Comparison

RustDesk vs RudyDesk

Both are free and open-source alternatives to TeamViewer/AnyDesk. But they take different approaches. Here's an honest comparison.

Key Differences

🦀 RustDesk

  • • Written in Rust — native desktop app
  • • Fully open-source (client + server)
  • • Requires installing on both sides
  • • Self-hosted server (hbbs/hbbr)
  • • No browser-based access
  • • No built-in payment/licensing system
  • • Community-driven development
  • • More complex setup for self-hosting

🖥️ RudyDesk

  • • Written in JavaScript/Node.js — PWA + native
  • • Open-source agent, SaaS model available
  • • Client works in browser — no install
  • • Cloud server by default, self-hosted option
  • • Browser-based (PWA) — works on any device
  • • Built-in payments, licensing, referral system
  • • Solo developer, rapid iteration
  • • One-click deployment (cPanel/Docker)

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Feature RudyDesk RustDesk
TechnologyWebRTC + Node.jsRust + TCP/UDP
Client install requiredNo (browser PWA)Yes
Open sourceAgent (MIT)Full (AGPL)
Self-hosted✓ (Node.js)✓ (Rust)
Cloud service✓ rudydesk.com✓ rustdesk.com
E2E EncryptionDTLS-SRTPNaCl
PerformanceGood (WebRTC)Excellent (native)
Setup complexityEasy (npm start)Medium (hbbs+hbbr)
Free tier2 devicesUnlimited
Built-in billing✓ Stripe/PayPal/YooKassa✗
Admin panel✓ Full web admin✓ Console
LDAP/SSO✓Pro only
Telegram bot✓✗
Referral system✓✗
Mobile app✓ React Native✓ Flutter

Honest Assessment

Choose RustDesk if:

  • • You need maximum native performance (gaming, heavy video)
  • • You want a fully open-source solution (AGPL)
  • • You're comfortable compiling Rust and managing hbbs/hbbr
  • • You need unlimited free devices with no restrictions

Choose RudyDesk if:

  • • You want browser-based access without installing anything on the client
  • • You need a business-ready solution (billing, licensing, admin panel)
  • • You're building a commercial remote desktop service
  • • You want easy deployment (npm/Docker/cPanel) without Rust toolchain
  • • You need Telegram notifications and referral system out of the box

Try RudyDesk — No Install Needed

Open in browser, get your device ID, connect in seconds.

Try RudyDesk Visit RustDesk