RustDesk Remote Desktop vs Total Remote Control
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.
Total Remote Control
Transform your iPad into a wireless control surface and extended display for your Mac. Ideal for professionals, it offers low-latency screen mirroring and precise multitouch remote control over Wi-Fi.
- Wireless control surface
- Second display functionality
- Low-latency screen mirroring
- Multitouch gesture control
- Wi-Fi connectivity
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Turn your iPad into a powerful wireless control surface and second display for your Mac. Total Remote Control is the ultimate tool for professionals who need to interact with their Mac from anywhere in the room — or beyond. Ideal for live sound engineers, lighting technicians, and advanced users, it lets you: • Mirror your Mac screen with ultra-low latency. • Control your Mac remotely using precise multitouch gestures. • Extend your desktop and use your iPad as a portable second display. Whether you’re mixing a show, triggering cues, editing on the move, or just need more screen space, Total Remote Control adapts to your workflow — no cables, no lag. Works over Wi-Fi. Perfect for stage, studio, or mobile environments. This app is free to download. The macOS server requires a license (free trial available). Download at total-remote-control.com. Compatible with macOS 12.4 or later and iPadOS 16.6 or later.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Total Remote Control at 5.0 against RustDesk Remote Desktop's 4.2. Total Remote Control also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 59%) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). RustDesk Remote Desktop's advantage is ratings volume (77 vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.6). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Total Remote Control holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: RustDesk Remote Desktop has 77 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 100% of Total Remote Control's.
RustDesk Remote Desktop ships an update every 2 months, Total Remote Control every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | RustDesk Remote Desktop | Total Remote Control |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.2 (77 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 59.4% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 77 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 16.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 69 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Purslane Limited | David Barral |
Customer experience
RustDesk Remote Desktop
Total Remote Control
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
Total Remote Control
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
RustDesk Remote Desktop
No in-app purchases
Total Remote Control
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is RustDesk Remote Desktop free?
Is Total Remote Control free?
Which has better reviews, RustDesk Remote Desktop or Total Remote Control?
Do RustDesk Remote Desktop or Total Remote Control have ads?
Which is updated more often, RustDesk Remote Desktop or Total Remote Control?
Other comparisons
