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It's a split decision.
Choose RustDesk if self-hosting, data control, and low-cost multi-user licensing matter most: its Basic plan lists 10 users and 100 managed devices for $23.88/month, billed annually. Pick Splashtop for a more packaged remote-access and support suite, including endpoint tools and listed enterprise controls. Its $2.50/teacher/year price is for education products; remote-access Solo starts at $6/month with annual billing. Both have a free option, but Splashtop’s free listing is Packr, not its core remote-access plan.
01Side by side
| RustDesk | Splashtop | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $11.88/month, billed annually | $2.50/teacher/year; remote access starts at $6/month |
| Free plan | Free self-hosting; online status and community support | Packr free up to 100 endpoints; core remote access is paid |
| Best for | Self-hosting and control | Remote access, support, and endpoint management |
| Core strength | Self-hosting, data control, and client customization | Remote support plus endpoint and patch management |
| Learning curve | More configuration; 90+ options | Higher ease-of-use review score: 8/10 |
| Integrations / data | Self-host servers and web client on your domain | SSO, SIEM logging, and on-prem option |
| Team / seat costs | 10 users, 100 devices for $23.88/month, annual billing | Pro is $8.25/user/month; SOS starts at $22/tech/month |
| Support | Community support listed for free plan | Higher support review score: 7/10 vs. 5/10 |
RustDesk Choose RustDesk if
- Choose RustDesk if self-hosting and data control are priorities.
- Choose RustDesk if you need custom branding or your own web domain.
- Choose RustDesk if 10 users and 100 devices fit $23.88/month, billed annually.
Splashtop Choose Splashtop if
- Choose Splashtop if you want remote access plus support and endpoint tools.
- Choose Splashtop if multi-monitor, session recording, or USB passthrough matter.
- Choose Splashtop if you need listed SSO, SIEM logging, or on-prem options.
02Pricing compared
RustDesk’s Free plan is for self-hosting users. Paid plans are billed annually, and listed monthly prices are equivalents; licenses do not auto-renew. Individual costs $11.88/month for one login user and 20 managed devices. Basic costs $23.88/month for 10 users and 100 devices, with OIDC and LDAP. Customized plans add users and devices for extra fees.
Splashtop’s remote-access Solo plan is $6/month with annual billing; Pro is $8.25 per user/month. SOS starts at $22 per concurrent technician/month, with annual prices listed as $259 or $399 depending on the license. The $2.50 per teacher/year prices apply to education products, not remote access. Splashtop’s listed free plan is Packr for up to 100 endpoints, not its core remote-access plan.
03Features and depth
RustDesk centers on remote access with self-hosted servers, so teams can keep data under their control. It supports Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android, and offers a custom client with your name, icon, and logo. You can also host its web client on your server with your domain. The product lists more than 90 configurable options. Paid plans add managed-device and login-user allowances; Basic includes OIDC single sign-on and LDAP integration.
Splashtop covers remote access, unattended or on-demand support for computers and mobile devices, and endpoint management. Its listed controls include two-factor authentication, endpoint MFA, session audit logging, and end-to-end encryption. Pro adds multi-monitor support, chat, session recording, and up to three users on one computer; Performance adds 4:4:4 color, up to 240 FPS, and USB passthrough. Enterprise lists SSO, SIEM logging, and an on-prem option. Endpoint management and several security add-ons have no published price.
04Ease of use and learning curve
The main setup trade-off is control versus convenience. RustDesk’s self-hosting option means your team is responsible for running its servers; its web client can also be hosted on your own server. That gives you more control, but it is a less hands-off route than choosing a packaged remote-access plan. RustDesk lists community support on Free, while paid plans include a web console.
Splashtop’s Solo and Pro plans package remote-access features such as file transfer and remote print, with Pro adding chat and session recording. Its broader support and endpoint products mean you should check which product and license match your workflow before switching. SOS pricing also depends on technician and managed-computer limits.
Questions people ask
Which should we choose, RustDesk or Splashtop?
Choose RustDesk if self-hosting, data control, and its listed multi-user licensing are priorities: Basic is $23.88/month billed annually for 10 users and 100 managed devices. Choose Splashtop for packaged remote access and support plans, plus endpoint tools and listed enterprise controls. Compare the relevant device limits before switching.
Does RustDesk have a free plan?
Yes. RustDesk lists a Free plan for self-hosting users, including open-source software, online status, and community support. Its paid Individual plan is $11.88/month when billed annually and lists one login user and 20 managed devices. Paid licenses do not auto-renew, according to the published pricing details.
Is Splashtop free for remote access?
The published free Splashtop listing is Agentic Packr for Intune and SCCM, with a limit of 100 endpoints. It is not the core remote-access plan. Splashtop Solo, for unattended access, is listed at $6/month with annual billing; monthly billing rates are not published.
Which product is better for supporting multiple devices?
It depends on how you define support. RustDesk Basic lists 100 managed devices and 10 login users. Splashtop SOS supports on-demand access to computers and mobile devices, with licenses for 10 or 300 managed computers per user and up to 1,200 managed computers. Check each plan’s limits against your fleet.