Hello everyone, how are you all doing today? I hope you are all having a great day today. I just received some good news but for some reason, I am not that excited about it? What gives? I think I have a problem lol anyway, read on…
On this page you will find the most popular remote desktop programs for the latest Mac OS X that will allow you to connect to Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, Windows Vista and just about any Linux OS including Ubuntu, for free.
- The rise and fall of Back to My Mac. For some Mac users, remote access software became a category to consider when Apple removed Back to My Mac from macOS Mojave, and it was completely turned off.
- REFOG Keylogger Software – monitor your kids computer activities, chats and social communications with easy online access. Invisible and undetectable for Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7.
Screens Express is a great solution to the problem of remote troubleshooting for family members, friends or clients. Simply download and run this free utility on the Mac you wish to control and connect via Screens. It's that easy!
Install Chrome Remote Desktop software to your Mac. Now, log into the corresponding Remote app on an iPad or another Mac. We have a more detailed guide to setting up Google Chrome Remote Desktop. Apr 30, 2020 There are various professional first-party, third-party, open source, and freeware remote desktop applications, some of which are cross-platform across various versions of Windows, Mac OS X, UNIX, and Linux. Lets begin with a list of the best remote desktop software for MacOS, let us know if you want us to include your app here by contacting us.
What Is Remote Desktop?
The term remote desktop refers to a software or operating system feature that allows a personal computer’s desktop environment to be run remotely on one system, but the concept applies equally to a server.
Remote access can also be explained as remote control of a computer by using another device connected via the internet or another network. This is widely used by many computer manufacturers and large businesses’ help desks for technical troubleshooting of their customers’ problems. There are various professional first-party, third-party, open source, and freeware remote desktop applications, some of which are cross-platform across various versions of Windows, Mac OS X, UNIX, and Linux. Lets begin with a list of the best remote desktop software for MacOS, let us know if you want us to include your app here by contacting us.
#1. Microsoft Remote Desktop App For OS X
Downloa Microsoft Remote Desktop for OS X
With the Microsoft Remote Desktop app, you can connect to a remote PC and your work resources from almost anywhere. Experience the power of Windows with RemoteFX in a Remote Desktop client designed to help you get your work done wherever you are.
Main Features:
• Access to remote resources through the Remote Desktop Gateway
• Secure connection to your data and applications with breakthrough Network Layer Authentication (NLA) technology
• Simple management of all remote connections from the connection center
• High quality video and sound streaming with improved compression and bandwidth usage
• Easy connection to multiple monitors or projectors for presentations
• Print from Windows applications to any printer configured on your Mac
• Access local files on your Mac from your Windows applications
• Support for Azure RemoteApp
Microsoft Remote Desktop Screenshot
By far the best remote desktop app for Mac, especially if you plan to connect to a Windows computer. I have been using this app for the past 2 years and so far I can’t really complain, it’s free, fast and it works, but it is made by Microsoft lol, some of you might not like it just because of that, so lets continue with the list…
#2. Apple Remote Desktop App For OS X
Download Apple Remote Desktop
Apple Remote Desktop is the best way to manage the Mac computers on your network. Distribute software, provide real-time online help to end-users, create detailed software and hardware reports, and automate routine management tasks — all from your own Mac.
Software Distribution:
-Easily copy and install software on remote Mac systems.
-Encrypt network data when copying packages and files.
-Configure a Task Server to assist with package installations on offline computers.
Remote Assistance:
-Observe and control your Mac computers.
-Transfer files between Mac computers using Drag and Drop.
-Copy and paste information between any two computers.
-Prevent end-users from viewing the screen while you control their systems with Curtain Mode.
-Control Virtual Network Computing (VNC)–enabled computers including Windows, Linux and UNIX systems.
Remote Administration:
-Perform over a dozen commands securely on remote Mac systems.
-Remotely lock screens, sleep, wake, restart and shutdown of Mac systems.
-Execute UNIX shell scripts or commands on your client systems.
Asset Management and Reporting:
-Perform lightning-fast searches with Remote Spotlight search.
-Gather reports on more than 200 Mac hardware attributes.
-See reports on user logins and application use.
-Use a Task Server to assemble inventory reports, even from mobile systems not connected to the network.
Automation:
-Automate routine management tasks
-Get started immediately with over 40 actions.
-Chain actions together to create powerful system administration workflows.
-Combine actions with other application actions to create end-to-end solutions.
-Save workflows as plug-ins to provide simple, customized interfaces to Apple Remote Desktop features.
