CrankWheel Review

CrankWheel is a web-based screen-sharing software designed to enhance customer engagement during sales calls, product demonstrations, and customer support sessions. Launched in 2010 by a team led by Jói Sigurðsson, CrankWheel aims to simplify screen-sharing by eliminating the need for downloads or complex setups. It allows users to share their screen, a specific browser tab, or a program window with prospects in real-time, accessible on any device, including mobile phones, without requiring the viewer to install software. This frictionless experience makes CrankWheel particularly appealing for sales professionals who need to deliver instant demos or guide clients through presentations.

The platform is tailored for inside sales and telesales, offering features like remote control, session recording, lead capture, and CRM integrations. Its ability to function over low-bandwidth connections and on older devices further enhances its accessibility, making it a versatile tool for diverse industries, from insurance to education.

Key Features of CrankWheel

CrankWheel’s feature set is designed to streamline communication and boost sales productivity. Below are the standout features that make it a top choice for screen-sharing in 2025:

1. Instant Screen-Sharing

CrankWheel’s hallmark feature is its blazing-fast setup. Users can initiate a screen-sharing session in seconds by sending a link via email, SMS, or a custom URL branded with the company’s name. Viewers can join instantly without downloading software, even on mobile devices. This eliminates the barriers often associated with tools like Zoom or Microsoft Teams, which may require meeting codes or installations.

2. Flexible Sharing Options

Users can choose to share their entire screen, a specific browser tab, or a single program window. This flexibility allows presenters to control what the viewer sees, ensuring a focused and professional demonstration. For example, a sales professional can share a product demo in a browser tab while keeping personal files hidden.

3. Remote Control

CrankWheel’s remote control feature enables presenters to take control of a viewer’s mouse and keyboard, which is invaluable for technical support or guiding clients through complex processes. This feature requires no additional downloads, making it seamless for both parties.

4. Session Recording

With a single click, users can record screen-sharing sessions, creating reusable content like training videos or demo walkthroughs. CrankWheel also allows users to generate animated previews of recordings for sharing via email, complete with engagement tracking.

5. Lead Capture and Post-Meeting Redirects

CrankWheel enhances sales processes by allowing users to redirect viewers to landing pages after sessions. These pages can upsell services, collect sign-ups, or request reviews, maximizing lead conversion opportunities. The platform also includes lead capture forms that integrate with CRM systems for streamlined follow-ups.

6. Low-Bandwidth Performance

Unlike some screen-sharing tools that struggle with poor connectivity, CrankWheel is optimized to work over bad network connections and on older devices. This reliability ensures uninterrupted sessions, even in challenging environments.

7. Security and Branding

CrankWheel prioritizes data security with encryption, content filtering, and audit logs. Users can personalize the sharing experience with company branding, including custom URLs and interfaces, enhancing professionalism.

8. Analytics and Attention Tracking

The platform provides insights into viewer engagement, allowing presenters to see what the viewer is focusing on and whether they’re attentive. This feature helps sales teams tailor their pitches to maximize impact.

Ease of Use

CrankWheel’s user-friendly design is one of its strongest selling points. The Chrome extension and web-based platform are intuitive, requiring minimal setup. Users simply install the extension, provide an email address, and choose a unique meeting name to start sharing. The interface is straightforward, even for beginners, allowing sales teams to focus on their presentations rather than navigating complex software.

For viewers, the experience is equally seamless. They receive a link or visit a branded URL, and the session loads instantly in their browser, regardless of the device. This ease of use has been praised by users across industries, including educators working with middle-school students and health insurance agents explaining complex plans to clients.

However, some users have noted minor drawbacks, such as a cluttered user interface and occasional sign-in issues due to multi-factor authentication requirements. These issues are relatively minor but could be improved for a smoother experience.

Pricing

CrankWheel offers a range of pricing plans based on usage rather than the number of users, making it scalable for businesses of all sizes. While specific pricing details are not publicly disclosed in this review, the platform is known for its competitive structure. Key points include:

• Free Plan: CrankWheel offers a free version with limited monthly usage, ideal for testing the software or occasional use.
• Paid Plans: Paid plans are usage-based, starting at a reasonable cost (approximately $75/month for some plans, as noted by users). These plans unlock unlimited sessions, advanced features like remote control, and CRM integrations.
• Free Trial: A trial is available without requiring credit card details, allowing businesses to evaluate the platform.

