RustDesk Remote Desktop vs Trace
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. It functions as an alternative to commercial remote access software, allowing users to manage their computers from a distance. Note that it only supports controlling other devices, not screen sharing or being controlled itself.
- Open-source remote desktop
- Remote access and control
- TeamViewer alternative
- Self-hosting capability
- Cross-platform support
- Low input lag
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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.
Trace
Easily design and publish immersive augmented reality experiences. Create 3D holographic tours, product demos, and training scenes with interactive elements. Share spatial content viewable on various devices, including XR headsets.
- Create 3D holographic tours
- Design spatial content
- Add interactive elements
- Publish to any device
- Capture 3D tours and demos
- Add spatial videos, images, and 3D models
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Create and share 3D holographic tours in seconds. Bring your ideas to life with Trace — the fastest way to build and publish immersive AR experiences directly from your device. With the Trace Creator app, you can design world-class spatial content, add interactive elements, and instantly publish to any device. Capture and create 3D tours, product demos, and training scenes. Add spatial videos, images, 3D models, and interactive guides. Share insights and stories from curators, educators, and experts — as if they were there in person. Seamlessly viewable on phones, tablets, and next-generation XR headsets. --- Terms of service: https://www.trace3d.app/traceuser-termsofservice Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Trace at 5.0 against RustDesk Remote Desktop's 3.9. Trace also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 59%) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 6 weeks). RustDesk Remote Desktop's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ratings volume (102 vs 13). 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. Trace sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $20.00 per month. RustDesk Remote Desktop asks for nothing beyond the download.
Trace holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: RustDesk Remote Desktop has 102 ratings behind it against 13, 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 Trace's.
RustDesk Remote Desktop ships an update every 6 weeks, Trace every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | RustDesk Remote Desktop | Trace |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.9 (102 ratings) | 5.0 (13 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 58.8% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 102 — better | 13 |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 69 MB | 224 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Purslane Limited | Trace3d Inc |
Customer experience
RustDesk Remote Desktop
Trace
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
Show 8 moreShow fewer
- 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
Trace
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
RustDesk Remote Desktop
No in-app purchases
Trace
- Trace Creator - Monthly$20.001 Month
- Trace Creator - Yearly$191.991 Year
Questions
Is RustDesk Remote Desktop free?
Is Trace free?
Which has better reviews, RustDesk Remote Desktop or Trace?
Do RustDesk Remote Desktop or Trace have ads?
Which is updated more often, RustDesk Remote Desktop or Trace?
Other comparisons
