Stacks / Backend
RustDesk
Remote desktop you can host. RustDesk is AGPL-3.0 — TeamViewer and AnyDesk without the seat.
The problem
TeamViewer and AnyDesk sell unattended remote desktop as a subscription. You wanted a client on each machine and, optionally, a rendezvous/relay server you run. RustDesk is AGPL-3.0 (client + optional self-hosted hbbs/hbbr). This is not every TeamViewer meeting, session-recording SKU, or AnyDesk's managed-service console. Public tunnels stay on /replace/ngrok.
Replaces
TeamViewer / AnyDesk
Estimated SaaS saved
$1,200
per year, small team, before lock-in
Start on RailwayHeadscale if this is a mesh VPN, not remote desktop
Placeholder: RustDesk server (hbbs + hbbr) if you self-host the ID/relay; clients stay on the machines you control. A public domain and UDP/TCP as the project docs require. No one-click template in this repo yet — Start on Railway. Mesh VPN stays on /stacks/headscale-vpn.
The stack
- RustDesk
AGPL-3.0 remote desktop client with optional self-hosted server
Cost table
| You stop paying | Typical / year | Self-host instead |
|---|---|---|
| TeamViewer / AnyDesk (small team) | $1,200 | RustDesk clients + optional hbbs/hbbr |
Agent setup prompt
Replace TeamViewer or AnyDesk with RustDesk (https://rustdesk.com). - Install the official client on the machines you used to remote into. Optional: self-host hbbs/hbbr and point clients at your ID server. - Confirm one unattended connection. Lock passwords. Write AGENT_PROMPT.md. - Do not claim every TeamViewer meeting or AnyDesk MSP feature.
Also as markdown: /stacks/rustdesk-remote.md
FAQ
- Do I have to host the server?
- No. The AGPL client can use public rendezvous. Host hbbs/hbbr when you do not want that dependency.
- Is this Tailscale?
- No. Tailscale/Headscale is a mesh VPN (/replace/tailscale). RustDesk is remote desktop.