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Apple Remote Desktop

Score6.6 out of 10

107 Reviews and Ratings

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What is Apple Remote Desktop?

Apple Remote Desktop (ARD), from Apple, is a remote administration tool for managing Apple computers running OS X across a network.

Categories & Use Cases

Key Features

Learn about the best (and worst!) features Apple Remote Desktop has to offer, as determined by TrustRadius' reviewers.
Based on 107 ratings of Apple Remote Desktop's features
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Top Performing Features

  • Instant message

    Ability for administrator to communicate via instant message with remote user.

    Category average: 7.3

  • File transfer

    Securely exchange files with remote computer without having to use email or FTP.

    Category average: 8.6

  • Over-the-Internet remote session

    Establish secure remote connection with computers outside the network firewall.

    Category average: 9.4

Areas for Improvement

  • Remote Active Directory® management

    Remotely unlock user accounts, reset passwords, manage Organizational Units, edit Group Policy, etc.

    Category average: 6.7

  • Annotations

    Ability to markup and highlight end user’s screen to provide visual clues or to highlight areas.

    Category average: 6.6

  • Multi-platform remote control

    Ability to remotely connect to multiple operating systems (Windows®, Mac OS® and Linux®).

    Category average: 6.5

Reviews

What users are saying about Apple Remote Desktop.
View all reviews

Useful tool that needs some attention

Incentivized
Bruce CarterView profile
Senior Systems Engineer in Information Technology at University of Notre Dame (1001-5000 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Endpoint Engineering and embedded IT Support personnel frequently use Apple Remote Desktop (ARD) to provide immediate remote assistance to end users. Although we use Jamf Pro (cloud) for overall maintenance of our macOS fleet, there are still times when Apple Remote Desktop is very useful for making live changes, or providing remote assistance to end users. It has been particularly useful in the case of student computing labs.

Pros

  • Sending Unix commands immediately to the endpoint
  • Seeing exactly what an end user is seeing on their screen
  • Sending messages to an entire computer lab
  • Instructor locking all screens during lecture portion of a lab session
  • Monitoring and responding to help requests
  • Assisting users with complicated workflows
  • Quick configuration changes or installs
  • Mass restarting endpoints
  • Generating reports
  • Easy grouping of endpoints into labs, departments, etc.

Cons

  • Access control has become cumbersome in recent macOS releases
  • The application does not receive much attention from Apple Engineering and is a bit feature static
  • Interface is a bit dated
  • Integration with MDM platforms needs improvement
  • NAT penetration needs improvement

Return on Investment

  • Has made it possible to respond immediately to last minute lab configuration requests from faculty
  • Has made it possible to run student computing labs remotely with one engineer covering many labs
  • Has cut way down on in-person/on-site visits
  • Has made it possible to develop a set of stored scripts and utilities that can be immediately deployed
  • Has saved money vs. more expensive remote access systems

Usability

Alternatives Considered

BeyondTrust Remote Support

Other Software Used

macOS, 1Password, Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Illustrator CC, Adobe PhotoShop, Apple iCloud, AppleCare for Enterprise, BBEdit, ChatGPT, Cisco Secure Access, Xcode, Dropbox Business

Remote Desktop with ease with the Apple Remote Desktop

Incentivized
Zane AlsareinyeView profile
Private Tutor at Self Employed (1-10 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Apple Remote Desktop helps me connect with my clients with ease. If there are problems or discussions that need to be conducted via Remote Desktop, this program is the most suitable. I have used it, especially during the pandemic, but also during times when traveling may not be as feasible, as well as when there is an urgent meeting that is taking place.

Pros

  • Connectivity with ease
  • No lag/time differential
  • Sleek design

Cons

  • Sending requests for Remote Desktop
  • Availability across entire Apple ecosystem
  • Availability on other operating systems

Return on Investment

  • Time efficiency
  • Unable to connect to multiple platforms/operating systems
  • Simple design

Alternatives Considered

TeamViewer

Other Software Used

TeamViewer

Apple Remote Desktop is a day saver.

Incentivized
Brian Cameron
IT Specialist in Information Technology at The Shelby Group (51-200 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

I use it to control Mac remotely. It allows me much more control over Zoom Remote or Microsoft Remote Desktop in automation. We have over 200 Mac laptops and the other remote software falls short. It would be nice to have an all-in-one solution but I do not believe it exists.

Pros

  • One off software install
  • Log in as separate user
  • Network discovery of remote machines

Cons

  • It is pretty refined. I can't think off hand what I would want changed.
  • The interface is becoming a little dated.
  • The ability to skip the server setting.

Return on Investment

  • Makes remote doable if a simple Zoom screen share is not enough.
  • Easy to install a quick needed package.
  • Easy to trigger updates if needed.

Alternatives Considered

Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection Manager (RDCMan) and BeyondTrust Active Directory (AD) Bridge

Other Software Used

Jamf Pro, Jamf Protect, Code42 CrashPlan

Usability

Apple Remote Desktop: All you need to know

Incentivized
Amul PorwalView profile
BIM Engineer in Engineering at Techture (51-200 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

I researched about a lot of software that could help me manage all the workstations in my office, and I came across Apple Remote Desktop. I have always had faith in the services offered by Apple and I definitely had to try this one out. I got a tutorial from an expert and I knew that I have to use it no matter what. The biggest problem it helped me solve is that I can now manage and administer the common issues from my own desk. I can run the periodic task of maintenance from the comfort of my office.

Pros

  • Managing devices on Same Netwok.
  • Best Screen Sharing UI
  • Default Maintenance Checks and commands for MACs

Cons

  • A little slower performance
  • Running the same operation on multiple machine is a challenge.

Return on Investment

  • We managed to save 27% of our working times

Alternatives Considered

TeamViewer and AnyDesk

Other Software Used

TeamViewer, AnyDesk, Central

Apple Remote Desktop - Great for Mac Administration

Incentivized
Kyle BergeronView profile
Endpoint Engineer in Information Technology at SAIC (5001-10,000 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We used this software to manage the mac desk desktop's in the entire company. It aided in support when the user was in front of the PC or when they left and needed to have remote work done.

Pros

  • Remote Desktop Connection ability
  • Device status
  • Device monitoring via a console.

Cons

  • It would be nice for it to see devices across multiple subnets
  • the User Interface could use a facelift.

Return on Investment

  • I cannot answer that question, because I was not privy to that information.

Alternatives Considered

TeamViewer, Datto RMM and Kaseya VSA

Other Software Used

TeamViewer, Datto RMM, Kaseya VSA