--- title: Apple Remote Desktop Reviews meta_title: 'Apple Remote Desktop Reviews 2026: Details, Pricing, & Features | G2' meta_description: Filter 53 reviews by the users' company size, role or industry to find out how Apple Remote Desktop works for a business like yours. aggregate_rating: rating_value: 4.3 review_count: 53 scale: '5' date_modified: '2026-07-12' parent_category: name: IT Infrastructure url: https://www.g2.com/categories/it-infrastructure --- # Apple Remote Desktop Reviews **Vendor:** Apple **Category:** [Remote Desktop Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/remote-desktop) **Average Rating:** 4.3/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 53 ## About Apple Remote Desktop Apple Remote Desktop (ARD) is a comprehensive remote management software developed by Apple Inc., designed to facilitate the administration of Mac computers over a network. First introduced in 2002, ARD enables system administrators and educators to efficiently control, monitor, and manage multiple Mac systems from a central location. This tool is particularly beneficial in environments such as educational institutions and businesses, where managing numerous devices is essential. Key Features and Functionality: - Remote Control and Observation: Administrators can view and control the screens of remote Mac computers in real-time, allowing for immediate assistance and troubleshooting. - Software Distribution: ARD allows for the remote installation of software and updates across multiple systems simultaneously, streamlining the deployment process. - Asset Management: The software provides comprehensive hardware and software inventory reports, enabling administrators to keep track of system configurations and installed applications. - Task Automation: With support for Automator actions, ARD enables the automation of repetitive administrative tasks, enhancing efficiency. - Secure Communications: ARD employs AES 128-bit encryption to ensure secure communication between the administrator and client systems. - User Interaction Tools: Features such as real-time text chat and the "request attention" command facilitate direct communication between administrators and users. Primary Value and User Solutions: Apple Remote Desktop addresses the challenges associated with managing multiple Mac computers by providing a centralized platform for remote administration. It enhances productivity by allowing administrators to perform tasks such as software deployment, system monitoring, and troubleshooting without the need for physical presence. This capability is invaluable in educational settings, where teachers can monitor and assist students remotely, and in corporate environments, where IT professionals can maintain and support a large fleet of Macs efficiently. By automating routine tasks and offering robust reporting tools, ARD reduces administrative overhead and ensures that systems remain up-to-date and secure. ## Apple Remote Desktop Pros & Cons **What users like:** - Users value the **ease of use** in Apple Remote Desktop, facilitating administration and device management effortlessly. (2 reviews) - Users value the **easy file copying and distribution** capabilities of Apple Remote Desktop for efficient management. (1 reviews) **What users dislike:** - Users often face **connection issues** with Apple Remote Desktop, leading to frustration and limited functionality. (2 reviews) - Users note the **feature limitations** of Apple Remote Desktop, with minimal updates and lack of Windows connectivity. (1 reviews) - Users are frustrated with the **lack of updates and development** in Apple Remote Desktop, limiting its functionality. (1 reviews) - Users experience **slow performance** and connectivity issues, leading to frustration and decreased productivity. (1 reviews) ## Apple Remote Desktop Reviews ### 1. Was once a 9-10 but is steadily declining to 5-7 rating **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Scott A. | Information Systems and Network Systems Administrator, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 10, 2025 **What do you like best about Apple Remote Desktop?** Ease of administration, ease of device discovery, easy file copying and distribution to devices. Remote UNIX commands to devices. **What do you dislike about Apple Remote Desktop?** Does not always connect anymore. Does not support other platforms like Microsoft Remote Desktop. Continues to decline in performance and capabilities with each OS release... **What problems is Apple Remote Desktop solving and how is that benefiting you?** ARD allows me to access most of my devices from one remote location, whether in the office or remoting in via VPN. I am able to restart stuck devices (most of the time). I can fix user issues remotely and/or help them work through issues while screen sharing and teleconferencing. ### 2. The Mac Remote Access! **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Fernando F. | CEO / Consultant, Information Technology and Services, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** December 02, 2024 **What do you like best about Apple Remote Desktop?** Apple remote is the only native remote desktop tool for the Mac and it is easy to use. **What do you dislike about Apple Remote Desktop?** Apple remote desktop is rather stale and very little development is done on it and no new features are being added to it. It does not work to connect to Windows. **What problems is Apple Remote Desktop solving and how is that benefiting you?** Allows me to monitor my MAC computers in the office and connect, view and control my Mac computers in a native environment. ### 3. No need for any other screen sharing app **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Higher Education | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 07, 2023 **What do you like best about Apple Remote Desktop?