Apple Remote Desktop vs. WatchGuard Network Security

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
WatchGuard Network Security
Score 8.9 out of 10
N/A
WatchGuard Network Security is a network security and firewall software. WatchGuard includes secure Wi-Fi, multi-factor authentication, and network intelligence products and services designed for SMB’s.N/A
Pricing
Apple Remote DesktopWatchGuard Network Security
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
Support
Contact sales team
Contact sales team
Basic Security
Contact sales team
Contact sales team
Total Security
Contact sales team
Contact sales team
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Apple Remote DesktopWatchGuard Network Security
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 DesktopWatchGuard Network Security
Top Pros
Top Cons
Features
Apple Remote DesktopWatchGuard Network Security
Remote Administration
Comparison of Remote Administration features of Product A and Product B
Apple Remote Desktop
8.0
25 Ratings
3% below category average
WatchGuard Network Security
-
Ratings
Screen sharing8.925 Ratings00 Ratings
File transfer9.024 Ratings00 Ratings
Instant message9.320 Ratings00 Ratings
Secure remote access with Smart Card authentication8.53 Ratings00 Ratings
Access to sleeping/powered-off computers7.219 Ratings00 Ratings
Over-the-Internet remote session9.019 Ratings00 Ratings
Initiate remote control from mobile7.06 Ratings00 Ratings
Remote management of servers & workstations8.421 Ratings00 Ratings
Remote Active Directory® management7.08 Ratings00 Ratings
Centralized management dashboard8.516 Ratings00 Ratings
Session record7.39 Ratings00 Ratings
Annotations7.05 Ratings00 Ratings
Monitoring and Alerts8.312 Ratings00 Ratings
Multi-platform remote control6.37 Ratings00 Ratings
Firewall
Comparison of Firewall features of Product A and Product B
Apple Remote Desktop
-
Ratings
WatchGuard Network Security
8.6
402 Ratings
1% above category average
Identification Technologies00 Ratings8.6367 Ratings
Visualization Tools00 Ratings7.7364 Ratings
Content Inspection00 Ratings8.6387 Ratings
Policy-based Controls00 Ratings8.7400 Ratings
Active Directory and LDAP00 Ratings8.5337 Ratings
Firewall Management Console00 Ratings8.6394 Ratings
Reporting and Logging00 Ratings8.1391 Ratings
VPN00 Ratings8.9384 Ratings
High Availability00 Ratings8.6346 Ratings
Stateful Inspection00 Ratings9.0361 Ratings
Proxy Server00 Ratings9.0258 Ratings
Best Alternatives
Apple Remote DesktopWatchGuard Network Security
Small Businesses
Getscreen.me
Getscreen.me
Score 9.8 out of 10
pfSense
pfSense
Score 9.2 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
mRemoteNG
mRemoteNG
Score 9.7 out of 10
Next-Generation Firewalls - PA Series
Next-Generation Firewalls - PA Series
Score 9.3 out of 10
Enterprises
Remote Desktop Services
Remote Desktop Services
Score 9.0 out of 10
Next-Generation Firewalls - PA Series
Next-Generation Firewalls - PA Series
Score 9.3 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Apple Remote DesktopWatchGuard Network Security
Likelihood to Recommend
8.4
(25 ratings)
8.8
(416 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
10.0
(3 ratings)
9.7
(32 ratings)
Usability
9.0
(4 ratings)
9.0
(114 ratings)
Availability
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(2 ratings)
Performance
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(2 ratings)
Support Rating
10.0
(4 ratings)
2.6
(26 ratings)
In-Person Training
-
(0 ratings)
9.2
(4 ratings)
Online Training
-
(0 ratings)
8.2
(3 ratings)
Implementation Rating
10.0
(3 ratings)
9.4
(263 ratings)
Configurability
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
Ease of integration
-
(0 ratings)
7.3
(1 ratings)
Product Scalability
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(2 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(1 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(1 ratings)
User Testimonials
Apple Remote DesktopWatchGuard Network Security
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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WatchGuard Technologies
I can't think of any place where WatchGuard isn't well suited, unless the customer is cheap. I have used WatchGuard devices in a two person office up to enterprise environments. Because they are not overly complicated to use, I prefer them to a name brand I'm not willing to mention, but most will know.
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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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WatchGuard Technologies
  • Incoming Torrent attempts were blocked, but outgoing (by a user) were permitted. Similarly, other direct attempts were summarily blocked.
  • provides full administrative support for analysis of usage and scope.
  • strong Wi-Fi support and security - area wi-fi maps
  • They think of all the things secure and I don't have to worry about it.
  • I have not identified anything else that needs improvement - I am well satisfied.
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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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WatchGuard Technologies
  • Help with a better solution for working with MS Exchange on-prem so that we can secure the ECP and OWA from the outside without losing functionality for active sync for cell phones and such.
