Parallels Access vs. TeamViewer vs. Chrome Remote Desktop: A Comparative Evaluation 2024

What are the best remote desktop software?

Remote desktop technology has succeeded in transforming the IT industry and the manner in which modern business is conducted. Customer satisfaction, worker efficiency, maintenance costs, and worker retention have all been positively affected by remote desktop technology.

The advanced technology enjoyed today allows many individuals to complete job duties without going to the office. Remote desktop systems add to this ability and provides greater connectivity to desktop computer users. This added flexibility can benefit both the work and personal lives of computer users.

What's the Best Remote Desktop Software? TeamViewer, Parallels Access and Chrome Remote Desktop are our 3 top picks – they're both easy and intuitive to use, however, their core abilities and applicable groups will be different. If you're tossing between them, read on for this comparison of the three most popular remote desktop apps, and I'm sure you'll find the right one!

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1. Overview：Parallels Access vs. TeamViewer vs. Chrome Remote Desktop

#1. TeamViewer ——Best for Team Collaboration

TeamViewer is a great remote access solution for businesses and individuals. The app is completely free for private, non-commercial use. It offers a wide range of features, including remote desktop access, full keyboard functionality, multi-monitor support, and real-time sound and video transmission, making it ideal for technical support. TeamViewer stands out from the other options on our list thanks to its long list of integrations, including popular productivity tools like Zoho, Salesforce, Microsoft Azure, and Zendesk. Commercial subscription plans start at $50.90 per month for a single user and allow for up to 10 remote meeting participants depending on your plan. You can add 200 to 500 managed devices.

Download: Android | iOS

#2. Parallels Access ——Best for Mobile Remote Access

Want to turn your phone into a remote access super-tool? Parallels is extremely affordable for individuals and businesses alike and it lets you access your computer from anywhere in the world. 

Parallels Access is designed primarily to enable users to access and control remote computers from mobile devices. Most of its features are focused on providing mobile access, though the tool also supports connectivity between computers. It is an economical solution for users needing access to corporate or private machines from their smartphones or tablets.

Download: Android | iOS

#3. Chrome Remote Desktop ——Best free browser-based software for Google users

Google’s Chrome Remote Desktop is a free solution suitable for small teams or individual use. It provides basic functionality that can be sufficient in some usage scenarios. The fact that the tool is free and easy to use makes it worth a look despite ranking low in our evaluation of more comprehensive applications.

Download: Android | iOS

2. Pricing Comparison：Parallels Access vs. TeamViewer vs. Chrome Remote Desktop

Chrome Remote Desktop

Chrome Remote Desktop only provides a single plan option because it’s completely free to use any and all Chrome Remote Desktop features.

Typically, this free offerings are kept to a single user and just two remotely accessible devices.

This means free remote access software isn't great for remote IT support. It's still a fine option for a freelancer that wants to work on two different computers, or one who wants to access their personal computer from their mobile device while on the go. However, a business that needs to supply remote IT support to more than just a couple of employees will likely find a paid service suits their needs better.

TeamViewer Plans

TeamViewer is free for personal use (for non-commercial use only), though if you plan to use it on the job, you’ll want to review the paid subscription options, all of which offer a free 15-day trial.

As a leading remote access software tool, this is a shockingly good value- and thanks to frequent TeamViewer discounts and sales, costs are quite affordable and appealing throughout the year.

TeamViewer meets reasonable security standards, with its 2048-bit RSA key exchange and 256-bit AES session encoding. The interface is intuitive, and thanks to the service's mass remote deployment feature, it's easy to quickly set up across multiple devices. Features include desktop sharing, online conferencing, and remote file transfers.

The pricing is average for the industry, and the large number of devices supported makes TeamViewer particularly attractive for large or medium-sized businesses in need of a way to remotely support hundreds of employees.

Parallels Access Plans

Parallels Access has a personal plan and a business plan. The one-user personal plan offers five remote computers plus unlimited mobile devices, and is available in a one-year subscription for $19.99 ($1.67/month) or for a two-year $34.99 subscription ($2.92/month). 

The business plan is $49 per year ($4.08/month), and includes unlimited users, but still caps remote computers at just five, although mobile devices are unlimited. For an additional $49.99 per year, organizations can also continue to add sets of 5 computers.

In other words, while this is the cheapest service on the market, the fact that it only supports five remote computers makes it limited. It's best for small businesses or startups with tiny teams, and it offers a great set of features for mobile devices.

