What users are saying about
95 Ratings
<a href='https://www.trustradius.com/static/about-trustradius-scoring' target='_blank' rel='nofollow noopener'>trScore algorithm: Learn more.</a>Score 8.5 out of 100
Based on 95 reviews and ratings
123 Ratings
<a href='https://www.trustradius.com/static/about-trustradius-scoring' target='_blank' rel='nofollow noopener'>trScore algorithm: Learn more.</a>Score 8.5 out of 100
Based on 123 reviews and ratings
Feature Set Ratings
- Chrome Remote Desktop ranks higher in 1 feature set: Remote Administration
Remote Administration

7.7
Apple Remote Desktop
77%

8.0
Chrome Remote Desktop
80%
Apple Remote Desktop ranks higher in 8/14 features
Apple Remote Desktop ranks higher in 8/14 features
Screen sharing

10.0
100%
18 Ratings

9.0
90%
17 Ratings
File transfer

5.2
52%
18 Ratings

7.5
75%
10 Ratings
Instant message

9.6
96%
16 Ratings

7.9
79%
6 Ratings
Secure remote access with Smart Card authentication

8.0
80%
1 Rating

8.5
85%
4 Ratings
Access to sleeping/powered-off computers

5.1
51%
13 Ratings

6.9
69%
8 Ratings
Over-the-Internet remote session

10.0
100%
14 Ratings

9.6
96%
18 Ratings
Initiate remote control from mobile

2.5
25%
4 Ratings

9.5
95%
16 Ratings
Remote management of servers & workstations

10.0
100%
16 Ratings

7.7
77%
16 Ratings
Remote Active Directory® management

10.0
100%
5 Ratings

7.9
79%
5 Ratings
Centralized management dashboard

4.2
42%
10 Ratings

6.9
69%
9 Ratings
Session record

6.9
69%
6 Ratings

6.9
69%
6 Ratings
Annotations

6.0
60%
3 Ratings

8.4
84%
5 Ratings
Monitoring and Alerts

9.6
96%
8 Ratings

8.5
85%
5 Ratings
Multi-platform remote control

10.0
100%
4 Ratings

6.6
66%
13 Ratings
Attribute Ratings
- Apple Remote Desktop is rated higher in 2 areas: Likelihood to Renew, Support Rating
- Chrome Remote Desktop is rated higher in 2 areas: Likelihood to Recommend, Usability
- Apple Remote Desktop and Chrome Remote Desktop are tied in 1 area: Implementation Rating
Likelihood to Recommend

7.1
Apple Remote Desktop
71%
18 Ratings

10.0
Chrome Remote Desktop
100%
18 Ratings
Likelihood to Renew

10.0
Apple Remote Desktop
100%
2 Ratings

7.0
Chrome Remote Desktop
70%
2 Ratings
Usability

9.7
Apple Remote Desktop
97%
3 Ratings

9.9
Chrome Remote Desktop
99%
3 Ratings
Support Rating

5.1
Apple Remote Desktop
51%
6 Ratings

3.9
Chrome Remote Desktop
39%
14 Ratings
Implementation Rating

10.0
Apple Remote Desktop
100%
4 Ratings

10.0
Chrome Remote Desktop
100%
2 Ratings
Likelihood to Recommend
Apple Remote Desktop
For a small deployment of macOS, I can see where Apple Remote Desktop could suffice. I can see where a company that is strapped for cash could benefit from a knowledgeable employee using it to automate some tasks. I am not comfortable giving an estimate number-wise.For a large deployment of macOS or iOS, this would be a very inappropriate tool. There are far too many obstacles for an app like Apple Remote Desktop to successfully manage a large fleet of macOS computers or really any number of iOS devices. You simply need an MDM solution in this day and age. This will become increasingly necessary, even in small numbers, but MDM providers have started to provide solutions for customers in these situations.

Verified User
Administrator in Information Technology
Education Management Company, 1001-5000 employeesChrome Remote Desktop
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.

