Chrome Remote Desktop vs. TeamViewer

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Chrome Remote Desktop
Score 8.4 out of 10
N/A
Chrome 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.N/A
TeamViewer
Score 8.5 out of 10
N/A
TeamViewer provides software for both remote management and online collaborations. With TeamViewer, users have access to fully integrated online conference solutions for audio and video communication, including interactive screen sharing and remote access features.
$24.90
per month (billed annually) 1 Licensed User
Pricing
Chrome Remote DesktopTeamViewer
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
Remote Access
$24.90
per month (billed annually) 1 Licensed User
Business
$50.90
per month (billed annually) 1 Licensed User
Premium
$102.90
per month (billed annually) 15 Licensed Users
Corporate
$206.90
per month (billed annually) 30 Licensed Users
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Chrome Remote DesktopTeamViewer
Free Trial
NoYes
Free/Freemium Version
YesYes
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeOptional
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Chrome Remote DesktopTeamViewer
TrustRadius Insights
Chrome Remote DesktopTeamViewer
Highlights

TrustRadius
Research Team Insight
Published

TeamViewer and Chrome Remote Desktop are remote desktop tools. Both let users access devices remotely and can be used free, though TeamViewer requires a license for commercial use. Commonly used for troubleshooting and technical support, both solutions can be used by individuals who want to use a mobile device to access their primary computer. TeamViewer requires a license for commercial use but it has a far larger feature set than Chrome Remote Desktop. Both solutions are used by businesses of all sizes, though TeamViewer can support more business use cases and is more frequently deployed across business or enterprise environments.

Features

Both TeamViewer and Chrome Remote Desktop allow users to remotely access connected devices and share a screen, without spending any money.

Chrome Remote Desktop is lightweight, fast, and easy to set up. There’s a 100 device limit on how many devices can be managed with the software, making it a popular choice for users with multiple devices who need a simple, straightforward remote desktop interface, or who need to share a screen. For security-conscious users, Chrome Remote Desktop uses a PIN to verify connections.

Beyond free access, TeamViewer provides features to cater to full-service technical support teams that Chrome Remote Desktop does not. Users can take advantage of integrated chat, cross-device file-sharing, remote wake-up and installation, and clipboard syncing. TeamViewer also includes custom-branded SOS buttons that can be installed on end-user devices, giving them one-click access to remote support teams. Overall, TeamViewer is focused on giving remote support staff all the tools they need to quickly and efficiently solve their customers’ problems.

Limitations

However, TeamViewer and Chrome Remote Desktop each have their limitations. Consider the drawbacks of each before choosing a solution.

Chrome Remote Desktop lacks the full feature set of TeamViewer, but some users have other complaints with the software. The tool requires a Google account and requires the use of Google Chrome. Some users have encountered RAM spikes while using the software, and others have issues with multi-monitor setups. Chrome Remote Desktop isn’t under active development, meaning that bugs and other frustrations may take a long time to be fixed – if they get fixed at all.

TeamViewer, on the other hand, can be resource intensive and requires a high-bandwidth connection to work properly. Some users have also complained about limitations on file transfer sizes, while others encountered problems when trying to create a remote session between devices running different versions of TeamViewer. The most common complaint, however, was about pricing and business practices. Many customers were frustrated by the fine print of TeamViewer’s subscription agreement and found it difficult or impossible to cancel their subscription when they wanted to. If you use TeamViewer, be sure to carefully read and understand their subscription terms.

Pricing

TeamViewer offers 3 tiers of pricing. The Business plan is $50.90 per month and allows one user to manage up to 200 devices. The Premium plan is $102.90 per month and allows up to 15 users to manage a total of 300 devices, with one session active at a time. Lastly, the Corporate plan is $206.90 per month and allows up to 30 users to manage up to 500 devices, with up to three sessions active at a time.

Chrome Remote Desktop is free to use for anyone with a Google account.

