Loading…
RustDesk
Open source remote desktop software
System UtilitiesFreeOpen SourceReplaces TeamViewer/AnyDesk
RustDesk — Official Website
Quick Take: RustDesk
NaNInstall with Homebrew
brew install --cask rustdeskWhat is RustDesk? — Complete Guide for Mac Users in 2026
RustDesk stands as a leading open-source remote desktop software in 2026, offering a powerful, self-hostable alternative to commercial solutions like TeamViewer and AnyDesk. Built with the Rust programming language, it prioritizes security, privacy, and user control. Its core functionality allows users to remotely access and control computers from various locations, facilitating IT support, remote work, and personal device management. RustDesk is ideal for individuals, small to medium-sized businesses, and IT professionals who value data sovereignty and seek a cost-effective, transparent remote access solution. Since its inception, RustDesk has gained traction due to its commitment to open-source principles, allowing for community contributions and independent security audits. In 2026, its relevance has surged, driven by an increasing demand for secure remote access and concerns over data privacy with proprietary tools. A significant differentiator is its self-hosting capability, which allows users to deploy their own rendezvous/relay servers, ensuring that connection metadata and data traffic remain entirely within their control, bypassing third-party public servers. For Mac users, RustDesk offers native compatibility, supporting macOS 10.14 or later and running efficiently on both Intel-based and Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3) Macs. This ensures optimal performance and energy efficiency on the latest Apple hardware. While some users have reported minor issues with specific macOS versions or permissions, the overall integration is robust, providing a seamless remote experience. RustDesk matters in 2026 as it democratizes remote access, providing enterprise-grade features and security without the hefty subscription fees or vendor lock-in often associated with commercial offerings.
Deep Dive: RustDesk
RustDesk is an open-source remote desktop solution, offering a free and secure alternative to commercial options. It prioritizes user control through optional self-hosting, ensuring data privacy and enhanced security. Written in Rust and based on Flutter, RustDesk supports a wide array of operating systems, including macOS, Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS.
History & Background
RustDesk was founded in 2020 by Huabing Zhou in Shanghai, China, with the vision of creating an open-source alternative to proprietary remote desktop software like TeamViewer and AnyDesk. Initially, RustDesk utilized the Sciter UI runtime library, but in 2023, it transitioned to Flutter for its user interface, marking a significant development milestone with version 1.2.0. While being unfunded as of early 2024, it has attracted interest from investors like OSS Capital. The project has seen continuous development, with regular updates and community engagement on platforms like GitHub, where its history of commits and releases is maintained. In 2023, the developers also added prominent warnings to their website due to fraudsters exploiting RustDesk in technical support scams.
How It Works
RustDesk's technical architecture on Mac, like its other clients, is built with Rust for its core logic, promoting memory safety and security. The user interface is powered by Flutter, enabling a consistent cross-platform experience. For remote connections, RustDesk utilizes a server infrastructure consisting of two main components: the HBBS (rendezvous server) and HBBR (relay server). These servers facilitate authentication, monitor public IP addresses, perform 'hole-punching' to enable direct peer-to-peer connections even behind firewalls or NATs, and act as relays when a direct connection isn't possible. Users have the option to self-host these servers, providing complete control over their data and connection security. The client on macOS requires specific system permissions for screen recording, input monitoring, and accessibility to function correctly.
Ecosystem & Integrations
RustDesk fosters an ecosystem focused on self-hosting and direct integration, rather than a traditional plugin marketplace. Its open-source nature allows for community-driven extensions and integrations, though a formal plugin architecture is still evolving. Key to its ecosystem is the ability to self-host its relay and rendezvous servers, offering users maximum control and privacy, a significant departure from many commercial alternatives. This self-hosting capability allows for integration within private networks and specific IT management solutions, as demonstrated by community efforts to integrate RustDesk with RMM (Remote Monitoring and Management) tools like Tactical RMM. While not a rich plugin system in the conventional sense, its command-line interface and direct IP access features enable integration with other management tools and custom scripting. Integrations with platforms like Remote Desktop Manager (RDM) and authentik (for OAuth provider login in RustDesk Server Pro) demonstrate its growing interoperability within professional IT environments.
