Co-browsing vs Screen Sharing
Co-browsing and screen sharing both let you share content with another person, but they are quite different in practice.
Co-browsing
Co-browsing is a way for two people to interact with a page together. Usually one is the host and another joins the session. Both see the same thing and can interact with it, within the permissions the tool gives them. Sharing the whole computer is remote desktop control, where the scope is bigger.
Benefits
Ease of operation. If I join your co-browsing session and you give me control, I can take actions for you or instead of you, which is really beneficial.
Working together online. The same thing could happen if I walked to your computer and worked on the page with you. Online, you do it without being in the same place.
Speed of interaction. You can interact with the page and see feedback right away. You don’t need to ask the host to do something; you can do it instead and see the results yourself. That’s a game-changer.
Limitations
You need to trust whoever you’re giving access to and understand what permissions you’re giving them. Do you trust this visitor? Can you see what’s going on at all times? You need to be really careful, especially if they’re controlling your desktop.
With multiple people, you need to coordinate who is in control. Otherwise, everyone can start scrolling and clicking at different times, standing in the way of each other.
Ideal for support, tutoring, and onboarding
If you work in support, it can be easier for a user to share their session. You can show them how to fix an issue or see how it looks from their end. If you’re onboarding someone to your product, you can join them and adjust settings for them. You can make changes yourself and see the results.
Top solutions
#1 TeamViewer
TeamViewer is a solution when you need to give someone access to a desktop: showing how to use a program, helping with the operating system, or setting up an environment outside Chrome.
#2 Surfly
If you only need to co-browse a website, go for a browser-based solution. Surfly is one example and works without installing an extension. You still need to be careful about logged-in sessions; it supports navigation restrictions and masking.
Screen sharing
Screen sharing is a way for one person to share what they’re doing or want to show with one or more viewers. The presenter stays in full control: share a tab, a browser window, or a whole desktop, and switch between them during the session. Viewers just connect and see what’s going on.
Benefits
Quick kickoff. With Screen Share, viewers just click a link and join. They don’t need to install anything, register, or learn how to use a new program.
Different devices. You can share from your computer, and the viewer can join from an iPhone, iPad, Android device, or another computer with a supported browser.
Privacy and control. You stay in full control of what viewers see. Share just one tab or window, and keep private information in another, unshared window. Viewers can watch, but they can’t interact with the page or control your computer.
Limitations
If the visitor needs to tell you, “Click here, click there,” and use you as a keyboard and mouse, that’s obviously not ideal for screen sharing.
When they’re watching on a phone, consider the size and density of information. You can see text much more easily on a desktop. Zoom in on your side and focus on one thing at a time so it’s easier for them to see what’s going on.
Ideal for sales calls and visual presentations
Imagine you’re selling insurance. Your client is interested, but they can’t fully grasp what’s in the package. A lot of people understand information better if they see it. Send them a link, show the packages, and keep working toward closing the deal without booking another call. That’s the game-changer.
Or you’re selling tour packages. They’re ready to commit, but aren’t sure they’ll like the hotel or the room. Show them where they’ll be staying. It can be much easier to commit when they can see what they’re committing to. The same goes for comparing packages, items, colors, or showing how something will be installed.
Top solutions
#1 Screen Share
If you’re selling over the phone or talking through WhatsApp, you don’t want to rebook anything. Screen Share lets you show your offer while you keep the call going, giving you that extra edge to close the deal.
First time sharing? Follow the step-by-step guide.
#2 Zoom / Google Meet
Zoom and Google Meet are great options if you can book a call in advance. If you’re talking over email and want to connect digitally, that may be what you should go for.
#3 Continue selling on the call
If you can close the deal without screen sharing, that’s great. If your prospect is saying, “Let’s sign,” don’t force them through another step. Add screen sharing when they’re still in doubt and seeing something could help move the needle.
Summary
If viewers just need to see what you’re showing, go for screen sharing. Do they need to take actions on your behalf or instead of you? Then go for co-browsing, or remote desktop access if they need to work outside the browser.
Screen sharing vs co-browsing at a glance
| What do you need? | Screen sharing | Co-browsing |
|---|---|---|
| Quick kickoff | ✅ Click a link and join. No viewer installation or registration with Screen Share. | ❌ Setup can require installing software or creating an account, making it more complicated. Browser-only tools can avoid installation. |
| Joining from a phone or tablet | ✅ Share from your computer; viewers join from an iPhone, iPad, or Android device with a supported browser. | ❌ Shared interaction on a phone can be tricky. Check which devices and controls the tool supports. |
| Sales calls and demos | ✅ Show the packages and keep the call going without booking another meeting. | ❌ Less suitable when you don’t want the other person clicking around. |
| Working on a page together | ❌ Viewers need to tell you what to do: ‘Click here, click there.’ | ✅ They can take actions for you or instead of you, within the permissions you give them. |
| Helping grandpa with a computer | ❌ Not ideal when the visitor needs to use you as a keyboard and mouse. | ✅ Co-browse a page together; use remote desktop access for applications or the operating system. |
| Presenting to multiple people | ✅ One presenter, one or more viewers. Good for educational talks and presentations. | ❌ People can start scrolling and clicking at different times, standing in the way of each other. |
| Keeping private information private | ✅ Share a single tab or window and move private notes to another, unshared window. Keep the shared area clean. A whole-desktop share can show anything visible. | ❌ A shared page may be logged in as the host. Check permissions, restrict navigation or mask fields where supported, and know how to revoke control. |
Show your offer. Close the sale!
Install Screen Share before your next call so you have this tool under your belt. Even if you don’t use it, you can have the confidence that you know what to do when you need to support your words with something your prospect can see.
Install Screen Share for Chrome