AnyDesk vs RustDesk
Updated October 2026 · AppBreakup editorial
AnyDesk
A fast, lightweight remote desktop client with a free personal tier and tiered business licences.
RustDesk
Open-source remote desktop software you can run on your own relay server instead of a vendor's cloud.
The short answer
AnyDesk and RustDesk work the same way, with an ID and password or an accepted prompt to reach another machine, but they differ in who controls the servers. AnyDesk is a commercial product with a fast proprietary client and cloud relays, plus an on-premises option on its top tier. RustDesk is open source and built to be self-hosted, so traffic can stay on your own relay for free. The biggest difference is vendor convenience versus ownership.
AnyDesk or RustDesk: our take
AnyDesk's strength is its low-latency codec and small client, which stay responsive on slower links, and its long platform list, including Windows back to XP SP2, macOS 11 Big Sur and later, Linux, Raspberry Pi, iOS and Android. The free version covers personal use with session timeouts. Paid Solo, Standard, Advanced and Ultimate tiers add users, simultaneous sessions, address books, custom-branded clients and management features, and only the Ultimate licence can run on-premises. It is widely abused by tech-support scammers, so some companies block it.
RustDesk is written in Rust and licensed under AGPL-3.0. You can try it against a free public relay, but it is designed for running your own server on Docker, Linux, Windows or a Synology NAS. Free self-hosting costs $0/month, and the paid Server Pro edition, from $11.88/month, billed annually for an individual, adds a web console, user accounts, access control, OIDC sign-in, address books and branded clients. There is no vendor-hosted service, so you need the skills to set up and maintain the server, and the admin tools are less polished than commercial rivals.
Both support file transfer and unattended access on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android, so the choice is mostly about infrastructure and budget.
Choose AnyDesk if you want something that works immediately without running a server, or need support for very old Windows machines. Choose RustDesk if you are comfortable running a small server and want remote access without paying per seat or routing sessions through someone else's cloud.
Which should you pick?
Choose AnyDesk if…
- Freelancers and small IT teams wanting a quick, light client at a lower price than TeamViewer
- Small client that starts quickly and stays responsive on weak links
- Free tier for personal use
Choose RustDesk if…
- Admins and privacy-minded users who want TeamViewer-style access on their own server
- You want open-source software
- You need Self-hosted, which AnyDesk doesn't list
- Free, open-source client and server
- Traffic can stay entirely on your own relay
About each app
What is AnyDesk?
AnyDesk is a remote desktop app built around its own low-latency codec, so sessions tend to feel responsive even on slower connections. You install a small client, share an ID or address, and the other side accepts; unattended access with a password is also available for your own machines. It is a common pick for small IT shops and freelancers who find TeamViewer pricey, and the free version covers personal use with some session limits. Paid licences come in Solo, Standard, Advanced and Ultimate tiers that add more users, simultaneous sessions, address books, custom-branded clients and management features. The top Ultimate tier can run on an on-premises appliance for organisations that cannot route traffic through AnyDesk's cloud. Clients cover Windows going back to XP, macOS, Linux, Raspberry Pi, iOS and Android. AnyDesk is a frequent tool of phone scammers posing as tech support, so only accept sessions from people you contacted yourself.
What is RustDesk?
RustDesk is an open-source remote desktop app written in Rust that works much like TeamViewer or AnyDesk: each device gets an ID, you connect with a password or an accepted prompt, and you can transfer files, chat and use unattended access. The difference is control. You can point clients at a free public relay to try it, but the project is designed for self-hosting: the open-source server runs on Docker, Linux, Windows or a Synology NAS, so session traffic stays on infrastructure you own. A paid Server Pro edition adds a web console, user accounts, access control, OIDC sign-in, address books and custom-branded clients, licensed by login users and managed devices. Note that this is self-hosting software, not a hosted service. The client is free under the AGPL and runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android. Expect a bit more setup and fewer polished admin tools than commercial rivals.