3. Features Comparison：Parallels Access vs. TeamViewer vs. Chrome Remote Desktop

TeamViewer Features

• Basic features: 

Remote access is provided with a host of features that includes VoIP, drag-and-drop file transfer, remote printing, software integrations, mass deployment options, and reporting on users and machine access. The tool is both cloud-based and installable, giving your employees options and making it easy to implement across an organization.

• Dedicated macOS support: 

TeamViewer 15.12 for macOS supports the new Apple M1 chips as well as the latest version of the macOS operating system. The company states that this version of TeamViewer promotes enhanced performance and uses less energy.

Key Features:

• IoT Device Control: Control internet-enabled devices and monitor them from any part of the world.

• Device-Agnostic Connectivity: It’s a reliable feature for businesses that have BYOD (Bring your own device) culture or CYOD (choose your own device) policy.

• Augmented Reality Remote Guidance: Leverage AR tools to gain access to the remote camera of smartphones to have a closer look at devices.

• Non-Profit Pricing: It offers non-profit pricing for non-profit organizations and businesses to help them sustain.

Parallels Access Features

• Basic features: 

The tool enables you to run desktop applications on your mobile devices without sacrificing clarity or usability. Access and manage files on remote machines or in the cloud from anywhere with an intuitive interface optimized for mobile devices.

• Advanced features: 

The modified remote desktop display is designed to be more user-friendly when employing the tool from a mobile device. You can access remote computers from any web browser without any additional software installation. The app’s unique Parallels Access File Manager lets you copy files from a remote computer or the cloud to your mobile device, allowing you to view your files without internet access. You can also access your files in the cloud, manage files stored on your computer, and share files from your computer or mobile device. On top of these great file management features, Parallels Access offers several standard remote access tools like application management, copying and pasting, and iPad multitasking support.

Key Features:

• Seamless UX: It offers an immersive user experience on Android, iOS, and HTML5 browsers.

• Task Automation: Maximize resource utilization through automation of common, repetitive, and even complex tasks by leveraging PowerShell cmdlets and REST-API.

• Advanced Access Control: Enforce business policies based on user groups and end user’s device types to ensure the security of corporate data.

• Multitasking: It allows multiple applications to operate along with the storage of different files. Users can easily switch between different files and applications through native gestures.

Chrome Remote Desktop Features

Features are less in Chrome desktop when compared to Teamviewer. 

• Ease of use: 

The Google Chrome browser is very popular and if you are running it, you don’t need any additional software installation. Setting up a remote session is a relatively simple activity.

• Screen sharing:

You can share your screen with the tool to assist a remote user with a task or assume control of their machine to resolve a problem.

• Security: 

Authentication is handled by sending a one-time code that eliminates the chance that devices can be used without permission.

Key Features:

• Attractive Features: It’s reliable and offers simple remote desktop services, including password management, shared database & vaults, role-based access control system, and more.

• Multiple Users Login: Allow other users to log in to the remote machine.

• Quick Setup: You just need to have a Chrome browser and Google account to use the software.

• Entirely Free: One of the most reliable solutions in the market that is available free of cost.

4. Performance Comparison：Parallels Access vs. TeamViewer vs. Chrome Remote Desktop

Parallels Access offers high performance at an incredibly low latency. This ensures a stable connection and smooth working, even in areas with poor internet connectivity.

Chrome Remote Desktop is simple to download and install and very intuitive to use. Even less tech-savvy users will be able to make the most of it. No more complicated installation processes or confusing features that bog down the experience. Only speed and straightforward tools.

5. Interface Comparison：Parallels Access vs. TeamViewer vs. Chrome Remote Desktop

They have a user-friendly interface that made it possible to locate all of their features. Image scaling was smooth with 3 apps and they provide easy connectivity for remote desktops and mobile devices.

One of our favorite things about Parallels Access is its elegant GUI for users. Rather than simply viewing your desktop screen on a mobile device, it presents an updated, user-friendly version, as most of its competitors do.

Parallels is available for both iOS and Android, although some abilities (opening desktop applications while on mobile, support for Samsung S Pen) are specific to Android devices. Adding it to mobile is a quick process, too, using an installation link or QR code rather than an app download.

6. Operating System Comparison：Parallels Access vs. TeamViewer vs. Chrome Remote Desktop

Chrome Remote Desktop is built to remotely control the desktop and hence the computer systems. We cannot use chrome remote desktop to control mobile or any other systems. Flexibility is less for changing to other systems.

Multi-platform support is another of TeamViewer’s features. It can be run on machines running Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome OS, Android, iOS, and Blackberry OS. This support allows remote connectivity from virtually any type of device. Teamviewer is built to control any systems, be it computers or mobiles or any others, remotely and do the maintenance as per the systems’ requirement. This flexibility makes Teamviewer popular among its users.