  • Even more affordable smaller boxes for home use.
  • Built-in ways to handle the newer network protocols/features such as QUIC protocols that services like google are using so that we don't have to block all of that type of traffic just to be able to block youtube from loading for users that we don't want using it.
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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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WatchGuard Technologies
I'm giving this note to WatchGuard Network Security due to its ease of daily support (after acquiring necessary knowledge in the solution), which allows agility in configuration changes, its integration of several reliable security features (such as SSL VPN, VPN Virtual Interfaces between companies, and others) and functional and stability in operation, with no downtime in the equipment due to problems or malfunctions
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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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WatchGuard Technologies
Although it might take some time to figure out, we have been able to use WatchGuard's online reference library and tech support to create/implement/modify all of our filtering rules and exceptions needed. There really has not been a shortcoming other than perhaps a learning curve.
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Reliability and Availability
Apple
No answers on this topic
WatchGuard Technologies
Applications errors should always be expected in any kind of technology. What matters most is the way you find to resolve it.
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Performance
Apple
No answers on this topic
WatchGuard Technologies
WatchGuard works seemlessly and so in the background you don't realize it's there until you need it!
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Support Rating
Apple
Apple support is great.
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WatchGuard Technologies
We have only had to contact them once during the initial set up to help bring the internet back on line. After that for the most part our systems have been automated, and could easily be checked form their online FAQ and Knowledge base that they provide. Everything else is easily handled from their browser based interface
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In-Person Training
Apple
No answers on this topic
WatchGuard Technologies
We participate to a in person training and the three days of learning was really useful and complete to gain skill to solve the major part of the problem we encounter during our life. And more the in person training give us the opportunity to create a network with other WatchGuard partner.
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Online Training
Apple
No answers on this topic
WatchGuard Technologies
Online training is good for learning how to use the product. It does not teach security strategy because that is not its intent.
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Implementation Rating
Apple
Very quick and easy install with no real issues
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WatchGuard Technologies
I had my key information for setting up the firewall, and they assisted me in finding the settings and appropriate places to enter data. They also helped troubleshoot when I didn't understand some of their feature concepts, and we got it running.
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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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WatchGuard Technologies
At 3 of my locations I use both a Sonic Wall and a watch guard. In my experience, the sonic wall has a much better interface. I feel it was much easier for someone that has never accessed a fire wall to be able to make changes and learn very quickly. I feel the Watchguard has better built in applications and the VPN was easier to use and access.
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Scalability
Apple
No answers on this topic
WatchGuard Technologies
We scaled it exactly as we needed it to be! Easy, money-saving, and we didn't end up with features or options that we'd never use or worry about.
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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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WatchGuard Technologies
  • The VPNs are very easy to configure, less time to loose at new implementation.
  • The traffic monitor can be improved, I can't see the ISO layers to do a faster diagnosis.
  • Having an ADDS authentication is a plus, can use it with rules and vpn for remote access. Very useful.
  • The dimension feature can be developed as a website + database for NGINX, Apache2, IIS, etc., I feel traped on that linux vm only.
  • Most of the customers doesn't like to pay for a solution like this. They will accept only after beign attacked. WatchGuard can improve the sales with a demo (hacking, active security, etc.).
Read full review
ScreenShots

WatchGuard Network Security Screenshots

Screenshot of Subscription DashboardScreenshot of Subscriber Device SummaryScreenshot of Subscription DashboardScreenshot of Executive Dashboard