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    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    Apple Remote Desktop

    Score6.4 out of 10
    N/AApple Remote Desktop (ARD), from Apple, is a remote administration tool for managing Apple computers running OS X across a network.

    $79.99

    one-time fee

    Chrome Remote Desktop

    Score8.4 out of 10
    N/AChrome Remote Desktop from Google is a cross-platform remote administration and remote desktop tool that requires the Chrome browser and an extension. It is free to use.

    $0

    Pricing
    Apple Remote DesktopChrome Remote Desktop
    Editions & Modules
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    Apple Remote DesktopChrome Remote Desktop
    Free Trial
    NoNo
    Free/Freemium Version
    NoYes
    Premium Consulting/Integration Services
    NoNo
    Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
    Additional Details——
    More Pricing Information
    Community Pulse
    Apple Remote DesktopChrome Remote Desktop
    Considered Both Products
    Apple
    Chose Apple Remote Desktop
    Chrome Remote Desktop is cross-platform but lacks the cool features especially automation related features like Apple Remote Desktop does. For supporting Mac computers, Apple Remote Desktop was a clear choice.
    Incentivized
    Chose Apple Remote Desktop
    I would feel much more comfortable having one of these alternative solutions as our Remote Desktop management tools. Each has their drawbacks and expenses associated with them, but we simply have too large of a deployment to not be considering alternatives. If it is the only …
    Incentivized
    Chose Apple Remote Desktop
    I have used the above two remote desktop services and have found it to be much harder than using the Apple Remote Desktop. They are slow to login with a lot of errors, time outs constantly, and interface its self moves incredibly slow. I felt a sense of relief when I started …
    Incentivized
    Google
    No answer on this topic
    Key User Insights
    Would buy again
    89%
    Would buy again
    8 Answers
    100%
    Would buy again
    10 Answers
    Delivers good value for the price
    100%
    Delivers good value for the price
    8 Answers
    100%
    Delivers good value for the price
    10 Answers
    Happy with the feature set
    67%
    Happy with the feature set
    6 Answers
    90%
    Happy with the feature set
    9 Answers
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    83%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    5 Answers
    No answers on this topic
    Implementation went as expected
    100%
    Implementation went as expected
    6 Answers
    100%
    Implementation went as expected
    8 Answers
    Features
    Apple Remote DesktopChrome Remote Desktop
    Remote Administration
    Comparison of Remote Administration features of Apple Remote Desktop and Chrome Remote Desktop
    Feature
    Apple Remote Desktop
    8.0
    25 Ratings
    1% below category average
    Chrome Remote Desktop
    8.4
    18 Ratings
    4% above category average
    Screen sharing8.925 Ratings6.017 Ratings
    File transfer9.024 Ratings8.09 Ratings
    Instant message9.320 Ratings8.05 Ratings
    Secure remote access with Smart Card authentication8.53 Ratings9.03 Ratings
    Access to sleeping/powered-off computers7.219 Ratings7.08 Ratings
    Over-the-Internet remote session9.019 Ratings10.018 Ratings
    Initiate remote control from mobile7.06 Ratings8.016 Ratings
    Remote management of servers & workstations8.421 Ratings9.016 Ratings
    Remote Active Directory® management7.08 Ratings9.04 Ratings
    Centralized management dashboard8.516 Ratings9.08 Ratings
    Session record7.39 Ratings9.05 Ratings
    Annotations7.05 Ratings9.04 Ratings
    Monitoring and Alerts8.312 Ratings9.04 Ratings
    Multi-platform remote control6.37 Ratings7.013 Ratings
    Best Alternatives
    Apple Remote DesktopChrome Remote Desktop
    Small Businesses
    N-able Take Control
    Score8.6 out of 10
    N-able Take Control
    Score8.6 out of 10
    Medium-sized Companies
    Remote Desktop Manager
    Score9 out of 10
    Remote Desktop Manager
    Score9 out of 10
    Enterprises
    BeyondTrust Privileged Remote Access
    Score8.9 out of 10
    BeyondTrust Privileged Remote Access
    Score8.9 out of 10
    All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
    User Ratings
    Apple Remote DesktopChrome Remote Desktop
    Likelihood to Recommend
    8.4
    (25 ratings)
    9.0
    (18 ratings)
    Likelihood to Renew
    10.0
    (3 ratings)
    7.0
    (2 ratings)
    Usability
    9.0
    (4 ratings)
    9.0
    (4 ratings)
    Support Rating
    10.0
    (4 ratings)
    3.8
    (7 ratings)
    Implementation Rating
    10.0
    (3 ratings)
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    Apple Remote DesktopChrome Remote Desktop
    Likelihood to Recommend
    Apple
    I would rate this higher if I was confident that Apple is continuing to develop this utility. It has only received minor updates for quite a long time, and is not featured much in any of Apple's online material. It really is a useful utility, but it is starting to show its age and is fraying a bit around the edges in some respects. It could be very useful when integrated with the various MDM solutions (in our case, Jamf Pro) especially when an engineer needs to force something immediately and can't wait for a check-in, and also can't depend on the end user being able to (for instance) do a sudo jamf policy or sudo jamf recon.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Google
    It is well suited in cases where your company/organization is looking for a low/no cost remote desktop solution, or is looking for something that can be used by most anyone right away. Most organizations don't want things to be too complex, especially with a remote desktop solution, which is generally not very complex software to begin with. It would be less appropriate in cases where the company/organization has already purchased licensing for a commercial product, and/or has been heavily using a commercial product for some time.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Pros
    Apple
    • Automator Actions: This is a very cool feature and cost saving as it reduces human effort by automating the workflow of tasks.
    • Curtain Mode: This lets you block your local user's view of the desktop while performing administrative tasks.
    • Spotlight Search: It can perform lightning fast searches on machines using the spotlight search feature of OS X and thus saves a lot of time.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Google
