Comparison

RustDesk Remote Desktop vs NetBuddy MobileShark

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Open-source remote desktop
  • Remote access and control
  • TeamViewer alternative
  • Control other devices
Features
Read full description

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.

About

NetBuddy MobileShark

This app transforms your iOS device into a professional network packet analyzer. It allows for deep packet inspection, protocol analysis, and intuitive visualization of network traffic. Ideal for troubleshooting, security investigations, and debugging network-related code.

Highlights
  • Packet capture and analysis
  • Protocol detection and inspection
  • Connection tracking
  • Traffic visualization
  • Advanced filtering
  • Export capabilities
  • Local data processing
Features
Read full description

NetBuddy - MobileShark: Professional Network Analysis in Your Pocket MobileShark transforms your iOS device into a powerful network packet analyzer, bringing desktop-class packet capture and analysis capabilities to mobile. Whether you're a network administrator troubleshooting connectivity issues, a security professional investigating suspicious traffic, or a developer debugging network-related code, MobileShark provides the insights you need with an intuitive, touch-optimized interface. Comprehensive Protocol Analysis Instantly identify and understand network protocols with MobileShark's intelligent protocol analyzer: Protocol Detection: Automatically identifies TCP, UDP, ICMP, HTTP, HTTPS, DNS and other common protocols Deep Packet Inspection: Examine packet headers and payload data with detailed breakdowns Hex Dump View: Inspect raw packet data in traditional hex+ASCII format Connection Tracking: Group related packets into conversations for easier analysis Intuitive Visualization Tools Understand complex network patterns at a glance with visual analytics: Protocol Distribution Charts: See the breakdown of protocols in your capture Traffic Flow Visualization: Track data flow between hosts with interactive diagrams Dashboard View: Get key statistics about your network traffic in real-time Customizable Filters: Focus on the traffic that matters most to you Professional Features MobileShark includes capabilities typically found only in desktop analysis tools: Advanced Filtering: Create complex filters to isolate specific traffic patterns Export Capabilities: Share your findings or continue analysis on desktop tools Detailed Statistics: Analyze packet timing, size distributions, and more IP Resolution: Automatically resolve IP addresses to hostnames when possible Port Information: Identify services based on standard port assignments Privacy and Security Your data stays on your device: Local Processing: All analysis happens on your device – no data is sent to external servers Privacy Respecting: No analytics or tracking in the app Built for iOS MobileShark embraces the latest iOS technologies: Native SwiftUI Interface: Smooth, responsive UI designed for touch Dark Mode Support: Comfortable analysis in any lighting condition Split View on iPad: Take advantage of the larger screen for side-by-side views Document Browser: Easily manage and access your packet captures Files Integration: Save and load captures from iCloud Drive or other storage providers Perfect For Network administrators diagnosing connectivity issues Security professionals investigating suspicious traffic Developers debugging network communications IT students learning about protocols and network operations Anyone curious about what their apps are doing behind the scenes MobileShark brings the power of professional network analysis tools to iOS, with an interface designed specifically for mobile devices. Capture, inspect, and understand network traffic wherever you are – no laptop required. Download MobileShark today and gain unprecedented visibility into your network communications!

Screenshots

RustDesk Remote Desktop4 screens
NetBuddy MobileShark4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: RustDesk Remote Desktop at Free against NetBuddy MobileShark's $1.99. RustDesk Remote Desktop also leads on rating (4.1 vs 1.0) and review sentiment (59% vs 25%). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

RustDesk Remote Desktop is free to download; NetBuddy MobileShark costs $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

RustDesk Remote Desktop holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: RustDesk Remote Desktop has 73 ratings behind it against 1, 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 25% of NetBuddy MobileShark's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RustDesk Remote Desktop ships an update every 2 months, NetBuddy MobileShark every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on August 22, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
RustDesk Remote Desktop versus NetBuddy MobileShark: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRustDesk Remote DesktopNetBuddy MobileShark
PriceFree — better$1.99
Rating4.1 (73 ratings) — better1.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews58.5% of reviews — better25.0% of reviews
Number of ratings73 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better18.2
Further details — not scored
Size62 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPurslane LimitedRick Bodnar

Customer experience

RustDesk Remote Desktop

All ratings73 ratings
Positive75.3%
Neutral8.2%
Negative16.4%
Written reviews94 reviews
Positive58.5%
Neutral14.9%
Negative26.6%

NetBuddy MobileShark

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive25.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative75.0%

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
Show 33 more
  • 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
Show 8 more
  • 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

NetBuddy MobileShark

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

RustDesk Remote Desktop

No in-app purchases

None

NetBuddy MobileShark

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is RustDesk Remote Desktop free?
RustDesk Remote Desktop is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is NetBuddy MobileShark free?
NetBuddy MobileShark costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, RustDesk Remote Desktop or NetBuddy MobileShark?
RustDesk Remote Desktop is rated higher. RustDesk Remote Desktop averages 4.1 out of 5 from 73 ratings, while NetBuddy MobileShark averages 1.0 from 1 ratings.
Do RustDesk Remote Desktop or NetBuddy MobileShark have ads?
Neither RustDesk Remote Desktop nor NetBuddy MobileShark shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RustDesk Remote Desktop or NetBuddy MobileShark?
RustDesk Remote Desktop ships an update every 2 months, and NetBuddy MobileShark every 3 months. Most recently, RustDesk Remote Desktop was updated on August 22, 2026 and NetBuddy MobileShark on September 10, 2026.

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