Remote Desktop Services vs. TeamViewer

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Remote Desktop Services
Score 8.8 out of 10
N/A
Remote Desktop Services from Microsoft is virtual desktop and remote user session technology.N/A
TeamViewer
Score 8.5 out of 10
N/A
TeamViewer provides software for both remote management and online collaborations. With TeamViewer, users have access to fully integrated online conference solutions for audio and video communication, including interactive screen sharing and remote access features.
$24.90
per month (billed annually) 1 Licensed User
Pricing
Remote Desktop ServicesTeamViewer
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
Remote Access
$24.90
per month (billed annually) 1 Licensed User
Business
$50.90
per month (billed annually) 1 Licensed User
Premium
$102.90
per month (billed annually) 15 Licensed Users
Corporate
$206.90
per month (billed annually) 30 Licensed Users
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Remote Desktop ServicesTeamViewer
Free Trial
NoYes
Free/Freemium Version
NoYes
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeOptional
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Remote Desktop ServicesTeamViewer
Considered Both Products
Remote Desktop Services
Chose Remote Desktop Services
We used RDS on-site primarily because of how easy it is for users to transition from their own desktop to a remote desktop. However, from off-site, there are VPN and other security considerations to take into account, and the process gets a little more complex. In this …
Chose Remote Desktop Services
Since Remote Desktop Services comes with the Windows OS, there's no need to install any additional software or agent for it to function. Even on the Mac, there's a client that can be installed for this to run properly. Unfortunately, unlike TeamViewer or Ultra VNC, Remote …
Chose Remote Desktop Services
Because it is a built-in, free solution for a small set of managed computers. No extra licenses required. No budget. Setup and configuration is instanteneous.
Chose Remote Desktop Services
Solutions can be expensive and often offer more options than you need/want. Paying those extra dollars is tough when you have a budget. RDS in many cases works well and is cost effective.
Chose Remote Desktop Services
Remote Desktop Services is an initiation from Microsoft in my view. The rest all are adapters for this and have a considerably inovated feature base.
TeamViewer
Chose TeamViewer
TeamViewer works well as back of other remote desktop access solutions.
Chose TeamViewer
Overall TeamViewer is superior to other remote solutions that I've used. It is faster and more reliable, with a better overall interface and management console. AnyDesk is generally slower and the interface is not as intuitive or easy to use. Endpoint Central is also slower …
Chose TeamViewer
Easier access faster than some of the others. We love the mobile feature where you can use the app to connect when on the road. Also it has the ability to access cell phones as well, which many times helps us help a client with their iphones. Great feature. There have been …
Chose TeamViewer
Remote collaborative capability is much better in TeamViewer as oppose to competition and fast connection makes TeamViewer as better choice
Chose TeamViewer
TeamViewer is significantly easier to set up at a small scale than Microsoft RDP, plus it's cross-platform unlike RDP and provides a better UI and many more capabilities than just remote control, like file transfer and some management controls like reboot.
Chose TeamViewer
TeamViewer is a one click solution that doesn’t require the client to be a networking tech savvy to set it up. With TeamViewer, no need to worry about private and public IPs nor firewalls and reverse proxies as the connection can be established through the TeamViewer servers …
Chose TeamViewer
I've tried a few different ways to provide remote help over the many years I've been providing technical help (since 1987) and Teamviewer consistetly comes out the best. I've also tried numerous ways to access my own computer and data remotely and Teamviewer is the only one I …
Chose TeamViewer
TeamViewer's main advantage is its cross-platform compatibility, meaning that you can use it on other operating systems other than Windows. The main features are present in both tools, like file transfer and taking control of the endpoint machine. Teamviewer is a third-party …
Chose TeamViewer
TeamViewer is a well-known brand. It doesn't limit us to specific hardware or operating systems. It offers various other services along with screen sharing.
Chose TeamViewer
Mac users prefer TeamViewer over both of these hands down, and it is only slightly better on windows. TeamViewer is still far easier to use and more robust. Also, Kaseya suffered a significant breach. Splashtop is more difficult to establish connections with, especially on …
Chose TeamViewer
TeamViewer is better than RDS because of the way it handles the video. At the core, they are both remote control applications. However the method for implementation is quite different. RDS gives you 90% experience of physically being at the terminal but TeamViewer gives you …
Chose TeamViewer
Teamviewer does everything the others do, if not more, but the cost was much better at the time of our purchase. I don't know what the price difference is currently.
