Microsoft Remote Desktop vs TeamViewer

March 19, 2025 | Author: Michael Stromann
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Microsoft Remote Desktop
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.
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TeamViewer
TeamViewer connects to any PC or server around the world within a few seconds. You can remote control your partner's PC as if you were sitting right in front of it.

Microsoft Remote Desktop and TeamViewer, at first glance, appear to be two incredibly similar products, much like two intergalactic hitchhikers who both happen to own towels of nearly the same shade of blue. They both allow users to poke around on remote computers as if they were physically there, transfer files across the digital ether, encrypt their sessions to keep nosy aliens (or hackers) at bay and even stretch their influence across multiple monitors, because why stop at one? Fundamentally, they exist to make the modern worker’s life easier—or at least more confusing in entirely new and exciting ways.

Microsoft Remote Desktop, hailing from the grand halls of Redmond, USA, has been around since 2001 and was clearly designed by engineers who assumed everyone already lived in a world where all computers ran Windows and everyone knew what a VPN was. It’s built for the serious business of serious business, best suited to those who enjoy configuring network settings while sipping their morning coffee. It comes free with Windows but stubbornly refuses to play nicely with anything that isn’t deeply devoted to the Microsoft ecosystem, much like a cat that only responds to one very specific human and hisses at everyone else.

TeamViewer, meanwhile, emerged from Germany in 2005 and promptly decided that remote access should be as simple as punching in a code and pretending you're sitting in front of a computer that could be halfway across the galaxy. Designed for tech support, remote work and general digital meddling, it allows anyone to connect from anywhere, no mystical network incantations required. Unlike its more corporate counterpart, it welcomes macOS, Linux and even mobile devices with open arms, provided you're willing to cough up some cash for business use. It also throws in a few extra tricks like remote printing, session recording and wake-on-LAN, because why just control a computer when you can also make it do party tricks?

See also: Top 10 Remote Support software
Author: Michael Stromann
Michael is an expert in IT Service Management, IT Security and software development. With his extensive experience as a software developer and active involvement in multiple ERP implementation projects, Michael brings a wealth of practical knowledge to his writings. Having previously worked at SAP, he has honed his expertise and gained a deep understanding of software development and implementation processes. Currently, as a freelance developer, Michael continues to contribute to the IT community by sharing his insights through guest articles published on several IT portals. You can contact Michael by email [email protected]