Best Linux alternatives to RustDesk

What is RustDesk?

RustDesk serves users who need to access and control remote machines for IT support, remote work, or personal backup. It is popular among those who prefer open-source tools and want to avoid the licensing costs or privacy concerns of commercial remote access software. The interface is straightforward, focusing on connection management and peer-to-peer communication.

The software is released under the AGPLv3 license, making it free for personal and commercial use. While the base client is free, the developers offer a paid service for hosted relay and rendezvous servers, which simplifies setup by handling the infrastructure needed for connections through firewalls. Users can also host their own server for full control.

People look for Linux alternatives because RustDesk, while cross-platform, may not integrate perfectly with specific Linux desktop environments or may have performance quirks on certain hardware. Additionally, some users prefer native Linux tools that align better with standard X11 or Wayland protocols, ensuring smoother compatibility with their existing server setups and security policies.

What a replacement for RustDesk must do

• Remote desktop control over the internet
• File transfer between local and remote systems
• Support for standard remote protocols like RDP or VNC
• Ability to connect through NAT and firewalls
• Cross-platform compatibility for mixed environments
• Open-source or self-hostable server options

Can you run RustDesk on Linux?

RustDesk has a native Linux version available as an AppImage, .deb, and .rpm package. It runs well on most major distributions, including Ubuntu, Fedora, and Arch. Since it is a native application, it does not require Wine or Proton. It supports both X11 and Wayland, though some users report minor display issues on newer Wayland compositors. The application is stable and widely used in Linux environments.

Which alternative should you choose?

If you are managing Windows servers, FreeRDP is the best choice as it implements the RDP protocol natively. For general-purpose remote access to Linux or Windows machines, Remmina is a versatile all-in-one client that supports RDP, VNC, and SSH. If you need a lightweight, protocol-specific client for VNC servers, TigerVNC Viewer is efficient and minimal. GNOME Remote Desktop is ideal if you are already using the GNOME desktop environment and want a built-in, tightly integrated solution for sharing your screen.

Moving your RustDesk files and habits

Migrating from RustDesk to these alternatives involves configuring connection details such as IP addresses, ports, and credentials. If you were using RustDesk's P2P direct connection, you may need to set up a relay server or ensure direct connectivity is possible with your network setup. File transfer methods differ; RustDesk has a built-in file manager, while Remmina and FreeRDP support drag-and-drop or clipboard sharing, and VNC clients often require separate SFTP tools for large file transfers. No data export is needed as connection profiles are typically re-entered manually.