What is Apple Remote Desktop?

Remote desktop is one of those technologies that is spreading like wildfire these days, with all kinds of clients and variants to offer competitive services and dominate the market. While Google has chosen to offer accessible services with their Chrome Remote Desktop, Apple has entered the market with their “Apple Remote Desktop” program that comes pre-installed on their Mac devices as part of the Macintosh OS. While it makes perfect sense that tech giants like Apple and Google have come up with their own remote access programs, there are hundreds of other programs created by smaller developers that do the same job, if not better.

However, like other infamous Apple products, Apple Remote Desktop also has some disadvantages of performance as well as compatibility issues. This has led to a conversation where people using systems with macOS discuss which of the third-party Apple Remote Desktop options best suits their needs. As mentioned above, there are many options, so choosing the one that will work best in conjunction with your needs can be confusing and difficult. In this article, I’ll go over Apple Remote Desktop and the RDP protocol as a whole, and then I’ll list the top ten Apple Remote Desktop alternatives in 2023.

What is Apple Remote Desktop?

Apple Remote Desktop is a program developed by Apple specifically for the Macintosh that serves as the company’s main remote desktop tool for the macOS operating system. Apple’s Remote Desktop is rather old, it was fully released in 2002 when it replaced its predecessor Apple Network Assistant. Over the years, Apple Remote Desktop has received many updates. However, the program has also become a bookshelf item, with the most recent update it received dating back almost 6 years to 2017. Apple Remote Desktop follows its own custom remote access protocol and doesn’t use the famous RDP protocol, which is developed by Microsoft. The default running ports of Apple Remote Desktop is the (TCP) port 5900 and 5988.

The lack of active support from Apple, as well as some issues with the program, have prevented Apple Remote Desktop from being a premier remote desktop tool that can compete with many other third-party programs. So naturally, many Apple users may object to this method as an alternative to remote Mac networks. We are going to list these programs, but 1st, let’s talk about RDP since most of these Apple Remote Desktop alternatives are going to use this protocol.

What is an RDP Server?

An RDP server is any server that dedicates its resources to allowing you to establish a remote desktop connection through Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). To use most of the upcoming Apple Remote Desktop clients further down in the content, you will need one of these servers. Usually, Apple Remote Desktop client providers also provide servers for you, but if that’s not the case with the particular client you’ve chosen, you’ll also need to opt for a service provider to enable it. Connecting to the server. However, if you want to connect to another device you own, it won’t.

In this case, the target computer (the one you connect to) will already be acting as the RDP server in question. RDP itself is a remote desktop protocol developed by Microsoft, and because it offers a graphical user interface, or GUI for short, it has become one of the most popular and accessible RDP in the world. The default port for RDP is Transmission Channel Protocol (TCP) port 22.

How to choose the right RDP server?

There are several key considerations in choosing an RDP server. Some of these have to do with the nature of the RDP server, and others consider the qualities that the service provider must have to ensure that you get the final product.

Shared RDP vs. Admin RDP

First, you need to evaluate your resource usage to be able to choose between Shared RDP Server or Admin RDP Server. The difference between these two is simple. With a shared RDP, you share an IP address with other users as well as all resources such as RAM, CPU, bandwidth, etc. This will reduce operational capacity as well as safety. All this can be remedied if you go for the more expensive but more reliable Admin RDP instead. With Admin RDP, you’ll have all the resources to yourself as well as admin access to make changes as you wish, as well as a dedicated IP address that will guarantee your security.

Desirable qualities in an RDP server provider

After determining the type of RDP server you want, you now need to consider the qualities that your RDP server provider should have. The first characteristic of reliable RDP server providers is the variety of services they offer. This will show that they provide services for a wide variety of clients across a spectrum of scales

It will also be an indicator that they will likely pass the next test on the list, which is connection quality as determined by latency The quality of the connection is incredibly important, as it will determine the quality of your life throughout the duration of your use with the target server. Security options and a varied billing cycle, and the payment plan will be the ultimate indicator that the RDP server you are going for has the required quality.

