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Head-to-head · Unattended Remote Access Software

Splashtop vs RustDesk

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Splashtop #5 in Unattended Remote Access Software 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 6 features Visit Splashtop
RustDesk #8 in Unattended Remote Access Software 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 6 features Visit RustDesk

Splashtop leads on 0 checks, RustDesk on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreSplashtop · 8.7/10
  • Free planboth

Splashtop scores higher on our rubric for unattended remote access software: 8.7 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #8.

Splashtop is the better fit for teams wanting affordable mainstream access. RustDesk is the better fit for open-source teams needing self-hosting.

  • Splashtop fits best

    Teams wanting affordable mainstream access

  • RustDesk fits best

    Open-source teams needing self-hosting

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 Splashtop 8.7/10 Visit ↗ RustDesk 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.7 8.4
Ranking #5 in Unattended Remote Access Software #8 in Unattended Remote Access Software
Best for Teams wanting affordable mainstream access Open-source teams needing self-hosting
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $72/user/yr $11.88/mo
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Self-hosted, Browser extension
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Email, Live chat, Phone, Tickets, Docs Community, Docs
Compliance SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, SSO/SAML, 2FA 2FA, SSO/SAML
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Splashtop 2/6 · RustDesk 2/6
Mobile access Not checked yet Not checked yet
File transfer ✓ ✓
Wake on LAN Not checked yet Not checked yet
Session recording ✓ ✓
Remote reboot Not checked yet Not checked yet
Multi-monitor support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Device limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Free plan plus annual pricing starting at $6 per user monthly
  • Supports unattended access, attended support, recording, and file transfer
  • Works across web, desktop, mobile, and major operating systems
  • Open-source free plan with unattended access and file transfer
  • Self-hosted deployment with end-to-end encrypted peer-to-peer connections
  • Web console, access controls, audit logs, OIDC, and LDAP integrations
Cons
  • Commercial subscriptions are billed annually
  • Personal free use is limited to home Wi-Fi
  • Higher-end features require Pro, Performance, or Enterprise tiers
  • Paid plans use annual billing and are priced as monthly equivalents
  • Some advanced administration features begin on paid plans
  • Customized V2 uses limited concurrent connections
Our verdict

Splashtop provides remote desktop access and remote support software for individuals, small teams, businesses, IT departments, help desks, MSPs, and educational institutions. It supports both unattended computer access and attended…

Read the review →

RustDesk is open-source remote desktop software for attended support and unattended access across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and the web. Unattended connections use an installed service and permanent password, while file…

Read the review →
  1. SplashtopUnattended Remote Access Software 8.7Free plan
  2. RustDeskUnattended Remote Access Software 8.4Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Splashtop — where it wins

    • Free plan plus annual pricing starting at $6 per user monthly
    • Supports unattended access, attended support, recording, and file transfer
    • Works across web, desktop, mobile, and major operating systems

    Where it doesn't

    • Commercial subscriptions are billed annually
    • Personal free use is limited to home Wi-Fi
    • Higher-end features require Pro, Performance, or Enterprise tiers

  • RustDesk — where it wins

    • Open-source free plan with unattended access and file transfer
    • Self-hosted deployment with end-to-end encrypted peer-to-peer connections
    • Web console, access controls, audit logs, OIDC, and LDAP integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Paid plans use annual billing and are priced as monthly equivalents
    • Some advanced administration features begin on paid plans
    • Customized V2 uses limited concurrent connections

More comparisons

All unattended remote access software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update