When RustDesk is the better choice
If you want the source code and the server fully in your own hands and can run it yourself, or need to control Windows, Linux and Android today.
Comparisons
DeskRanger / RustDesk
RustDesk is open source, and you can run the server yourself. That gives full control but means running it yourself; paid plans are licences for your own server, not a cloud service.
| Overview | DeskRanger | RustDesk |
|---|---|---|
| Free for your own devices | Yes, 10 devices, also for work | Yes, open source |
| Commercial-use detection | No | No, according to the vendor |
| Cheapest paid plan (1 person) | Pro: €19.90 a year | Individual: $11.88 a month, billed annually · licence for your own server |
| Pricing model for teams | Per channel, €99.90 a year; unlimited users | Per user and device on your own server, e.g. Basic: 10 users, 100 devices, $23.88 a month |
| Encryption | Yes | Yes (NaCl) |
| Systems you can control | macOS · iOS/iPadOS: view only · Windows: Coming soon | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android |
| Connect in the browser | Yes, from Pro | Yes |
| Access at the login window | Yes (Mac), also after a restart; with FileVault only once unlocked | Yes, as a service; limited on Linux/Wayland |
| Your own servers | Planned (Enterprise) | Yes, free open-source server |
| Open source | No | Yes (AGPL-3.0) |
| Share an iPhone/iPad screen | Yes, view only | No |
When DeskRanger is the better choice
If you don’t want to run your own server, want to view iPhone and iPad screens, and want your Macs reachable at the login window with one switch.
Download freeBased on the linked vendor information as of 1 October 2026. Prices are list prices as stated by the vendor (TeamViewer, AnyDesk: excl. VAT); time-limited discounts are not included. DeskRanger: launch prices, VAT details to follow. No performance test of our own.
Sources (vendor pages, retrieved 1 October 2026)
Comparisons
/TeamViewer
TeamViewer is the best-known name in remote support and covers almost every platform. It is free for personal use only, and suspected commercial use can lead to a block.
Learn more →/AnyDeskAnyDesk is fast, lightweight and available on many platforms. It is free for personal use only, and suspected commercial use can limit or suspend the free version.
Learn more →/SplashtopSplashtop offers affordable remote access and separate packages for remote support. The free version works for personal use and on your home network only.
Learn more →/ScreensScreens is an elegant VNC client for Apple devices. It connects to the Mac’s Screen Sharing or a VNC server on PCs; it does not bring its own remote-support service.
Learn more →