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Head-to-head · Work From Home Software

Hubstaff vs RustDesk

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Hubstaff #4 in Work From Home Software 8.9/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Hubstaff
RustDesk #8 in Work From Home Software 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit RustDesk

Hubstaff leads on 1 check, RustDesk on 1, and 0 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreHubstaff · 8.9/10
  • Lowest starting priceHubstaff · $4.99/user/mo
  • Free planonly RustDesk
  • Free trialonly Hubstaff

Hubstaff scores higher on our rubric for work from home software: 8.9 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #8.

RustDesk offers free plan; Hubstaff doesn't. Hubstaff is cheaper to start at $4.99/user/mo against $11.88/user/mo.

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

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Hubstaff 8.9/10 Visit ↗ RustDesk 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.5
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 (best) $11.88/mo
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial 14 days —
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 checked yet Not checked yet
Remote device access Not checked yet Not checked yet
Activity reporting Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Deployment type Not checked yet Not checked yet
Supported platforms Not checked yet Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web
Free-plan team limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
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 8.914-day trial
  2. RustDeskWork From Home Software 8.5Free plan

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

More comparisons

All work from home software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update