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RustDesk alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave RustDesk: self-hosting the server takes some setup and upkeep, and admin console and user management need the paid Pro server. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces RustDesk, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. MeshCentral currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1MeshCentral logoMeshCentralOpen sourceYesWeb, Self-hosted, Windows +23 of 366.5
2Apache Guacamole logoApache GuacamoleOpen sourceYesWeb, Self-hosted3 of 362.6
3AnyDesk logoAnyDeskFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS, Linux +25 of 559.6
4TeamViewer logoTeamViewerFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS, Linux +35 of 557.2
5DWService logoDWServiceFree plan + paidYesWeb, Windows, macOS +14 of 455.3
  1. MeshCentral logo

    1. MeshCentralTop pick

    Best for: Small IT teams and home-labbers wanting a free self-hosted remote management portal

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Self-hosted, Windows, macOS, Linux

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from RustDesk

    Another free self-hosted option that adds device management through a web portal.

    Pros

    • Free with no per-device or per-technician fees
    • Remote desktop, terminal and files in one web console
    • Agents for Windows, Linux, macOS and FreeBSD

    Cons

    • You run, secure and update the server
    • Interface is dated and dense
    • Less polished mobile support than commercial tools
    Visit MeshCentral Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is MeshCentral a good RustDesk alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    License
    Apache-2.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Agent platforms
    Windows, Linux, macOS, FreeBSD
    Checked Oct 25, 2026meshcentral.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Distribution
    Free on npm
    Checked Oct 25, 2026meshcentral.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Apache Guacamole logo

    2. Apache Guacamole

    Best for: Admins who want browser-based access to internal RDP, VNC and SSH hosts through one gateway

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Self-hosted

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from RustDesk

    Self-hosted gateway for browser access to existing RDP, VNC and SSH servers.

    Pros

    • Nothing to install for end users beyond a browser
    • One gateway for RDP, VNC and SSH
    • Free under the Apache licence
    • Supports MFA, LDAP and session recording

    Cons

    • You must run and secure the server yourself
    • Targets still need RDP, VNC or SSH enabled
    • Setup and configuration are fiddly for beginners
    Visit Apache Guacamole Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Apache Guacamole a good RustDesk alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    License
    Apache-2.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Protocols
    VNC, RDP, SSH
    Checked Oct 25, 2026guacamole.apache.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Client install
    None, browser only
    Checked Oct 25, 2026guacamole.apache.org(opens source in a new tab)
  3. AnyDesk logo

    3. AnyDesk

    Best for: Freelancers and small IT teams wanting a quick, light client at a lower price than TeamViewer

    Free plan + paidSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from RustDesk

    Similar workflow with vendor-run infrastructure, if you'd rather not host anything.

    Pros

    • Small client that starts quickly and stays responsive on weak links
    • Free tier for personal use
    • Supports very old Windows versions
    • On-premises option on the top tier

    Cons

    • Free sessions time out and need restarting
    • Many useful management features sit in higher tiers
    • Widely abused by tech-support scammers, so some firms block it
    Visit AnyDesk Compare with RustDeskDetails and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is AnyDesk a good RustDesk alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Licence tiers
    Solo, Standard, Advanced, Ultimate
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.anydesk.com(opens source in a new tab)
    On-premises
    Yes, with the Ultimate licence
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.anydesk.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Oldest Windows supported
    Windows XP SP2
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.anydesk.com(opens source in a new tab)
    macOS support
    macOS 11 Big Sur and later
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.anydesk.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free version limits
    Session timeouts
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.anydesk.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. TeamViewer logo

    4. TeamViewer

    Best for: Help desks and families who want the tool the other person most likely already knows

    Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from RustDesk

    Commercial support and a polished admin platform for larger organisations.