No matter where you are, no matter what device you use, Parallels Access is here for you and your remote desktop needs — across all platforms. Thanks to mobile plugins, even smartphones can be accessed from afar. 

7. Pros And Cons Comparison：Parallels Access vs. TeamViewer vs. Chrome Remote Desktop

The pros and cons of Chrome Remote Desktop, Parallels Access and TeamViewer are outlined in the following tables. We think this will help you compare their features and make the correct purchasing decision.

TeamViewer:

Pros

• Free for non-commercial use

• Multi-platform operating system support including for IoT devices

• Enables training sessions for teams of up to 25 members

• Drag-and-drop file sharing across multiple locations

• Status to indicate if a device is being remotely accessed

• Easy to install and update with no router configuration needed

• Users can communicate in multiple ways including voice, video, whiteboard, text chat, and with TeamViewer Pilot, 3D annotations
  

• TeamViewer integrates with other third-party tools like Zendesk, Salesforce, and MobileIron
  

• Share application windows or complete desktops

• Easy to use and set up
  

• Superior customer support

• Robust security and protection (256-bit AES Encryption and 2-Factor Authentication)
  

Cons

• Base plan only supports 1 user

• Requires a fast and continuous Internet connection

• Can be costly for commercial purposes that require licenses

• Requires the same version of the software to be installed on both sides of the connection

• Cannot share large files

• Is not compatible with proxy servers

• Users cannot view 2 remote systems at the same time

• Additional cost for mobile access

Parallels Access：

Pros

• Unlimited users

• Unlimited mobile devices

• More stable and overall better performance, even at low bandwidths

• Free mobile usage (Android, iOS)

• A Great experience on your mobile device

• Great for accessing files in Windows via Android and macOS via iOS.

• Gesture feature available, and mobile app works in complete window mode.

• Mobile-friendly user interface;

• iPad multitasking is supported.

• 24/7 access to your files and applications

• iOS pointer support

Cons

• Apart from accessing files from the desktop via the mobile app, there are no other significant distinguishable features.

• Lacks some advanced features present in other solutions.

• Some features only work on Android devices

• Does not support controlling remote networks;

• Only supports five remote computers

Chrome Remote Desktop:

Pros

• Cross-platform compatible

• Is completely FREE (no upgrading necessary)

• Setup is simple

• You can create a PIN to enable another user to log in through different machines

• Provides a Chrome Remote Desktop app to deliver more intuitive experience through keyboard shortcuts and lesser space for the browser toolbar

• It also provides powerful Android and iOS applications to ensure remote access of machines through smartphones

• Comes with the reliability and security of Google, including access with the Google Chrome browser

Cons

• No other abilities are other than controlling remote devices.

• Not suitable for large teams

• Offers limited features that may look inefficient for a business

• Remote printing and file sharing not available

• Cannot remotely wake up sleeping computers

• You need to have a Google account to access this tool

• Can only be used with Chrome browsers

8. Customer Support Comparison：Parallels Access vs. TeamViewer vs. Chrome Remote Desktop

TeamViewer 

• Support available: Email, Phone, Ticket, Knowledge Hub, Community, Documents & Manuals

Parallels Access

• Support available: Chat, Email, Community, Support Resources & Product Downloads

Chrome Remote Desktop 

• Support available: Email, Help Center, Community Help

Technical support is not good in Chrome remote desktop where we need to get help from Google help or contact the support team directly. We don’t have any SOS buttons to contact the customer support team and the application is not specialized to solve customer issues.

Conclusion

Chrome Remote Desktop is completely free for users to use. So, you can access all the features without any cost. Most importantly, it is one of the software that is easiest to set up, use and access. But as with most “you-get-what-you-pay-for” instances, limitations come with the free price tag. If you’re looking for functionalities like chat, video calls, and screen-sharing, Chrome Remote Desktop is unfortunately not the remote access solution for you.

Parallels Access is ideal for single-users and small businesses because it’s affordable, and provides better support. 

However, TeamViewer is an equally excellent software, and boasts greater performance and many additional features.

TeamViewer is free for personal use, which means any tasks within your personal life for which you are not being paid. Connections between personal devices at home or helping friends and family remotely qualify as personal use.

TeamViewer offers a more productive platform for working and collaborating with coworkers. The tool facilitates sharing control of remote computers, making presentations, or brainstorming problem resolution. Its drag-and-drop interface makes it a simple task to send and share files.

Team sessions are another feature that makes TeamViewer a good solution for businesses. These sessions enable a system administrator to manage multiple remote machines simultaneously, streamlining the installation of software updates and patches.

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