RustDesk
Open-source remote desktop with a free self-hosted server and paid, annually licensed administration, access control and identity features.
Remote control and self-hosting, file operations and paid administration; ITSM automation is less turnkey.
Clients are approachable but self-hosting, network configuration, permissions and recovery require technical ownership.
Free OSS server and published annual Pro unit pricing; hosting and custom license quantities are extra.
Open-source code and paid OIDC/LDAP, 2FA, logs and policies support internal control; deployment quality remains an operator responsibility.
Scored by Vishal Singh
Quick facts
- Vendor
- Purslane Tech Pte. Ltd. (RustDesk)
- Pricing model
- Free RustDesk Server OSS self-hosted license; RustDesk Server Pro Individual $11.88/month equivalent billed $142.56 annually, Basic $23.88/month equivalent billed $286.56 annually; Customized
- Plan pricing
- Free server license ($0); Pro from $11.88/month equivalent, billed $142.56/year
- Free plan
- Yes — check limits
- Free trial
- Yes — check eligibility
- Last verified
- 11/6/2026
About RustDesk
RustDesk is an open-source remote desktop client and self-hostable remote access platform. It connects a technician, employee or administrator to another computer for interactive screen viewing, keyboard and mouse control, file transfers and practical support workflows. The product is unusual among commercial remote desktop alternatives because organizations can run their own RustDesk Server OSS or pay for RustDesk Server Pro, giving them control over the identity and relay infrastructure. RustDesk is therefore relevant to IT support teams, managed service providers, privacy-conscious businesses and technically capable individuals who want a remote access tool they can self-host. The desktop client runs on common computer operating systems, with mobile and other builds available, but the precise remote-control behavior depends on platform security permissions and installed client versions. It can also use an ID and relay arrangement to negotiate connections when peers are behind NAT or restrictive firewalls. Organizations that choose their own server assume responsibility for that server's connectivity, availability, patching, backups and network rules. The free RustDesk Server OSS is an open-source server backend for connection discovery and relay with a $0 software license. It offers a route to remote access without a mandatory commercial server subscription. Its administrative functions should not be confused with the paid Server Pro edition. Published paid pricing excludes the operator-owned server; web console access does not imply browser client access, which has a separate license eligibility formula.
Best for
Technically capable IT teams and organizations seeking a self-hosted remote desktop and relay architecture with optional paid user, device and identity management.
RustDesk pros and cons
Pros
- Free and open-source self-hosted server backend provides a $0 software license starting point.
- Administrators can control the remote-access server, relay architecture and infrastructure location.
- Pro offers user/device management, audit logs, access policies, 2FA and centralized settings.
- Published annual Individual and Basic pricing makes server license allowances easy to compare.
- Cross-platform client builds, file transfer and remote-control functions cover common support needs.
Cons
- −Self-hosting introduces server administration, firewall, TLS, backups, outages and maintenance work.
- −Advanced identity, audit and device administration features require Server Pro.
- −Paid license counts login users and managed devices; Custom V2 has separate concurrent-connection rules.
- −Browser-based remote sessions have a licensing threshold beyond the entry-level web console.
- −No managed SaaS service is included in the published self-hosted server prices.
Features
Platforms
Integrations
Pricing — verified 11/6/2026
What you’ll actually pay
$0 server software license. Operators provide and maintain their own server and relay infrastructure.
$11.88 per month equivalent billed annually ($142.56/year), not a monthly-payment option; 1 login user and 20 managed devices.
$23.88 per month equivalent billed annually ($286.56/year); 10 login users, 100 managed devices and directory integration.
Starts at Basic pricing; add users at $1.20 and managed devices at $0.12 each per month equivalent, with annual payment.
Starts at Basic pricing with distinct limits on concurrent connections; additional concurrent connections cost $24/month equivalent billed annually.
Contact RustDesk for license and deployment needs beyond self-service plan limits.
Official pricing / availability source · Checked 6 November 2026. Confirm current taxes, regional terms and allowances. A listed plan is not necessarily the cheapest option.
Editorial verification: 11/6/2026. Check the vendor's site for current pricing.
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