Remote Desktop Services vs. TeamViewer

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Remote Desktop Services
Score 8.4 out of 10
N/A
Remote Desktop Services from Microsoft is virtual desktop and remote user session technology.N/A
TeamViewer
Score 8.5 out of 10
N/A
TeamViewer provides software for both remote management and online collaborations. With TeamViewer, users have access to fully integrated online conference solutions for audio and video communication, including interactive screen sharing and remote access features.
$299
per year
Pricing
Remote Desktop ServicesTeamViewer
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
Remote Access
$24.90
per month (billed annually) 1 Licensed User
Business
$50.90
per month (billed annually) 1 Licensed User
Premium
$102.90
per month (billed annually) 15 Licensed Users
Corporate
$206.90
per month (billed annually) 30 Licensed Users
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Remote Desktop ServicesTeamViewer
Free Trial
NoYes
Free/Freemium Version
NoYes
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoYes
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeOptional
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Remote Desktop ServicesTeamViewer
Considered Both Products
Remote Desktop Services
Chose Remote Desktop Services
Since Remote Desktop Services comes with the Windows OS, there's no need to install any additional software or agent for it to function. Even on the Mac, there's a client that can be installed for this to run properly. Unfortunately, unlike TeamViewer or Ultra VNC, Remote …
Chose Remote Desktop Services
We used RDS on-site primarily because of how easy it is for users to transition from their own desktop to a remote desktop. However, from off-site, there are VPN and other security considerations to take into account, and the process gets a little more complex. In this …
Chose Remote Desktop Services
Because it is a built-in, free solution for a small set of managed computers. No extra licenses required. No budget. Setup and configuration is instanteneous.
Chose Remote Desktop Services
Solutions can be expensive and often offer more options than you need/want. Paying those extra dollars is tough when you have a budget. RDS in many cases works well and is cost effective.
Chose Remote Desktop Services
Remote Desktop Services is an initiation from Microsoft in my view. The rest all are adapters for this and have a considerably inovated feature base.
TeamViewer
Chose TeamViewer
TeamViewer works well as back of other remote desktop access solutions.
Chose TeamViewer
Easier access faster than some of the others. We love the mobile feature where you can use the app to connect when on the road. Also it has the ability to access cell phones as well, which many times helps us help a client with their iphones. Great feature. There have been …
Chose TeamViewer
Overall TeamViewer is superior to other remote solutions that I've used. It is faster and more reliable, with a better overall interface and management console. AnyDesk is generally slower and the interface is not as intuitive or easy to use. Endpoint Central is also slower …
Chose TeamViewer
Remote collaborative capability is much better in TeamViewer as oppose to competition and fast connection makes TeamViewer as better choice
Chose TeamViewer
TeamViewer is significantly easier to set up at a small scale than Microsoft RDP, plus it's cross-platform unlike RDP and provides a better UI and many more capabilities than just remote control, like file transfer and some management controls like reboot.
Chose TeamViewer
TeamViewer is a one click solution that doesn’t require the client to be a networking tech savvy to set it up. With TeamViewer, no need to worry about private and public IPs nor firewalls and reverse proxies as the connection can be established through the TeamViewer servers …
Chose TeamViewer
I've tried a few different ways to provide remote help over the many years I've been providing technical help (since 1987) and Teamviewer consistetly comes out the best. I've also tried numerous ways to access my own computer and data remotely and Teamviewer is the only one I …
Chose TeamViewer
TeamViewer's main advantage is its cross-platform compatibility, meaning that you can use it on other operating systems other than Windows. The main features are present in both tools, like file transfer and taking control of the endpoint machine. Teamviewer is a third-party …
Chose TeamViewer
Teamviewer does everything the others do, if not more, but the cost was much better at the time of our purchase. I don't know what the price difference is currently.
Chose TeamViewer
TeamViewer is a well-known brand. It doesn't limit us to specific hardware or operating systems. It offers various other services along with screen sharing.
