Apple Remote Desktop vs. Zoho Assist

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
Zoho Assist
Score 7.0 out of 10
N/A
Zoho Assist from Zoho Corporation is a remote administration tool for SMBs and outsourced IT.
$12
per technician/per month
Pricing
Apple Remote DesktopZoho Assist
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
Remote Support - Standard
$12
per technician/per month
Unattended Access - Standard
$12
25 unattended computers/per month
Remote Support - Professional
$18
per technician/per month
Unattended Access - Professional
$18
25 unattended computers/per month
Remote Support - Enterprise
$28
per technician/per month
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Apple Remote DesktopZoho Assist
Free Trial
NoYes
Free/Freemium Version
NoYes
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeOptional
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Apple Remote DesktopZoho Assist
Top Pros
Top Cons
Features
Apple Remote DesktopZoho Assist
Remote Administration
Comparison of Remote Administration features of Product A and Product B
Apple Remote Desktop
8.0
25 Ratings
3% below category average
Zoho Assist
8.3
12 Ratings
1% above category average
Screen sharing8.925 Ratings8.611 Ratings
File transfer9.024 Ratings9.011 Ratings
Instant message9.320 Ratings8.412 Ratings
Secure remote access with Smart Card authentication8.53 Ratings10.02 Ratings
Access to sleeping/powered-off computers7.219 Ratings3.910 Ratings
Over-the-Internet remote session9.019 Ratings9.112 Ratings
Initiate remote control from mobile7.06 Ratings9.27 Ratings
Remote management of servers & workstations8.421 Ratings8.88 Ratings
Remote Active Directory® management7.08 Ratings4.43 Ratings
Centralized management dashboard8.516 Ratings8.98 Ratings
Session record7.39 Ratings9.76 Ratings
Annotations7.05 Ratings10.06 Ratings
Monitoring and Alerts8.312 Ratings7.14 Ratings
Multi-platform remote control6.37 Ratings9.06 Ratings
Best Alternatives
Apple Remote DesktopZoho Assist
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 9.1 out of 10
Remote Desktop Services
Remote Desktop Services
Score 9.1 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Apple Remote DesktopZoho Assist
Likelihood to Recommend
8.4
(25 ratings)
8.4
(12 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
10.0
(3 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Usability
9.0
(4 ratings)
8.7
(2 ratings)
Support Rating
10.0
(4 ratings)
9.3
(5 ratings)
Implementation Rating
10.0
(3 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Apple Remote DesktopZoho Assist
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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Zoho
Works well for remote users to connect to their onsite computers. The mobile app works great for technicians. I can't really think of anywhere it isn't appropriate because these days everyone works remotely at some point and even if they have no need to connect to an onsite device when they need assistance the tech can connect quickly and easily.
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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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Zoho
  • Zoho Assist has the diagnostic support remotely handled.
  • Surveys are easily done with Zoho Assist.
  • Functioning in all systems and devices.
  • Recording of remote sessions.
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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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Zoho
  • Wake on LAN is very unreliable.
  • Zoho Assist service will stop workstations automatically sleeping (unless overridden) - this was done deliberately by their development team as they aware (and unable to fix) their issues with WOL.
  • Support is terrible - very quick response initially - but it can take weeks to get any actual support or solution. I currently have outstanding tickets over 2 months old with no response.
  • File transfer clunky, slow and inconsistent.
  • Clients often show offline when actually available and online.
  • Copy/paste inconsistent (clipboard).
  • Initially slow to connect to clients.
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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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Zoho
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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Zoho
Very easy to use. Tech support is available, but not needed. Our customers are able to download and run the file quickly, an audible tone alerts users as to when the assisted person joins the session. It is functional, aesthetically pleasing, and contains all the capability anyone needs for remote support.
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Support Rating
Apple
Apple support is great.
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Zoho
As I said earlier, Zoho Assist is a perfect remote access software and very well meets our needs to solve installation, uninstallation and general configuration issues. The interface is beautiful, clean, user-friendly and works very well on Windows 10. All the support and infrastructure staff approve and enjoy using it
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Implementation Rating
Apple
Very quick and easy install with no real issues
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Zoho
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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Zoho
Cost is one thing that makes Zoho Assist beat the competing software. The security plans from the software ensure files and anything sensitive are well maintained and governed. The interface, the simplicity, and the friendliness of Zoho Assist attracts attention of prospective clients. Zoho Assist successfully make the desktop remote access process effective and at a reduced cost.
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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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Zoho
  • It's the most cost-effective service I've found with device control features, saving money.
  • It's reliable whenever we need it.
  • Without Zoho Assist we would probably not use a screen control program and would waste time trying to find a similar function from a combo of other programs rather than one.
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ScreenShots

Zoho Assist Screenshots

Screenshot of On-demand Remote SupportScreenshot of Browser-based Remote SupportScreenshot of Unattended Access to remote computersScreenshot of Detailed Analytics