Apple Remote Desktop vs. NetSupport Manager

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
NetSupport Manager
Score 9.0 out of 10
N/A
NetSupport Manager is the flagship remote administration software from Netsupport, a global education technology company headquartered in the UK, which allows IT professional to provide remote assistance.N/A
Pricing
Apple Remote DesktopNetSupport Manager
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Apple Remote DesktopNetSupport Manager
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 DesktopNetSupport Manager
Top Pros
Top Cons
Features
Apple Remote DesktopNetSupport Manager
Remote Administration
Comparison of Remote Administration features of Product A and Product B
Apple Remote Desktop
8.0
25 Ratings
3% below category average
NetSupport Manager
10.0
1 Ratings
19% above category average
Screen sharing8.925 Ratings10.01 Ratings
File transfer9.024 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Instant message9.320 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Secure remote access with Smart Card authentication8.53 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Access to sleeping/powered-off computers7.219 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Over-the-Internet remote session9.019 Ratings00 Ratings
Initiate remote control from mobile7.06 Ratings00 Ratings
Remote management of servers & workstations8.421 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Remote Active Directory® management7.08 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Centralized management dashboard8.516 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Session record7.39 Ratings00 Ratings
Annotations7.05 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Monitoring and Alerts8.312 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Multi-platform remote control6.37 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Best Alternatives
Apple Remote DesktopNetSupport Manager
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 DesktopNetSupport Manager
Likelihood to Recommend
8.4
(25 ratings)
9.0
(1 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
10.0
(3 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Usability
9.0
(4 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
10.0
(4 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Implementation Rating
10.0
(3 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Apple Remote DesktopNetSupport Manager
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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NetSupport
It's handy for smaller to larger units, where time management is most important. But it will not suitable for those who have partial units across the country.
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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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NetSupport
  • It's a robust corporate remote support tool for admin.
  • Admin can deploy an installation in the background without knowing a client.
  • For those who frequently forget their password, you can access it in glimpse & take total control of it.
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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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NetSupport
  • The only cons are that it's hard to access other networks besides the internal one of the organization like how TeamViewer works.
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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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NetSupport
No answers on this topic
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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NetSupport
No answers on this topic
Support Rating
Apple
Apple support is great.
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NetSupport
No answers on this topic
Implementation Rating
Apple
Very quick and easy install with no real issues
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NetSupport
No answers on this topic
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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NetSupport
I think if you are using it after its tutorial then you may not need any other apps to control the operation. Its file transfer, voice & text sharing features are truly working. A complete system of inventory where you can set smart alerts. Capable to connect multiple users at once.
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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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NetSupport
  • It allow's us to update apps instantly
  • It gives user quick response to overcome headache issues
  • It's saves crucial time from both ends
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ScreenShots