Comparison

RustDesk Remote Desktop vs Scry

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

Scry

Access and control your macOS, Windows, or Linux computer from your iPhone or iPad. Stream your desktop in real-time with precise pointer and keyboard input, and sync your clipboard.

Highlights
  • Real-time desktop streaming
  • Full iPadOS pointer support
  • Hardware keyboard pass-through
  • Two-finger right-click
  • Clipboard synchronization
  • Local and internet connections
  • Encrypted screen stream
Features
Read full description

Reach the computer you already own. See and control your own computer — macOS, Windows, or Linux — from your iPhone or iPad. The desktop streams in real time, and your phone or tablet drives it with a hardware keyboard and a precise pointer. WHAT YOU CAN DO • View your computer's desktop live and full-screen • Click, type, and scroll with full iPadOS pointer support, Magic Trackpad included • Hardware keyboard with arrow keys, modifier combos, and shortcuts that pass through • Two-finger tap for right-click, drag-to-select, smooth trackpad gestures • Sync text clipboard between phone and desktop • Connect over your local network when possible, or over the internet when you're out GOOD MOMENTS • Grab a file off your desktop while you're traveling • Run a desktop-only tool from your phone in line at a coffee shop • Use your iPad as a thin client for your computer at the kitchen table • Manage a home server or Linux machine without pulling out a laptop • Check on a long render, compile, or backup from the road INPUT THAT BEHAVES Pointer input tracks the desktop cursor, scroll matches direction, and modifier keys send through. iPad pointer support is wired in directly, so a Magic Trackpad on a Magic Keyboard works as a first-class input device. On iPhone, touch becomes a cursor with a two-finger right-click and pinch-and-drag for selection. NETWORK BEHAVIOR On the same Wi-Fi, the connection runs directly between your two devices. Off your home network, an encrypted route forwards the session. You don't configure any of that; the picker just connects. PRIVATE BY DESIGN The screen stream is encrypted. When traffic is direct, it stays between your phone and your desktop. When a relay is needed, it forwards encrypted bytes and never reads what's on your screen. Scry never opens your phone's camera or microphone. The viewer only shows the desktop you signed in on. SCRY PRO Scry Pro unlocks remote desktop access from this iPhone or iPad. Sign in is free; reaching one of your desktops from the mobile app requires Pro. Subscribe monthly, take the annual plan, or pick up the Lifetime option as a one-time payment. New annual subscribers start with a 7-day free trial. SIGN IN Sign in with Apple, Google, or email. The same sign-in goes on the desktop app you install on the computer you want to reach. SUPPORT Questions, bug reports, and feature requests: support@bravely.dev Privacy: https://bravely.dev/privacy Terms: https://bravely.dev/terms

Screenshots

RustDesk Remote Desktop4 screens
Scry4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Scry at 5.0 against RustDesk Remote Desktop's 4.2. Scry also leads on update cadence (every 10 days vs every 2 months). RustDesk Remote Desktop's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and ratings volume (77 vs 3). On price, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Scry sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. RustDesk Remote Desktop asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Scry 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 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RustDesk Remote Desktop ships an update every 2 months, Scry every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
RustDesk Remote Desktop versus Scry: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRustDesk Remote DesktopScry
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (77 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews59.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings77 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 10 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size69 MB24 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPurslane LimitedBravely Studios

Customer experience

RustDesk Remote Desktop

All ratings77 ratings
Positive77.9%
Neutral6.5%
Negative15.6%
Written reviews96 reviews
Positive59.4%
Neutral14.6%
Negative26.0%

Scry

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

Scry

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

RustDesk Remote Desktop

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Scry

Subscriptions2
  • Scry Pro Monthly7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Bravely Premium (Annual)$95.991 Year
One-time1
  • Bravely Premium (Lifetime)$399.99

Questions

Is RustDesk Remote Desktop free?
RustDesk Remote Desktop is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Scry free?
Scry is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, RustDesk Remote Desktop or Scry?
Scry is rated higher. RustDesk Remote Desktop averages 4.2 out of 5 from 77 ratings, while Scry averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.
Do RustDesk Remote Desktop or Scry have ads?
Neither RustDesk Remote Desktop nor Scry shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RustDesk Remote Desktop or Scry?
RustDesk Remote Desktop ships an update every 2 months, and Scry every 10 days. Most recently, RustDesk Remote Desktop was updated on October 19, 2026 and Scry on October 5, 2026.

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