RustDesk vs ZeroTier (2026): which should you pick?

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

Pick ZeroTier if

• Fits if you have up to 10 devices at home and want them on one virtual network
• Works for developers who want an API and CLI to manage the network

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you want to see and control a remote screen, since it only connects devices
• Tight if you have more than 10 devices on the free plan, or want it for work, which needs a paid plan
• Pricey if you want a support ticket, as that starts at Scale, $179 a month, and Essential has community support only
• Watch out: devices past the included count cost $2.00 each on Essential and $1.80 on Scale every month

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.

ZeroTier

• ZeroTier connects devices into a network; it does not share a remote screen, so desktop access needs a separate remote desktop or VNC tool on top.
• The Personal plan is limited to 10 devices, one network and non-commercial use.
• Essential includes community support only; ticketed support with an SLA starts at Scale, $179 per month.
• Devices beyond the included count are billed monthly, $2.00 each on Essential and $1.80 each on Scale.

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.

ZeroTier

Virtual networks across sites and clouds

Private networks that span public clouds, data centers, on-premises machines and remote devices, without proprietary hardware.

Peer-to-peer connections

Devices connect directly to each other whenever possible, with traffic encrypted end to end and policy enforced at every endpoint.

Identity-based access control

Network behavior is set by policy tied to each node's cryptographic identity, with custom flow rules on the Scale plan.

Management through UI, CLI and API

Personal includes a CLI, a UI and webhooks. API access and OIDC single sign-on start on Essential.

Broad client coverage

The download page lists Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Docker, FreeBSD and NAS packages.

Post-quantum option

ZeroTier Quantum is a separate platform for regulated and air-gapped environments, scoped per deployment through sales.

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.

ZeroTier

• Personal$0

  Non-commercial use only. 10 devices, one network, one network admin, CLI, UI and webhooks, community support.

• Essential$18

  per month for 10 included devices, then $2.00 per extra device

  Commercial license, 10 networks, five admins, API access, OIDC single sign-on and 30-day audit logs. Community support only.

• Scale$179

  per month for 100 included devices, then $1.80 per extra device

  Everything in Essential plus unlimited networks, 10 network admins, custom flow rules and ticketed support with an SLA.

• EnterpriseCustom

  Sized for 500 or more devices, with self-hosted and air-gapped options, 90-day audit logs and priority support. Sold through sales.