Recommended Free Tools
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
RustDesk is the better fit when you need an open client and want to operate your own remote-access infrastructure. Its free, open-source server software lets you run the ID/rendezvous service and relay on systems you control. AnyDesk is primarily a managed commercial service, but it also documents an on-premises deployment for organizations that require local hosting. The practical choice depends on who should run the servers, which security controls you can operate, and whether Linux endpoints use Xorg or Wayland.
Neither product can be called universally “more secure” from the vendor descriptions alone. RustDesk documents peer-to-peer connections with end-to-end encryption based on NaCl. AnyDesk states that it uses TLS 1.3, AES-256 transport encryption, RSA-2048 key exchange, access controls, session logging and two-factor authentication. Those are different sets of claims and do not constitute an independent, like-for-like security audit.
Quick verdict: choose by deployment responsibility first
Start with the operating model rather than the feature checklist. With RustDesk Server OSS, your team controls the ID/rendezvous (hbbs) and relay (hbbr) services. You are also responsible for the host, operating-system updates, firewall rules, backups, monitoring and availability. RustDesk Server Pro adds a web console and centralized controls for organizations that need them.
AnyDesk offers a vendor-managed service and separately says that organizations can host AnyDesk on a local server. The on-premises option may be appropriate for regulated or isolated environments, but the required commercial tier and current terms must be confirmed with AnyDesk before procurement.
#1 Best Overall
- Includes Raspberry Pi 5 with 2.4Ghz 64-bit quad-core CPU (8GB RAM)
- Includes 128GB Micro SD Card pre-loaded with 64-bit Raspberry Pi OS, USB MicroSD Card Reader
- CanaKit Turbine Black Case for the Raspberry Pi 5
- CanaKit Low Noise Bearing System Fan
- Mega Heat Sink - Black Anodized
- Pick RustDesk OSS when open-source clients, infrastructure ownership and avoiding a mandatory vendor relay are the priorities.
- Pick RustDesk Server Pro when you want that deployment model with web administration, directory integration and policy controls.
- Pick AnyDesk managed service when you prefer a vendor-operated platform and its documented administrative controls.
- Evaluate AnyDesk on-premises when local hosting is required and its available tier, support and licensing meet your requirements.
Linux can decide the outcome independently of hosting. AnyDesk accepts incoming sessions only from an Xorg graphical session. A Wayland desktop can initiate an outgoing session, but it cannot accept an incoming AnyDesk connection under the documented support policy.
What each product actually runs
RustDesk: client plus two server roles
RustDesk’s self-hosted design separates coordination from data forwarding. The hbbs service handles ID registration, rendezvous and signaling. The hbbr service relays traffic when a direct connection cannot be established.
A client first contacts the ID server. The service attempts to help the two endpoints create a direct peer-to-peer path, commonly called hole punching. If that fails because of NAT, firewall policy or network topology, the session can use the relay instead. This arrangement lets an organization keep the coordination and fallback relay under its own administrative boundary.
RustDesk documents Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android and Web clients. Its general platform documentation confirms Linux support, but the material available for this comparison does not provide a complete distribution-by-distribution or display-session compatibility matrix. Treat “Linux supported” as a starting point, not a promise that every distribution, desktop environment or session type will work identically.
AnyDesk: managed service with a documented local option
AnyDesk normally presents a managed remote-access service, with the vendor operating the service components. Its security documentation also says organizations may host AnyDesk on a local server “for greater control over security measures” and to align data handling with organizational policies. That means AnyDesk should not be described as cloud-only.
Whether the local deployment is available to you, which controls it includes and what support obligations apply depends on the current commercial offering. Confirm those details in writing; no current plan prices or tier prerequisites are established here.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Rank #2
- 【What you Get】You will get 1*Pi 5 8GB Single Board,1*RasTech Case,1*Active Cooler,1*Screwdriver,1*Installation instructions,12-month free warranty, lifetime service, 24-hour prompt and friendly response.
- 【More Connectors】There are two USB 3.0 ports(5Gbps simultaneously) and two USB 2.0 ports, which triple total bandwidth ,support any combination of up to two cameras or displays. Peak SD card performance is doubled through support for the SDR104 high-speed mode. It provides a smooth desktop experience for you. Offer Gigabit Ethernet and a PCIe interface, along with dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0/BLE wireless capability. The RasTech Pi 5 Kit use the new 27W 5.1V 5A USB-C power connector.
- 【 Support Dual 4Kp60 Display 】Each of the two microHDMI sockets can control a 4K display at 60 Hertz, now support HDR, offering super HD video for media streaming projects. RPi 5 is the first RPi model that comes with a PCI Express port (PCIe 2.0 x1 with 500 MB/s) to attach SSDs (requires separate M.2 HAT).