Chose TeamViewer
Mac users prefer TeamViewer over both of these hands down, and it is only slightly better on windows. TeamViewer is still far easier to use and more robust. Also, Kaseya suffered a significant breach. Splashtop is more difficult to establish connections with, especially on …
Chose TeamViewer
TeamViewer is better than RDS because of the way it handles the video. At the core, they are both remote control applications. However the method for implementation is quite different. RDS gives you 90% experience of physically being at the terminal but TeamViewer gives you …
Chose TeamViewer
Since I access several customers and environments, I wanted an easy-to-install/use solution. Team Viewer provides desktop sharing, remote access, and file transfer in a single solution and most of my customers have already used it either personally or in a previous business, so …
Chose TeamViewer
TeamViewer has a very simple operation and has been in the market for a long time. These were the factors that led us to choose this tool.
Chose TeamViewer
The basic functionality makes it at the top of the list. Without even purchasing an enterprise license this is an out of the box Technology tool!
Chose TeamViewer
Chrome Remote Desktop is great for personal and/or casual use but requires use of the same Google account for access, which won't work for many enterprise situations. Microsoft Remote Desktop is truly ideal (for Windows), but requires the use of a VPN or for machines to be on …
Chose TeamViewer
Remote Desktop doesn't work like Teamviewer. Easier file transfer, cross-platform, mobile.
Chose TeamViewer
TeamViewer's mobile app is powerful and consistently makes the connection to my remote desktop. In the past I found other solutions to be inconsistent in availability leaving me with an unexpected "surprise" when I was unable to connect. I find TeamViewer is able to provide …
Features
Remote Desktop ServicesTeamViewer
Remote Administration
Comparison of Remote Administration features of Product A and Product B
Remote Desktop Services
5.5
4 Ratings
37% below category average
TeamViewer
8.5
506 Ratings
4% below category average
Screen sharing7.54 Ratings00 Ratings
File transfer6.24 Ratings8.6475 Ratings
Instant message1.01 Ratings8.3439 Ratings
Secure remote access with Smart Card authentication6.62 Ratings00 Ratings
Access to sleeping/powered-off computers3.22 Ratings7.6335 Ratings
Over-the-Internet remote session5.44 Ratings00 Ratings
Initiate remote control from mobile5.33 Ratings00 Ratings
Remote management of servers & workstations6.93 Ratings00 Ratings
Remote Active Directory® management7.43 Ratings00 Ratings
Centralized management dashboard5.33 Ratings00 Ratings
Session record5.63 Ratings8.4339 Ratings
Monitoring and Alerts5.43 Ratings00 Ratings
Annotations00 Ratings9.2103 Ratings
Security
Comparison of Security features of Product A and Product B
Remote Desktop Services
-
Ratings
TeamViewer
9.1
18 Ratings
4% below category average
Role-based user permissions00 Ratings9.118 Ratings
Platform & Infrastructure
Comparison of Platform & Infrastructure features of Product A and Product B
Remote Desktop Services
-
Ratings
TeamViewer
8.8
14 Ratings
0% above category average
Third-party software integrations00 Ratings8.814 Ratings
Remote Access
Comparison of Remote Access features of Product A and Product B
Remote Desktop Services
-
Ratings
TeamViewer
9.2
25 Ratings
1% below category average
Attended device access00 Ratings9.425 Ratings
Unattended device access00 Ratings9.124 Ratings
Mobile device access00 Ratings8.624 Ratings
Virtual device access00 Ratings9.623 Ratings
Multiple-display support00 Ratings9.323 Ratings
Multiple concurrent sessions00 Ratings9.418 Ratings
Best Alternatives
Remote Desktop ServicesTeamViewer
Small Businesses
Getscreen.me
Getscreen.me
Score 9.7 out of 10
Getscreen.me
Getscreen.me
Score 9.7 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Remote Desktop Manager
Remote Desktop Manager
Score 9.4 out of 10
Action1
Action1
Score 9.5 out of 10
Enterprises
Remote Desktop Manager
Remote Desktop Manager
Score 9.4 out of 10
Remote Desktop Manager
Remote Desktop Manager
Score 9.4 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Remote Desktop ServicesTeamViewer
Likelihood to Recommend
8.3
(18 ratings)
8.6
(554 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
6.0
(1 ratings)
10.0
(64 ratings)
Usability
6.0
(3 ratings)
9.3
(57 ratings)
Availability
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(5 ratings)
Performance
5.0
(1 ratings)
9.1
(5 ratings)
Support Rating
3.0
(1 ratings)