Future Development
The RustDesk roadmap, while not always publicly detailed with specific dates, reflects ongoing commitment to stability, security, and expanding functionality. Recent updates have focused on refining the core remote desktop experience and enhancing cross-platform compatibility, particularly for macOS. The project actively addresses reported issues and community feedback, with a strong emphasis on maintaining its open-source integrity. Discussions on platforms like GitHub indicate continuous improvements to server connectivity, especially for self-hosted instances on various operating systems. While a detailed 2025-2026 roadmap akin to game development (like the separate 'Rust' game) isn't explicitly laid out with quarterly feature drops for RustDesk remote desktop, the project maintains a steady release cycle for client and server updates. The community continues to anticipate enhancements in areas like user management for self-hosted servers and broader integration capabilities.
Key Features
Self-Hosting Capability
One of RustDesk's most compelling features is the ability to self-host your own rendezvous and relay servers. This means you are not reliant on public RustDesk servers, granting you full control over your connection data and metadata. For businesses and privacy-conscious individuals, this offers an unparalleled level of security and data sovereignty, eliminating concerns about third-party data handling. Deploying a self-hosted server, often via Docker, is straightforward and ensures enhanced performance and reliability, especially within private networks or for dedicated organizational use. This architectural choice sets RustDesk apart as a truly private remote desktop solution in 2026.
End-to-End Encryption (E2EE)
Security is paramount for remote access, and RustDesk addresses this with robust end-to-end encryption. All remote sessions are secured using NaCl cryptography, ensuring that data exchanged between the local and remote devices remains private and protected from eavesdropping. This encryption is active whether you use RustDesk's public servers or your own self-hosted infrastructure. The E2EE implementation guarantees that only the sender and intended recipient can read the transmitted information, providing peace of mind for sensitive tasks, file transfers, and confidential communications during remote support or collaboration.
Cross-Platform Compatibility
RustDesk offers extensive cross-platform support, making it a highly versatile tool for diverse environments. It seamlessly operates across Windows, macOS (including Apple Silicon), Linux, Android, and iOS devices, as well as providing a web client. This broad compatibility ensures that users can connect to and from virtually any device, regardless of the operating system, simplifying remote management in mixed-OS environments. The ability to connect from a Mac to a Windows PC, or an Android phone to a Linux server, without compatibility hurdles, significantly enhances its utility for individuals and organizations alike.
File Transfer and Clipboard Sync
Beyond screen sharing, RustDesk integrates essential features for efficient remote work, including intuitive file transfer and clipboard synchronization. Users can effortlessly drag-and-drop files between local and remote computers or utilize dedicated file transfer functions, making it simple to share documents, executables, or other resources. The clipboard synchronization feature ensures that text, images, and other data copied on one device can be directly pasted onto the other, streamlining workflows and reducing manual entry. These capabilities are crucial for productive remote support and collaborative tasks.
Unattended Access
RustDesk provides robust unattended access capabilities, allowing users to connect to a remote computer without requiring manual acceptance from the remote end. This is achieved by setting a permanent password for the remote device. This feature is indispensable for IT administrators managing servers or workstations after hours, or for individuals needing to access their home or office computer while away. It significantly enhances flexibility and efficiency for scheduled maintenance, troubleshooting, or simply accessing files on a machine that might be physically unattended.
Real-Time Chat and Audio
For effective collaboration and support, RustDesk includes built-in real-time chat functionality, enabling instant text communication between the local and remote users during a session. This is particularly useful for providing instructions or discussing issues without interrupting the screen view. Additionally, support for audio transmission allows for voice calls during remote sessions, facilitating more natural and direct communication. These integrated communication tools enhance the overall remote assistance experience, making it more interactive and efficient, reducing the need for separate communication platforms.
Session Recording and Screenshots
To aid in documentation, training, and auditing, RustDesk offers the ability to record remote sessions and capture screenshots. Session recording allows for a complete playback of the remote interaction, which can be invaluable for reviewing support steps, creating tutorials, or maintaining compliance records. Screenshots provide quick visual captures of specific moments or issues. These features contribute to a more comprehensive remote desktop solution, offering tangible assets for post-session analysis and knowledge sharing, enhancing both productivity and accountability in various professional settings.
Who Should Use RustDesk?
1IT Support Professional
An IT support professional uses RustDesk to remotely diagnose and fix software issues on client Macs. With self-hosting, they ensure client data privacy while leveraging RustDesk's file transfer and command-line access to efficiently troubleshoot, install updates, and configure system settings without needing physical presence. The cross-platform compatibility allows them to support diverse operating systems from their macOS workstation.
2Remote Worker
A graphic designer working from home uses RustDesk on their MacBook Pro (Apple Silicon) to access a powerful Windows workstation at the office. This allows them to utilize resource-intensive software, access project files stored on the office network, and maintain productivity as if they were physically present, all while benefiting from RustDesk's low-latency performance and secure connection.