Apple Remote Desktop App Screenshot
#3. Chrome Remote Desktop For Mac
Chrome Remote Desktop allows users to remotely access another computer through Chrome browser or a Chromebook. Computers can be made available on an short-term basis for scenarios such as ad hoc remote support, or on a more long-term basis for remote access to your applications and files. All connections are fully secured.
Chrome Remote Desktop is fully cross-platform. Provide remote assistance to Windows, Mac and Linux users, or access your Windows (XP and above) and Mac (OS X 10.6 and above) desktops at any time, all from the Chrome browser on virtually any device, including Chromebooks.
Chrome Remote Desktop App Screenshot
This is as good as it gets because it is free and absolutely easy to get it working. You just need the Chrome browser on each computer you are trying to connect to and it works flawlessly, the only reason it is #2 instead of #1 on this list is because not everyone wants to install Chrome on their computers, again, I don’t know why you wouldn’t want Chrome but yeah, let us continue…
#4. Jump Desktop App For OS X
Download Jump Desktop On Mac
Jump Desktop is a remote desktop application that lets you securely connect to any computer in the world. Compatible with both RDP and VNC, Jump Desktop is secure, reliable and very easy to set up.
Secure:
Jump encrypts the connection between computers to ensure privacy and security. Automatic connections are always encrypted by default. Supports NLA, TLS/SSL encryption for RDP. SSH Tunnelling and SSL/TLS encryption for VNC.
Supercharged Productivity:
Use Mac keyboard shortcuts in Windows. Seamlessly switch between computers without changing the way you use the keyboard. Vastly improves productivity. Fully customizable: Configure your own shortcuts or use the built-in defaults. No other app comes close.
Mac To Mac Remote Control
Integrated into OS X
Quickly search and launch computers directly from Spotlight. Sync connections using iCloud. Tightly integrated into Mavericks’ and Yosemite’s power saving technology to give you the best battery life on the go.
RDP features:
* Tested on: Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Server 2003, Server 2008, Server 2008 R2, Server 2012/R2, SBS Server
* RD Broker and Load balancer support.
* RD Gateway support
* Secure: 128-bit RDP, TLS/SSL, FIPS and NLA authentication supported
Supports 8, 16 and 24-bit colors and all RDP performance options
* Printing support: Print directly to a Wi-Fi printer using RDP’s printer redirection feature (exclusive feature on the App Store!)
* Audio streaming
* Console sessions
* Folder sharing
* International keyboard layouts
* SSH support
VNC features:
* The fastest VNC engine on the planet!
* Tested with Mac OS X, TightVNC, RealVNC, UltraVNC, Linux (Ubuntu Remote Desktop)
* Secure: Supports SSH tunneling as well as SSL encryption (SSL only available when using automatic setup)
* Black and white, Grayscale, 8-bit and 16-bit color modes to help manage bandwidth
* Clipboard syncing
* Multiple monitor support
* Supported encodings: copyrect, zrle, tight, (zlib)hextile, zlib, rre, raw, desktop-resize
Jump Desktop Screenshot
#5. Royal TSX App For OS X
Download Royal TSX For Mac
Royal TSX is the perfect tool for server admins, system engineers, developers, and IT-focused information workers using OS X, who constantly need to access remote systems with different protocols.
Main Features:
- Access and manage your connections
- Credential management
- Tabbed user interface
- Connection Plugins (Currently available: Remote Desktop, VNC, Apple Remote Desktop, SSH, Telnet, Web)
Royal TSX App Screenshot
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Remote control of your Macintosh allows you to access a remote (host) computer across a network or the Internet from a local (client) system. The screen of the shared host computer appears locally, and you use your mouse and keyboard to control the other system from afar. Historically there have been fewer options to accomplish this for Macs than PCs, but the situation has been improving steadily.
Part 1 of this covers general considerations and Apple-supported methods available for remote system control that will generally work on any version of Mac OS X (Jaguar, Panther, Tiger, and Leopard). Part 2 addresses some commercial solutions that also support multiple OS versions, along with how to force-reboot a remote Mac. Part 3 looks at on new options provided by Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard.
General Considerations
Remote control capabilities vary by method used and include remote desktop control (screen sharing), file transfers, and system management (patches and updates). With any remote desktop method, access to the remote system is slower than when you are sitting in front of that computer. The method used, network bandwidth available, and types of traffic will determine the “sluggishness” factor.
Minimizing the amount of data you need to transmit for screen sharing will make the process run more quickly. Closing unnecessary windows on the remote system and using a flat single-color desktop (instead of a complicated picture or pattern) will speed up response. Patience is a must, but remember it’s usually faster than traveling there!
