Chrome Remote Desktop vs. SolarWinds Dameware Remote Support (DRS)

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Chrome Remote Desktop
Score 7.0 out of 10
N/A
Chrome Remote Desktop from Google is a cross-platform remote administration and remote desktop tool that requires the Chrome browser and an extension.N/A
SolarWinds Dameware Remote Support (DRS)
Score 8.0 out of 10
N/A
DameWare Remote Support from Austin IT company SolarWinds is remote administration software for the remote control of desktops, laptops, and servers behind or outside the firewall, allowing registry editing, restart services, logging activity, account and password management, and more. The mobile app also provides access from a phone or tablet. DameWare Remote Support licensing is per technician, the number of end-user remote machines is irrelevant; one technician may receive a license for…
$276
per technician, unlimited end users
Pricing
Chrome Remote DesktopSolarWinds Dameware Remote Support (DRS)
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
Dameware Mini Remote Control
$276
per technician, unlimited end users
Dameware Remote Support
$388
per technician, unlimited end-users
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Chrome Remote DesktopSolarWinds Dameware Remote Support (DRS)
Free Trial
NoYes
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional DetailsDameWare Remote Support and Mini Remote Control are licensed based on the number of technician users that use the software for remote administration. There are no limits or restrictions for the number of end-users supported or the number of remote endpoints/computers supported. As you buy higher counts of licenses, the per-seat pricing goes down giving you a reduced total price.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Chrome Remote DesktopSolarWinds Dameware Remote Support (DRS)
Top Pros
Top Cons
Features
Chrome Remote DesktopSolarWinds Dameware Remote Support (DRS)
Remote Administration
Comparison of Remote Administration features of Product A and Product B
Chrome Remote Desktop
7.3
18 Ratings
12% below category average
SolarWinds Dameware Remote Support (DRS)
8.5
65 Ratings
3% above category average
Screen sharing8.917 Ratings10.053 Ratings
File transfer7.110 Ratings10.050 Ratings
Instant message7.66 Ratings7.747 Ratings
Secure remote access with Smart Card authentication8.04 Ratings8.416 Ratings
Access to sleeping/powered-off computers5.18 Ratings9.035 Ratings
Over-the-Internet remote session10.018 Ratings8.248 Ratings
Initiate remote control from mobile10.016 Ratings9.025 Ratings
Remote management of servers & workstations7.116 Ratings9.258 Ratings
Remote Active Directory® management7.15 Ratings7.139 Ratings
Centralized management dashboard5.19 Ratings8.238 Ratings
Session record5.16 Ratings8.55 Ratings
Annotations8.05 Ratings7.94 Ratings
Monitoring and Alerts8.05 Ratings8.75 Ratings
Multi-platform remote control5.713 Ratings7.231 Ratings
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Score 9.0 out of 10
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User Ratings
Chrome Remote DesktopSolarWinds Dameware Remote Support (DRS)
Likelihood to Recommend
10.0
(18 ratings)
8.5
(66 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
7.0
(2 ratings)
9.0
(13 ratings)
Usability
9.9
(3 ratings)
9.0
(10 ratings)
Availability
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(1 ratings)
Performance
-
(0 ratings)
8.5
(2 ratings)
Support Rating
3.8
(7 ratings)
5.0
(9 ratings)
In-Person Training
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(1 ratings)
Online Training
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(1 ratings)
Implementation Rating
10.0
(1 ratings)
5.0
(8 ratings)
Configurability
-
(0 ratings)
9.5
(2 ratings)
Ease of integration
-
(0 ratings)
9.5
(2 ratings)
Product Scalability
-
(0 ratings)
8.0
(2 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
-
(0 ratings)
9.5
(2 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
-
(0 ratings)
9.5
(2 ratings)
User Testimonials
Chrome Remote DesktopSolarWinds Dameware Remote Support (DRS)
Likelihood to Recommend
Google
It is well suited in cases where your company/organization is looking for a low/no cost remote desktop solution, or is looking for something that can be used by most anyone right away. Most organizations don't want things to be too complex, especially with a remote desktop solution, which is generally not very complex software to begin with. It would be less appropriate in cases where the company/organization has already purchased licensing for a commercial product, and/or has been heavily using a commercial product for some time.
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SolarWinds
I feel like this is a very robust solution that I would recommend to anyone who relies heavily on remote support. Most of the colleagues I work with already use SolarWinds products to one extent or the other. I feel the price for the solution is very fair and a good value for the product.
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Pros
Google
  • Unlike Microsoft's Remote Desktop, this program is the same across platforms, which is helpful for users.
  • This program also allows direct control over the desktop (like TeamViewer) and doesn't give you a simulated log on (like Remote Desktop). This is advantageous for seeing exactly what's on the screen but can make it a little laggy.
  • The interface is very nice and clear once it's set up. It's obvious which computer is which and it's just a couple of clicks from opening the program to a connection.
  • The mobile app is also really really well done.
Read full review
SolarWinds
  • Troubleshooting computers remotely without the need for the user to even be around.
  • Install software that needs to be installed manually without having to travel.
  • Viewing what the user is doing specifically that triggers the issue, making replicating issues way simpler.
Read full review
Cons
Google
  • The session can be seen on the screen of the workstation. Could be a privacy issue. It DOESN'T work like traditional RDP, much closer to a screen sharing support session.
  • There is no built in File Transfer. Its not a deal breaker, but definitely an annoyance.
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SolarWinds
  • It would be nice if the installed agent would be able to check in with the server so that I can connect to laptops, etc that have the agent pre-installed for when they are off network.