Apple Remote Desktop Alternatives

Zoho Assist

Zoho Assist’s place on this list stems from the fact that they are a trusted name in the remote access industry and have been for many years. Their macOS version is just a representation of their capabilities on the platform. It comes with its own set of custom features including a Mac-to-Mac and Mac-to-Windows connection. It has online chat, multi-screen support, and even multi-session support, so you can establish multiple connections and manage multiple servers at once. Zoho also has Android, iOS and Microsoft Windows versions. A unique feature of Zoho Assist is that they allow you to customize its interface to reflect your brand identity (logo, visuals, etc.) in business meetings and server management sessions. Zoho Assist is a Paid Service; However, they have a free trial for 15 days, as well as official tech support. A true all-in-one package.

AnyDesk

One of the names you may have read or heard before when it comes to remote access software is AnyDesk. It is one of the oldest and most trusted remote access clients in the world. AnyDesk is known for its incredibly easy-to-install and user interface. It is designed to be installed and ready to go immediately. It comes on a host of different platforms besides macOS including Windows, iOS, Android, etc. Anydesk supports intra-platform support, which means you can use it to make RDP connections from one operating system to another. It also has a web version that completely eliminates the need for installation and enables you to instantly establish an RDP connection to your Mac device. AnyDesk has two plans, a free base version and a paid plan that comes with extra features. Both are excellent and will go a long way in helping you replace Apple’s Remote Desktop.

TeamViewer

Of all the remote desktop programs out there, TeamViewer is probably the most well-known, along with its archrival AnyDesk, and for good reason. Not only does it have the most diverse set of services, it also has the largest user base and market share of any Apple Remote Desktop alternative. TeamViewer’s influence and popularity have made them partners with globally recognized brands such as Manchester United. As far as performance goes, there’s nothing TeamViewer can’t do. Features include multi-platform support, intra-platform connectivity, multimedia support, high security, remote hardware control with reboot option, multi-session support, designated access list, cloud-based support, and more. TeamViewer even has a unique intra-device drag-and-drop feature that enables incredibly easy file transfers. TeamViewer has a free and paid plan that you can choose depending on your needs. You can also read my article on the comparison between AnyDesk and TeamViewer to get more in-depth details about the programs!

LogMeIn

LogMeIn is another reliable remote access software that you can use as Apple’s Remote Desktop tool. This is best suited for large corporations that need to run large remote access sessions for presentations and project management because it has no session or user limits, and you can build very large servers and manage their shared and administrative facilities.

LogMeIn is known for its incredible base-level security, which includes anti-DDoS measures. For all its technical advantages that make LogMeIn a perfect choice for members of the IT community and developers as well as large corporations, it has many drawbacks. These include a lack of compatibility for Mac to Windows connections as well as an underdeveloped email client system. Still, it comes closest to replicating an authentic Mac-to-Mac connection, and so replicates Apple Remote Desktop. If you work at a company exclusively on a Mac-to-Mac basis, LogMeIn is great.

VNC connection

Its Connect is another trusted Apple Remote Desktop client that allows access between multiple devices through intra-platform compatibility, enabling global access between your devices regardless of your current location. VNC Connect places a high priority on the security of their clients, featuring end-to-end 128-bit AES encryption, which can be upgraded to a 256-bit version on all your sessions in the Enterprise Paid version, which will keep your data safe even if a potential security breach were to occur. To strengthen security, they also have multi-factor and advanced authentication as well as granular access control. This granular control feature allows you to precisely define privileges and permissions for each user group as well as individual users within the server. You can also seamlessly share files between devices, perform real-time chats, and record your sessions, which combined with the aforementioned security makes it a perfect tool for companies and the IT community alike.