Needs and realities often dictate your options. Some remote control methods work across different versions of the Mac OS (or cross-platform), while others require the same OS version on local and remote machines. Some methods require you to know the IP address of the remote system to connect and may require special firewall configurations, while others will work without any special settings or knowledge – usually!
It’s often helpful to use two remote control methods simultaneously (if possible), especially if you’re running a server or access is otherwise critical. Programs crash, network and Internet conditions vary, and you may find yourself locked out at a critical time. Sometimes method B works when method A doesn’t; then you can fix method A or reboot the machine from afar.
Apple Remote Desktop (ARD)
Apple’s native remote control solution is Apple Remote Desktop (ARD). ARD server software has been built into Mac OS X since 10.3 Panther and was available as an optional install for earlier versions of OS X. ARD provides the full gamut of remote system control: scalable screen sharing, file transfers to and from the remote systems, and remote software updating of individual machines and whole networks at a time. On a LAN, network admins with multiple Macs to manage will find this tool indispensable.
To enable an ARD host (server) in Panther and Tiger, go to System Preferences –> Sharing and turn on Apple Remote Desktop, then click Access Privileges and enable all desired services for one or more users. In Leopard you also enable ARD via System Preferences –> Sharing, but control capabilities have been split into separate Screen Sharing and Remote Management sections; click Options for choosing Remote Management services. ARD access from afar is via your host Mac’s account password.
To control an ARD-shared host computer, you need to use the Apple Remote Desktop administrator software. Apple sells two versions, a 10-client version for $299 or an unlimited client version for $499. The client limit dictates how many remote systems you can manage simultaneously; most home users and small business will be fine with the 10-client version. Bonjour support is available to find systems on your local network, or you can add them by IP address.
Across the Internet you must know the IP address of the remote computer or network gateway to establish a connection; this requires either a static IP address on the remote end or the use of a dynamic DNS locator service (like DynDNS) to find your remote system in times of need. ARD requires forwarding TCP and UDP ports 3283 through firewalls. Traffic can be routed across VPNs if one is available.
ARD is a powerful tool, but power comes at a price. Fortunately for home and small business users there are other options.
Virtual Network Computing (VNC)
VNC is an open source software effort to provide cross-platform remote screen sharing capabilities. Long an option for Windows, VNC support was spotty on Mac OS 9 but is solid on Mac OS X. It has become my primary method of controlling remote Macs and PCs from other Macs (and PCs) when static IP addresses are available.
The remote Mac needs to run a VNC server; starting with Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger the built-in ARD software has included the option to use VNC for screen sharing. Go back to System Preferences –> Sharing –> Apple Remote Desktop (Tiger) or Screen Sharing (Leopard) and click the Access Privileges or Options button (as applicable). Enable Share Screen with VNC clients and use a strong password.
On pre-Tiger Macs or as an alternate option for all Macs, the free Vine VNC Server (for OS X and OS 9) and it’s older precursor, OSXvnc, offer excellent VNC server packages with more options than Apple’s built-in server. In my experience the Vine and OSXvnc packages are more stable and resilient than Apple’s built-in server – I’ve had onboard VNC stop working many times and require a reboot to fix, while the standalone server rarely fails. I use Vine VNC Server on many of the business systems I support.
A VNC client viewer application is required to view your remote Mac on your local system. Apple did not provide a VNC viewer in Mac OS X until 10.5 Leopard (see Part 3 of this series), but the open source market came earlier to the rescue. Chicken of the VNC is a good free VNC viewer with a silly name, and it runs on Mac OS X 10.3 Panther through 10.5 Leopard.
For a step up, $30 will get you the Vine VNC Viewer; this software is faster and more stable than Chicken of the VNC, and it offers screen size scaling (invaluable when controlling a big screen from a small laptop) and clipboard sharing. Mac OS X Tiger or Leopard is required.
Both Vine and Chicken of the VNC will find local network systems using Bonjour. Across the Internet you will need to know the IP address of the remote computer or use a dynamic DNS locator service. VNC uses TCP port 5900 for control and, as with ARD, requires port forwarding through firewalls and routers. VNC works fine across VPNs.
VNC provides screen sharing capabilities without file transfers. To work around this limitation you can use a network and/or Internet-accessible resource that both systems can reach: an FTP server, a shared Mac disk using AFP (AppleShare), a shared Windows volume using SMB, or a webserver with upload/download capability. Post the software or document from one system and grab it from the other via your shared disk or server.
Continued in Software to Remotely Control and Reboot Your Mac.
Methods of Mac Remote Control
- Part 1: Remotely Control Your OS 9 or OS X Mac
This article was originally published on Adam’s Oakbog website. It has been adapted and reprinted here with his permission.
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Remote Control Software For Windows
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