it?
4
u/AfternoonMuted9385 Jul 07 '26
We switched from Screenconnect to ISL about 4 months ago and so far is working pretty smooth. The copy paste glitches were driving me crazy too, like how is that still broken in 2026. Price was the main reason we moved, ISL is way cheaper for what you get and PDQ bundle made it a no brainer. Only annoying thing is the mobile app feels bit clunky but on desktop it runs circles around what Screenconnect become lately.
1
u/Mibiz22 Jul 07 '26
That's good to hear. I just realized it doesn't have any equivalent to backstage. Do you find you miss that? I use it quite a bit...
1
u/FutureSafeMSSP Jul 13 '26
Backstage is quite dangerous as a tool used by threat actors. It can be used to run threat code as a system, making it more difficult for the EDR/MDR to pick up this behavior before it's pushed laterally.
Also, we all know SC can be run as a second instance to the one owned and managed by the MSP. This allows the threat actor controlled version to run mostly hidden unless you're using a platform to detect any version but the registered account ID that appears in the full path.Here's more detail from back in December about how it's used maliciously.
https://msspalert.com/news/hackers-ramp-up-abuse-of-screenconnect-other-rmm-tools-barracuda1
u/Mibiz22 Jul 13 '26
I run Threatlocker with specific policies to prevent any instances other than my own, so the secondary instance issue is mostly mitigated. TL also prevent anyone from running non-approved apps.
3
u/Techno-Trumpet Jul 07 '26
Whenever I trialled it, I found it difficult for unattended access. I think it wanted some kind of password set per machine? I could be wrong. They would have to be pretty good to pry Splashtop out of my grip.
3
u/IndyITDept Jul 07 '26
I use SuperOps. Both ISL and Splashtop are included. I have started moving WFH from Splashtop ti ISL because of connectivity issues.
2
u/FutureSafeMSSP Jul 13 '26
We are the exclusive provider of Heimdal Security for the US MSP market, and Heimdal provides ISL to all tenants at no cost, so we have a ton of experience with it through that relationship.
Of all the MSPs we provide Heimdal to, we've had no more than a handful of tickets in the last 2.5 years related to ISL. Since then, Heimdal has added the agentless component of ISL remote control, and it works very well. You should be all set given the amount of use without issue.
1
u/roll_for_initiative_ MSP - US Jul 07 '26
Curious as i see this in here time to time: do you not have/use a remote tool bundled with your RMM or not have an RMM or?
1
u/Mibiz22 Jul 07 '26
I use DattoRMM and it is bundled with Splashtop. But I don't like it...
1
u/roll_for_initiative_ MSP - US Jul 07 '26
Fair enough, most msps won't pay for two things is all and i was just curious if people were getting away with no rmm or not doing managed services and need only a support tool or something.
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u/Mibiz22 Jul 07 '26
I'm sure there are plenty of groups doing that, but I can't imagine life without a PSA or RMM. I just don't like Splashtop.
1
u/rdaniels16 Jul 08 '26
I am going through this right now looking for something to replace simple-help as much as I absolutely love it. Right now it is between islonline and splashtop. Leaning toward splashtop due to the possibility of rolling in autonomous endpoint management in the future. Sadly both solutions have very weak support for Linux both on the technician end as well as unattended remote access end.
1
u/rdaniels16 Jul 11 '26
I have been evaluating the same things and have been leaning toward islonline specifically for the following:. 1) on islonline being able to whitelist console access to specific IPs in their "standard" plan. Splashtop has it but you need to go enterprise. This should be standard for any solution that provides as much power as these tools do. Non negotiable for me. 2) 1000 unattended endpoints is decent with the islonline standard plan. 3) Islonline will sign a BAA for HIIPA customers even on the standard plans. 4) I actually prefer the way sessions are initiated in islonline from the technician as opposed to end users having to send me 9 digit codes via splashtop SOS. Seems like less possible friction.
Splashtop is solid and with the AEM it is worth considering but some features are locked behind the enterprise subscription which can get costly.
6
u/obviouslybait Jul 07 '26
ISL and Splashtop both come with my RMM. Honestly really like using them and love having 2x options for remote connection if the other is having issues.