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Apple Remote Desktop

Score7.2 out of 10

112 Reviews and Ratings

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What is Apple Remote Desktop?

Apple Remote Desktop (ARD), from Apple, is a remote administration tool for managing Apple computers running OS X across a network.

Categories & Use Cases

Key Features

Learn about the best (and worst!) features Apple Remote Desktop has to offer, as determined by TrustRadius' reviewers.
Based on 112 ratings of Apple Remote Desktop's features
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Top Performing Features

  • Multi-platform remote control

    Ability to remotely connect to multiple operating systems (Windows®, Mac OS® and Linux®).

    Category average: 8.1

  • Access to sleeping/powered-off computers

    Remote access and troubleshooting of out-of-band computers.

    Category average: 6.4

  • Remote management of servers & workstations

    Server reboot, start/stop services & processes, clear logs, manage disks, shares, etc. without having to initiate remote control.

    Category average: 8.7

Areas for Improvement

  • Secure remote access with Smart Card authentication

    Establish secure remote connection via Smart Card authentication and Smart Card logon.

    Category average: 7.6

  • Initiate remote control from mobile

    Mobile application for remote controlling computers from mobile device (iOS, Android)

    Category average: 7.2

  • Annotations

    Ability to markup and highlight end user’s screen to provide visual clues or to highlight areas.

    Category average: 7.7

Reviews

What users are saying about Apple Remote Desktop.
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ARD - Apple Remote Desktop is on top

Incentivized
Mike McCloskeyView profile
Senior Information Technology Manager in Information Technology at Rogers County Abstract (11-50 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

I depend on Apple Remote Desktop to keep highly productive users on track. It lets me remotely access computers, whether they be in the same building, down the street, or across the state. I can use it to maintain systems. I can use it to train. I can use it for keeping track of system logs, and software updates.

Pros

  • Remote control the allows different levels of participation from the host user. I can have just monitor their action, shared control, full control on my end, and blank their screen.
  • Remotely perform Maintenance, updates, and monitor system logs.
  • Allows all done in a secure connection
  • Butter smooth operation.
  • Keeps a table of accused Macs for easy access

Cons

  • I do wish that when I have the screen lock there would be a message informing the user. I don't use this feature very much so it's not a dealbreaker in anyway.

Return on Investment

  • Makes me more productive keeping our fleet of Macs updated
  • Allows me to support multiple factions without travel time of cost.
  • Stays on top of the latest Mac OS functionality.

Usability

Other Software Used

Proton Calendar, Proton Drive, Proton VPN, Proton for Business, Proton Pass, Ubuntu, Synology DiskStation, QNAP NAS, SanDisk SSD, Apple iCloud Calendar (iCal), Apple iCloud, Squarespace

Can be better

Incentivized
Damir BehaView profile
Senior Enterprise Systems engineer in Engineering at Fonicom limited (501-1000 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We use various types of remote assistance software to assist users with their issues. This one in particular, we are using to access users' PCs that are natively running Apple OS. We found it particularly easy as it is available as part of system applications and does not require extra steps from the user.

Pros

  • RDP connection
  • Clipboard access
  • System os

Cons

  • General UI
  • Cross OS optimisation
  • Bit faster

Return on Investment

  • Access to users that are on iOS

Usability

Alternatives Considered

AnyDesk and TeamViewer

Other Software Used

TeamViewer, AnyDesk

Useful tool that needs some attention

Incentivized
Bruce CarterView profile
Senior Systems Engineer in Information Technology at University of Notre Dame (1001-5000 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Endpoint Engineering and embedded IT Support personnel frequently use Apple Remote Desktop (ARD) to provide immediate remote assistance to end users. Although we use Jamf Pro (cloud) for overall maintenance of our macOS fleet, there are still times when Apple Remote Desktop is very useful for making live changes, or providing remote assistance to end users. It has been particularly useful in the case of student computing labs.

Pros

  • Sending Unix commands immediately to the endpoint
  • Seeing exactly what an end user is seeing on their screen
  • Sending messages to an entire computer lab
  • Instructor locking all screens during lecture portion of a lab session
  • Monitoring and responding to help requests
  • Assisting users with complicated workflows
  • Quick configuration changes or installs
  • Mass restarting endpoints
  • Generating reports
  • Easy grouping of endpoints into labs, departments, etc.

Cons

  • Access control has become cumbersome in recent macOS releases
  • The application does not receive much attention from Apple Engineering and is a bit feature static
  • Interface is a bit dated
  • Integration with MDM platforms needs improvement
  • NAT penetration needs improvement

Return on Investment

  • Has made it possible to respond immediately to last minute lab configuration requests from faculty
  • Has made it possible to run student computing labs remotely with one engineer covering many labs
  • Has cut way down on in-person/on-site visits
  • Has made it possible to develop a set of stored scripts and utilities that can be immediately deployed
  • Has saved money vs. more expensive remote access systems

Usability

Alternatives Considered

BeyondTrust Remote Support

Other Software Used

macOS, 1Password, Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Illustrator CC, Adobe PhotoShop, Apple iCloud, AppleCare for Enterprise, BBEdit, ChatGPT, Cisco Secure Access, Xcode, Dropbox Business

Remote Desktop with ease with the Apple Remote Desktop

Incentivized
Zane AlsareinyeView profile
Private Tutor at Self Employed (1-10 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Apple Remote Desktop helps me connect with my clients with ease. If there are problems or discussions that need to be conducted via Remote Desktop, this program is the most suitable. I have used it, especially during the pandemic, but also during times when traveling may not be as feasible, as well as when there is an urgent meeting that is taking place.

Pros

  • Connectivity with ease
  • No lag/time differential
  • Sleek design

Cons

  • Sending requests for Remote Desktop
  • Availability across entire Apple ecosystem
  • Availability on other operating systems

Return on Investment

  • Time efficiency
  • Unable to connect to multiple platforms/operating systems
  • Simple design

Alternatives Considered

TeamViewer

Other Software Used

TeamViewer

Apple Remote Desktop is a day saver.

Incentivized
Brian Cameron
IT Specialist in Information Technology at The Shelby Group (51-200 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

I use it to control Mac remotely. It allows me much more control over Zoom Remote or Microsoft Remote Desktop in automation. We have over 200 Mac laptops and the other remote software falls short. It would be nice to have an all-in-one solution but I do not believe it exists.

Pros

  • One off software install
  • Log in as separate user
  • Network discovery of remote machines

Cons

  • It is pretty refined. I can't think off hand what I would want changed.
  • The interface is becoming a little dated.
  • The ability to skip the server setting.

Return on Investment

  • Makes remote doable if a simple Zoom screen share is not enough.
  • Easy to install a quick needed package.
  • Easy to trigger updates if needed.

Alternatives Considered

Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection Manager (RDCMan) and BeyondTrust Active Directory (AD) Bridge

Other Software Used

Jamf Pro, Jamf Protect, Code42 CrashPlan

Usability