Apache Guacamole vs RustDesk (2026): which should you pick?

Pick Apache Guacamole if

• Fits if you run a server and want staff to reach machines from a browser
• Works for teams that already have RDP, VNC or SSH set up everywhere

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you don't want to host and update software yourself
• Not for you if you want a vendor to call: the project site lists community mailing lists only
• Too light on its own, as it's a gateway to machines that already run VNC, RDP or SSH
• Watch out: commercial support comes only from third-party companies

Pick RustDesk if

• Fits if you want a free remote desktop app you can use for work too
• Works for companies whose rules say remote access data must stay on their own servers

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you need to support people on iPhones or iPads, which can't be controlled or share their screen
• Not for you if you want a hosted service with accounts and a console, as paid plans mean running your own server
• Tight if you need help fast, since the free version has community support only
• Pricey if you want the web client, which needs a plan where users x 10 plus devices is at least 400
• Watch out: paid plans are yearly only, there's no nonprofit or education discount, and trials are by request

Apache Guacamole

• You install, host and update it yourself; the project site offers no hosted service.
• Support is community mailing lists, with commercial support only from third-party companies.
• It is a gateway to machines that already run VNC, RDP or SSH.

RustDesk

• Paid plans are licences for a server you run yourself, not a hosted service, and are sold only with annual payment; they do not auto-renew.
• The iOS app can only control other devices; an iPhone or iPad cannot be controlled or share its screen.
• The web client in Server Pro needs a plan where users x 10 plus devices is at least 400.
• There is no nonprofit or education discount, and trial licences are by request to RustDesk.

Apache Guacamole

Clientless access

Once Guacamole is installed on a server, a web browser is all a user needs to reach a desktop; no plugins or client software are required.

Standard protocols

The gateway supports VNC, RDP and SSH, so existing machines can be reached without installing a special agent on them.

Cloud-hosted desktops

The project notes the desktops need not be physical, so a desktop OS running in the cloud can be reached through a cloud-hosted Guacamole.

Documented APIs

Guacamole is built on its own documented core APIs, which let it be integrated into other open source or proprietary applications.

RustDesk

Works without setup

Install the client and connect through RustDesk's public rendezvous and relay servers, with no configuration needed.

Self-hosted server

Run the open-source server or Server Pro on your own machine with Docker in a few commands, so connection data stays on your infrastructure.

Web console and access control

Server Pro adds an admin website for users, devices, address books, permissions, centralized settings and an audit log, plus distributed relay servers.

Custom branded client

From the Basic plan, generate a client with your own name, icon and logo, preset with your server and more than 90 configurable options.

Single sign-on and LDAP

Basic and above sign users in through OIDC single sign-on or LDAP, with two-factor authentication on every Pro plan.

Web client

Start remote sessions from a browser tab; on Server Pro you host the web client on your own domain, on plans large enough to include it.

Apache Guacamole

• Open source$0

  Free under the Apache License 2.0; you host the gateway yourself.

RustDesk

• Free$0

  Open-source client and server that you host yourself, or use with RustDesk's public relay servers. Community support only.

• Individual$11.88

  per month, billed annually

  Server Pro you host yourself: 1 login user, 20 managed devices, unlimited concurrent connections, web console, 2FA, address book and audit log.

• Basic$23.88

  per month, billed annually

  10 login users and 100 managed devices, plus OIDC single sign-on, LDAP, cross-group access and the custom client generator.

• Customized$23.88

  per month, billed annually, plus $1.20 per extra user

  Basic with more users and devices: each extra user adds $1.20 a month and each extra managed device $0.12.

• Customized V2$23.88

  per month, billed annually, plus $24 per extra connection

  Like Customized, but priced by concurrent connections: $24 a month for each extra one, with devices over the limit kept working.