Apple Remote Desktop vs. Chrome Remote Desktop

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Apple Remote Desktop
Score 8.7 out of 10
N/A
Apple Remote Desktop (ARD), from Apple, is a remote administration tool for managing Apple computers running OS X across a network.N/A
Chrome Remote Desktop
Score 7.0 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.N/A
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
NoNo
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 Remote Desktop
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.
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 …
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 …
Chrome Remote Desktop

No answer on this topic

Top Pros
Top Cons
Features
Apple Remote DesktopChrome Remote Desktop
Remote Administration
Comparison of Remote Administration features of Product A and Product B
Apple Remote Desktop
8.0
25 Ratings
3% below category average
Chrome Remote Desktop
7.3
18 Ratings
12% below category average
Screen sharing8.925 Ratings8.917 Ratings
File transfer9.024 Ratings7.110 Ratings
Instant message9.320 Ratings7.66 Ratings
Secure remote access with Smart Card authentication8.53 Ratings8.04 Ratings
Access to sleeping/powered-off computers7.219 Ratings5.18 Ratings
Over-the-Internet remote session9.019 Ratings10.018 Ratings
Initiate remote control from mobile7.06 Ratings10.016 Ratings
Remote management of servers & workstations8.421 Ratings7.116 Ratings
Remote Active Directory® management7.08 Ratings7.15 Ratings
Centralized management dashboard8.516 Ratings5.19 Ratings
Session record7.39 Ratings5.16 Ratings
Annotations7.05 Ratings8.05 Ratings
Monitoring and Alerts8.312 Ratings8.05 Ratings
Multi-platform remote control6.37 Ratings5.713 Ratings
Best Alternatives
Apple Remote DesktopChrome Remote Desktop
Small Businesses
Getscreen.me
Getscreen.me
Score 9.8 out of 10
Getscreen.me
Getscreen.me
Score 9.8 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
mRemoteNG
mRemoteNG
Score 9.7 out of 10
mRemoteNG
mRemoteNG
Score 9.7 out of 10
Enterprises
Remote Desktop Services
Remote Desktop Services
Score 9.0 out of 10
Remote Desktop Services
Remote Desktop Services
Score 9.0 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Apple Remote DesktopChrome Remote Desktop
Likelihood to Recommend
8.4
(25 ratings)
10.0
(18 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
10.0
(3 ratings)
7.0
(2 ratings)
Usability
9.0
(4 ratings)
9.9
(3 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
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Google
  • 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.
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Likelihood to Renew
Apple
We use it on a daily basis and works well in our environment and could see how other Apple owned organizations would benefit.
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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
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Usability
Apple
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.
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Google
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.
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Support Rating
Apple
Apple support is great.
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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.
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Implementation Rating
Apple
Very quick and easy install with no real issues
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Google
None, its quick and easy
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Alternatives Considered
Apple
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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ScreenShots