- 【 Excellent Chips And Applications】Pi 5 is a full-size Pi computer using silicon built in-house at Pi. The RP1 “southbridge” provides the bulk of the I/O capabilities for Pi 5. Pi 5 is more friendly and convenient in the development of Internet of Things, Web development, machine identification, automatic control and other electronic equipment applications and network.
- 【 Faster CPU, Better GPU 】 Pi 5 features a Broadcom BCM2712 64-bit quad-core Arm Cortex-A76 processor running at 2.4GHz, it delivers a 2–3× increase in CPU performance relative to RaspberryPi 4. The 800MHz VideoCore VII GPU is compatible to OpenGL ES 3.1 and Vulkan 1.2, substantial uplift in graphics performance. Pi 5 Offers lightning-fast CPU speed, a PCI Express interface, a Real Time Clock (RTC) and a power button and runs significantly cooler than Pi 4.
Security comparison: mechanisms, controls and evidence
The following table keeps vendor statements separate from conclusions that would require independent testing.
| Area | RustDesk documentation | AnyDesk documentation | What it means operationally |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connection protection | Describes peer-to-peer end-to-end encryption based on NaCl. | States TLS 1.3 and 256-bit AES transport encryption. | Both describe strong cryptographic protections, but the protocol details, key handling and threat models are not identical. |
| Key exchange | NaCl-based encryption is cited; a comparable key-exchange specification is not stated in the supplied material. | States RSA-2048 asymmetric key exchange. | Do not infer equivalent resistance, implementation quality or forward-secrecy properties from these summaries alone. |
| Identity and policy controls | Server Pro documents OIDC, LDAP, 2FA, device management and access control. OSS requires manual configuration. | Documents access-control lists, permission settings and two-factor authentication. | Feature availability and administration depend on edition and deployment. Verify the exact plan for comparable controls. |
| Session records | Centralized administration and related controls are associated with Server Pro in the supplied documentation. | Session logs are listed among the security features. | Define retention, review and export requirements before choosing an edition. |
| Deployment boundary | OSS or Pro infrastructure can run on systems you manage. | Managed service or a documented on-premises option. | Local hosting shifts patching, monitoring, backup and incident response to your organization. |
| Independent evidence | No third-party comparative audit is established by the cited material. | No third-party comparative audit is established by the cited material. | Vendor security pages are useful descriptions, not proof that one product is safer for every threat model. |
How to interpret the encryption claims
RustDesk’s description of end-to-end encryption based on NaCl addresses protection of the remote session between endpoints. AnyDesk’s description emphasizes TLS 1.3, AES-256 transport encryption and RSA-2048 key exchange. “End-to-end” and “transport encryption” are not interchangeable labels: they can involve different trust assumptions about brokers, relays and service operators.
For a meaningful security review, document where encryption keys are generated and retained, whether a relay can read session content, how device identity is verified, how revoked devices are blocked and how updates are authenticated. The product summaries do not answer all of those questions, so do not turn them into a blanket ranking.
Access control is as important as cryptography
Remote-access incidents usually involve authorization mistakes as well as network interception. Compare the controls you can enforce in your edition:
- Require two-factor authentication for administrators and remote operators.
- Use allowlists or access-control lists so a device cannot accept arbitrary connection requests.
- Limit clipboard, keyboard, mouse, file-transfer and other permissions to the minimum needed for a task.
- Record session metadata and establish who reviews those logs and how long they are retained.
- Separate help-desk identities from server-administrator identities.
- Define an immediate revocation process for a lost laptop, departed employee or compromised credential.
AnyDesk lists ACLs, granular permission settings, session logs and two-factor authentication. RustDesk Server Pro lists OIDC, LDAP, 2FA, device management and access control. RustDesk OSS can be used by individuals and teams, but its administration is manual; you must build the surrounding identity, logging and change-control process yourself.
Self-hosting: what you gain and what you must operate
RustDesk Server OSS responsibilities
RustDesk Server OSS is free and open source, but “free” refers to the software license, not to operating a reliable service. A production deployment normally requires:
Rank #3
- Raspberry Pi 5 with 8GB RAM: Model SC1112 featuring a quad-core ARM Cortex-A76 processor running at 2.4GHz. Enhanced Connectivity: Includes dual 4K micro HDMI ports, USB-C power input, and high-speed USB 3.0 ports. PCIe Expansion Support: FPC connector enables M.2 NVMe SSDs when using compatible adapters. Fast Storage Options: Works with microSD cards for booting, or optional NVMe storage for advanced projects. Built for Projects & Learning: Ideal for programming, home labs, DIY electronics, automation, and Linux-based development.
- A Linux or other supported host with a stable address and appropriate capacity.
