RustDesk vs TeamViewer vs AnyDesk: full comparison
Updated 7/20/2026
All three tools solve the same problem, controlling a computer remotely, but they differ radically on pricing model and privacy. Here is the direct comparison.
Comparison table
| Feature | RustDesk | TeamViewer | AnyDesk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Your own server (fixed cost) | Subscription, per user | Subscription, per device |
| Open-source | Yes | No | No |
| Self-hosted | Yes (own relay) | No | Partial (needs a license) |
| "Commercial use" blocks | No | Yes (frequent) | No, but free-tier limits |
| Data passes through | Your server | Their servers | Their servers |
| End-to-end encryption | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, web | Same | Same |
| Devices/connections | Unlimited | Plan-limited | Plan-limited |
When each is worth it
- RustDesk: the best cost-to-control ratio. Ideal if you want to own the infrastructure, avoid subscriptions and blocks, and scale with no per-device cost.
- TeamViewer: a mature ecosystem and commercial support, but expensive and with the risk of free accounts being blocked.
- AnyDesk: fast and easy, but with costs that grow with the number of devices.
Conclusion
If you care about cost, privacy and control, self-hosted RustDesk is the clear choice: the same functionality, but with the data on your server and no subscriptions. You start it with one click from the app catalog, on a VPS billed by the hour.
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