Chose TeamViewer
Since I access several customers and environments, I wanted an easy-to-install/use solution. Team Viewer provides desktop sharing, remote access, and file transfer in a single solution and most of my customers have already used it either personally or in a previous business, so …
Chose TeamViewer
TeamViewer has a very simple operation and has been in the market for a long time. These were the factors that led us to choose this tool.
Chose TeamViewer
The basic functionality makes it at the top of the list. Without even purchasing an enterprise license this is an out of the box Technology tool!
Chose TeamViewer
Chrome Remote Desktop is great for personal and/or casual use but requires use of the same Google account for access, which won't work for many enterprise situations. Microsoft Remote Desktop is truly ideal (for Windows), but requires the use of a VPN or for machines to be on …
Chose TeamViewer
Remote Desktop doesn't work like Teamviewer. Easier file transfer, cross-platform, mobile.
Chose TeamViewer
TeamViewer's mobile app is powerful and consistently makes the connection to my remote desktop. In the past I found other solutions to be inconsistent in availability leaving me with an unexpected "surprise" when I was unable to connect. I find TeamViewer is able to provide …
Features
Remote Desktop ServicesTeamViewer
Remote Administration
Comparison of Remote Administration features of Product A and Product B
Remote Desktop Services
8.9
Ratings
9% above category average
TeamViewer
8.4
Ratings
4% below category average
Screen sharing9.30 Ratings00 Ratings
File transfer9.30 Ratings8.70 Ratings
Secure remote access with Smart Card authentication8.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Access to sleeping/powered-off computers8.00 Ratings7.90 Ratings
Over-the-Internet remote session8.60 Ratings00 Ratings
Initiate remote control from mobile10.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Remote management of servers & workstations9.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Remote Active Directory® management9.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Centralized management dashboard9.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Session record9.50 Ratings8.50 Ratings
Monitoring and Alerts8.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Instant message00 Ratings8.50 Ratings
Annotations00 Ratings7.30 Ratings
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Remote Desktop ServicesTeamViewer
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Medium-sized Companies
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Score 9.0 out of 10
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Score 9.5 out of 10
Enterprises
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Score 9.0 out of 10
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Score 9.0 out of 10
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User Ratings
Remote Desktop ServicesTeamViewer
Likelihood to Recommend
9.3
(0 ratings)
8.7
(0 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
6.0
(0 ratings)
10.0
(0 ratings)
Usability
6.6
(0 ratings)
9.0
(0 ratings)
Availability
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(0 ratings)
Performance
5.0
(0 ratings)
9.1
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
3.0
(0 ratings)
9.5
(0 ratings)
In-Person Training
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(0 ratings)
Online Training
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(0 ratings)
Implementation Rating
-
(0 ratings)
8.9
(0 ratings)
Configurability
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(0 ratings)
Ease of integration
5.0
(0 ratings)
9.1
(0 ratings)
Product Scalability
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(0 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
-
(0 ratings)
8.4
(0 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Remote Desktop ServicesTeamViewer
Likelihood to Recommend
Remote Desktop Services provides access to work environments from any device. This allows us to ensure business continuity in case of disaster. It provides admins more control over access and security. Remote Desktop Services simplifies software updates and compliance management by reducing the need to act on end users devices.
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Most suitable for large corporations who want to have real-time control of multiple devices in different countries. It is not suitable for scenarios where permissions for using the system need to be obtained from the user for every session if there is no support subscription in place.
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Pros
  • Relative ease of setup: in comparison to some of the other solutions on the market (Citrix, etc.), Remote Desktop Services is rather easy to set up and get configured in your environment.
  • Feature set: Microsoft offers a good deal of the same features many competitors offer in the same space including a mobile app and the ability to have a "native" app feel for a remote application.
  • Inexpensive Licensing: in comparison to other solutions on the market Remote Desktop Services is inexpensive.
  • Move LOB applications closer to their server counterparts: this goes for all remote solutions, but if you have a line of business application that makes a great deal of calls across the network to your data center, your remote office users will likely benefit from the performance and stability side by moving those client side applications into the data center.
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  • Quick support is an nice feature to make it easy for the end user to download and use
  • Easy to connect using numbers
  • The connection is always good when connected to an end user
  • The tool is easy to use, the buttons are easy to understand what the use for it is
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Cons
  • Advanced configuration is required.
  • Off-site access from a different network is very insecure unless a VPN can be used.
  • It's complicated and relatively costly for multi-user environments, as each user or device requires a CAL on top of the server licensing.
  • Incredibly complicated licensing strategy from Microsoft.
