Kitsmith / Utilities / RustDesk
RustDesk
Free and open source; optional self-hosted Pro server plans from $11.88/mo billed annually · Open source
Price checked at source August 29, 2026.
Free, open-source remote desktop with 113K+ GitHub stars — self-host your own server, or just use the free public relay.
Our take
The one entry here that pitches itself directly against the rest of this list — "Switch from TeamViewer, AnyDesk, and Splashtop" is the developer’s own homepage headline. The client and its default relay servers are free and open source (AGPL-3.0); paid self-hosted Pro plans from $11.88/mo billed annually are strictly optional, for teams that want to run their own server with SSO, LDAP, and audit logs rather than route through RustDesk’s public infrastructure. One thing worth knowing upfront: the developer’s own homepage carries a blunt scam warning — a side effect of how often the app gets used by tech-support scammers talking victims through an install, not a flaw in the software itself.
- Price
- Free and open source; optional self-hosted Pro server plans from $11.88/mo billed annually
- License
- Open source
- Requires
- macOS 12 or later; free direct download from rustdesk.com or via Homebrew.
- Get it via
- Homebrew · Direct
- Developer
- Purslane Tech Pte. Ltd.
Do you use RustDesk?
Who made this
RustDesk describes itself as “built in public with a vibrant community” rather than crediting an individual — its own homepage and GitHub README name no founder, only a “RustDesk Team.” Purslane Tech Pte. Ltd. is the legal entity named in the app’s own licensing terms for the optional paid self-hosting tier.
What it does
Open source, AGPL-3.0
113K+ GitHub stars per the developer — the source is public and auditable rather than a black box.
Self-hosting option
Run your own relay server via a two-command Docker install for full data control, using either the free OSS server or a paid Pro tier.
Cross-platform
Native clients for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android, per the developer.
The deal
- Client and default public relay servers: free and open source (AGPL-3.0)
- Self-hosted Pro server (optional): Individual $11.88/mo, Basic $23.88/mo, billed annually — for teams wanting SSO, LDAP, and audit logs on their own infrastructure
Worth knowing: RustDesk’s own homepage displays a scam warning ("If you are on the phone with someone you DON’T know AND TRUST who has asked you to install RustDesk, do not install and hang up immediately") — a reflection of how often the app is used in tech-support scams, per the developer’s own front-page notice. Legitimate personal and business use is unaffected.
RustDesk — questions people ask
Is RustDesk really free?
Yes — the client and its default public relay servers are free and open source (AGPL-3.0). Paid self-hosting plans ($11.88/mo+ billed annually) are only for teams that want to run their own server with extra admin features, not required to use the app.
Who makes RustDesk?
Purslane Tech Pte. Ltd., per the developer’s own terms and conditions.
Why does RustDesk’s website warn about scams?
Because its ease of remote access has made it a common tool for tech-support scammers walking victims through an install over the phone — the developer posts the warning directly on its homepage.
Is RustDesk free?
Yes — RustDesk is free.
Does RustDesk work alongside a notch app like Alcove?
Yes — RustDesk lives in the screen, so it runs happily alongside any Dynamic Island hub or notch app.
Where can I download RustDesk?
RustDesk is available via Homebrew, Direct.
Is RustDesk open source?
Yes — RustDesk is open source.
Reviews
No public ratings yet. Reader reviews are coming to Kitsmith soon.
Listing hand-verified August 29, 2026 from the developer's site and public sources.
How RustDesk compares
Also in remote access
AnyDesk
Free for personal use; professional Solo license from $28.90/mo billed annuallyOne of the two most recognized names in remote desktop software — free for personal use, professional licenses from $28.90/mo.
Jump Desktop (RDP, VNC, Fluid)
$34.99 one-time (Mac App Store); 14-day free trial via direct download; Jump Desktop for Teams is a separate per-user subscriptionAn RDP/VNC client built around a proprietary "Fluid" protocol, with SSO, MDM, and 2FA for teams — $34.99 one-time via the Mac App Store.
Windows App
Free (Mac App Store)Microsoft’s own client for Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, and remote PCs — free on the Mac App Store, formerly called Microsoft Remote Desktop.
TeamViewer
Free for personal use; commercial licenses from $24.90/mo billed yearly (Remote Access)One of the best-known remote-support brands — free for personal use, commercial licenses from $24.90/mo.