9.8
(50 ratings)
In-Person Training
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(2 ratings)
Online Training
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(4 ratings)
Implementation Rating
-
(0 ratings)
8.9
(111 ratings)
Configurability
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(4 ratings)
Ease of integration
5.0
(1 ratings)
9.1
(5 ratings)
Product Scalability
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(5 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
-
(0 ratings)
8.6
(5 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(5 ratings)
User Testimonials
Remote Desktop ServicesTeamViewer
Likelihood to Recommend
Microsoft
Remote Desktop Services provides access to work environments from any device. This allows us to ensure business continuity in case of disaster. It provides admins more control over access and security. Remote Desktop Services simplifies software updates and compliance management by reducing the need to act on end users devices.
Read full review
TeamViewer
I am a top user of this products and I would say it is the best for professional remote services and it goes well on any device, windows, Linux Mac and also a simple free version for personal use on mobile phone. It clearly and securely sorts out all your remote needs.
Read full review
Pros
Microsoft
  • When you connect with RDS, everything looks and feels (and is) exactly like you're sitting at that desktop. This is great for us and for users.
  • You can sign in with RDS and the desktop will be the same as when you left it (if you choose to set it up that way).
  • Although they take some setup, RemoteApps are a very handy way to let users access a program without requiring them to actually connect to a remote desktop on the server.
Read full review
TeamViewer
  • Easy to get started :- Setup wes quick and honestly, most of us just started using it without needing any guide or help. It's pretty straight forward.
  • Smooth Remote access :- TeamViewer makes it super easy to connect other systems, and the connection is usually smooth with barely any lag . Even the stuffs like the design or video editing works fine remotely.
  • Good Security :- It has a soliD security like Encryption and fwo-factors login, so we don't really worry much about someone getting into a session they should not. the device approval thing is also a nice touch.
  • Works Everywhere :- We've used it on Windows, Ipads, Android even mac - and it just works. It makes the things alot easier when people are using different devices.
Read full review
Cons
Microsoft
  • Remote Desktop Services currently does not support multiple monitors on the terminal server. Unlike other applications such as Teamviewer, there's no feature to toggle between multiple screens even if they were connected to the terminal server.
  • Remote Desktop Services should provide an option to scale up or down the screen size after a connection is established. Currently you can only adjust the screen size prior to a connection is established. So you'll have to take a best guess at what display screen resolution will fit best on your screen.
  • Remote Desktop Services should offer some kind of menu to send special key strokes like Ctrl+Alt+Del to the terminal server. Currently the substitute for that particular combination is Ctrl+Alt+End. But I have yet to discover a replacement for other combination keystrokes such as Alt+PrintScrn.
Read full review
TeamViewer
  • It does not allow a free package for commercial purposes which can be substantial cost for some businesses
  • Being a remote access tool and not properly configured, it is very susceptible to security breaches
  • Being a heavy resource consumer makes it slow down order version systems and those that are not properly updated.
Read full review
Likelihood to Renew
Microsoft
No answers on this topic
TeamViewer
We need this tool in our day to day business. It is what we do all day remoting into clients devices. In this day and age we can access devices all over the world as long as we have secure internet connection. It certainly saves money in gas, and even if you are away you can help.
Read full review
Usability
Microsoft
The initial setup for Remote Desktop Services is complex, and licensing is costly. Each user connects to their virtual desktop hosted by a single server or group of servers, so a change or issue with servers quickly impacts every single user at the same time. Aside from that, users appreciate seeing their same personal desktop from any device or geographical location.
