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TigerVNC vs RustDesk: catalog facts
TigerVNCRustDesk
Free

Free and open source, with no paid edition.

Freemium

The clients and the open-source server are free. A paid RustDesk Server Pro adds extra…

Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, Self-hosted
  • Performance aimed at 3D and video workloads, not just a remote text editor
  • TLS encryption and extended authentication on top of the plain VNC protocol
  • Self-hosted relay and rendezvous servers, so sessions never touch a third-party SaaS
  • Windows, macOS, Linux and Android clients, plus a web client you can host yourself
  • VNC has no built-in file transfer, audio or printing; it is a screen and input protocol
  • Security depends on configuring TLS and authentication correctly, which is on you
  • Run without your own server and you are relying on the project’s public infrastructure
  • Unattended access and Wayland support have been moving targets on Linux
Downloadable app Downloadable app, Self-hosted
Open source Open source
License: GPL-2.0 License: AGPL-3.0
No account needed No account needed
Needs internet Needs internet

Checked September 20, 2026

Checked September 20, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.