  • DameWare could do better with the mobile app. I cannot connect in from the outside with the mobile app to provide quick support if needed. This kind of defeats the purpose of a mobile app. If I am on the network, I probably have access to my workstation.
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Likelihood to Renew
Google
A very easy lightweight tool that is completely scalable and deployed via google admin platform. The tool is free to use and works extremely well with the chrome devices we currently have deployed. Any organization using chrome or google suites should look into this tool as it's much easier to use then other remote software in the market
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SolarWinds
This application is one of my most used tools when it comes to supporting end users and the network as well. I don't have to run all over the place to get things done when I can access multiple computers on the network at the same time to accomplish multiple tasks in a minimal amount of time.
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Usability
Google
I would rarely give a 10 for usability to any tool, but Chrome Remote Desktop doesn't deserves 9 either :) I find all options easy to understand. I don't have to work my brain to understand how things work when using Chrome Remote Desktop.
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SolarWinds
Because it has enhanced my ability to trouble shoot more issues during the day. Instead of having to go to each machine and spend time at the machine, I can remote in from my desktop and assist the person 90 per cent of the time. I also use it from home to remote in which saves me the time from having to return back to the workplace.
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Reliability and Availability
Google
No answers on this topic
SolarWinds
Yes, always available.
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Performance
Google
No answers on this topic
SolarWinds
The application always seems responsive to me
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Support Rating
Google
The only support I ever accessed were help files and web tutorials. I never tried to access personal support, mostly because I don't believe much of it is available. As a free service, my expectations for support are pretty low; that said, Chrome Remote Desktop is easy enough to configure and troubleshoot even with limited technical knowledge.
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SolarWinds
I use a Samsung mobile device; DameWare Mobile was working and then after an Android update it started crashing. I reported the issue to DameWare and worked with the technicians and developers to gather data for them to correct the issue. They quickly published a beta release for me to test (which corrected the crashes) and then published an update to the Google Play Store.
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In-Person Training
Google
No answers on this topic
SolarWinds
It was excellent
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Online Training
Google
No answers on this topic
SolarWinds
The videos were more than sufficient to learn the product
Read full review
Implementation Rating
Google
None, its quick and easy
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SolarWinds
It helps greatly if you know someone already using DameWare Remote Support. I was fortunate as my tech support guys were using it at their hospital and assisted me through the purchase, download and implementation of remote support. As well as, knowing how many licenses to purchase at the time. You have to make sure that anyone assisting in IT can have access to the program with their own license.
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Alternatives Considered
Google
Chrome Remote Desktop seems to be a an easy to use and efficient program. Such as TeamViewer, however TeamViewer offers more program features such as able to control a device's function (shutting down, restarting, audio input, cmd etc). With those added program features I believe Chrome Remote Desktop can almost be up to par with TeamViewer.
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SolarWinds
We previously utilized LogMeIn. They increased the pricing of their solution which made us reconsider it. I inherited LogMeIn. I am not a big fan of hosted solutions for some vital IT processes. There was convenience in LogMeIn, but there were also risks about the solution that I was never completely comfortable with. I had utilized DameWare at a previous company, so I knew what I was getting with it. It was an easy decision for me to make. DameWare is an exceptional product.
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Scalability
Google
No answers on this topic
SolarWinds
You get an 8 because of the constant initial freeze on most connections. Takes a reconnect to have it work.
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Return on Investment
Google
  • Using Chrome Remote Desktop, we've saved money on remote desktop software.
  • Using Chrome Remote Desktop, we've saved money by not needing to purchase additional hardware (monitors).
  • Using Chrome Remote Desktop has improved the productivity of my organization by allowing employees to work from anywhere.
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SolarWinds
  • DameWare has allowed us to maintain our non-traditional approach to IT support. It allows our administrators to work from anywhere and has extended their reach to clients domestic and abroad.
  • Return on investment was realized as soon as we purchased the licenses. We don't have to maintain a large office space or overhead costs due to the flexibility it allows our administrators.
  • First call resolution has increased drastically since implementing DameWare company-wide. The user no longer has to wait to reproduce an error. We can screen share and view it as it happens and mitigate the issues.
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ScreenShots

SolarWinds Dameware Remote Support (DRS) Screenshots

Screenshot of DameWare Remote Support Management ConsoleScreenshot of Remotely Connect to Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X ComputersScreenshot of Over-the-Internet Remote Session via Secure Proxy ServerScreenshot of Connect to Remote Computers from iOS and Android Mobile Devices