    Pros

    • Runs on almost every desktop and mobile operating system
    • Free for genuine personal use
    • Only the person giving support needs a licence
    • Large set of IT add-ons once you outgrow plain remote control

    Cons

    • Free users can be flagged for suspected commercial use
    • Business plans are annual only and add up quickly with add-ons
    • Interface has become crowded as the product widened
    Visit TeamViewer Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is TeamViewer a good RustDesk alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Free for personal use
    Yes, own devices or friends and family
    Checked Oct 25, 2026teamviewer.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Billing
    Annual subscriptions
    Checked Oct 25, 2026teamviewer.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Who needs a licence
    Only the supporting expert
    Checked Oct 25, 2026teamviewer.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, ChromeOS, Raspberry Pi
    Checked Oct 25, 2026teamviewer.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Add-on trial
    30 days
    Checked Oct 25, 2026teamviewer.com(opens source in a new tab)
  5. DWService logo

    5. DWService

    Best for: Hobbyists and small admins who want free browser access to desktops and headless servers

    Free plan + paidOpen sourceWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux

    55.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from RustDesk

    Free open-source agent with browser-based access and nothing to host yourself.

    Pros

    • All features free, including shell and file manager
    • Nothing to install on the connecting device
    • Works on headless Linux and Raspberry Pi

    Cons

    • Free plan bandwidth is capped
    • Browser-based screen is less smooth than native apps
    • Few team or admin features
    Visit DWService Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is DWService a good RustDesk alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free plan
    All features, up to 6 Mbps
    Checked Oct 25, 2026docs.dwservice.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Paid plans add
    Only higher bandwidth
    Checked Oct 25, 2026docs.dwservice.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Agent platforms
    Windows, Linux, macOS
    Checked Oct 25, 2026dwservice.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Built-in apps
    Screen, files, shell, editor, log watch
    Checked Oct 25, 2026dwservice.net(opens source in a new tab)

The best RustDesk alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

MeshCentral logo

Best RustDesk alternative for most people

MeshCentral

Another free self-hosted option that adds device management through a web portal.

Apache Guacamole logo

Best RustDesk alternative for a free option

Apache Guacamole

Self-hosted gateway for browser access to existing RDP, VNC and SSH servers.

AnyDesk logo

Best RustDesk alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

AnyDesk

Similar workflow with vendor-run infrastructure, if you'd rather not host anything.

DWService logo

Best RustDesk alternative for open source

DWService

Free open-source agent with browser-based access and nothing to host yourself.

MeshCentral logo

Best RustDesk alternative for self-hosting

MeshCentral

Another free self-hosted option that adds device management through a web portal.

TeamViewer logo

Best RustDesk alternative for Mac

TeamViewer

Commercial support and a polished admin platform for larger organisations.

MeshCentral logo

Best RustDesk alternative for Windows

MeshCentral

Another free self-hosted option that adds device management through a web portal.

MeshCentral logo

Best RustDesk alternative for Linux

MeshCentral

Another free self-hosted option that adds device management through a web portal.

AnyDesk logo

Best RustDesk alternative for iPhone and Android

AnyDesk

Similar workflow with vendor-run infrastructure, if you'd rather not host anything.

MeshCentral logo

Best RustDesk alternative for working in the browser

MeshCentral

Another free self-hosted option that adds device management through a web portal.

RustDesk alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to RustDesk?

MeshCentral ranks first right now. Another free self-hosted option that adds device management through a web portal. Apache Guacamole and AnyDesk follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to RustDesk?

Yes. MeshCentral (open source), Apache Guacamole (open source), AnyDesk (free plan + paid) and TeamViewer (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to RustDesk?

Yes: MeshCentral, Apache Guacamole and DWService. MeshCentral and Apache Guacamole can also be self-hosted.

Which RustDesk alternatives work on Linux?

MeshCentral, AnyDesk, TeamViewer and DWService run on Linux.

Why do people switch from RustDesk?

The complaints we hear most: self-hosting the server takes some setup and upkeep; admin console and user management need the paid Pro server; no vendor-hosted SaaS option.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces RustDesk, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.