Read full review
TeamViewer
TeamViewer is a reliable and really strong tool for accessing remote IT platforms secure and fast. We don't know any product that provide us such strong functionality to make our life as a internationally recognized MES provider with DIAMES with an international clientele so easy. We look forward for any new TeamViewer functionality that supports us even more.
Read full review
Reliability and Availability
Microsoft
No answers on this topic
TeamViewer
Always available if setup correctly.
Read full review
Performance
Microsoft
There are some third party tools available that allow you to manage multiple connections.
Read full review
TeamViewer
The application is built on VNC which is a very stable technology.
Read full review
Support Rating
Microsoft
As with any Microsoft Server product, support for Remote Desktop Services requires a paid support package. These are license-based and very costly, on top of the already costly product licensing. Microsoft's licensing is complicated to begin with, so setting up licensing alone essentially requires a licensing expert's counsel. There is community documentation and support available on Microsoft websites, as well as community websites.
Read full review
TeamViewer
the few times i have had to contact teamviewer support, they were very responsive and give me quick answers and seemed to understand my problems quickly and easily. I did not have to sit on the phone for hours on hold or get passed around to multiple phone support techs before finding a solution to my issues, so i would rate their support very highly.
Read full review
In-Person Training
Microsoft
No answers on this topic
TeamViewer
As expected without any problem! Alternate in-person training is another efficient way to learn how a product works. There are many third party supporters for TeamViewer courses available that can give additional ideas how to use TeamViewer for specific functions and features as we did require in respect of our usage.
Read full review
Online Training
Microsoft
No answers on this topic
TeamViewer
I have never used the online training either. I have watched a few informational videos that were helpful when learning how to do a specific procedure within TeamViewer and get the most out of the software by utilizing one of the many features that are available with the software. Again, 5 if for neutral.
Read full review
Implementation Rating
Microsoft
No answers on this topic
TeamViewer
I was not directly involved in the implementation process, as we have a dedicated IT team for that. However, after completing the training, I found it to be quite user-friendly. As a manager, I asked the IT team member about their implementation experience, as they seemed satisfied with it. They informed me that the TeamViewer team is very supportive of everything.
Read full review
Alternatives Considered
Microsoft
We selected Remote Desktop Services based upon price alone. Other solutions on the market are significantly more expensive, but if your company can foot the bill you should seriously consider products that have been on the market for longer. The lack of an ability to easily upgrade farm servers has been a challenge for us - although it is still faster than updating an application on 2000+ machines. The lack of a centralized management console in 2008 R2 is also challenging, but you get by with the tools available to you. If you don't have the money to spend on Citrix or VMWare Horizon, Remote Desktop Services is a decent replacement.
Read full review
TeamViewer
We have used and evaluated other remote access tools like AnyDesk and Microsoft Remote Desktop Compared to these, TeamViewer stands out for its easy setup, strong security features, and reliable performance across different devices and platforms.
Read full review
Scalability
Microsoft
No answers on this topic
TeamViewer
Stay up working. Easy to connect and disconnect. easy way to transfer files to another desktop
Read full review
Return on Investment
Microsoft
  • Allowed remote users access from home
  • Shared file access for multipolar users from a centralized location
  • Cost to add additional users when maxed out
  • Purchase multiple licenses for programs to run in virtual machines. Or unable to run on a virtual machine
Read full review
TeamViewer
It took about 3 months.
  • Customer Support of our business has become more interactive with customers, leading to faster resolution of their problems.
  • Remotely accessing devices in our office allows employees to stay productive while working from home.
  • TeamViewer helps us to collaborate with other firms for projects we're doing.
Read full review
ScreenShots

TeamViewer Screenshots

Screenshot of how TeamViewer lets users connect to devices and provide remote support.Screenshot of where devices are a few clicks away.Screenshot of the interface to monitor and manage devices proactively.Screenshot of some of TeamViewer's integrations