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

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    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    Chrome Remote Desktop

    Score8.5 out of 10
    N/AChrome Remote Desktop from Google is a cross-platform remote administration and remote desktop tool that requires the Chrome browser and an extension. It is free to use.

    $0

    RDCMan

    Score7 out of 10
    N/ARDCMan, or Remote Desktop Connection Manager from Microsoft, is a utility for managing multiple remote desktop connections. Once shut down due to a vulnerability in version 2.7, RDCMan is now updated and part of the Sysinternals family of tools. The 2.8 release fixes CVE-2020-0765, the XML parsing vulnerability. As of May, 2025, RDCMan is in version 3.1.

    $0

    Pricing
    Chrome Remote DesktopRDCMan
    Editions & Modules
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    Chrome Remote DesktopRDCMan
    Free Trial
    NoNo
    Free/Freemium Version
    YesYes
    Premium Consulting/Integration Services
    NoNo
    Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
    Additional Details
    More Pricing Information
    Community Pulse
    Chrome Remote DesktopRDCMan
    Considered Both Products
    Google
    No answer on this topic
    Microsoft
    Chose 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 …
    Incentivized
    Key User Insights
    Would buy again
    100%
    Would buy again
    12 Answers
    100%
    Would buy again
    6 Answers
    Delivers good value for the price
    100%
    Delivers good value for the price
    12 Answers
    100%
    Delivers good value for the price
    6 Answers
    Happy with the feature set
    92%
    Happy with the feature set
    11 Answers
    100%
    Happy with the feature set
    6 Answers
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    100%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    5 Answers
    No answers on this topic
    Implementation went as expected
    100%
    Implementation went as expected
    9 Answers
    No answers on this topic
    Features
    Chrome Remote DesktopRDCMan
    Remote Administration
    Comparison of Remote Administration features of Chrome Remote Desktop and Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection Manager (RDCMan)
    Feature
    Chrome Remote Desktop
    8.3
    21 Ratings
    5% above category average
    Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection Manager (RDCMan)
    6.4
    6 Ratings
    21% below category average
    Screen sharing6.720 Ratings7.04 Ratings
    File transfer7.611 Ratings5.36 Ratings
    Instant message7.06 Ratings1.02 Ratings
    Secure remote access with Smart Card authentication9.03 Ratings5.03 Ratings
    Access to sleeping/powered-off computers9.610 Ratings9.03 Ratings
    Over-the-Internet remote session9.121 Ratings7.55 Ratings
    Initiate remote control from mobile8.017 Ratings5.04 Ratings
    Remote management of servers & workstations9.219 Ratings9.36 Ratings
    Remote Active Directory® management7.05 Ratings7.34 Ratings
    Centralized management dashboard9.08 Ratings8.03 Ratings
    Session record9.05 Ratings5.03 Ratings
    Annotations9.04 Ratings4.03 Ratings
    Monitoring and Alerts9.04 Ratings7.74 Ratings
    Multi-platform remote control7.015 Ratings8.04 Ratings
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    Chrome Remote DesktopRDCMan
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    N-able Take Control
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    Score7.2 out of 10
    Medium-sized Companies
    Remote Desktop Manager
    Score9.6 out of 10
    Remote Desktop Manager
    Score9.6 out of 10
    Enterprises
    BeyondTrust Privileged Remote Access
    Score9.1 out of 10
    BeyondTrust Privileged Remote Access
    Score9.1 out of 10
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    User Ratings
    Chrome Remote DesktopRDCMan
    Likelihood to Recommend
    9.5
    (21 ratings)
    8.0
    (6 ratings)
    Likelihood to Renew
    7.0
    (2 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Usability
    8.9
    (7 ratings)
    7.7
    (3 ratings)
    Support Rating
    3.8
    (7 ratings)
    8.3
    (2 ratings)
    Implementation Rating
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    Chrome Remote DesktopRDCMan
    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
    As a IT specialist we have some servers we need acces to. I like to use Remote Desktop Connection Manager because it feel like you are on the computer. Is feel very trusted. Some colleagues use the Azure remote desktop version but I always recommend the windows integrated option. We also have our primary business application running on a server so they use a remote desktop connection too to log on to the server.
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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
    • I can see previews of all the machines working at the same time.
    • Having all password in one place.
    • Organization of devices based on purpose, configuration, etc.
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    Cons
    Google
    • More fluid video rendering. Does a good job, but could use a more consistent framerate at times.
    • A way to easier switch between multiple monitors.
    • Adding an ability to zoom for multi-monitor display. Sometimes on a single screen it can get difficult to read if trying to view them all.
    Incentivized
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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).
    Incentivized
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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
    Incentivized
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    Microsoft
    No answers on this topic
    Usability
    Google
    Just a great product that has saved countless hours of commute to work and given the flexibility to be able to work from anywhere, whether at home or when away on holiday overseas. I love that it is a free product and is just as great as its competitors' products. It has also allowed me to prepare for work for the following day.
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    Microsoft
    As alluded to in previous responses it is a very functional tool. It allows me to do my job quickly and efficiently every single day. There are little to no issues using the connection on a day to day basis. It handles everything you need from a remote connection perspective.
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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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    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
    • its less time consuming for IT engineers because they have everything on one please
    • less FTE for the tasks
    • Lack of MFA option
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    ScreenShots

    Chrome Remote Desktop Screenshots

    Screenshot of the option to share a screen or access another computer in Chrome Remote Desktop.Screenshot of the screen to setup a remote connection.

    RDCMan Screenshots

    Screenshot of a view of RDCMan 2.22Screenshot of a view of RDCMan 2.22Screenshot of a view of RDCMan 2.81