3Home Lab Enthusiast
A home lab enthusiast manages multiple virtual machines and single-board computers (like Raspberry Pi) running various Linux distributions from their Mac. They self-host a RustDesk server on a low-power device, using it to securely access and administer their lab components, perform updates, and monitor services, enjoying complete control and privacy over their connections.
4Small Business Owner
A small business owner uses RustDesk to access point-of-sale systems on their retail Macs from their personal MacBook during off-hours. This allows them to check daily reports, perform minor inventory adjustments, and provide quick assistance to staff without needing to be physically at the store, relying on RustDesk's secure and self-hostable solution for sensitive business data.
How to Install RustDesk on Mac
Installing RustDesk on your Mac is a straightforward process, providing you with a powerful remote desktop client that's compatible with both Intel and Apple Silicon architectures. This step-by-step guide will walk you through getting RustDesk up and running, including crucial macOS security permissions.
1
Download RustDesk for macOS
Navigate to the official RustDesk website or its GitHub releases page. Download the latest `.dmg` or `.pkg` file specifically designed for macOS. Ensure you choose the correct architecture if prompted, though universal binaries for Apple Silicon are commonly available now.
2
Install RustDesk via Homebrew Cask (Recommended)
For a cleaner and more manageable installation, open your Terminal application (Finder > Applications > Utilities > Terminal) and execute the command: `brew install --cask rustdesk`. If you don't have Homebrew installed, you can find installation instructions on its official website. This method ensures RustDesk is installed correctly and easily updated in the future.
3
Grant macOS Security & Privacy Permissions
After launching RustDesk for the first time, macOS will prompt you to grant several permissions for screen recording, accessibility, and input monitoring. Go to System Settings (or System Preferences) > Privacy & Security. Under 'Screen Recording', 'Accessibility', and 'Input Monitoring', ensure RustDesk is checked. You may need to click the lock icon to make changes and enter your admin password. Without these, RustDesk cannot function correctly.
4
Connect to a Remote Device
Once permissions are granted, open RustDesk. You'll see your device's ID and a one-time password. To connect to another computer, enter its RustDesk ID into the 'Remote Device ID' field and click 'Connect'. You will then be prompted to enter the remote device's password. For self-hosted setups, you'll also need to configure your ID and Relay servers in the network settings.
Pro Tips
- • Always download RustDesk from official sources to avoid security risks and ensure you have the latest stable version.
- • If you experience 'Connected, waiting for image' on macOS, double-check all screen recording and accessibility permissions. A system reboot might also be necessary after granting permissions.
- • For optimal performance, especially when using public servers, ensure both the controlling and controlled devices have a stable internet connection.
- • When self-hosting, ensure the public key from your server is correctly configured in your client's network settings to establish secure connections.
Configuration Tips
Setting Up a Self-Hosted RustDesk Server with Docker
To maximize privacy and performance, self-hosting your RustDesk server is recommended. The easiest way is using Docker. On a Linux VPS or Raspberry Pi, install Docker and Docker Compose. Create a `docker-compose.yml` file with `hbbs` (ID server) and `hbbr` (relay server) services. Map the necessary ports (21115-21117 TCP, 21116 UDP) in your firewall. Once containers are running, retrieve the public key from the `/data` directory. This setup gives you complete control over your remote desktop infrastructure.
Configuring RustDesk Client for Self-Hosted Servers
After setting up your self-hosted server, you need to configure your RustDesk client on Mac to use it. Open RustDesk, click the three dots next to your ID, go to 'Network'. Unlock the settings and enter the IP address (or domain name) of your self-hosted server into both the 'ID Server' and 'Relay Server' fields. Crucially, enter the public key copied from your server into the 'Key' field. This directs your client to connect through your private infrastructure instead of RustDesk's public servers.
Optimizing Display Settings for Remote Sessions on Mac
Sometimes, when connecting to a Mac, the remote display might appear zoomed or incorrectly scaled. To fix this, after establishing a connection, locate the RustDesk toolbar at the top of the remote screen. Click on the monitor icon to access display settings. Choose 'Scale adaptive' or adjust the resolution manually to match your controlling monitor for an optimal viewing experience. This ensures the remote session is displayed at the correct resolution, enhancing clarity and usability.
