Microsoft Remote Desktop vs Teamviewer: Difference and Comparison

Remote Desktop Technology is very important and useful in today’s world. Through this process, we can connect to another computer over a network, which is not possible to access physically.

We can remotely access as well as manage other computers from a single location.

In this article, we shall look at their common features and differences. This will help us choose the better fit for our use.

Key Takeaways

1. Microsoft Remote Desktop is a free, built-in Windows feature for remote access, while TeamViewer is a third-party software with cross-platform compatibility.
2. TeamViewer offers advanced features such as file transfer, remote printing, and session recording, whereas Microsoft Remote Desktop focuses on basic remote access functionality.
3. TeamViewer provides robust security with end-to-end encryption and two-factor authentication, while Microsoft Remote Desktop relies on Windows’ built-in security features.

Microsoft Remote Desktop vs Teamviewer

Microsoft Remote Desktop is ideal for system administrators that allows users to access a remote computer on the same network using a remote desktop protocol (RDP). TeamViewer is a remote access software that enables users to remotely control a computer or mobile device over the Internet.

In this system, a user can seek access or grant permission to multiple other computers from a distance. It uses its remote server, which is considered a great advantage. It makes the working simple and can work on low-speed internet.

The users work with RDP client software. It is a well-developed software and has a simple operation. It does not support IoT devices. It is comparatively expensive.

On the other hand, Teamviewer solely focuses on the security of the user and their system. It even makes room for the user to know what is happening in the process. It starts directly after the installation.

It does not require any firewall configuration or port forwarding. It does support a wide range of IoT devices. It is totally free for commercial purposes.

Comparison Table

Parameters of Difference	Microsoft Remote Desktop	Teamviewer
Compatibility	Can only work with Windows devices.	Can work on a wide variety of platforms which include Windows, OS, iOS, Android, macOS, etc.
Cost	It is expensive and complicated.	For non-commercial purposes, it is free of cost.
Internet speed	A fast internet connection is not mandatory since it uses the remote server	It requires a constant, fast network connection.
Files	Very easy to access and deal with files and folders.	Sharing large files is not allowed.
Connection	We can connect it to any device.	Both the connection requires the same version of Teamviewer.

What is Microsoft Remote Desktop?

However, certain drawbacks of Microsoft Remote Desktop are needed to be discussed. The security system of Microsoft Remote Desktop is not very strong.

First of all, it does not have two-factor authentication by default. Hence the RDP ports are open.

Thus we can see there is a great risk and prone to hacking. Hence we need to use VPN whenever we are using Microsoft Remote Desktop technology. It also promotes monitoring and controlling the devices.

It is only compatible with devices with windows. Although it is very easy to update, the whole system remains inaccessible during runtime. This causes delays or difficulty in our work. It does not allow remote reboot, which is yet another limitation.

It is as well expensive and a bit complicated for multi-users. In some cases, it might need a third party for the operation. Considering the security purpose, many users might not be comfortable with this access.

What is Teamviewer?

Teamviewer is probably the most compatible technology. It has the facility to communicate through chats, video calls, and voice calls. It is free of cost for non-commercial purposes and thus less expensive.

The best part is that it is compatible with a wide range of devices, from Windows to Android.

One of the main responsibilities of Teamviewer is to provide security. It provides high-standard security with two-factor authentication. Moreover, it uses AES 256-bit encryption to provide the user with end-to-end security.

In case of any suspicious event, it directs the user to reset the password. When it senses a weak password, it recommends the user change it. Furthermore, it offers screen locks and other physical facilities to protect our data.

Although it provides all the easy and safe features for a user’s needs, there are certain drawbacks too. First of all, sharing of large files is not allowed.

This type of restriction might be problematic in emergency conditions where we have no other way to access it. Secondly, it requires a constant high-speed internet connection. It might hamper the process since the connections are distant.

Main Differences Between Microsoft Remote Desktop and Teamviewer

1. The main difference between Microsoft Remote Desktop and Teamviewer is the advantage of the former one over the latter one on the basis of compatibility. Microsoft Remote Desktop can only work with Windows devices, whereas Teamviewer can work with Windows, OS, iOS, Android, macOS, etc.
2. Next is the internet speed, which is an important point while accessing something over a distance. Microsoft Remote Desktop requires a fast internet connection since it uses a remote server. On the other hand, requires a constant, fast network connection.
3. Coming to the connection between the two networks. Microsoft Remote Desktop can be connected to any device. In the case of Teamviewer, Both the connection requires the same version of Teamviewer.
4. Microsoft Remote Desktop is expensive and complicated. Teamviewer is free of cost for non-commercial purposes.
5. In Microsoft Remote Desktop, it is very easy to access and deal with files and folders. In Teamviewer, sharing large files is not allowed.

References

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167739X17304776
2. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/8958721/