** The best part about it is that it is just there. There is no need to explain to my coworkers that you need to install this application or go through a rigorous regime of steps. It is linked with the Apple ID, and I can connect with other Mac machines on a single request, and the other person has to accept or reject it. If you have to manage multiple systems from a centralized point of your business regularly, I suggest switching to Apple Remote. It is very easy. **What do you dislike about Apple Remote Desktop?** The only downside I have seen with Apple Remote Desktop is that you need a very good internet connection on both ends; when other apps like AnyDesk can work on low speeds like 5-10mbps, ARD requires a minimum of 30-40mbps. It would be good if this can be fixed. **What problems is Apple Remote Desktop solving and how is that benefiting you?** Installing updates, fixing issues, and configuring systems remotely is a breeze. Going to every system and performing the same steps is not an easy task, it takes more time and more efforts but remotely connecting to devices and troubleshooting problems in real time is pure magic. It even helps cut down on energy costs by powering down idle machines. ### 4. Best experience so far **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Harsh P. | NetApp StorageGRID & E-Series Specialist, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 02, 2023 **What do you like best about Apple Remote Desktop?** i had a great experience while i was connected with apple remote support. They helped me resolve my queries i had and suggested the best options. Nothing everything was as expected as i am also working in customer-facing industry since almost 7 years but apple has always been the best experience over all. **What do you dislike about Apple Remote Desktop?** Nothing everything was as expected as i am also working in customer-facing industry since almost 7 years but apple has always been the best experience over all. **What problems is Apple Remote Desktop solving and how is that benefiting you?** Better connectivity while connecting and making sure my device has appeared in the search while looking at the device section ### 5. Remote desktop with ease with the Apple remote **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** manjunath p. | Desktop Support Engineer, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 25, 2023 **What do you like best about Apple Remote Desktop?** Apple Remote Desktop has proven to be invaluable tool for a wide range of users and organizations. It helps me connect with my clients with ease. **What do you dislike about Apple Remote Desktop?** I have used it, especially during the pandemic, but also during times when travelingay not be feasible **What problems is Apple Remote Desktop solving and how is that benefiting you?** Connectivity with ease. No lag/ time differentail, Sleek design, best screen sharing UI , Managing device on same network, it is very reliable, it's basic remote management features work well. ### 6. Great for small networks / office environments **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Steve L. | Marketing Manager, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 05, 2023 **What do you like best about Apple Remote Desktop?** Easy to use with useful features for support staff, such as monitoring sessions, supporting users, sending out batch commands and files etc **What do you dislike about Apple Remote Desktop?** Sometimes has issues with VLAN's, especially with the wireless "bonjour" side of things **What problems is Apple Remote Desktop solving and how is that benefiting you?** ARD allows for easy management of computers within a small network. The ability to monitor multiple machines and to quickly provide remote control / support is useful. When a batch terminal command needs to be sent out, ARD is very useful. ### 7. An Excellent Product **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Steve B. | Chief Operating Officer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 31, 2022 **What do you like best about Apple Remote Desktop?** The ability to keep track of the various work stations on the network and if needed, the ability to interact with the end-user. I also use GoToMyPC for users that are not on the same network. I do prefer the apple product. **What do you dislike about Apple Remote Desktop?** It would be great if you could connect with work-stations that were not on the same network; having to be on the same network with so much working from home is negative. **What problems is Apple Remote Desktop solving and how is that benefiting you?** I am keeping track of serial numbers assisting with troubleshooting for the end-user. It saves the time of having to visit the end-users workspace. And if I am remote, VPN in to the office network allows me to assist remotely. ### 8. Apple Remote Desktop is the best option for administering Macs **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Thomas H. | Video Services Technician, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 27, 2021 **What do you like best about Apple Remote Desktop?** I like being able to send messages to the screen of the computers I'm administering. **What do you dislike about Apple Remote Desktop?