RustDesk Remote Desktop vs LocalSend
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.
LocalSend
Securely share files offline and without the internet. This app offers fast, encrypted peer-to-peer transfers across multiple platforms, ensuring privacy and data integrity. Ideal for professionals and teams needing reliable, secure file sharing in sensitive environments.
- Offline file transfer over Wi-Fi/LAN
- End-to-end TLS encryption
- Cross-platform compatibility (iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux)
- No internet required
- No tracking or data collection
- Open-source and transparent
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LocalSend is a secure, offline-first file transfer solution, purpose-built for professionals, teams, and organizations operating in high-trust, security-critical environments. With over 8 million downloads globally, LocalSend enables fast, encrypted peer-to-peer file sharing — without the cloud, without internet access, and without surveillance. Fully offline operation – transfer files over local Wi-Fi or LAN, no internet required End-to-end TLS encryption – full confidentiality and integrity of your data Cross-platform compatibility – available on iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux No tracking, no data collection, no ads Open-source & fully transparent – trusted worldwide in defense, critical infrastructure, and secure enterprise environments Designed for use cases where control, privacy, and operational integrity are non-negotiable. Ideal for deployment in corporate networks, mobile field units, temporary infrastructures, and air-gapped or connectivity-constrained environments.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: RustDesk Remote Desktop at none against LocalSend's 4. LocalSend's advantage is rating (4.5 vs 4.1) and review sentiment (82% vs 59%). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. LocalSend sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. RustDesk Remote Desktop asks for nothing beyond the download.
LocalSend holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: LocalSend has 661 ratings behind it against 73, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 59% of RustDesk Remote Desktop's written reviews are positive against 82% of LocalSend's.
RustDesk Remote Desktop ships an update every 2 months, LocalSend every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | RustDesk Remote Desktop | LocalSend |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.1 (73 ratings) | 4.5 (661 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 58.5% of reviews | 81.6% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 73 | 661 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 11 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | #75 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 62 MB | 73 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Purslane Limited | Tien Do Nam |
Customer experience
RustDesk Remote Desktop
LocalSend
User reviews
RustDesk Remote Desktop
From 73 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Fast connection and performance
- 🌟 Open source and free
- 💡 Self-hosting capability
- 👍 Easy to set up and use
- ⚡️ Low input lag
Room to improve
- 🔋 Phone heats up
- 🐛 Inconsistent performance on iOS/iPadOS
- 🚫 Lacks mouse acceleration
- 📱 Poor compatibility with older iOS versions
- ⚠️ Some users report data collection (location, identifiers)
LocalSend
From 661 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Cross-platform file transfer
- 👍 Simple and intuitive interface
- 🔒 Open-source and no ads
- 🚀 Fast and reliable file transfers
- 👍 Works seamlessly between devices
Room to improve
- 🐛 Occasional connection issues
- 🐛 Bugs with file selection and transfer
- 🐛 Inconsistent performance across platforms
- 🐛 Lack of a 'select all' option for media
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
LocalSend
Reported bugs
4 issues- App crashes after device hibernation
- Transferred files not appearing in device gallery
- Inability to delete transferred files from app
- Compatibility issues with certain OS versions
Requested features
4 requests- Add a 'select all' option for media files
- Improve file organization and management
- Implement background/automatic file transfer
- Add support for wired file transfers
In-app purchases
RustDesk Remote Desktop
No in-app purchases
LocalSend
- LocalSend Donation$5.00
- LocalSend Donation$10.00
- LocalSend Donation$20.00
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- LocalSend Donation$50.00
Questions
Is RustDesk Remote Desktop free?
Is LocalSend free?
Which has better reviews, RustDesk Remote Desktop or LocalSend?
Do RustDesk Remote Desktop or LocalSend have ads?
Which is updated more often, RustDesk Remote Desktop or LocalSend?
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