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Open-source remote desktop, self-hostable and free client

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6 reviews tracked

The Bottom Line

Entry price

Free plan available, paid tiers above

Biggest pro

You can read the client source and self-host. That is the reason to pick it over TeamViewer or AnyDesk.

Biggest con

Self-hosting is ops work. The free OSS server has no web console.

TL;DR - RustDesk

  • Open-source remote desktop. The client is free. Self-host the server if you do not want their public relays.
  • Server Pro is a self-host license, not SaaS: Individual, Basic, billed annually (rustdesk.com/pricing).
  • No monthly checkout and no auto-renew. One license binds to one hbbs machine.
Pricing: Free plan available
Best for: Growing teams
2.9/5 across review platforms

What is RustDesk?

Editorial review
RustDesk is an open-source remote desktop stack. The client is free. You can use the public rendezvous servers or run your own. Paid money is for RustDesk Server Pro, a self-hosted license, not a SaaS seat. Official prices on rustdesk.com/pricing: Individual Pro, Basic Pro, billed annually. Customized Pro starts at the Basic price plus per extra user and per extra device. There is no month-to-month plan and no auto-renew; they email before expiry. Clients run on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • You can read the client source and self-host. That is the reason to pick it over TeamViewer or AnyDesk.
  • Printed Server Pro prices. Individual and Basic are on the public pricing page.
  • Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS. Server Pro adds a web console, 2FA, and (on Basic) OIDC/LDAP.

Cons

  • Self-hosting is ops work. The free OSS server has no web console.
  • Server Pro is annual. It is not a cloud remote-desktop subscription you can cancel next month.

Ratings Across the Web

2.9(6 reviews)

RustDesk holds an aggregate rating of 2.9 out of 5 from 6 reviews across Trustpilot, last checked August 26, 2026.

Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more

Preview

Key Features

Open-source remote desktop clientOptional self-hosted serverServer Pro web console, 2FA, auditOIDC/LDAP on Basic ProWindows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOSIndividual $11.88 / Basic $23.88 per month, annual

Pricing Plans

Pricing checked Aug 26, 2026

Free

$0 / month USD

  • Open source and free
  • Online status
  • Community support

Individual

$11.88 / month USD billed annually

  • 1 login user
  • 20 managed devices
  • Unlimited concurrent connections
  • 2FA
  • Web console
  • Address book
  • Audit log
  • Change ID

Basic

$23.88 / month USD billed annually

  • Everything in the individual plan
  • 10 login users
  • 100 managed devices
  • OIDC (SSO)
  • LDAP integration
  • Cross group access
  • Custom client generator

Customized

$23.88 / month USD billed annually

  • Everything in the basic plan
  • $1.20 for each additional user
  • $0.12 for each additional device

Customized V2

$23.88 / month USD billed annually

  • Everything in the basic self-hosting plan but with limited concurrent connections
  • Unlimited concurrent sessions per concurrent connection
  • $1.20 for each additional user
  • $0.12 for each additional device
  • $24 for each additional concurrent connection

Is RustDesk worth the price?

85/100

RustDesk's pricing is generous for self-hosters, with a fully functional free tier and the Individual plan at $11.88/mo being a steal for power users.

The Basic plan at $23.88/mo offers strong value for teams with SSO and custom clients, though the Customized tiers add per-user/device costs that can escalate. Best for cost-conscious IT admins and small teams who want control without vendor lock-in.

Hidden Costs & Gotchas

Annual billing only, no monthly option

Customized tiers charge $1.20 per extra user

Customized V2 charges $24 per extra concurrent connection

No free trial for pro features

Self-hosting requires your own server infrastructure

How RustDesk Compares to Competitors

RustDesk undercuts proprietary tools like TeamViewer and AnyDesk by offering self-hosting at a fraction of the cost, with the Individual plan at $11.88/mo being far cheaper than comparable single-user plans. However, it lacks the polished cloud sync and multi-platform polish of Splashtop, making it best for users who prioritize privacy and low cost over ease of use.

How RustDesk's pricing compares

At $11.88/mo, RustDesk is mid-range of its 4 direct competitors ($8 to $28.9/mo across the set).

RustDesk
$11.88
$28.9

Entry paid plan, monthly. Pricing checked Aug 26, 2026.

Reviews

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2.9/5

Across 6 verified user reviews on Trustpilot

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RustDesk FAQ

How does RustDesk support remote development for developer teams?

RustDesk is an open-source remote desktop stack that developer teams can use to access their development environments remotely. Teams can self-host the server to keep code and data on their own infrastructure, and the client runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. This allows developers to work from anywhere while maintaining full control over their tools and files.

How does RustDesk compare to TeamViewer in terms of privacy and control?

RustDesk is open-source and self-hostable, meaning you can run your own server and inspect the client source code. In contrast, TeamViewer is a proprietary cloud service. This makes RustDesk a better choice for organizations that require full control over their remote desktop traffic and data.

What are the main trade-offs of using RustDesk's self-hosted option?

Self-hosting RustDesk requires operational work to set up and maintain the server. The free open-source server lacks a web console, while the paid Server Pro adds a web console, two-factor authentication, and OIDC or LDAP integration. Additionally, the Server Pro license is annual and not a month-to-month cloud subscription that can be canceled at any time.

Which teams benefit most from RustDesk's self-hosted approach?

Teams that require strict data sovereignty, such as those in security-sensitive industries, benefit most from RustDesk's self-hosted approach. IT teams that can manage their own infrastructure and want to avoid per-seat SaaS costs will also find it suitable.

How is RustDesk priced?

RustDesk's client is free, and paid plans are for the Server Pro self-hosted license, which is billed annually. Plans include Individual Pro and Basic Pro, and a Customized Pro plan that adds per-user and per-device costs. There is no month-to-month option and no auto-renewal; you are emailed before expiry.

Can RustDesk be used on mobile devices like Android and iOS?

Yes, RustDesk clients are available for Android and iOS, in addition to Windows, macOS, and Linux. This allows you to access remote desktops from smartphones and tablets using either the public rendezvous servers or your own self-hosted server.

Does RustDesk support two-factor authentication for secure access?

Yes, the paid Server Pro plans include two-factor authentication (2FA). The Basic Pro plan also adds OIDC and LDAP integration. These features are not available on the free open-source server.

Source: rustdesk.com

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