Enhancing macOS Security and Permissions for RustDesk
For RustDesk to function flawlessly on macOS, it requires specific permissions. If you encounter issues with keyboard, mouse, or screen visibility, revisit System Settings > Privacy & Security. Ensure 'Screen Recording', 'Accessibility', and 'Input Monitoring' are all checked for RustDesk. For 'Input Monitoring' specifically, you might need to manually add RustDesk if it's not listed. Rebooting your Mac after adjusting these settings is often necessary for changes to take full effect.
Alternatives to RustDesk
While RustDesk offers compelling advantages, especially its open-source nature and self-hosting options, it's essential to understand how it compares to other popular remote desktop solutions available to Mac users in 2026. Each alternative has its own strengths and weaknesses.
T
TeamViewer
TeamViewer remains a widely recognized commercial remote access tool, known for its extensive features, enterprise-grade support, and ease of use across platforms. However, its free tier often imposes restrictions like session timeouts and perceived commercial use detection, which can be frustrating. RustDesk, being open-source and free for basic use, offers a less restrictive alternative, particularly for those who prioritize privacy through self-hosting and want to avoid subscription costs. While TeamViewer might have more polished enterprise features like remote printing and multi-session support, RustDesk excels in transparency and user control over data.
A
AnyDesk
AnyDesk is celebrated for its lightweight client, high performance, and low latency, making it a strong contender for smooth remote access even on slower networks. Similar to TeamViewer, its free version has limitations, pushing users towards paid plans for advanced functionalities. RustDesk competes by offering comparable performance, especially when self-hosted, and provides a completely free and open-source foundation. While AnyDesk might feel slightly snappier in some niche scenarios, RustDesk's self-hosting capability provides superior data privacy and customizability that proprietary solutions like AnyDesk cannot match, making it a preferred choice for those wary of third-party servers.
C
Chrome Remote Desktop
Chrome Remote Desktop is a completely free, browser-based solution from Google, offering unparalleled simplicity and ease of use for quick, occasional remote access. It works across all major operating systems and requires no advanced configuration beyond a Google account. However, it significantly lacks advanced features such as file transfer, clipboard synchronization across all platforms, and the granular control found in dedicated remote desktop applications. RustDesk surpasses Chrome Remote Desktop in functionality, offering secure file transfers, unattended access, and the critical advantage of self-hosting for enhanced privacy and control, making it suitable for more serious and professional remote tasks.
A
Avica
Avica emerged as a strong RustDesk alternative by late 2025, praised for its very low latency (0.2s) and smoother experience compared to RustDesk's reported 1-2 second operation delay. It offers browser-based control and cross-device file transfer in its free version, with paid plans unlocking advanced features like multi-device screen monitoring and gamepad support. While Avica offers excellent performance and a modern interface, RustDesk's completely free and open-source model, particularly its robust self-hosting option, stands out for users prioritizing absolute control and avoiding subscription models. Avica presents a more flexible, feature-rich paid alternative for those needing higher-level features with commercial support.
Pricing
Free/Open-Source with Optional Paid Plans
RustDesk operates on a fundamentally free and open-source model for its core remote desktop functionality and self-hosting server components. Users can download, use, and self-host RustDesk without any licensing fees. However, as of 2026, some advanced features, such as the web client and custom client builds for branding, are integrated into paid plans, offering a 'Personal self-hosting' plan and a 'Business self-hosting' plan starting from around $9.90 to $19.90 USD per month. This hybrid approach allows RustDesk to offer a robust free solution while providing commercial options for businesses requiring enhanced capabilities and formal support.
Pros
- ✓Completely free and open-source for basic use and self-hosting, promoting transparency and community contributions.
- ✓Offers unparalleled data privacy and control through its robust self-hosting server capability, ideal for sensitive environments.
- ✓Features strong end-to-end encryption (NaCl) for all remote sessions, ensuring secure communication and data transfer.
- ✓Provides extensive cross-platform compatibility across Windows, macOS (including Apple Silicon), Linux, Android, iOS, and web.
- ✓Generally delivers smooth remote control with low latency, especially when self-hosted, for a responsive user experience.
- ✓Includes essential features like file transfer, clipboard synchronization, unattended access, and real-time chat, enhancing productivity.
- ✓No account registration required for basic usage, simplifying initial setup and maintaining user anonymity.
Cons
- ✗Some advanced enterprise features, like the web client and custom client branding, are now restricted to paid plans, reducing the flexibility of the free version.
- ✗Users have reported occasional connection issues, mediocre real-time screen clarity, and noticeable operation delays (1-2 seconds) when relying on public servers.
