Apple Remote Desktop vs. VNC Connect

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
VNC Connect
Score 7.6 out of 10
N/A
VNC® Connect is presented as a secure, simple remote desktop solution. It enables users to remotely access and control their devices wherever they are in the world, whenever they need to. VNC® Connect covers a wide range of remote access use cases with a single subscription, from remote working to IT support.
$3.39
per remote computer per month
Pricing
Apple Remote DesktopVNC Connect
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
Professional - Device Access
$3.39
per remote computer per month
Enterprise - Device Access
$4.59
per remote computer per month
Professional - Instant Support
$16.99
per named technician per month
Enterprise - Instant Support
$33.49
per named technician per month
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Apple Remote DesktopVNC Connect
Free Trial
NoYes
Free/Freemium Version
NoYes
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Apple Remote DesktopVNC Connect
Considered Both Products
Apple Remote Desktop
Chose Apple Remote Desktop
For multi-site remote support we utilize TeamViewer and for enterprise-wide device management we are using Cisco Meraki System Manager. ARD is a great Mac tool, but there are many options out there, that are cloud-based, that don't require you to have network tunnels into your …
Chose Apple Remote Desktop
Apple Remote Desktop allows me access and control that Casper doesn't always have. I love the use of the Remote sessions to be able to get on and see what exactly is going on and then to be able to fix it without having to run across campus to that classroom.
Chose Apple Remote Desktop
No other product does remote desktop management of multiple Macs as good as ARD does, some come close, some have less features.
VNC Connect
Chose VNC Connect
The best part is that [the] VNC Connect application supports multi-platform compatibility with Windows and Linux systems. In addition, it is simple, and the session is approved or unapproved, which enables us to provide quick support in the business process. The running service …
Top Pros
Top Cons
Features
Apple Remote DesktopVNC Connect
Remote Administration
Comparison of Remote Administration features of Product A and Product B
Apple Remote Desktop
8.0
25 Ratings
3% below category average
VNC Connect
7.7
31 Ratings
7% below category average
Screen sharing8.925 Ratings10.027 Ratings
File transfer9.024 Ratings8.314 Ratings
Instant message9.320 Ratings8.118 Ratings
Secure remote access with Smart Card authentication8.53 Ratings9.04 Ratings
Access to sleeping/powered-off computers7.219 Ratings6.09 Ratings
Over-the-Internet remote session9.019 Ratings9.129 Ratings
Initiate remote control from mobile7.06 Ratings8.118 Ratings
Remote management of servers & workstations8.421 Ratings4.76 Ratings
Remote Active Directory® management7.08 Ratings00 Ratings
Centralized management dashboard8.516 Ratings9.015 Ratings
Session record7.39 Ratings7.01 Ratings
Annotations7.05 Ratings5.36 Ratings
Monitoring and Alerts8.312 Ratings7.03 Ratings
Multi-platform remote control6.37 Ratings9.010 Ratings
Best Alternatives
Apple Remote DesktopVNC Connect
Small Businesses
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Score 9.8 out of 10
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Score 9.8 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
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Score 9.7 out of 10
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Score 9.7 out of 10
Enterprises
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Score 9.0 out of 10
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Score 9.0 out of 10
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User Ratings
Apple Remote DesktopVNC Connect
Likelihood to Recommend
8.4
(25 ratings)
9.0
(37 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
10.0
(3 ratings)
8.0
(8 ratings)
Usability
9.0
(4 ratings)
8.0
(3 ratings)
Support Rating
10.0
(4 ratings)
8.0
(2 ratings)
Online Training
-
(0 ratings)
7.0
(2 ratings)
Implementation Rating
10.0
(3 ratings)
8.0
(2 ratings)
User Testimonials
Apple Remote DesktopVNC Connect
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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RealVNC
It is very easy to use if the remote device is already set up to receive connections, so if you are setting up devices before deploying them, it is a great tool to have. It is well-suited to use when shadowing users or using it as a teaching tool. There are other products that are better if you are trying to help someone on a one-use basis.
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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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RealVNC
  • VNC Connect does an excellent job in remotely connecting to a computer through either your local area network or even another computer on the internet. As long as the VNC Connect services is installed and the client is running in the background.
  • VNC Connect provides password protection to prevent unauthorized users from attempting to remotely access your computer. There's an option to have a separate password to remotely view vs view & access a computer. You can even add an additional level of security by turning on the feature to require Windows login credentials.
  • VNC Connect provides an additional set of controls after a remote connection has been established with another computer. You can have special keystrokes like Ctrl+Alt+Del sent as a command sequence to the other computer as well as access more than a single screen when in use at the remote computer location.
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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.
Read full review
RealVNC
  • Its a pretty straight forward product - I would like to see more tools with a "wow" factor.
  • Panel colors are blah - I would like more eye-catching colors.
  • A more consistent look with all platforms - like Mac & PC.
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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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RealVNC
VNC is a solid product for the price. It simply works and its reliable across different platforms. Some products state they work well in the Mac environment but don't deliver. This one does what it says. Connections are reliable, but of course, this depends on internet connections. The product works well over wireless connections as well. It delivers on what a remote tool should deliver on. My technicians are happy with the product and customers appreciate the ease of use when letting us connect to their systems. Some also appreciate the remote support while they are multi-task.
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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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RealVNC
VNC Connect is a solid product and our techs are very confident that they can get the job done using it. Reliability is key for us since we have a small support team and many users to support. It also helps keep us in the background more allowing the end-users to multi-task. VNC supports our goal of providing quick and efficient services.
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Support Rating
Apple
Apple support is great.
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RealVNC
VNC Connect is a reliable product that has been around for a long time. It is reasonably priced and works well in the Mac & PC environment. When you have a small team that supports many users we need tools that we can rely upon and that will get the job done on the first try. Many customers appreciate the quick assistance and can multi-task while our team works on their computer issues remotely. From a customer service point of view, this tool gives us transparency and efficient effectiveness.
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Online Training
Apple
No answers on this topic
RealVNC
The training is very informative, quick and to the point. All of the details one would need are present so the user doesn't have to go searching for additional information just to use the application. The layout of the training was also neat and concise, some of the other training sessions for other companies I've done in the past were confusing and not well thought out, this one is much more superior
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Implementation Rating
Apple
Very quick and easy install with no real issues
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RealVNC
No problem at all, love the product.
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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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RealVNC
VNC is light and sleek with the quick setup, was impressed with the quick setup despite poor Internet connection outdoor. TeamViewer is good, but the pricing is not as good as VNC. Both do the basic job, but VNC still outperform TeamViewer in terms of performance and ease of use.
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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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RealVNC
  • I have just used the software for about 1 month and so far so god. I am saving time whenever I can access my client's computers from my desk as opposed to having to leave my office to go to their offices. Saves me time and the client money.
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ScreenShots