SolarWinds Dameware Remote Support (DRS) vs. VNC Connect

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
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
VNC Connect
Score 7.6 out of 10
N/A
VNC® Connect is presented as a secure, simple remote desktop solution. It enables users to remotely access and control their devices wherever they are in the world, whenever they need to. VNC® Connect covers a wide range of remote access use cases with a single subscription, from remote working to IT support.
$3.39
per remote computer per month
Pricing
SolarWinds Dameware Remote Support (DRS)VNC Connect
Editions & Modules
Dameware Mini Remote Control
$276
per technician, unlimited end users
Dameware Remote Support
$388
per technician, unlimited end-users
Professional - Device Access
$3.39
per remote computer per month
Enterprise - Device Access
$4.59
per remote computer per month
Professional - Instant Support
$16.99
per named technician per month
Enterprise - Instant Support
$33.49
per named technician per month
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
SolarWinds Dameware Remote Support (DRS)VNC Connect
Free Trial
YesYes
Free/Freemium Version
NoYes
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
SolarWinds Dameware Remote Support (DRS)VNC Connect
Considered Both Products
SolarWinds Dameware Remote Support (DRS)
Chose SolarWinds Dameware Remote Support (DRS)
I have used a few remote support options over the years, but always come back to DameWare when it's all said and done. RealVNC was something that we tried out for remote desktop support at one point. It allowed for the connectivity to the devices fairly smoothly, but was …
Chose SolarWinds Dameware Remote Support (DRS)
It's there when you need it, no getting ready or looking for it. Just log on in the morning and it's there all day. No connection issues, firewall issues, relying on users to punch buttons. The performance is great and the service is reliable.
Chose SolarWinds Dameware Remote Support (DRS)
We do use simple Lync screensharing and IM chat since we already use it. We evaluated Citrix GoToAssist, Windows Remote Desktop Connection/Manager, RealVNC, WebEx, TeamViewer.
Chose SolarWinds Dameware Remote Support (DRS)
VNC and RDP are free solutions that do not have all the features in DameWare. While you might be able to remotely connect, DameWare Remote Support allows you to transfer files, lock out the screen, see the console session, take screen shots, reboot, etc... Plus it is supported …
Chose SolarWinds Dameware Remote Support (DRS)
VNC is a basic remote control application, it does not have the AD and PC integration tools to perform the other Help Desk tasks required.
Chose SolarWinds Dameware Remote Support (DRS)
We used VNC before DameWare and have not looked at any other product since we started using DameWare. The employee that chose DameWare is no longer with the company so I cannot comment on any other products they might have compared.
Chose SolarWinds Dameware Remote Support (DRS)
I like DameWare better.
Chose SolarWinds Dameware Remote Support (DRS)
Dameware has less lag and a better user interface.
Chose SolarWinds Dameware Remote Support (DRS)
DameWare is leaps and bounds more robust in the support aspects of any of the similar products that we reviewed. I am sure that we will be finding new tricks and features for years to come. It is a great product with more than adequate features for a company of our size or …
Chose SolarWinds Dameware Remote Support (DRS)
There are latency issues with RealVNC that are not there with DameWare Remote Support and GoToAssist requires user interaction. Neither has the Active Directory tie-in or the management consoles to monitor all aspects of computers.
Chose SolarWinds Dameware Remote Support (DRS)
Windows Remote Desktop allows remote access but does not allow for an interactive session where both support staff and customer view the same desktop. DameWare Remote Support allows both to view all the work as it is done. RealVNC was initially used to manage a few servers and …
VNC Connect

