Apple Remote Desktop vs. ShowMyPC

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.

Incentivized

If you need unattended remote access, you will need one of the paid plans, so for a quick always on remote support option, [ShowMyPC] may not be the best suited. If security is an issue and your client's compliance rules won't allow always on remote access, then ShowMyPC is probably the best on-[the]-fly remote access on the market. On demand access is always free and can be done via browser or via a very small client download.

Incentivized

• 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.

Incentivized

• Easy access to help with software issues.
• Technical support
• Access to Remote desktop control
• Recording sessions for paper trails

Incentivized

• 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.

Incentivized

• Free level should have automatic reconnect on reboot
• Being a remote access only software pricing plans could be better
• Branding should be allowed on lower plans

Incentivized

We use it on a daily basis and works well in our environment and could see how other Apple owned organizations would benefit.

Incentivized

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.

Incentivized

Apple support is great.

Incentivized

Very quick and easy install with no real issues

Incentivized

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.

Incentivized

ShowMyPC lags behind its competition when it comes to usability and smoothness in operations, its UI on the web is complicated and seems out of place. The high point of this product is its customer service provided through chat support for any issues which is instant. The product also lacks integration with rd party CSPs for file sharing and it does not have a MAC client which works against it.

Incentivized

• 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.

Incentivized

• The on-demand access is free - can't get a better ROI than that
• Plans are relatively inexpensive - as long as you are not managing large amounts of devices
• Having a go to remote access solution that enables clients to control access is priceless

Incentivized