- ✗Lacks formal, dedicated customer support channels common in commercial alternatives, relying more on community forums and documentation.
- ✗Mac users sometimes encounter specific issues with permissions (screen recording, accessibility, input monitoring) and occasional crashes on certain macOS versions or unofficial upgrades, requiring manual troubleshooting.
Community & Ecosystem
RustDesk thrives on a vibrant and active open-source community, forming a crucial part of its development and support ecosystem. The primary hubs for community interaction are its GitHub repository (for code, issues, and discussions), Discord server, and Reddit sub-community. Developers and users actively contribute by reporting bugs, suggesting features, providing translations, and offering peer-to-peer support. The open-source nature means that the codebase is transparent, allowing for security audits and custom modifications, fostering trust and flexibility. While formal support channels are less prominent than commercial tools, the collective knowledge and responsiveness of the community often provide timely solutions and guidance, especially for self-hosting enthusiasts.
Video Tutorials
Getting Started with RustDesk
MediaTech16.9K views
More Tutorials
Open Source Remote Desktop with RustDesk - Windows, macOS, Linux
Gary Explains • 60.0K views
Your Remote Desktop SUCKS!! Try this instead (FREE + Open Source)
NetworkChuck • 2.2M views
Rustdesk and Tailscale is a remote desktop access dream team
Tailscale • 152.1K views
Frequently Asked Questions about RustDesk
Yes, RustDesk remains fundamentally free and open-source for its core remote desktop functionality and the self-hosting server components. This means the source code is publicly available, allowing for transparency, community contributions, and the ability for anyone to use and deploy it without licensing fees. However, it's important to note that while the client and server software are open, certain advanced features and services, such as the web client, custom client builds, and some higher-tier self-hosting options, are now offered under paid plans to support ongoing development and infrastructure. For personal use and basic self-hosting, it's entirely free.
Our Verdict
About the Author
Productivity & Workflow Analyst
Productivity ApplicationsNote-Taking & Knowledge ManagementTask & Project Management
8+ years in operations management · PMP certified
Related Technologies & Concepts
Rust (Programming Language)Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)TeamViewerAnyDeskDockerApple SiliconmacOSEnd-to-End Encryption
Rust (Programming Language) (RustDesk is written in the Rust programming language, emphasizing performance, reliability, and security.), Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) (RustDesk offers similar functionality to RDP but provides enhanced security and flexibility through self-hosting and cross-platform support.), TeamViewer (RustDesk is positioned as an open-source, self-hostable alternative to TeamViewer, focusing on privacy and cost-efficiency.), AnyDesk (RustDesk competes with AnyDesk by offering comparable performance and a free, open-source model with self-hosting capabilities.), Docker (Docker is commonly used for easily deploying and managing self-hosted RustDesk servers.), Apple Silicon (RustDesk is natively compatible and optimized for Apple Silicon Macs (M1, M2, M3), ensuring efficient performance on modern macOS devices.), macOS (RustDesk is a cross-platform remote desktop client with specific installation and configuration considerations for macOS users.), End-to-End Encryption (RustDesk implements end-to-end encryption using NaCl to secure all remote sessions, a core aspect of its privacy and security model.)
Related Topics
Sources & References
Key Verified Facts
- RustDesk — Complete Guide for Mac Users in 2026 is available for macOS with Homebrew installation support[cite-1]
- RustDesk — Complete Guide for Mac Users in 2026 supports Apple Silicon Macs natively[cite-35]
- 1avica.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 2airdroid.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 3tekpon.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 4macupdate.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 5youtube.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 6howtogeek.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 7youtube.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 8github.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 9techjockey.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 10flokinet.is
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 11slashdot.org
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 12tailscale.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 13xda-developers.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 14reddit.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 15github.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 16github.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 17comtek4u.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 18reddit.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 19github.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 20github.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 21youtube.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 22youtube.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 23techjockey.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 24updatestar.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 25techjockey.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 26softonic.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 27apple.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 28youtube.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 29youtube.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 30cuishuaiwen.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 31oreateai.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 32slashdot.org
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 33sourceforge.net
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 34github.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 35github.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
Research queries: RustDesk 2026 overview features macos apple silicon; RustDesk history development self-hosting; RustDesk benefits 2026 for mac users; RustDesk Apple Silicon M1 M2 M3 compatibility; RustDesk pricing model 2026; RustDesk community forum github 2026; RustDesk official documentation mac install; RustDesk alternatives 2026 comparison; RustDesk configuration tips best practices; RustDesk known issues mac 2026