---
title: RustDesk
canonical: https://saasranked.com/software/rustdesk/
category: Remote Desktop Software
points: 87
rank: 1 of 8
facts_checked: 2026-10-08
---

# RustDesk

Open-source remote desktop app you can run on your own server for free, with paid Server Pro licences for teams.

87 points out of 100. #1 of 8 remote desktop tools. Vendor: Purslane Tech Pte. Ltd.. Website: https://rustdesk.com/

- The client is open source under AGPL-3.0, and the self-hosted server (hbbs and hbbr) is free [1][3][11].
- Server Pro Individual costs $11.88 a month, billed annually, for 1 login user and 20 managed devices [1].
- RustDesk says every connection is end-to-end encrypted with NaCl by default [9].
- OIDC single sign-on and LDAP start on the Basic Server Pro plan, at $23.88 a month billed annually [1].
- Server Pro is a licence for a server you run yourself; it is not a hosted subscription and does not auto-renew [1].

Verdict: RustDesk suits people and teams who want remote access that runs through their own server, free in its open-source form [1][3]. It covers every major system plus a web client, and documents file transfer, remote printing, session recording and Android control [2][6][7]. The catch: you run and maintain the server yourself, account features such as two-factor sign-in need Server Pro, and it publishes no security certification [4][5]. Best for: People who want to self-host their remote access.

## Points

| Criterion | Line | Value | Points | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Systems | Apps | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | 15/15 | Supported platforms include Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS and web; iOS devices cannot be controlled remotely [2]. |
| Systems | Connect from a browser | Yes | 5/5 | The docs list Web as a supported platform, and RustDesk runs a public web client [2][12]. |
| Features | Unattended access | Yes | 6/6 | RustDesk describes connecting when nobody is at the remote machine, now also on Linux with Wayland in a preview build [10]. |
| Features | File transfer | Yes | 5/5 | File transfer is a controllable permission, and the Android app transfers files with remote devices [6][8]. |
| Features | Multiple monitors | Yes | 4/4 | A monitors toolbar shows the remote displays, and multi-monitor setups are supported [7][10]. |
| Features | Remote printing | Yes | 3/3 | Windows devices can enable a remote printer for incoming connections [7]. |
| Features | Session recording | Yes | 4/4 | Sessions can be recorded, including automatic recording of incoming and outgoing sessions [7]. |
| Features | Wake-on-LAN | Yes | 4/4 | After LAN discovery, Wake-on-LAN can work if the local network supports it [7]. |
| Features | Control Android devices | Yes | 4/4 | An Android device can share its screen and allow input control by the connecting device [6]. |
| Security | Encrypted sessions | Yes | 5/5 | RustDesk says traffic is end-to-end encrypted, built on NaCl, on every connection by default [9]. |
| Security | Two-factor sign-in | Yes | 5/5 | Server Pro accounts can turn on two-factor authentication [5]. |
| Security | Single sign-on | Yes | 5/5 | OIDC single sign-on is included from the Basic Server Pro plan [1]. |
| Security | SOC 2 Type II or ISO 27001 | Not published | 0/5 |  |
| Security | Self-hosting | Yes | 5/5 | Both the free open-source server and Server Pro run on systems you manage, with your own ID and relay servers [3]. |
| Price | Free for personal use | Yes | 10/10 | The free self-hosting plan is open source and costs $0 [1]. |
| Price | Cheapest paid plan | $11.88/mo | 7/10 | Server Pro Individual, $11.88 a month billed annually [1]. |
| Price | Monthly billing | No | 0/5 | RustDesk says it offers only annual payment plans [1]. |

## Plans

| Plan | Price | Per month (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Free (self-hosted) | Free [1] | $0 |
| Server Pro Individual | $11.88/month, billed annually [1] | $11.88 |
| Server Pro Basic | $23.88/month, billed annually [1] | $23.88 |
| Server Pro Customized | From $23.88/month, billed annually [1] | $23.88 |

RustDesk does not auto-renew licences; it emails a reminder 14 days before expiry [1].

## Strengths

- Free and open source, including the self-hosted server [1][11].
- Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS, and in a web browser [2].
- Sessions are end-to-end encrypted by default, RustDesk says [9].
- Server Pro licences do not renew automatically [1].

## Limits

- You install and maintain the server yourself; the free server comes with community support only [3].
- Two-factor sign-in, the web console and access control need a paid Server Pro plan [4].
- iPhones and iPads cannot be controlled remotely [2].
- No monthly billing; Server Pro plans are paid annually [1].
- The web client is built into Server Pro only on larger plans, where users × 10 plus devices is at least 400 [1].

## Vendor claims (not scored)

- RustDesk says its GitHub project has more than 113,000 stars [13].

## Sources

1. [RustDesk Pricing - Self-Hosted Remote Desktop Server Plans](https://rustdesk.com/pricing/), RustDesk, accessed 2026-10-08
2. [RustDesk Client – RustDesk Documentation](https://rustdesk.com/docs/en/client/), RustDesk, accessed 2026-10-08
3. [Self-host – RustDesk Documentation](https://rustdesk.com/docs/en/self-host/), RustDesk, accessed 2026-10-08
4. [RustDesk Server Pro – RustDesk Documentation](https://rustdesk.com/docs/en/self-host/rustdesk-server-pro/), RustDesk, accessed 2026-10-08
5. [2FA – RustDesk Documentation](https://rustdesk.com/docs/en/self-host/rustdesk-server-pro/2fa/), RustDesk, accessed 2026-10-08
6. [Android – RustDesk Documentation](https://rustdesk.com/docs/en/client/android/), RustDesk, accessed 2026-10-08
7. [Advanced Settings – RustDesk Documentation](https://rustdesk.com/docs/en/self-host/client-configuration/advanced-settings/), RustDesk, accessed 2026-10-08
8. [Control Role – RustDesk Documentation](https://rustdesk.com/docs/en/self-host/rustdesk-server-pro/control-role/), RustDesk, accessed 2026-10-08
9. [RustDesk vs VNC: NAT Traversal, Codecs, Encryption](https://rustdesk.com/blog/rustdesk-vs-vnc), RustDesk, accessed 2026-10-08
10. [Unattended Remote Access on Wayland with RustDesk](https://rustdesk.com/blog/unattended-remote-access-wayland), RustDesk, accessed 2026-10-08
11. [GitHub - rustdesk/rustdesk](https://github.com/rustdesk/rustdesk), GitHub, accessed 2026-10-08
12. [FAQ – RustDesk Documentation](https://rustdesk.com/docs/en/self-host/rustdesk-server-pro/faq/), RustDesk, accessed 2026-10-08
13. [RustDesk: Open-Source Remote Desktop with Self-Hosted Server Solutions](https://rustdesk.com/), RustDesk, accessed 2026-10-08