RustDesk pioneered open-source, self-hosted remote desktop. We respect that deeply. Here's how Remio takes a different path — with native performance, zero-config simplicity, and AI-powered innovation.
We skipped the rows where both apps are equal (remote control, clipboard sharing, etc.) and focused on what sets them apart.
| Feature | Remio | RustDesk |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture & Performance | ||
| App technology | 100% native (Swift/Kotlin/Go) | Flutter + Rust (cross-platform UI) |
| Connection model | Direct P2P first, zero config | Requires relay server (self-hosted or public) |
| Video codecs | H.265, VP9, AV1 | VP9 (H.264/H.265 limited) |
| Setup time | 30 seconds — download & go | Minutes to hours (server setup needed) |
| Privacy & Security | ||
| Account required? | ✓ No — just a PIN code | ✓ No — ID + password |
| End-to-end encryption | ✓ Always on, built-in | Optional — depends on server config |
| Data sovereignty | Your data never touches our servers | Full control with self-hosted server |
| Features & Intelligence | ||
| AI assistant | ✓ Built-in voice control & smart features | ✗ No AI features |
| Multi-monitor | ✓ Free for everyone | ✓ Free |
| File transfer | Coming soon | ✓ Built-in |
| Custom branding | ✗ Not available | ✓ Custom client with your logo |
| Platform & Deployment | ||
| macOS host | ✓ Optimized, first-class | ✓ Supported |
| Linux host | Coming soon | ✓ Full support |
| Web client | ✗ Not planned | ✓ Self-hosted web client |
Beyond the checklist — here's what actually matters when choosing.
Different philosophies, different pricing models.
Honest recommendations based on your actual use case.
If you just want to access your computer from your phone or tablet — no servers, no config, no headaches — Remio gets you connected in 30 seconds with native performance and end-to-end encryption.
Need to host everything on your own infrastructure for regulatory compliance? Need to audit the source code? RustDesk's self-hosted model is purpose-built for this.
If Linux is your primary OS for both host and client, RustDesk's extensive Linux support and community tooling make it the safer bet — at least until Remio's Linux support ships.
RustDesk is impressive. Building an open-source remote desktop with 100K+ GitHub stars and millions of downloads is no small feat. They've given the world a genuine alternative to proprietary solutions, and we respect that immensely.
Remio takes a different approach. Instead of giving you the tools to build your own infrastructure, we give you a polished product that just works. Native apps that feel like they belong on each platform. AI features that make remote work smarter. And end-to-end encryption that's always on — no server configuration required.
If you love tinkering with servers and want full open-source transparency, RustDesk is excellent. If you want the best remote desktop experience without the setup overhead — with native performance and AI built in — give Remio a try.
See how Remio compares to other remote desktop solutions.