Chrome Remote Desktop vs. Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection Manager (RDCMan)

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
RDCMan
Score 7.9 out of 10
N/A
RDCMan, or Remote Desktop Connection Manager from Microsoft, creates a single location for IT administrators to organize, group and manage connections, allowing users to manage multiple desktops.
$199
Starting Price
Pricing
Chrome Remote DesktopMicrosoft Remote Desktop Connection Manager (RDCMan)
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
1 User
$199.00
Starting Price
5 Users
$779.00
Starting Price
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Chrome Remote DesktopRDCMan
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
Chrome Remote DesktopMicrosoft Remote Desktop Connection Manager (RDCMan)
Considered Both Products
Chrome Remote Desktop

No answer on this topic

RDCMan
Chose Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection Manager (RDCMan)
We haven't needed to test or compare any other Remote Desktop Management solution, as Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection Manager (RDCMan) works so well, and does most everything we need it to do. There is also the benefit that it is both a Microsoft product (which has good …
Top Pros
Top Cons
Features
Chrome Remote DesktopMicrosoft Remote Desktop Connection Manager (RDCMan)
Remote Administration
Comparison of Remote Administration features of Product A and Product B
Chrome Remote Desktop
7.3
18 Ratings
12% below category average
Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection Manager (RDCMan)
8.1
3 Ratings
2% below category average
Screen sharing8.917 Ratings6.72 Ratings
File transfer7.110 Ratings10.03 Ratings
Instant message7.66 Ratings9.01 Ratings
Secure remote access with Smart Card authentication8.04 Ratings5.01 Ratings
Access to sleeping/powered-off computers5.18 Ratings7.01 Ratings
Over-the-Internet remote session10.018 Ratings10.03 Ratings
Initiate remote control from mobile10.016 Ratings10.02 Ratings
Remote management of servers & workstations7.116 Ratings10.03 Ratings
Remote Active Directory® management7.15 Ratings8.01 Ratings
Centralized management dashboard5.19 Ratings8.01 Ratings
Session record5.16 Ratings7.01 Ratings
Annotations8.05 Ratings8.01 Ratings
Monitoring and Alerts8.05 Ratings7.01 Ratings
Multi-platform remote control5.713 Ratings8.01 Ratings
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Chrome Remote DesktopMicrosoft Remote Desktop Connection Manager (RDCMan)
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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
Chrome Remote DesktopMicrosoft Remote Desktop Connection Manager (RDCMan)
Likelihood to Recommend
10.0
(18 ratings)
10.0
(3 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
7.0
(2 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Usability
9.9
(3 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
3.8
(7 ratings)
8.3
(2 ratings)
Implementation Rating
10.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Chrome Remote DesktopMicrosoft Remote Desktop Connection Manager (RDCMan)
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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Microsoft
The RDCMan software is highly effective at allowing me to organize and manage a large number of servers, and desktop computers. It’s quick and easy to use. It’s also highly reliable. In all the years that I have used it, I have never once experienced a crash or any other sort of error.
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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.
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Microsoft
  • Quick
  • Easy
  • Minimal work on user end
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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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Microsoft
  • When trying to connect to a server/machine, and it doesn't connect, there is a "Disconnected" message that is displayed in the thumbnail. There is no information beyond this that explains why the server/machine did/could not connect. It would be helpful to the IT Administrator to know this information, even if Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection Manager (RDCMan) kept a log somewhere where this information can be analyzed.
  • There doesn't seem to be an option for connecting to a server that is usually only able to be accessed from a jump server. This will not connect if the server is set up as a server/machine within RDCman. This would be a beneficial feature to have within RDCman. Maybe one of the missing options is to be able to set this in the prospects for the jump server (within the Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection Manager (RDCMan) window).
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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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Microsoft
No answers on this topic
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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Microsoft
No answers on this topic
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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Microsoft
Plenty of information and support online, and with many things it's pretty straight forward for the average tech to navigate and work with. But with most things online you're not the only person that's had the issue before, and using a search engine you should be able to figure it out.
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Implementation Rating
Google
None, its quick and easy
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Microsoft
No answers on this topic
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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Microsoft
RDCMan outshines TeamViewer in every possible way. It’s fast, more reliable, and easier to use. I have had frequent crashes and issues when using TeamViewer, while none with RDCMan. Screen responsiveness also seems much better with RDCMan versus TeamViewer. I would often experience lag issues when using TeamViewer.
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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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Microsoft
  • One positive impact it's had was that it has made it easier to manage servers since this could be done from a central location and through only one program. This, in effect, has helped to increase efficiency and save the time of those doing server management.
  • Another positive impact was that it is a product that could be deployed/installed by almost anyone, and one that fits reasonably quickly. It also doesn't use a whole lot of system resources when running, so this, in turn, helps the IT/Server Administrators still be efficient in the other work they have to do.
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ScreenShots