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Most buyers should pick RustDesk.
Choose RustDesk if you want a free, self-hosted setup and control over where it runs; choose NoMachine for remote desktop plus terminal access, including SSH. RustDesk's pricing lists a free plan and paid Individual at $11.88/month equivalent, billed annually. NoMachine's pricing lists a 14-day trial, then Personal Edition at $2.04 per host/month on annual pricing—but that tier allows one host and one desktop connection. Compare the limits, not just the entry price.
01Side by side
| NoMachine | RustDesk | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $2.04/host/month; annual software pricing, per pricing page | Free plan; paid Individual: $11.88/month equivalent, annual billing |
| Free plan | No free plan listed; 14-day free trial | Free self-hosting plan with online status and community support |
| Best for | Remote desktop and terminal access across Windows, Mac, Linux | Self-hosted remote support with data control and client customization |
| Core strength | Desktop, terminal, and SSH access; homepage says no machine limit | Self-hosting, data control, custom clients, and web client |
| Learning curve (review ease score) | Review ease-of-use score: 6/10 | Review ease-of-use score: 5/10 |
| Integrations/data | SSH access; Network subscriptions add internet-access options | Self-hosting keeps data under your control; custom web client |
| Team/seat costs | Enterprise Desktop: $3.71/computer/month, annual price | Individual: 1 user/20 devices; extras priced separately |
| Support | Review support score: 3/10 | Free plan includes community support; review score: 5/10 |
NoMachine Choose NoMachine if
- Choose NoMachine if you need desktop and terminal access, including SSH.
- Choose NoMachine if a 14-day trial helps you evaluate a paid plan.
- Choose NoMachine if one host fits your Personal Edition needs.
RustDesk Choose RustDesk if
- Choose RustDesk if you want a free self-hosted option.
- Choose RustDesk if keeping data under your control matters.
- Choose RustDesk if you need custom clients or a hosted web client.
02Pricing compared
RustDesk has a free self-hosted plan with online status and community support. Its paid plans are billed annually: Individual is listed at $11.88 per month equivalent for one login user and 20 managed devices; Basic is $23.88 per month equivalent for 10 users and 100 devices. NoMachine lists a 14-day trial, but no free plan. Personal Edition costs $2.04 per host per month on annual pricing, with one host and one desktop connection. The pricing page does not list monthly billing for its software subscriptions. That low entry price is not a like-for-like comparison with RustDesk’s user-and-device limits. NoMachine Network subscriptions, which add internet access, start at $8.50 monthly or $7.04 per month on annual billing. Check whether you need that add-on before comparing totals.
03Features and depth
NoMachine combines remote desktop access with terminal sessions and an SSH client for Windows, Mac, and Linux computers running SSH. Its homepage says it supports attended and unattended machines and has no limit on the number of machines you can connect to. But subscription limits still matter: Personal Edition includes one host, while Enterprise Desktop covers one host with unlimited desktop connections, terminals, and VPNs. Version 10 also works as a secure shell server, according to the published product information. RustDesk’s differentiator is self-hosting: you can run its servers on your own infrastructure and keep data under your control. It supports Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android, and offers a custom client with your name, icon, and logo. The web client can use your domain. RustDesk also lists more than 90 configurable options. The products overlap on remote access, but NoMachine spells out terminal and SSH capabilities; RustDesk emphasizes server control and customization.
04Ease of use and learning curve
The main trade-off is how much infrastructure you want to own. RustDesk’s free plan is for self-hosting users, and its product information says you run the servers on your own infrastructure. That gives you control, but means managing the server is part of the choice; the available information does not publish setup time or required technical skill. RustDesk also has more than 90 configurable options, which may be useful for tailoring a setup but adds choices. NoMachine offers remote desktop and terminal access, but you still need to choose a plan that fits your host and connection needs. Its Network subscriptions are an additional option for internet access. Neither product’s published information establishes that setup is effortless, so decide based on whether you prefer operating your own server or selecting a hosted-access plan.
Questions people ask
Is RustDesk cheaper than NoMachine?
RustDesk has a free self-hosted plan. Its paid Individual plan is listed at $11.88 per month equivalent, billed annually. NoMachine Personal Edition is listed at $2.04 per host per month on annual pricing, but includes only one host and one desktop connection. Compare the limits and any needed add-ons, not just the starting prices.
Does NoMachine have a free plan?
The published NoMachine pricing information lists a 14-day trial, not a free plan. Personal Edition is listed at $2.04 per host per month on annual pricing. The pricing page does not list monthly billing for software subscriptions. RustDesk, by contrast, lists a free self-hosting plan with online status and community support.
Can RustDesk be self-hosted?
Yes. RustDesk’s product information says you can run its servers on your own infrastructure, keeping data under your control. The free plan is described for self-hosting users. Paid plans add listed user, device, and connection limits or options, so check those caps against your intended setup.
Does NoMachine support SSH and terminal sessions?
Yes. NoMachine lists terminal sessions and an SSH client for connecting to Windows, Mac, and Linux computers running SSH. The product information also says version 10 works as a secure shell server. RustDesk’s published feature list focuses on self-hosting, customization, web access, and platform support, rather than SSH or terminal access.