Side by side
| Attribute | AnyDesk | RustDesk |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free plan + paid | Open source |
| Open source | No | Yes |
| Self-hostable | Yes | Yes |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted |
| Best for | Freelancers and small IT teams wanting a quick, light client at a lower price than TeamViewer | Admins and privacy-minded users who want TeamViewer-style access on their own server |
| Status | Active | Active |
AnyDesk vs RustDesk pricing
AnyDesk: free plan + paid
- Licence tiers: Solo, Standard, Advanced, Ultimate source
- Free version limits: Session timeouts source
RustDesk: open source
RustDesk pricing pagePlatforms
| Platform | AnyDesk | RustDesk |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | ||
| macOS | ||
| Linux | ||
| iOS | ||
| Android | ||
| Self-hosted |
AnyDesk facts
5 of 5 verified- Licence tiers
- Solo, Standard, Advanced, Ultimate
- Checked Oct 25, 2026support.anydesk.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “AnyDesk offers the following licenses: Solo Standard Advanced Ultimate”
- On-premises
- Yes, with the Ultimate licence
- Checked Oct 25, 2026support.anydesk.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “License: Ultimate The AnyDesk On-Premises lets you host your own AnyDesk appliance server on your internal network, using either physical or virtual hardware.”
- Oldest Windows supported
- Windows XP SP2
- Checked Oct 25, 2026support.anydesk.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Desktop operating systems Operating System Supported Versions Notes Windows Windows XP SP2 and later”
- macOS support
- macOS 11 Big Sur and later
- Checked Oct 25, 2026support.anydesk.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “macOS 11 Big Sur and later”
- Free version limits
- Session timeouts
- Checked Oct 25, 2026support.anydesk.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “If you want to avoid session timeouts altogether, consider upgrading to a paid license.”
RustDesk facts
4 of 4 verified- Free self-hosting
- $0/month
- Checked Oct 25, 2026rustdesk.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Free self-hosting plan $ 0 /month USD Open source and free”
- License
- AGPL-3.0
- Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “License: AGPL-3.0 (GNU Affero General Public License v3.0).”
- Individual Pro server
- $11.88/month, billed annually
- Checked Oct 25, 2026rustdesk.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Individual self-hosting Pro plan $ 11.88 /month USD billed annually”
- Hosted service
- No, self-hosted only
- Checked Oct 25, 2026rustdesk.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “This pricing is for self-hosting solution, it is NOT a SaaS subscription.”
Pros and cons of AnyDesk
- 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
- 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
Pros and cons of RustDesk
- Free, open-source client and server
- Traffic can stay entirely on your own relay
- Familiar ID-and-password workflow
- Affordable Pro server for teams
- Self-hosting the server takes some setup and upkeep
- Admin console and user management need the paid Pro server
- No vendor-hosted SaaS option
Other apps to consider
TeamViewerInstead of AnyDesk
The more established option with more add-ons, if broader IT features matter more than price.
SplashtopInstead of AnyDesk
Comparable speed with straightforward annual pricing for individuals and teams.
SupremoInstead of AnyDesk
Another light, install-free client with low prices and free non-professional use.
MeshCentralInstead of RustDesk
Another free self-hosted option that adds device management through a web portal.
Apache GuacamoleInstead of RustDesk
Self-hosted gateway for browser access to existing RDP, VNC and SSH servers.
DWServiceInstead of RustDesk
Free open-source agent with browser-based access and nothing to host yourself.
AnyDesk vs RustDesk: common questions
Is AnyDesk better than RustDesk?
AnyDesk and RustDesk work the same way, with an ID and password or an accepted prompt to reach another machine, but they differ in who controls the servers. AnyDesk is a commercial product with a fast proprietary client and cloud relays, plus an on-premises option on its top tier. RustDesk is open source and built to be self-hosted, so traffic can stay on your own relay for free. The biggest difference is vendor convenience versus ownership.
Is AnyDesk free?
AnyDesk has a free plan, with paid plans for more features. See its verified pricing facts above for current limits.
Is RustDesk free?
Yes. RustDesk is free, open-source software you can host yourself.
Is AnyDesk or RustDesk open source?
RustDesk is open source; AnyDesk is not.
Which platforms do AnyDesk and RustDesk support?
AnyDesk: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android. RustDesk: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android and Self-hosted.