Read full review
  • Now, it doesn’t work in fast network environments: sometimes, data is delayed during transfer.
  • There are a small number of ways that a user is allowed to change the interface on the device.
  • Some minor increases in difficulty with advanced functions of the application.
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Likelihood to Renew
No answers on this topic
As long as I continue to provide remote support for my clients, it's a no brainier. For what I pay out, I probably make it back tenfold in the ability to provide remote support from wherever and whenever. Not to mention the saved gas money for a fix that only takes 5 minutes but it takes you 20 minutes to get there. As my business continues to grow, and I support more and more clients, my need for TeamViewer will only grow.
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Usability
Once set up it works well and is extremely easy for users. Getting it right can be difficult, it is easy to setup insecurely. Maintenance can be difficult with only a single broker and with manual switchover required for redundant gateways. Troubleshooting access issues can also be difficult
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Compared to other products I've used (ConnectWise Control), TeamViewer is harder to set up and get connected. It is especially difficult to set up "permanent" unattended remote access, where you want to be able to connect to and control a remote computer without having to exchange codes and passwords every time you connect.
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Reliability and Availability
No answers on this topic
We get what we need with our TeamViewer licence.
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Performance
There are some third party tools available that allow you to manage multiple connections.
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Steady connection and easy quick connect and disconnect
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Support Rating
As with any Microsoft Server product, support for Remote Desktop Services requires a paid support package. These are license-based and very costly, on top of the already costly product licensing. Microsoft's licensing is complicated to begin with, so setting up licensing alone essentially requires a licensing expert's counsel. There is community documentation and support available on Microsoft websites, as well as community websites.
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The support from the Teamviewer team has always been top notch. Any support ticket that we have submitted has been handled very quickly and with the best possible resolution. We find in most cases, contacting for a support ticket is not even necessary, as the knowledge base is more than adequate.
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In-Person Training
No answers on this topic
As expected without any problem! Alternate in-person training is another efficient way to learn how a product works. There are many third party supporters for TeamViewer courses available that can give additional ideas how to use TeamViewer for specific functions and features as we did require in respect of our usage.
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Online Training
No answers on this topic
I have never used the online training either. I have watched a few informational videos that were helpful when learning how to do a specific procedure within TeamViewer and get the most out of the software by utilizing one of the many features that are available with the software. Again, 5 if for neutral.
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Implementation Rating
No answers on this topic
Installation and configuration of the TeamViewer does not pose a huge problem and we were able to install the software in our network within one week. Helping staff was organized in the form of training sessions to understand the different aspects that it offers and because of its rich graphical user interface, adoption was easy.
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Alternatives Considered
We used RDS on-site primarily because of how easy it is for users to transition from their own desktop to a remote desktop. However, from off-site, there are VPN and other security considerations to take into account, and the process gets a little more complex. In this situation, especially if you're trying to support a user who is outside the local network, it can be easier to use something like Chrome Remote Desktop or TeamViewer. However, the Windows functionality of RDS is totally unmatched.
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In my position, I have also used AnyDesk because we frequently utilize various software for different tasks. However, we opted for TeamViewer because our team members are not technically inclined. They are experts in other areas. TeamViewer was the ideal choice for us since we needed a software program that even non-techies could use.
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Scalability
No answers on this topic
I've rarely had problems with the product.
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Return on Investment
  • Remote Desktop Services has had a major positive ROI impact at our firm. There were a number of times when our staff was traveling abroad to business meetings with a laptop that had missing presentations. But once they had internet access, a Remote Desktop Services connection is established, and presentation data can now be shown directly from their laptops as if theyr'e sitting in our office.
  • Remote Desktop Services has made it possible for Mac staff users to use their computing devices to access our network system to run Windows applications and access all our network data.
  • Remote Desktop Services has made it possible for our staff to successfully work remotely from outside the office. There were many occasions when emergencies came up which prevented staff from coming into the office to work. But as long as they have a computer with an internet connection, they used Remote Desktop Services to connect to our terminal server and successfully ran the programs to modify data files on the network without losing a beat.
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It took about 3 months.
  • Customer Support of our business has become more interactive with customers, leading to faster resolution of their problems.
  • Remotely accessing devices in our office allows employees to stay productive while working from home.
  • TeamViewer helps us to collaborate with other firms for projects we're doing.
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ScreenShots

TeamViewer Screenshots

Screenshot of how TeamViewer lets users connect to devices and provide remote support.Screenshot of where devices are a few clicks away.Screenshot of the interface to monitor and manage devices proactively.Screenshot of some of TeamViewer's integrations