Verified User
Supervisor in Information Technology
Education Management Company, 1001-5000 employeesPros
Apple Remote Desktop
- 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.
Senior Oracle Database Administrator
CGIInformation Technology and Services, 10,001+ employees
Chrome Remote Desktop
- 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.
Graduate teaching/research assistant
Journal of Linguistic GeographyResearch, 5001-10,000 employees
Cons
Apple Remote Desktop
- 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.

Verified User
Administrator in Information Technology
Transportation/Trucking/Railroad Company, 201-500 employeesChrome Remote Desktop
- The session can be seen on the screen of the workstation. Could be a privacy issue. It DOESN'T work like traditional RDP, much closer to a screen sharing support session.
- There is no built in File Transfer. Its not a deal breaker, but definitely an annoyance.

Verified User
Employee in Information Technology
Higher Education Company, 1001-5000 employeesPricing Details
Apple Remote Desktop
General
Free Trial
—Free/Freemium Version
—Premium Consulting/Integration Services
—Entry-level set up fee?
No
Starting Price
—Chrome Remote Desktop
General
Free Trial
—Free/Freemium Version
—Premium Consulting/Integration Services
—Entry-level set up fee?
No
Starting Price
—Likelihood to Renew
Apple Remote Desktop
Apple Remote Desktop 10.0
Based on 2 answers
We use it on a daily basis and works well in our environment and could see how other Apple owned organizations would benefit.
Director of Technology
Austin Trinity Episcopal SchoolEducation Management, 51-200 employees
Chrome Remote Desktop
Chrome Remote Desktop 7.0
Based on 2 answers
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

Verified User
Manager in Research & Development
Information Technology and Services Company, 51-200 employeesUsability
Apple Remote Desktop
Apple Remote Desktop 9.7
Based on 3 answers
The user interface is amazing. You don't have to dig in to look for options. It's not overwhelming and yet a powerful utility.
Senior Oracle Database Administrator
CGIInformation Technology and Services, 10,001+ employees
Chrome Remote Desktop
Chrome Remote Desktop 9.9
Based on 3 answers
I would rarely give a 10 for usability to any tool, but Chrome Remote Desktop doesn't deserves 9 either :) I find all options easy to understand. I don't have to work my brain to understand how things work when using Chrome Remote Desktop.
Senior Oracle Database Administrator
CGIInformation Technology and Services, 10,001+ employees
Support Rating
Apple Remote Desktop
Apple Remote Desktop 5.1
Based on 6 answers
I've never had to get support for ARD, so I can't give a real opinion.
IT Support Engineer
ConfluentComputer Software, 1001-5000 employees
Chrome Remote Desktop
Chrome Remote Desktop 3.9
Based on 14 answers
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.

Verified User
Manager in Human Resources
Construction Company, 201-500 employeesImplementation Rating
Apple Remote Desktop
Apple Remote Desktop 10.0
Based on 4 answers
Very quick and easy install with no real issues
Telecom Analyst
Shelby County SchoolsEducation Management, 10,001+ employees
Chrome Remote Desktop
Chrome Remote Desktop 10.0
Based on 2 answers
None, its quick and easy

Verified User
Employee in Information Technology
Higher Education Company, 1001-5000 employeesAlternatives Considered
Apple Remote Desktop
I use TeamViewer with users who are having trouble connecting to the VPN. I think TeamViewer is a good alternative when ARD isn't working. However supporting the number of users we support, TeamViewer can come with a pretty hefty price tag.
Sr. Systems Engineer
Fullscreen MediaEntertainment, 501-1000 employees
Chrome Remote Desktop
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.

Verified User
Technician in Information Technology
Primary/Secondary Education Company, 501-1000 employeesReturn on Investment
Apple Remote Desktop
- 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.
Virtual Enterprise Coordinator/Educator
NYC Department of Education / Francis Lewis High SchoolEducation Management, 201-500 employees
Chrome Remote Desktop
- 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.
Executive Vice President
List Service Direct IncMarketing and Advertising, 1-10 employees