RustDesk is a free, open-source remote desktop app. It lets you see and control another computer from your Mac, or let someone control yours, which is useful for IT support, remote work, and reaching your home machine. It is a free alternative to TeamViewer and AnyDesk, and it has more than 113,000 stars on GitHub. Its biggest feature is self-hosting: you can run your own server, so your data stays under your control.

Key Features

• Remote Desktop Control: View and control another computer from your Mac, with built-in encryption.
• Self-Hosting: Run RustDesk on your own server instead of depending on a third-party service. The free server is open source, and setup takes a few Docker commands.
• Works Across Platforms: RustDesk runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.
• Web Client: Host the web client on your own server and domain name to make remote access even easier.
• Custom Branding (Server Pro): Server Pro lets you put your own name, icon, and logo on the client.
• Many Settings: More than 90 options can be set to fit your needs.
• Free and Open Source: The RustDesk client and community server are free and open source under the AGPL license.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is RustDesk free?

Yes. The RustDesk client and the open-source community server are free. A paid option called Server Pro adds extras like a web console, device groups, and a shared address book for teams.

Is RustDesk open source?

Yes. The client and the community server are open source under the AGPL license. Server Pro is commercial software.

How do I install RustDesk on Mac?

You can download the DMG from the RustDesk website or GitHub, or install it with Homebrew using the command brew install --cask rustdesk.

What permissions does RustDesk need on Mac?

RustDesk needs Screen Recording, Accessibility, and Input Monitoring permission so it can capture the screen and control the keyboard and mouse. If a permission does not seem to take effect, quit and reopen the app, or restart your Mac.

How do I self-host RustDesk?

Install Docker, download the compose.yml file from RustDesk, and run docker compose up -d. The server then runs on your own machine.

Who uses self-hosted RustDesk?

In a RustDesk survey of over 1,000 self-hosting users, the main groups were IT support (37%), remote work (29%), and IT administration (25%).

Is there another remote desktop app for Mac?

Yes. HopToDesk is another remote desktop tool that offers secure screen sharing, remote control, and file transfers.