- DNS, firewall and NAT rules that allow clients to reach the ID and relay services.
- Operating-system and RustDesk service patching.
- Backups of configuration and any identity or policy data you depend on.
- Monitoring for service health, disk space, certificate or key expiry and network reachability.
- An incident plan for a failed host, exposed credential or unavailable relay.
RustDesk’s core-port guidance lists TCP 21114–21119 and UDP 21116. It identifies TCP 21115–21117 as the minimum ports for operation. These are deployment guidelines, not a guarantee that they are the only ports required in every network. Confirm the requirements for your chosen version, reverse proxy, firewall and topology before opening access.
A practical RustDesk deployment sequence
- Choose the service boundary. Decide whether the ID and relay services will run in a data center, cloud account, branch network or a small local appliance. Keep the host under an account with controlled administrative access.
- Install the OSS server components. Deploy both
hbbsandhbbr, because the first provides rendezvous and the second provides relay fallback. Follow the version-specific RustDesk installation documentation for your operating system rather than copying an unverified command. - Publish only the required network paths. Configure DNS, firewall and NAT for the documented core ports. Start with the minimum TCP set where possible, then add other documented ports required by your topology or features.
- Point clients at your services. Distribute the organization’s ID-server and relay settings through your endpoint-management process. Test from inside and outside the corporate network.
- Validate both connection paths. Confirm that two reachable endpoints create a direct session, then test a deliberately restricted network so you know relay fallback works.
- Harden and monitor the host. Apply operating-system updates, restrict administrative access, back up configuration, collect service logs and alert on failures.
- Document recovery. Record DNS, firewall rules, service versions, keys and restore steps in a location that remains available if the primary administrator is unavailable.
When Server Pro is justified
Server Pro is aimed at businesses that need a web console, API, OIDC, LDAP, 2FA, device management, access control and multiple relays. Those features can reduce manual work and make policy enforcement more consistent across a large fleet. They do not remove the responsibility for host patching, network design, backups or availability; they centralize administration on top of the infrastructure you still operate.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →AnyDesk on-premises responsibilities
An on-premises AnyDesk deployment can keep service components within your environment, but it does not automatically make security your vendor’s problem or your problem alone. Establish who patches the server, supplies updates, monitors capacity, responds to incidents, stores logs and provides support. Ask for the exact edition and architecture, data-flow diagram, upgrade process and support terms before treating the option as equivalent to a self-managed open-source deployment.
Linux support: distribution and session details that change the decision
AnyDesk’s documented Linux matrix
AnyDesk’s Linux support article, updated March 20, 2026, lists these supported distributions and versions:
| Distribution | Documented baseline | Important condition |
|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu | 18.04 and later | Only an unmodified listed distribution is supported. |
| Debian | 9 and later | Only an unmodified listed distribution is supported. |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux | Version 8 | Confirm the exact point release and current support status. |
| openSUSE | 42 or 15 | Use the listed release family rather than assuming every derivative is covered. |
| Linux Mint | 20 and later | Only an unmodified listed distribution is supported. |
The phrase “unmodified” matters. A distribution that shares a package base with one of these systems may still fall outside the vendor’s support policy if it is a derivative, heavily customized image or unsupported release.
Xorg versus Wayland
For incoming AnyDesk access, the Linux desktop must be a graphical Xorg session. Wayland is permitted for starting outgoing connections, but the support article does not support accepting incoming sessions under Wayland. A machine can therefore appear to run AnyDesk successfully while still failing the remote-support scenario you actually need.
Rank #4
- Includes Raspberry Pi 5 8GB
- CanaKit 45W PD Power Supply for the Raspberry Pi 5
- Set of Heat Sinks
Before deployment, check the active session on the target machine, not merely the distribution name. At the login screen, select an Xorg session when the environment offers both choices, then verify that an external operator can connect after reboot. If the organization standardizes on Wayland and cannot provide Xorg, AnyDesk incoming support is a material blocker.
RustDesk on Linux
RustDesk lists Linux among its supported platforms and also documents Linux builds for ARM-based appliances, including Raspberry Pi use cases. The available documentation does not establish a complete matrix for distributions, desktop environments or Xorg and Wayland behavior. Test the exact image, session type, graphics stack and authentication method you intend to standardize before promising broad Linux coverage.