No answer on this topic

Top Pros
Top Cons
Features
SolarWinds Dameware Remote Support (DRS)VNC Connect
Remote Administration
Comparison of Remote Administration features of Product A and Product B
SolarWinds Dameware Remote Support (DRS)
8.5
65 Ratings
3% above category average
VNC Connect
7.7
31 Ratings
7% below category average
Screen sharing10.053 Ratings10.027 Ratings
File transfer10.050 Ratings8.314 Ratings
Instant message7.747 Ratings8.118 Ratings
Secure remote access with Smart Card authentication8.416 Ratings9.04 Ratings
Access to sleeping/powered-off computers9.035 Ratings6.09 Ratings
Over-the-Internet remote session8.148 Ratings9.129 Ratings
Initiate remote control from mobile9.025 Ratings8.118 Ratings
Remote management of servers & workstations9.258 Ratings4.76 Ratings
Remote Active Directory® management7.139 Ratings00 Ratings
Centralized management dashboard8.238 Ratings9.015 Ratings
Session record8.55 Ratings7.01 Ratings
Annotations7.94 Ratings5.36 Ratings
Monitoring and Alerts8.75 Ratings7.03 Ratings
Multi-platform remote control7.231 Ratings9.010 Ratings
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User Ratings
SolarWinds Dameware Remote Support (DRS)VNC Connect
Likelihood to Recommend
8.5
(66 ratings)
9.0
(37 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
9.0
(13 ratings)
8.0
(8 ratings)
Usability
9.0
(10 ratings)
8.0
(3 ratings)
Availability
9.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Performance
8.5
(2 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
5.0
(9 ratings)
8.0
(2 ratings)
In-Person Training
9.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Online Training
9.0
(1 ratings)
7.0
(2 ratings)
Implementation Rating
5.0
(8 ratings)
8.0
(2 ratings)
Configurability
9.5
(2 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Ease of integration
9.5
(2 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Product Scalability
8.0
(2 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
9.5
(2 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
9.5
(2 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
SolarWinds Dameware Remote Support (DRS)VNC Connect
Likelihood to Recommend
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.
Read full review
RealVNC
It is very easy to use if the remote device is already set up to receive connections, so if you are setting up devices before deploying them, it is a great tool to have. It is well-suited to use when shadowing users or using it as a teaching tool. There are other products that are better if you are trying to help someone on a one-use basis.
Read full review
Pros
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
RealVNC
  • VNC Connect does an excellent job in remotely connecting to a computer through either your local area network or even another computer on the internet. As long as the VNC Connect services is installed and the client is running in the background.
  • VNC Connect provides password protection to prevent unauthorized users from attempting to remotely access your computer. There's an option to have a separate password to remotely view vs view & access a computer. You can even add an additional level of security by turning on the feature to require Windows login credentials.
  • VNC Connect provides an additional set of controls after a remote connection has been established with another computer. You can have special keystrokes like Ctrl+Alt+Del sent as a command sequence to the other computer as well as access more than a single screen when in use at the remote computer location.
Read full review
Cons
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.
Read full review
RealVNC
  • Its a pretty straight forward product - I would like to see more tools with a "wow" factor.
  • Panel colors are blah - I would like more eye-catching colors.
  • A more consistent look with all platforms - like Mac & PC.
Read full review
Likelihood to Renew
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.
Read full review
RealVNC
VNC is a solid product for the price. It simply works and its reliable across different platforms. Some products state they work well in the Mac environment but don't deliver. This one does what it says. Connections are reliable, but of course, this depends on internet connections. The product works well over wireless connections as well. It delivers on what a remote tool should deliver on. My technicians are happy with the product and customers appreciate the ease of use when letting us connect to their systems. Some also appreciate the remote support while they are multi-task.
Read full review
Usability
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.
Read full review
RealVNC
VNC Connect is a solid product and our techs are very confident that they can get the job done using it. Reliability is key for us since we have a small support team and many users to support. It also helps keep us in the background more allowing the end-users to multi-task. VNC supports our goal of providing quick and efficient services.
Read full review
Reliability and Availability
SolarWinds
Yes, always available.
Read full review
RealVNC
No answers on this topic
Performance
SolarWinds
The application always seems responsive to me
Read full review
RealVNC
No answers on this topic
Support Rating
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.
Read full review
RealVNC
VNC Connect is a reliable product that has been around for a long time. It is reasonably priced and works well in the Mac & PC environment. When you have a small team that supports many users we need tools that we can rely upon and that will get the job done on the first try. Many customers appreciate the quick assistance and can multi-task while our team works on their computer issues remotely. From a customer service point of view, this tool gives us transparency and efficient effectiveness.
Read full review
In-Person Training
SolarWinds
It was excellent
Read full review
RealVNC
No answers on this topic
Online Training
SolarWinds
The videos were more than sufficient to learn the product
Read full review
RealVNC
The training is very informative, quick and to the point. All of the details one would need are present so the user doesn't have to go searching for additional information just to use the application. The layout of the training was also neat and concise, some of the other training sessions for other companies I've done in the past were confusing and not well thought out, this one is much more superior
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Implementation Rating
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.
Read full review
RealVNC
No problem at all, love the product.
Read full review
Alternatives Considered
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.
Read full review
RealVNC
VNC is light and sleek with the quick setup, was impressed with the quick setup despite poor Internet connection outdoor. TeamViewer is good, but the pricing is not as good as VNC. Both do the basic job, but VNC still outperform TeamViewer in terms of performance and ease of use.
Read full review
Scalability
SolarWinds
You get an 8 because of the constant initial freeze on most connections. Takes a reconnect to have it work.
Read full review
RealVNC
No answers on this topic
Return on Investment
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.
Read full review
RealVNC
  • I have just used the software for about 1 month and so far so god. I am saving time whenever I can access my client's computers from my desk as opposed to having to leave my office to go to their offices. Saves me time and the client money.
Read full review
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