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Apple Remote Desktop
What Apple Remote Desktop is
Apple Remote Desktop is paid software for managing networked Mac computers from a Mac. It supports remote screen observation and control, Curtain Mode, file transfer, software distribution, hardware and software reporting, and administration commands. Administrators can connect to VNC-enabled Windows, Linux, and UNIX computers, and run actions such as locking, sleeping, waking, restarting, shutting down, or executing UNIX shell commands on remote Macs. Inventory reports cover more than 200 Mac hardware attributes, plus user login and application use. A Task Server can help install packages on offline computers and gather inventory from mobile systems away from the network. Automator integration provides more than 40 actions for chained workflows. Encryption for Copy Items and Install Packages is optional rather than enabled by default, and non-Apple VNC connections are not encrypted. The listed price is $79.99 a month. There is no free plan or trial. The App Store listing requires macOS 15.5 or later.
Who it suits
Apple Remote Desktop suits administrators managing Mac fleets and VNC-enabled Windows, Linux, or UNIX systems. It is useful for remote control, software distribution, reporting, commands, and Automator workflows.
What it does well
- Remote screen control with Curtain Mode
- File transfer and software distribution
- Reports over 200 Mac hardware attributes
- Task Server supports offline installations
- More than 40 Automator actions
What to know first
- No free plan or trial
- $79.99 a month
- Some encryption is not enabled by default
- Non-Apple VNC connections are unencrypted
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Remote Desktop | Mac app · Requires macOS 15.5 or later | $79.99, paid once |
As apple.com lists them, read 9 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Apple Remote Desktop combines Mac administration, VNC control, reporting, distribution, and automation. Its recurring price and encryption settings should be considered alongside the required macOS version.
Facts from Apple Remote Desktop's own pages
- Access mode
- both · apps.apple.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Automation
- It integrates with Automator in macOS and includes more than 40 actions that can be chained into workflows and saved as plug-ins. · apps.apple.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Compatibility
- The App Store listing says the app requires macOS 15.5 or later. · apps.apple.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Developer
- The App Store identifies Apple Inc. as the seller and Apple as the developer. · apps.apple.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Encryption
- Apple says network encryption for Copy Items and Install Packages is not enabled by default and can be enabled per task or in Remote Desktop preferences; connections to computers running non-Apple VNC software are not encrypted. · support.apple.com, 9 Oct 2026
- File transfer
- It supports drag-and-drop file transfer between Macs and can copy and install software on remote Mac systems. · apps.apple.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- No · apps.apple.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Inventory reports
- It can report on more than 200 Mac hardware attributes and show user login and application use reports. · apps.apple.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Apple Remote Desktop manages networked Mac computers from a Mac, including software distribution, remote assistance, reporting, and routine administration. · apps.apple.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Recent version notes
- The listing identifies version 3.10, dated October 8, 2025, and lists macOS Tahoe 26 compatibility, remote keyboard and accessibility menu and toolbar items, VoiceOver support for remote Mac, and bug fixes and performance improvements. · apps.apple.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Remote commands
- It can securely run more than a dozen commands on remote Macs, including locking, sleeping, waking, restarting, and shutting down systems, and executing UNIX shell scripts or commands. · apps.apple.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Screen control
- It can observe and control Mac computers and use Curtain Mode to prevent end users from viewing the screen during control. · apps.apple.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- macOS,Windows,Linux,and UNIX via VNC · apps.apple.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Supported VNC clients
- It can control VNC-enabled computers, including Windows, Linux, and UNIX systems. · apps.apple.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Task Server
- A Task Server can assist with package installations on offline computers and assemble inventory reports from mobile systems that are not connected to the network. · apps.apple.com, 9 Oct 2026
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