Apple Remote Desktop, a must have for your Mac Network toolbox.
January 19, 2018

Apple Remote Desktop, a must have for your Mac Network toolbox.

John Readwin | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with Apple Remote Desktop

I currently use Apple Remote Desktop to access clients' networks to provide support and run reports on devices within the network, I also use it to access my work network from remote places.
  • Very easy to use, and robust. Apple Remote Desktop provides a wide range of functionality at very low cost
  • It does network to network very well ( once setup)
  • Working on your LAN (Local area network) ARD is probably the best tool out there for managing Mac networks, with a full array of features, screen sharing, and reporting
  • The biggest flaw with ARD is its inability to map to multiple machines behind a router. Without the proper VPN router setup, you can only specify one machine on the other side of a router ( again without VPN'ing into the whole network)
  • The cost for ARD is so low, it's totally a no-brainer, if you manage any amount of Macs on your LAN, then ARD should be in your toolbox.
I actually use ConnectWise and ARD, if within my LAN. If I have VPN access I use ARD, if it's a new client and I haven't worked on their network or it's too small to warrant a VPN setup then I'll use ConnectWise
It works easily to access a single computer on your work network from home and also provides an easy interface to access machines on your LAN.

Apple Remote Desktop Feature Ratings

Screen sharing
10
File transfer
10
Instant message
7
Access to sleeping/powered-off computers
Not Rated
Over-the-Internet remote session
9
Remote management of servers & workstations
9
Centralized management dashboard
9
Session record
Not Rated
Monitoring and Alerts
Not Rated
Multi-platform remote control
Not Rated