** I wish that there was a Pro version which had more Enterprise features. **Recommendations to others considering Apple Remote Desktop:** It's a good program for administering a bunch of Mac computers, but it lacks Enterprise features, like most of Apple's technologies. It would be great if I was able to do a proper wake on LAN command to have a Mac start up without having to physically have someone go push a button. The best work around that I found was to schedule a time where the computer is scheduled to start up on it's own. That's hardly ideal but at least then you have a time you can count on when the Macs will actually be online so that you can do administrative tasks. I do like that it uses VNC essentially to view the desktops of the computers. This let me use VNC software on other platforms to also connect to and view the Macs that I was administering. It would be nice if Apple would release Apple Remote Desktop on Windows and Linux as well. It also would be nice if you were able to at least have some basic functionality to administer Windows computers or other non-Apple devices from within Apple Remote Desktop, but that's not the case. Apple makes the whole widget, and when you user it as intended it generally works pretty well. **What problems is Apple Remote Desktop solving and how is that benefiting you?** It's a great tool for administering and monitoring a few Mac computers, it works great when you're working with up to a few dozen computers. ### 9. Great feature set, but unreliable and buggy **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Andrei A. | Computer Science, Digital Design and STEAM Teacher, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 15, 2021 **What do you like best about Apple Remote Desktop?** ARD has excellent "Screen Sharing" performance monitoring and interacting with the 24 iMacs in my lab. There is almost no lag even at the highest quality setting. The package deployment is wonderful when it works: packages install without interruptions for interaction or errors. Arbitrary terminal commands can be sent to multiple machines at once, and ARD includes a library of useful commands for queuing and maintaining Macs. Frequent commands can be saved in the sidebar. The toolbar can be customized in typical Mac fashion. In a classroom environment (I'm a teacher), it's very useful to be able to lock screens with a message, such as "come visit my desk". This last feature really helps students know they are being watched and must stay on task. **What do you dislike about Apple Remote Desktop?** ARD is so buggy and unreliable that it's heartbreaking. If I could actually install a package on 24 machines at once, I'd be in heaven. However, at least 3-6 machines report being "Offline", or the install slows to a crawl, and a batch job is not parallel, so a single machine can hang the task, and it's not clear which one is the culprit. Often, when ARD is restarted, it's a different set of machines that are affected, and the machines that displayed an error before are miraculously fine again. I end up quitting and relaunching ARD several times in a session to restore connections. What this means is that if I want to install a package, I end up subdividing the task into batches of 3 machines each. If a task fails, then I try installing on each machine individually in order to pinpoint which machine is failing. It turns excellent software into a nightmare. **Recommendations to others considering Apple Remote Desktop:** Make sure your network is configured perfectly. I don't have expertise or credentials to modify my network, nor do I have a line of communication to my network admin, so I can't investigate this. **What problems is Apple Remote Desktop solving and how is that benefiting you?** The main problem is the need to physically interact with 24 physical machines and repeat the same task 24 times. Just being able to sit in one chair and work on 24 machines is amazing. Another problem is not being able to see all students' screens at the same time. With ARD I can have a dedicated screen for monitoring students, and another one to work on or display on the projector. I can monitor students as they work, double-click a screen to see more closely, and intervene when a student is having trouble. The main benefit I've realized is saving time on monotonous, repetitive installation and maintenance tasks. I've also improved class discipline and been able to assist my students more efficiently and quickly. ### 10. Excellent remote management software **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Oil & Energy | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 23, 2021 **What do you like best about Apple Remote Desktop?** Easy to setup and use. Overall good remote access speed. **What do you dislike about Apple Remote Desktop?** Because it uses and implementation of VNC, can be slow sometimes. **What problems is Apple Remote Desktop solving and how is that benefiting you?** Remote helpdesk, remote server management. ## Apple Remote Desktop Discussions - [What is Apple Remote Desktop used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-apple-remote-desktop-used-for) - 1 comment, 1 upvote - [How do I get Apple Remote Desktop for free?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-do-i-get-apple-remote-desktop-for-free) - 1 comment - [View Apple Remote Desktop pricing details and edition comparison](https://www.g2.com/products/apple-remote-desktop/reviews/apple-remote-desktop-review-595451?section=pricing&secure%5Bexpires_at%5D=2026-07-12+19%3A42%3A59+-0500&secure%5Bsession_id%5D=c160cf98-4237-4b92-9b15-d5dfc25a8409&secure%5Btoken%5D=97ac1ca88d76eff8993b1e0c188b1f4bad63912df24b24b2644bf6fb42b197b3&format=llm_user) ## Apple Remote Desktop Features **Administration** - Usage Information - Integrations - Diagnostics - Session Recording - Session Transfer - Unattended Access - File Sharing **Platform** - Cross-Platform Access - Mobile Device Access - Applications Management - Remote Device Control **Security** - Remote Wipe - Device Management - Device Enrollment ## Top Apple Remote Desktop Alternatives - [TeamViewer](https://www.g2.com/products/teamviewer/reviews) - 4.5/5.0 (3,931 reviews) - [AnyDesk](https://www.g2.com/products/anydesk/reviews) - 4.5/5.0 (1,078 reviews) - [BeyondTrust Remote Support](https://www.g2.com/products/beyondtrust-remote-support/reviews) - 4.7/5.0 (386 reviews)