Remmina

Remina is a little bit of an oddball considering that it runs not on RDP but on the GTK+ remote access protocol. While most other Apple Remote Desktop options focus primarily on the user. Remina has a different approach. It is a server manager that also works as a remote desktop client, but the overall focus of the program is again to enable business administrators and managers to manage large servers with many users, which are commonly used in the workplace. Remmina features easy installation progress, which is a major plus for macOS users who usually don’t delve into the technical aspects of such tools. A reminder has access to plugins that make it unique.

With these plugins, you can gain access to additional protocols such as RDP and SSH. Also, you can increase your security and go for other plugins like SPICE, SFTP, EXEC, etc.

Chrome Remote Desktop

Chrome Remote Desktop can be considered a direct competitor to Apple Remote Desktop. It is an extension and on-web software that can be accessed through Google’s Chrome browser and uses a straightforward custom protocol to establish a remote access connection between two devices. Chrome Remote Desktop is rather sterile and has much simpler methods for remote access. That’s why it’s free and readily available on every instance of Chrome installed in the world. While it’s free and very easy to use, Chrome Remote Desktop leaves a lot to be desired if you’re looking to rival most of the other options on this list. For example, it doesn’t have a live chat and the security is rather weak. But if a simple, pain-free remote access connection is what you’re after for basic tasks, Chrome Remote Desktop is a decent alternative to Apple’s Remote Desktop.

mRemoteNG

mRemoteNG is a very familiar name to many developers and members of the IT community. It is an open-source program designed for establishing remote access between devices. mRemoteNG has the most supported protocols so far. You can choose which protocol to use. For example, if you don’t need a graphical interface, you can use the SSH protocol for your coding and lightweight tasks. mRemoteNG also supports other protocols, such as RDP, VNC (Virtual Network Computing), SSH (Secure Shell), Telnet (Telecommunications Network), HTTP/HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol), rlogin (Remote Login), raw socket connections, PowerShell remoting. , etc. mRemoteNG is also extremely secure. It uses GitHub to deploy chain proxies if you want. This makes it highly versatile and compatible with various protocols and makes it a very secure and compatible platform for VPS connections. All these together make mRemoteNG the most flexible of all the programs on this list, a jack of all trades.

RustDesk

Contrary to its name, RustDesk is not rusty at all. In fact, as far as Apple Remote Desktop alternatives go, it’s very fast, with excellent connection quality and latency. RasDesk comes in two formats, an installed version and a portable version. This portable version makes it easily accessible on any cloud or small hardware and enables you to work with it anywhere and anytime. RustDesk has excellent platform coverage across devices. RustDesk has versions for Linux, Windows, macOS, iOS and Android. It also has a high level of security, featuring end-to-end encryption, RustDesk is quite light in terms of system requirements and can run on legacy devices. RustDesk has a very user-friendly interface.

It has a UI with a built-in console and you can even use the program to self-host. A very well-designed all-in-one program that will cover your needs as a remote desktop for Mac tool.

ConnectWise Control

ConnectWise Control presents itself as an all-in-one package suitable for “individuals, IT teams, and remote workers”. And it can really go the extra mile to meet the needs of all these user bases. It features a high level of compatibility as it comes on multiple different platforms and offers a connection between different platforms. So you can connect your Mac device to other devices with other OS. It is highly customizable for brands, making it a prime tool for repair companies that use remote access to troubleshoot their customers. You can customize your connection to represent your brand in such interactions or make your workplace remote access server brand aware with these customizations. As a cherry on top, it also features granular permissions, advanced user management and customer support as part of the paid plan.

Choosing the best Apple RDP client for you?

Choosing the right Apple Remote Desktop option can be a bit tricky. There are so many options and it can be confusing that some users prefer to bite the bullet and continue using Apple Remote Desktop for now instead of going through the trouble of choosing a viable option. While all of the options on this list are effective as Apple Remote Desktop clients, it can be difficult to keep track of all the features and make a lengthy comparison. I’ve personally found reputable alternatives like TeamViewer and AnyDesk for a reason, and I would highly recommend them as Apple Remote Desktop alternatives. Nevertheless, I will put together a short comparison table to make the decision easier for you.