RustDesk Remote Desktop vs Tracepad
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
RustDesk Remote Desktop
This open-source application provides remote desktop access and control capabilities. It allows users to remotely manage their computers. Please note it only supports controlling other devices, not being controlled or screen sharing.
- Open-source remote desktop
- Remote access and control
- TeamViewer alternative
- Control other devices
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An open-source remote desktop application. The open source TeamViewer alternative. Source code: https://github.com/rustdesk/rustdesk Doc: https://rustdesk.com/docs Please be reminded that this app only has the ability to control, and it does not have the functionality of being controlled or screen sharing. WARNING: YOU MAY BE BEING SCAMMED! If you are on the phone with someone you DON'T know AND TRUST who has asked you to install RustDesk, do not install and hang up immediately. They are likely a scammer trying to steal your money or other private information.
Tracepad
Transform your iPhone into a wireless trackpad for your Mac. Enjoy full gesture support, a built-in keyboard, and low latency for presentations or remote control. Connect via Bluetooth or USB for a seamless experience.
- Full gesture support
- Wireless and USB connection
- Built-in keyboard
- Low latency control
- Privacy-focused connection
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Tracepad turns your iPhone into a wireless trackpad, keyboard and mouse controller. For devices where you do not want to install a helper app, use Universal Keyboard & Mouse Mode and pair Tracepad as a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse for Mac, iPad, Windows PCs and other compatible devices. For the complete Mac experience, install the companion Mac app and use familiar trackpad gestures with low-latency Bluetooth or USB connection. FEATURES • Mac Trackpad Mode Use your iPhone as a precise trackpad for Mac with scrolling, clicking, dragging and advanced gestures. • Universal Keyboard & Mouse Mode Pair directly as a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse for Mac, iPad, Windows PCs and other compatible devices. No helper app required on the target device. • Built-in Keyboard Type on your Mac from your iPhone, with support for common modifier keys and shortcuts. • Dual Connection for Mac Connect to your Mac over Bluetooth or USB cable. No Wi-Fi required. • Low Latency Optimized for responsive, smooth and precise control. • Privacy First Direct device-to-device connection. Your input never goes through any server. REQUIREMENTS • Mac Trackpad Mode requires the free companion Mac app. • Universal Keyboard & Mouse Mode requires a device that supports Bluetooth keyboard and mouse input. Perfect for presentations, couch control, quick typing, or using your iPhone as a portable keyboard and mouse. Terms of Use: https://www.tracepad.site/terms Privacy Policy: https://www.tracepad.site/privacy Subscription Terms: https://www.tracepad.site/subscription
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: RustDesk Remote Desktop at none against Tracepad's 3. RustDesk Remote Desktop also leads on ratings volume (78 vs 16). Tracepad's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 2 months) and review sentiment (69% vs 59%). On price, rating, ads and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Tracepad sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. RustDesk Remote Desktop asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.2 for RustDesk Remote Desktop against 4.3 for Tracepad. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 78 and 16 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 59% of RustDesk Remote Desktop's written reviews are positive against 69% of Tracepad's.
RustDesk Remote Desktop ships an update every 2 months, Tracepad every 3 days. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.
| Parameter | RustDesk Remote Desktop | Tracepad |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.2 (78 ratings) | 4.3 (16 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 59.4% of reviews | 69.2% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 78 — better | 16 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 3 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 69 MB | 19 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Purslane Limited | 庾涛 沈 |
Customer experience
RustDesk Remote Desktop
Tracepad
Bugs and requests
RustDesk Remote Desktop
Reported bugs
38 issues- Recent update broke iPad mouse alignment
- No image displayed from PC (black screen)
- Remember Password function doesn't work
- Black screen when remoting into Raspberry Pi Linux server (Wayland)
- Keyboard issues when remoting from iPhone to PC
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- Cannot control Mac
- iPad app fails to connect or shows key mismatch error
- App crashes or becomes unresponsive
- Connection issues over mobile data network
- Session closes after a short period
- Key presses duplicated or not registered with external keyboard
- Settings/Preferences not preserved
- iOS language icon covers toolbar collapse icon
- Previous direct IP sessions not saved
- Enter key does not work in address bar
- Copy/Paste broken
- Latest update deleted saved connections
- App not responding after update
- Connection Error, Operation not permitted (error 1) on iOS
- Mouse overflows monitor content, preventing clicks on edges
- Double-clicking behavior in touch mouse/pad options
- App launches but window vanishes on old iPads
- Crash on app startup (v1.2.7, iOS 12.2)
- Cannot paste remote ID by holding text input
- iOS client attempting to control Android results in frozen interface
- Cannot control Windows PC typing from iPhone
- Version 1.2.7 has issues on iPad (cannot launch)
- Address book empty on Pro version
- Arrow keys do not function like a desktop keyboard
- Phone heats up during use
- Mouse pointer on desktop and iPad not lined up
- Flakey behavior with keyboard and trackpad on iPad
- Scaling displays issues on iPad
- Key mismatch error with iPad app
- Virtual machine control issues (keyboard repeats or fails to register)
- Mobile network connection issues
- Cannot connect over mobile data network
- UI icon not centered
Requested features
13 requests- Add option to view and modify USB drives in file transfer mode
- Improve mouse and keyboard control configurability
- Allow Apple Pencil to function as a mouse
- Support iPhone remote control of each other
- Add option to automatically switch display/monitor to follow remote window focus
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- Sync remote ID list by iCloud
- Improve Wayland support
- Add option to change two-finger gesture behavior (scroll vs. move canvas)
- Center remote screen when zooming
- Remap controls for mouse actions
- Integrate arrow keys with device keyboard
- Support iPhone to Android control
- Support Windows remote typing from iPhone
Tracepad
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
RustDesk Remote Desktop
No in-app purchases
Tracepad
- Plus: Unlock iPhone Display$0.991 Month
- Pro Plus: Unlock All Features$1.991 Month
- Tracepad unlock all gesture$3.99
Questions
Is RustDesk Remote Desktop free?
Is Tracepad free?
Which has better reviews, RustDesk Remote Desktop or Tracepad?
Do RustDesk Remote Desktop or Tracepad have ads?
Which is updated more often, RustDesk Remote Desktop or Tracepad?
Other comparisons