Administration at different scales
| Scenario | RustDesk OSS | RustDesk Server Pro | AnyDesk |
|---|---|---|---|
| One person or a small team | Manual server and client configuration can be sufficient. | Often more capability than needed unless centralized policy is important. | Managed service reduces infrastructure work; verify the required account features. |
| Growing help desk | Plan for scripts, documentation and your own identity and logging integrations. | Web console, API, directory integration, 2FA and device management support centralized operations. | Use documented ACLs, permissions, logs and 2FA; confirm which plan includes each control. |
| Multiple sites | Deploy and operate relays near users; Server Pro documents support for multiple relays. | Central policy with multiple relay locations, while you still manage infrastructure. | Managed routing may simplify operations; on-premises design requires a separate architecture review. |
| Strict data residency | Self-host on approved systems and define where logs and backups live. | Same deployment boundary with more centralized controls. | Assess the managed service’s data flows or evaluate the local-server option and its terms. |
Performance, connectivity and failure modes
Direct connection succeeds but relay fallback fails
This usually indicates that the ID service is reachable but the relay path is blocked or misconfigured. Check DNS, firewall and NAT for the hbbr host, then test from a network with stricter outbound filtering. Verify the documented relay ports and inspect service logs on both server roles.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Clients cannot find the self-hosted ID server
Confirm that the client received the correct server address, DNS resolves from the endpoint network and the ID service is listening on the expected port. A local firewall may allow connections from the server itself while blocking remote clients, so test from a separate network.
AnyDesk connects out but nobody can connect in on Linux
Check the active desktop session. If it is Wayland, switch the target to an Xorg session and retest. Also verify that the installed distribution and release match the listed support matrix and that the desktop is not a customized derivative outside the policy.
A remote session works but violates policy
Review permissions, ACLs, 2FA enrollment and session logging before allowing production use. Disable file transfer, clipboard or unattended access when the task does not require them, and ensure revocation is tested rather than merely documented.
Best Value
- Includes Raspberry Pi 5 with 2.4Ghz 64-bit quad-core CPU (8GB RAM)
- Includes 32GB EVO+ Micro SD Card pre-loaded with 64-bit Pi OS, USB MicroSD Card Reader
- CanaKit Turbine Black Case for the Raspberry Pi 5
- CanaKit 45W PD Power Supply for the Raspberry Pi 5
- Display Cable - 6 foot (Supports up to 4K 60p)
Cost and staffing: the hidden part of “free”
No reliable current prices or AnyDesk tier prerequisites are established here, so a price comparison would be misleading. Build the business case around recurring work instead:
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
- Server or hosting charges for self-managed ID and relay services.
- Administrator time for patching, upgrades, monitoring and incident response.
- Redundant hosts or multiple relays if remote access is business-critical.
- Backup storage and recovery testing.
- Commercial licensing and support for any AnyDesk or RustDesk edition that supplies required management features.
A small Linux host, including an ARM device such as a Raspberry Pi 5, can be an optional platform for a RustDesk server. The available material does not establish performance for a particular Pi configuration, so size the host from observed concurrent sessions and relay traffic rather than assuming a fixed capacity.
A decision checklist for IT teams
- Define the direction of access. List which Linux machines must accept incoming sessions and which only need to connect out.
- Inventory Linux sessions. Record distribution, version, desktop environment and whether the login session is Xorg or Wayland.
- Choose the trust boundary. Decide whether a vendor-managed service, AnyDesk local deployment or RustDesk-operated servers best fits your policy.
- Map controls to an edition. Require documented 2FA, ACLs, device management, directory integration, logs and APIs where your auditors need them.
- Model failure recovery. Test loss of the ID service, loss of the relay, expired credentials and a compromised administrator account.
- Run a pilot on real networks. Include NAT, VPN, restrictive guest Wi-Fi and an endpoint outside your primary office.
- Approve only after evidence review. Treat vendor security statements as product descriptions and request independent assurance or detailed documentation when your threat model requires it.
Which one should you choose?
Choose RustDesk when infrastructure control is the requirement
RustDesk is the clearer choice for teams that want an open client, a free OSS backend and the ability to keep ID and relay infrastructure on systems they administer. It is especially attractive when data location, custom network paths or compliance rules make a vendor-managed relay undesirable. Accept the operational cost: your team owns uptime, updates, firewall configuration, backups and support.
Choose AnyDesk when managed operations or its Linux policy fit better
AnyDesk is a reasonable fit when you value a managed service and its documented controls—TLS 1.3, AES-256 transport encryption, RSA-2048 key exchange, ACLs, permission settings, session logs and 2FA—match your requirements. Its on-premises option can address local-hosting needs, subject to current commercial terms. On Linux, plan around the Xorg requirement for incoming access; Wayland is suitable only for initiating outgoing sessions under the stated policy.
Do not decide on the word “secure” alone
RustDesk’s NaCl-based end-to-end encryption statement and AnyDesk’s TLS/AES/RSA description are useful starting points, not a comparative verdict. The safer deployment is the one whose identity controls, patching process, network exposure, logging, recovery plan and Linux session behavior you can verify and operate consistently.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallCrashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteQuick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
