# RustDesk

Remote desktop you can host. RustDesk is AGPL-3.0 — TeamViewer and AnyDesk without the seat.

**Replaces:** TeamViewer / AnyDesk

**Tier:** Easy

## 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.

## Stack

- [RustDesk](https://rustdesk.com) — AGPL-3.0 remote desktop client with optional self-hosted server

## Estimated SaaS cost saved

| You stop paying | Typical / year | Self-host instead |
|---|---:|---|
| TeamViewer / AnyDesk (small team) | $1,200 | RustDesk clients + optional hbbs/hbbr |

**About $1,200 / year** on a small team, before you count lock-in.

## Deploy on Railway

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.

[Start on Railway](https://c17.io/go/railway/rustdesk-remote?from=%2Fstacks%2Frustdesk-remote.md)

[Headscale if this is a mesh VPN, not remote desktop](https://c17.io/stacks/headscale-vpn)

## AGENT_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.
```

## 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.

Source: https://c17.io/stacks/rustdesk-remote