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Head-to-head · Work From Home Software

Hubstaff vs RustDesk

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Hubstaff #4 in Work From Home Software 5.0/10 From $4.99/user/mo (annual) · 14-day trial ✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Hubstaff
RustDesk #8 in Work From Home Software 5.0/10 Free plan · paid from $11.88/mo (annual) Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit RustDesk

Hubstaff leads on 0 checks, RustDesk on 1, and 0 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Free planonly RustDesk

Hubstaff and RustDesk score identically on our rubric (5.0 out of 10) for work from home software; Hubstaff sits at #4 and RustDesk at #8 in our editorial ranking, so the choice comes down to fit.

RustDesk offers free plan; Hubstaff doesn't.

Hubstaff is the better fit for workforce time, payroll and productivity management. RustDesk is the better fit for teams seeking open-source, self-hosted remote access.

  • Hubstaff fits best

    Workforce time, payroll and productivity management

  • RustDesk fits best

    Teams seeking open-source, self-hosted remote access

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Side by side

Feature Hubstaff 5.0/10 Visit ↗ RustDesk 5.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 5.0 5.0
Ranking #4 in Work From Home Software #8 in Work From Home Software
Best for Workforce time, payroll and productivity management Teams seeking open-source, self-hosted remote access
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $4.99/user/mo Not published
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension Self-hosted, Browser extension
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Email, Live chat, Tickets, Docs Community, Docs
Compliance SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA 2FA, SSO/SAML
Integrations 35+ integrations 2 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Hubstaff 0/3 · RustDesk 0/3
Employee monitoring Not published Not published
Remote device access Not published Not published
Activity reporting Not published Not published
Specs
Deployment type Not published Not published
Supported platforms Not published Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web
Free-plan team limit Not published Not published
Our review
Pros
  • Tracks projects, billable time, attendance, PTO, GPS and offline work
  • Supports approvals, payroll automation, workforce analytics and invoicing
  • Offers web, desktop, mobile, browser and API access with 35 integrations
  • Supports attended and unattended access, file transfer, and session recording
  • Offers peer-to-peer connections with end-to-end encryption
  • Paid plans add administration, access controls, OIDC, and LDAP
Cons
  • No perpetual free plan; the trial lasts 14 days
  • Starter does not include timesheet approvals or workforce analytics
  • Grow includes only one integration
  • Paid plans are for self-hosting, not a SaaS subscription
  • Paid tiers require annual payment
  • Free plan highlights online status and community support
Our verdict

Hubstaff is a cloud-based time tracking and workforce management platform for freelancers, agencies, distributed teams, field workers and larger organizations. It records time against projects and tasks, creates automated timesheets and…

Read the review →

RustDesk is open-source remote desktop software for remote access and support across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and the web. It supports both attended sessions and unattended access through an installed service and permanent…

Read the review →
  1. HubstaffWork From Home Software 5.0From $4.99/user/mo (annual) · 14-day trial
  2. RustDeskWork From Home Software 5.0Free plan · paid from $11.88/mo (annual)

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Hubstaff — where it wins

    • Tracks projects, billable time, attendance, PTO, GPS and offline work
    • Supports approvals, payroll automation, workforce analytics and invoicing
    • Offers web, desktop, mobile, browser and API access with 35 integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • No perpetual free plan; the trial lasts 14 days
    • Starter does not include timesheet approvals or workforce analytics
    • Grow includes only one integration

  • RustDesk — where it wins

    • Supports attended and unattended access, file transfer, and session recording
    • Offers peer-to-peer connections with end-to-end encryption
    • Paid plans add administration, access controls, OIDC, and LDAP

    Where it doesn't

    • Paid plans are for self-hosting, not a SaaS subscription
    • Paid tiers require annual payment
    • Free plan highlights online status and community support
  • Hubstaff5.0/10 · From $4.99/user/mo (annual) · 14-day trial

    Comprehensive time, payroll and productivity management across distributed workforces.

    Visit HubstaffFull verdict →
  • RustDesk5.0/10 · Free plan · paid from $11.88/mo (annual)

    A cross-platform remote desktop tool with a free tier and paid self-hosting plans.

    Visit RustDeskFull verdict →

More comparisons

All work from home software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026