- What is Rustdesk?
- Key Benefits of Rustdesk
- How Rustdesk Connects
- Feature Comparison Table
- Remote Desktop Software and Pricing Comparison
- Who Should Use Rustdesk?
What is Rustdesk?
Rustdesk is a modern, open-source remote desktop tool that allows you to control computers over the internet or in a local area network (LAN). Similar to TeamViewer or AnyDesk, Rustdesk focuses on privacy, self-hosting, and full user control.
You can either use Rustdesk with public relay servers or set up your own rendezvous and relay server. This gives you complete control over your data—ideal for privacy advocates, system administrators, and businesses.
Key Benefits of Rustdesk
✅ Free & Open Source (Community Edition)
✅ No installation required (on Windows)
✅ End-to-end encryption (via NaCl)
✅ Fast peer-to-peer LAN connections
✅ Optional self-hosted servers
✅ Cross-platform: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Web, Steam Deck
How Rustdesk Connects
Rustdesk uses modern connection technologies:
- Peer-to-peer encrypted connections (NaCl)
- Dynamic relay via public or self-hosted rendezvous servers
- Optional LAN-only mode for maximum speed and privacy
- Privilege escalation (local or remote) when needed
Feature Comparison Table
| Feature | Rustdesk | TeamViewer | AnyDesk | Splashtop | Chrome Remote | Windows RDP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remote Control | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| File Transfer | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Clipboard Sync | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Multi-Monitor Support | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Audio Transmission | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| 4K & AV1 Video Streaming | ✅ | Partial | Partial | ✅ | ❌ | Partial |
| Self-Hosting Capable | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Remote Desktop Software and Pricing Comparison
| Software | Price (Private Use) | Platforms |
|---|---|---|
| Rustdesk | Free (Community Edition) | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web, Steam Deck |
| TeamViewer | Free (limited), from €16.90/month | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, ChromeOS |
| AnyDesk | Free (limited), from €22.90/month | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, ChromeOS |
| Splashtop | From €4.58/month | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, ChromeOS |
| Chrome Remote Desktop | Free | Chrome browser (with Google account) |
| Windows Remote Desktop | Free (LAN only) | Built into Windows only |
Who Should Use Rustdesk?
✅ Home users: No ads, no account required
✅ IT admins: Full control via self-hosted servers
✅ Companies: Integrate into custom support solutions
✅ Developers: Open-source on GitHub for full transparency