Users have described CrankWheel as “worth every cent” for its functionality, particularly for sales teams reliant on screen-sharing. However, some have expressed a desire for a lower-cost option for smaller businesses or a voice feature to reduce reliance on separate conferencing tools.

Integrations

CrankWheel integrates seamlessly with popular CRM systems and productivity tools, enhancing its utility for sales teams. Supported integrations include:

• Salesforce Sales Cloud
• HubSpot CRM
• Zapier
• Less Annoying CRM
• Insites

These integrations allow users to capture leads, track interactions, and manage customer relationships directly within their existing workflows. The platform also offers RESTful and JavaScript APIs for custom integrations, enabling businesses to embed CrankWheel into their websites or applications.

User Reviews and Feedback

CrankWheel has garnered high praise from users across platforms like AppSumo, GetApp, Capterra, and TrustRadius, with ratings consistently above 4.7 out of 5. Below is a summary of user feedback:

Pros

• Ease of Use: Users love the simplicity of setup and operation, with one reviewer calling it “stupid simple” and “worth its weight in gold.”
• Reliability: The platform is described as “incredibly reliable” and “glitch-free,” even on low-bandwidth connections.
• Customer Support: CrankWheel’s support team is frequently praised for being responsive and helpful, often going “above and beyond” to address queries.
• Sales Impact: Sales professionals report closing more deals due to the seamless demo experience and lead capture features.
• Versatility: The tool is used not only for sales but also for training, education, and even personal use, such as showing family members how to use software.

Cons

• Firewall Issues: Some users have reported difficulties with links passing through corporate firewalls, though this is often attributed to user error.
• Lack of Voice Feature: Several users have expressed a desire for built-in audio to eliminate the need for separate conferencing tools like Skype.
• Interface Clutter: The user interface can feel cluttered, and occasional sign-in issues have been noted.
• Language Support: Users in regions like the Middle East have requested support for right-to-left (RTL) languages such as Arabic, which is currently unavailable.

Real-World Applications

CrankWheel’s versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of industries and use cases:

• Sales Teams: Sales professionals use CrankWheel to deliver instant demos, fill out forms collaboratively with clients, and redirect prospects to upsell pages. Health insurance agents, for example, have reported improved client engagement when explaining complex plans.
• Education: Teachers and tutors leverage CrankWheel to share screens with students or allow students to share their work, even with younger users who find the tool easy to navigate.
• Customer Support: The remote control feature is ideal for technical support, enabling agents to guide clients through troubleshooting or software setup.
• Remote Work: Remote workers use CrankWheel for collaborative meetings, benefiting from its low-bandwidth performance and device compatibility.

Comparison with Alternatives

CrankWheel competes with tools like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and other screen-sharing solutions like Join.me and Zoho Assist. Here’s how it stacks up:

• Vs. Zoom/Teams: While Zoom and Teams offer robust video conferencing, they can be complex for some users and require downloads. CrankWheel’s no-install, browser-based approach is faster and simpler for quick demos.
• Vs. Join.me: Join.me offers similar screen-sharing but has been criticized for glitches, whereas CrankWheel is praised for reliability.
• Vs. Zoho Assist: Zoho Assist focuses more on remote support, while CrankWheel is tailored for sales with features like lead capture and post-meeting redirects.

CrankWheel’s niche is its simplicity and sales-focused features, making it a better choice for teams prioritizing instant, hassle-free screen-sharing.

Conclusion

CrankWheel is a standout screen-sharing solution that delivers on its promise of simplicity, reliability, and sales-driven functionality. Its instant setup, flexible sharing options, and robust features like remote control and lead capture make it an invaluable tool for sales teams, educators, and remote workers. While minor drawbacks like interface clutter and the lack of a built-in voice feature exist, the platform’s high user ratings (4.7–4.9 across platforms) and positive feedback highlight its effectiveness.

For businesses looking to enhance their sales demos, streamline customer support, or facilitate remote collaboration, CrankWheel is a worthy investment. Its free plan and trial make it easy to test, and its competitive pricing ensures scalability for teams of all sizes. Whether you’re a solopreneur closing deals or a large enterprise training clients, CrankWheel’s seamless screen-sharing can elevate your communication strategy in 2025.