Kitsmith / Compare / RustDesk vs AnyDesk
MacRustDesk vs AnyDesk
RustDesk vs AnyDesk: verdict, pricing, and specs compared, so you can pick the right one for your Mac.
At a glance
RustDesk
Free and open source; optional self-hosted Pro server plans from $11.88/mo billed annuallyFree, open-source remote desktop with 113K+ GitHub stars — self-host your own server, or just use the free public relay.
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.
Spec comparison
RustDesk
- Price
- Free and open source; optional self-hosted Pro server plans from $11.88/mo billed annually
- Pricing model
- Free
- License
- Open source
- Placement
- Screen
- Channels
- Homebrew · Direct
- Category
- Utilities
AnyDesk
- Price
- Free for personal use; professional Solo license from $28.90/mo billed annually
- Pricing model
- Freemium
- License
- Proprietary
- Placement
- Screen
- Channels
- Homebrew · Direct
- Category
- Utilities
The verdict
RustDesk’s own marketing names AnyDesk directly as an incumbent it’s trying to unseat, and the core difference holds up: RustDesk’s client and default relay servers are free and open source for any use, personal or commercial, while AnyDesk’s free tier is personal-use only — running it for work requires a paid Solo license from $28.90/mo billed annually. AnyDesk counters with a dedicated macOS client, a proprietary DeskRT codec built for low latency, and reach into more platforms (Apple TV, FreeBSD, Raspberry Pi, ChromeOS). Pick RustDesk if cost and source-code transparency matter more than a polished commercial product; pick AnyDesk if you want an established company’s paid tier and broader device support.
Which one should you pick?
Pick RustDesk if…
- Pick RustDesk if you want the client free for any use — personal or commercial — not gated behind a paid business license
- Pick RustDesk if you want the option to self-host your own relay server, or just use the free public one
- Pick RustDesk if source-code transparency matters to you — it’s AGPL-3.0 with 113K+ GitHub stars, per the developer
- Pick RustDesk if you’re comfortable installing via Homebrew or a direct download rather than the Mac App Store
Pick AnyDesk if…
- Pick AnyDesk if you want the proprietary DeskRT codec’s marketed low-latency performance
- Pick AnyDesk if you need to reach devices beyond the core desktop platforms — Apple TV, FreeBSD, Raspberry Pi, and ChromeOS are all supported
- Pick AnyDesk if you’d rather pay an established German company (AnyDesk Software GmbH) for a dedicated macOS client
- Pick AnyDesk if occasional personal use is all you need for now — it’s free until you use it commercially
RustDesk vs AnyDesk — questions people ask
Is RustDesk or AnyDesk free?
RustDesk’s client and default relay servers are free and open source for both personal and commercial use, with optional paid self-hosting from $11.88/mo. AnyDesk is free for personal use only — using it for work requires a paid Solo license from $28.90/mo billed annually.
Which one is open source?
RustDesk — the client and default relay servers are AGPL-3.0, with 113K+ GitHub stars per the developer. AnyDesk isn’t open source.
Why does RustDesk’s website show a scam warning?
Because it’s frequently used by tech-support scammers walking victims through an install over the phone — the developer posts a warning about this directly on RustDesk’s homepage. Legitimate personal and business use is unaffected.