Features
Chrome Remote DesktopTeamViewer
Remote Administration
Comparison of Remote Administration features of Product A and Product B
Chrome Remote Desktop
8.4
Ratings
3% above category average
TeamViewer
8.4
Ratings
4% below category average
Screen sharing6.00 Ratings00 Ratings
File transfer8.00 Ratings8.70 Ratings
Instant message8.00 Ratings8.50 Ratings
Secure remote access with Smart Card authentication9.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Access to sleeping/powered-off computers7.00 Ratings7.90 Ratings
Over-the-Internet remote session10.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Initiate remote control from mobile8.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Remote management of servers & workstations9.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Remote Active Directory® management9.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Centralized management dashboard9.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Session record9.00 Ratings8.50 Ratings
Annotations9.00 Ratings7.30 Ratings
Monitoring and Alerts9.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Multi-platform remote control7.00 Ratings00 Ratings
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User Ratings
Chrome Remote DesktopTeamViewer
Likelihood to Recommend
9.0
(0 ratings)
8.7
(0 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
7.0
(0 ratings)
10.0
(0 ratings)
Usability
9.0
(0 ratings)
9.0
(0 ratings)
Availability
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(0 ratings)
Performance
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
3.8
(0 ratings)
9.5
(0 ratings)
In-Person Training
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(0 ratings)
Online Training
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(0 ratings)
Implementation Rating
10.0
(0 ratings)
8.9
(0 ratings)
Configurability
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(0 ratings)
Ease of integration
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(0 ratings)
Product Scalability
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(0 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
-
(0 ratings)
8.4
(0 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Chrome Remote DesktopTeamViewer
Likelihood to Recommend
Chrome Remote Desktop is great for accessing machines remotely which cannot be accessed via Microsoft's Remote Desktop. It's especially nice for accessing machines of varying operating systems from a machine of a single operating system. For example, if I'm on my Windows laptop, I can always use Microsoft Remote Desktop to connect to local machines (or machines via a VPN), but I can't do the same with Macs. I can do both from Chrome Remote Desktop though, and this program is very lightweight, which is nice.
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Most suitable for large corporations who want to have real-time control of multiple devices in different countries. It is not suitable for scenarios where permissions for using the system need to be obtained from the user for every session if there is no support subscription in place.
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Pros
  • It's very easy to connect to your computers. All you have to do is make sure you are logged in with your Google account on all of your devices.
  • It has good remote control options like print screen or power-off remotely.
  • I haven't faced any lag while remotely connecting to devices at work.
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  • Quick support is an nice feature to make it easy for the end user to download and use
  • Easy to connect using numbers
  • The connection is always good when connected to an end user
  • The tool is easy to use, the buttons are easy to understand what the use for it is
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Cons
  • 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.
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  • Now, it doesn’t work in fast network environments: sometimes, data is delayed during transfer.
  • There are a small number of ways that a user is allowed to change the interface on the device.
  • Some minor increases in difficulty with advanced functions of the application.
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Likelihood to Renew
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
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As long as I continue to provide remote support for my clients, it's a no brainier. For what I pay out, I probably make it back tenfold in the ability to provide remote support from wherever and whenever. Not to mention the saved gas money for a fix that only takes 5 minutes but it takes you 20 minutes to get there. As my business continues to grow, and I support more and more clients, my need for TeamViewer will only grow.
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Usability
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.
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Compared to other products I've used (ConnectWise Control), TeamViewer is harder to set up and get connected. It is especially difficult to set up "permanent" unattended remote access, where you want to be able to connect to and control a remote computer without having to exchange codes and passwords every time you connect.
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Reliability and Availability
No answers on this topic
We get what we need with our TeamViewer licence.
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Performance
No answers on this topic
Steady connection and easy quick connect and disconnect
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Support Rating
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.
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The support from the Teamviewer team has always been top notch. Any support ticket that we have submitted has been handled very quickly and with the best possible resolution. We find in most cases, contacting for a support ticket is not even necessary, as the knowledge base is more than adequate.
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In-Person Training
No answers on this topic
As expected without any problem! Alternate in-person training is another efficient way to learn how a product works. There are many third party supporters for TeamViewer courses available that can give additional ideas how to use TeamViewer for specific functions and features as we did require in respect of our usage.
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Online Training
No answers on this topic
I have never used the online training either. I have watched a few informational videos that were helpful when learning how to do a specific procedure within TeamViewer and get the most out of the software by utilizing one of the many features that are available with the software. Again, 5 if for neutral.
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Implementation Rating
None, its quick and easy
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Installation and configuration of the TeamViewer does not pose a huge problem and we were able to install the software in our network within one week. Helping staff was organized in the form of training sessions to understand the different aspects that it offers and because of its rich graphical user interface, adoption was easy.
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Alternatives Considered
Most of the other software solutions come at a cost for the licensing, and it is usually not cheap, given that you need to have commercial licensing for a business/organization. Also, with the other remote desktop solutions, there is more of a learning curve in order to use, them. With Chrome Remote Desktop that is not the case. Lastly, some of the problems that were seen in some of the paid commercial solutions, have not been seen with Chrome Remote Desktop.
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In my position, I have also used AnyDesk because we frequently utilize various software for different tasks. However, we opted for TeamViewer because our team members are not technically inclined. They are experts in other areas. TeamViewer was the ideal choice for us since we needed a software program that even non-techies could use.
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Scalability
No answers on this topic
I've rarely had problems with the product.
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Return on Investment
  • Saved many hours of unnecessary community to my business - 60 to 120 hours a year.
  • Given a lot of flexibility to remote access work computers from home or when away on holiday.
  • Saved time at work the next day by preparing work the previous night by using this product to access work computers.
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It took about 3 months.
  • Customer Support of our business has become more interactive with customers, leading to faster resolution of their problems.
  • Remotely accessing devices in our office allows employees to stay productive while working from home.
  • TeamViewer helps us to collaborate with other firms for projects we're doing.
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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.

TeamViewer Screenshots

Screenshot of how TeamViewer lets users connect to devices and provide remote support.Screenshot of where devices are a few clicks away.Screenshot of the interface to monitor and manage devices proactively.Screenshot of some of TeamViewer's integrations