RustDesk vs ScreenConnect
We give RustDesk a 3.0 GPA and ScreenConnect a 2.2, out of 4.0. RustDesk grades higher on value for money and the free plan. ScreenConnect grades higher on features. They get the same grade on ease of use and platforms.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
RustDesk
Open-source remote desktop you can run on your own server
ScreenConnect
Remote support for IT teams and MSPs, priced per concurrent technician
How we grade them
| 3.0GPARustDeskVery good | 2.2GPAScreenConnectFair | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A$0: the client is free and works through RustDesk's public relay servers, so one technician can support people with nothing to host. Paid Server Pro starts at $11.88 a month billed annually, for a server you run yourself. TeamViewer and AnyDesk, doing the same job, are free for personal use only. | DOne is $30 a month billed annually, annual only, for a single licence with 1 session at a time and 10 unattended agents. Past that, Standard is $47 per concurrent tech. For one technician doing the same job that's dearer than Zoho Assist or Splashtop, and many integrations cost extra on top. |
| Free plan and trial | AFree outright: the client and the open-source server cost nothing, and the listing shows no cap on devices or sessions. Help is community support only, and the web console and user accounts need Server Pro. | CNo free plan, but there's a free trial that needs no card. ScreenConnect doesn't say how long it lasts. |
| Features | CIt connects with no setup, self-hosts in a few Docker commands, and Server Pro adds a web console, audit log, single sign-on, LDAP and a branded client. The gaps it lists itself: an iPhone or iPad can't be controlled or share its screen, and the web client needs a large plan. | BOn-demand and unattended sessions, Backstage for fixing a machine silently in the background, a toolbox of scripts, a remote command line, session recording, two-factor sign-in and an on-premises option. Nothing in the listing is missing from the support job. |
| Ease of use | CNo App Store rating on record. The free client is install and connect, but everything you'd pay for runs on a server you host yourself with Docker, which is a job for someone happy on a command line. | CNo App Store rating on record. It's built for IT pros: agents to deploy, a toolbox of scripts, roles and permissions to set up. Expect a learning curve if you're not one. |
| Platforms and integrations | BWindows, Mac, Linux, Android, a web client and an iPhone app that can only control other devices. There's no integration list or API on record, so it stops at B. | BWindows, Mac, Linux, iPhone and Android, with ConnectWise PSA, Automate, Zendesk, Freshdesk and Acronis. Many of those are paid add-ons, and there's no web app on record. |
| Best for | free, open-source remote desktop | MSPs supporting many client businesses |
The GPA is the average of the five grades: an A is 4 points, an F is none. The full reasons are on each tool's page: RustDesk and ScreenConnect. How we grade
Price against what you get
RustDesk starts at $11.88 a month and scores 2.3 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. ScreenConnect starts at $30 a month and scores 2.7.
ScreenConnect scores higher, and starts $18.12 a month higher: the question is whether the extra is worth that to you. Of the other remote desktop apps on the chart, 6 score higher than RustDesk for less, and 3 score higher than ScreenConnect for less.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
Where they differ
- RustDesk starts at $11.88 per month, billed annually (Individual Server Pro, self-hosted). ScreenConnect starts at $30 per month, billed annually (One, single licence).
- RustDesk has a free plan. ScreenConnect does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only RustDesk lists a web app.
- RustDesk is open source, according to its own site.
At a glance
| RustDesk | ScreenConnect | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free plan | Free trial |
| Starts at | $11.88 per month, billed annually (Individual Server Pro, self-hosted) | $30 per month, billed annually (One, single licence) |
| Free plan | The client and the open-source server are free: use RustDesk's public relay servers or host your own server, with online status and community support. | None |
| Free trial | None listed | Free trial, no credit card required; length not stated |
| Web | ||
| macOS | ||
| Windows | ||
| Linux | ||
| iOS | ||
| Android | ||
| Made by | Purslane Tech Pte. Ltd. | ConnectWise, LLC |
| Price read from | rustdesk.com | screenconnect.connectwise.com |
| Checked | Oct 18, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 |
Who each one suits
RustDesk
- People who want a free remote desktop app for their own computers
- IT teams that must keep remote access data on their own servers
- Organizations replacing TeamViewer or AnyDesk with a self-hosted setup
- Developers and admins who want open-source code they can inspect
ScreenConnect
- Managed service providers supporting many client businesses
- Internal IT teams with several technicians working at once
- Teams already using ConnectWise PSA or Automate
- Organizations that need to host remote support on their own servers
Worth knowing
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.
ScreenConnect
- Pricing is per concurrent technician, so each person connecting at the same time needs a licence.
- The One plan is a single licence limited to 1 session and 10 unattended agents, and is sold annually only.
- Remote Access licences need at least 25 agents and do not include on-demand support sessions.
- Many integrations, such as ConnectWise PSA, Zendesk and Freshdesk, are listed as paid add-ons.
Key features
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.
ScreenConnect
- On-demand and unattended sessions
- Start a support session with a user, or install access agents for round-the-clock access to desktops, laptops, servers and mobile devices.
- Backstage
- Troubleshoot and fix a machine silently in the background, without disrupting the person using it. Included from the Standard plan.
- Toolbox and command line
- Keep shared scripts and executables in a toolbox to run on remote machines during sessions, and run commands remotely.
- Security controls
- AES-256 encryption, two-factor authentication, role-based permissions, consent options, audit reports, and sign-in through LDAP, SAML or OAuth.
- Session recording and video auditing
- Record sessions on Standard; Premium adds video auditing and a remote diagnostics toolkit.
- On-premises option
- Besides the cloud service, ScreenConnect can be installed on your own server, with licensing arranged through sales.
Plans
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.
ScreenConnect
One$30
per month, billed annually (annual only)
A single licence for individual use: 1 session at a time and 10 unattended access agents, with file transfer, remote printing and the toolbox.
Remote Access$35
per month for 25 agents, billed annually
Unattended access only, priced by the number of agents installed, from a minimum of 25; the cost per device falls as the count rises.
Standard$47
per concurrent tech / month, billed annually ($62 billed monthly)
Unlimited unattended agents, up to 3 sessions per tech, Backstage, remote command line, Wake-on-LAN, session recording, VoIP and mobile guests.
Premium$57
per concurrent tech / month, billed annually ($72 billed monthly)
Adds video auditing, a remote diagnostics toolkit, remote camera sharing (view) and up to 10 sessions per tech.
EnterpriseCustom
Custom and multi-year licensing, premium support and escalation, privileged access management and enterprise deployment options.
Ways to pay less
RustDesk
No public discounts listed.
ScreenConnect
- Annual discount
Annual billing saves about a quarter
Standard is $47 per tech a month billed annually against $62 billed monthly, and Premium $57 against $72.