    • Unlike Microsoft's Remote Desktop, this program is the same across platforms, which is helpful for users.
    • This program also allows direct control over the desktop (like TeamViewer) and doesn't give you a simulated log on (like Remote Desktop). This is advantageous for seeing exactly what's on the screen but can make it a little laggy.
    • The interface is very nice and clear once it's set up. It's obvious which computer is which and it's just a couple of clicks from opening the program to a connection.
    • The mobile app is also really really well done.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Cons
    Apple
    • I would like to see more included Unix scrips that can be pushed to clients.
    • Inclusion of a way to remote control or screen share with Windows machines would be useful, as I manage a handful of Windows machines. While this would be possible using VNC on the Windows machines, including the ability to connect using Windows terminal connections would be awesome, for me.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Google
    • More fluid video rendering. Does a good job, but could use a more consistent framerate at times.
    • A way to easier switch between multiple monitors.
    • Adding an ability to zoom for multi-monitor display. Sometimes on a single screen it can get difficult to read if trying to view them all.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Likelihood to Renew
    Apple
    It is a fairly unique tool in the level of integration it has with Apple Desktop products. It definitely needs some engineering attention, and it should be expanded to the iOS arena. It is not perfect, but it is very useful and fills an otherwise fairly empty niche in the support toolkit realm. The built-in screen sharing app in macOS handles the direct screen control or viewing function fairly well, but it does not have all of the other mass control features that Apple Remote Desktop supplies.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Google
    A very easy lightweight tool that is completely scalable and deployed via google admin platform. The tool is free to use and works extremely well with the chrome devices we currently have deployed. Any organization using chrome or google suites should look into this tool as it's much easier to use then other remote software in the market
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Usability
    Apple
    Once it is set up, it is quite straightforward to use. However, currently, it requires both a script to run to set up permissions and controls, AND a command from the MDM to authorize it to be active. The MDM management command is manual. This is not conducive to an automated workflow, and sometimes gets forgotten. Then, the endpoint is not contactable until someone realizes that the MDM command was not sent or was not successful.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Google
    Just a great product that has saved countless hours of commute to work and given the flexibility to be able to work from anywhere, whether at home or when away on holiday overseas. I love that it is a free product and is just as great as its competitors' products. It has also allowed me to prepare for work for the following day.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Support Rating
    Apple
    When i have needed support it was for Hardware not the software itself
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Google
    The only support I ever accessed were help files and web tutorials. I never tried to access personal support, mostly because I don't believe much of it is available. As a free service, my expectations for support are pretty low; that said, Chrome Remote Desktop is easy enough to configure and troubleshoot even with limited technical knowledge.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Implementation Rating
    Apple
    Very quick and easy install with no real issues
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Google
    None, its quick and easy
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Alternatives Considered
    Apple
    I would feel much more comfortable having one of these alternative solutions as our Remote Desktop management tools. Each has their drawbacks and expenses associated with them, but we simply have too large of a deployment to not be considering alternatives. If it is the only solution you can afford, it is OK to start here. I could see where this would have a return on investment, but it is really only suitable for a very small and localized scale. If employees are at all mobile, the duct taping of products necessary (VPN, distribution points, script repositories) would be very cumbersome.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Google
    Chrome Remote Desktop seems to be a an easy to use and efficient program. Such as TeamViewer, however TeamViewer offers more program features such as able to control a device's function (shutting down, restarting, audio input, cmd etc). With those added program features I believe Chrome Remote Desktop can almost be up to par with TeamViewer.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Return on Investment
    Apple
    • Apple Remote Desktop has a positive return on investment because for the expense to the school, the value it brings to teachers is important. The return on improved student performance is very difficult to measure financially, but there is a definite return.
    • The overall objective of education is to increase student learning, ARD does that phenomenally. Parents see the tool used and are impressed at what the capabilities of the tool can do and how it impacts how active their students are as well as how well they can learn.
    • One negative impact is that teachers rely too much on this tool rather than on actually teaching sometimes.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Google
    • Using Chrome Remote Desktop, we've saved money on remote desktop software.
    • Using Chrome Remote Desktop, we've saved money by not needing to purchase additional hardware (monitors).
    • Using Chrome Remote Desktop has improved the productivity of my organization by allowing employees to work from anywhere.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ScreenShots

    Chrome Remote Desktop Screenshots

    Screenshot of the option to share a screen or access another computer in Chrome Remote Desktop.Screenshot of the screen to setup a remote connection.