RustDesk is a fully open-source remote desktop application designed for users who want complete control over their data and infrastructure. Written in Rust, it provides a secure, low-latency alternative to proprietary tools like TeamViewer and AnyDesk. Unlike cloud-dependent solutions, RustDesk allows you to run your own rendezvous/relay server or use the public one, ensuring data never leaves your network unless you choose. It supports cross-platform connections between Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS, with Flutter-based UIs for desktop and mobile. The architecture is modular, using Rust for core networking and system-level operations while leveraging Sciter or Flutter for the frontend. Its design prioritizes privacy, self-hosting, and ease of deployment without requiring complex network configurations like port forwarding.
RustDesk is ideal for IT professionals, small businesses, and privacy-conscious individuals who need remote access without relying on third-party services. With built-in P2P connectivity via TCP hole punching and optional relay servers, it ensures fast connections even behind NAT. The project is actively maintained with contributions from a global community and offers translations in over 20 languages.
What You Get
- Self-hostable server infrastructure - Deploy your own rendezvous and relay servers using the open-source rustdesk-server repository, giving you full control over data routing and encryption
- P2P direct connections - Automatic TCP hole punching enables peer-to-peer connections without requiring port forwarding or static IPs
- Multi-platform support - Native clients for Windows, Linux, macOS, Android (via F-Droid/Flathub), and iOS with Flutter-based UIs
- File transfer and clipboard sharing - Securely copy files and paste text between local and remote machines across all supported platforms
- TCP tunneling - Forward TCP ports from the remote machine to your local system for accessing services like databases or web interfaces remotely
- Docker-based build environment - Pre-configured Docker containers simplify building RustDesk from source on any system with Docker installed
- Open core architecture - Modular codebase split into libraries for screen capture (scrap), input control (enigo), clipboard, and networking (hbb_common)
Common Use Cases
- Building a private remote support system - IT teams deploying RustDesk to remotely assist employees without exposing internal systems to public SaaS platforms
- Home lab remote access - Users managing home servers or development machines on private networks using P2P to avoid complex port forwarding setups
- Privacy-focused remote work - Organizations migrating from TeamViewer due to data compliance concerns, using self-hosted RustDesk to ensure all traffic stays within corporate infrastructure
- DevOps teams managing hybrid environments - Engineers accessing Linux servers from macOS or Windows machines with clipboard/file sync and secure tunneling for internal services
Under The Hood
RustDesk is a cross-platform remote desktop application that combines the performance and safety of Rust with the flexibility of Flutter for its user interface. It enables remote access and control across multiple operating systems, emphasizing system-level integration and modular design.
Architecture
The project adopts a layered architecture that separates core logic from platform-specific implementations, allowing for scalable and maintainable code.
- The architecture is organized into distinct modules for UI, networking, input handling, and platform-specific support.
- Design patterns such as strategy and adapter are used to abstract platform differences and manage input sources effectively.
- Component interactions are structured through a combination of Rust-based services, Flutter UIs, and native mobile integrations.
Tech Stack
The tech stack reflects a blend of systems programming and modern UI development, leveraging Rust for performance and Dart/Flutter for cross-platform compatibility.
- The core is implemented in Rust, with the UI built using Flutter and integrated with native Android and iOS components.
- It integrates system-level libraries such as GTK, X11, and PulseAudio, alongside tools like vcpkg for dependency management.
- Build processes utilize Docker, CMake, and Ninja, supporting containerized development and multi-platform deployment.
Code Quality
The codebase presents a mixed quality profile with strengths in Rust implementation and areas needing improvement in testing and consistency.
- Error handling is present but inconsistently applied across different language layers, leading to potential reliability gaps.
- Type annotations and API documentation are comprehensive, supporting better code understanding and maintainability.
- Testing coverage is limited, with minimal dedicated test files indicating room for improvement in quality assurance.
What Makes It Unique
RustDesk distinguishes itself through its unique approach to system-level input and keyboard handling across platforms.
- It implements platform-specific optimizations for input processing while maintaining a unified Rust core that powers both desktop and mobile clients.
- The integration of native system bindings with a cross-platform UI creates a distinctive hybrid architecture.
- Its modular design and layered approach support extensive customization and extensibility for various remote desktop use cases.