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Best / Remote desktop

Best open-source Remote desktop

The best self-hosted remote-desktop split in the c17.io catalog is RustDesk for an AGPL-3.0 client plus optional hbbs/hbbr (the published TeamViewer / AnyDesk / LogMeIn / Splashtop stack), MeshCentral when you want Apache-2.0 web-based remote management — /compare/rustdesk-vs-meshcentral, and Apache Guacamole when the job is an Apache-2.0 HTML5 gateway rather than an installed client. Headscale is a mesh VPN, not a desktop — /best/mesh-vpn. Public tunnels stay on /replace/ngrok.

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Ranked picks

  1. 1

    RustDesk

    AGPL-3.0 remote desktop client — the c17 TeamViewer / LogMeIn / Splashtop path. /compare/rustdesk-vs-meshcentral.

    When to pick it: Unattended desktop access you can self-host.

    126,219 stars in the catalog

  2. 2

    MeshCentral

    Apache-2.0 web remote management. /compare/rustdesk-vs-meshcentral.

    When to pick it: A browser console over agents you install.

    7,501 stars in the catalog

  3. 3

    Apache Guacamole

    Apache-2.0 HTML5 remote-desktop gateway (guacamole-server).

    When to pick it: Browser RDP/VNC/SSH, not a RustDesk client.

    4,022 stars in the catalog

  4. 4

    Headscale

    BSD Tailscale-compatible control server already on /best/mesh-vpn. Not a desktop.

    When to pick it: A mesh, not a remote-desktop session.

    44,763 stars in the catalog

How they compare

ToolLicenseSelf-hostBest for
RustDeskGNU Affero General Public License v3.0EasyUnattended desktop access you can self-host.
MeshCentralApache License 2.0MediumA browser console over agents you install.
Apache GuacamoleApache License 2.0MediumBrowser RDP/VNC/SSH, not a RustDesk client.
HeadscaleBSD-3-ClauseMediumA mesh, not a remote-desktop session.

Related pages

FAQ

RustDesk or MeshCentral?
RustDesk if you want the published TeamViewer / LogMeIn path. MeshCentral if you want that Apache web console — /compare/rustdesk-vs-meshcentral.
LogMeIn or Splashtop?
Same published desktop — /replace/logmein and /replace/splashtop.
Is this Tailscale?
A mesh VPN stays on /replace/tailscale. This page is remote desktop.
Are these free?
RustDesk is AGPL-3.0. MeshCentral and Guacamole are Apache-2.0. You pay hosting. Template users never pay c17.
How do I deploy it?
Open /stacks/rustdesk-remote. Install the client. Optional: self-host hbbs/hbbr.

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