RustDesk Remote Desktop vs Sync Anything
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
Read full descriptionHide 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.
Sync Anything
Read full descriptionHide full description
Sync Anything is a native iOS client for Syncthing — the popular open-source, peer-to-peer file synchronization project. It is fully compatible with the Syncthing protocol, so your iPhone and iPad sync directly with any other device already running Syncthing. No cloud sits in the middle. Your data never touches our servers — because there are no servers. Files move directly between your own devices, encrypted in transit. WHY YOU'LL LIKE IT • Fully Syncthing-compatible. Connects to any Syncthing device using the standard protocol (BEP, local discovery, relays, TLS device authentication). • No cloud. Files go straight from device to device. • No subscription. One-time purchase, yours forever. • No account. Nothing to sign up for. WHAT YOU CAN SYNC • Folders of documents, PDFs, and files of any kind. • Your photo library — back up photos and videos automatically. • Synced folders appear in the Files app, ready to open in your other apps. SIMPLE BY DESIGN • Add a device by scanning a QR code. • Choose send-only, receive-only, or two-way sync per folder. • See real-time status: connection, progress, and what's out of sync. • Sensible defaults — no fiddly configuration. HONEST ABOUT iOS iOS doesn't allow true always-on background apps. Sync runs while the app is open, plus opportunistic background syncs when the system allows. We tell you this up front instead of pretending otherwise. PRICING Start with a 7-day free trial of everything. After that, a single one-time purchase unlocks the app for good — no subscription, ever. Your files stay yours. On your devices. Nowhere else.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: RustDesk Remote Desktop at none against Sync Anything's 1. RustDesk Remote Desktop also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). Sync Anything's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months). On price and ads 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. Sync Anything sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. RustDesk Remote Desktop asks for nothing beyond the download.
RustDesk Remote Desktop ships an update every 2 months, Sync Anything weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | RustDesk Remote Desktop | Sync Anything |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.2 (77 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 59.4% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 77 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 69 MB | 23 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Purslane Limited | 绍龙 朱 |
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 moreShow fewer
- 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
Sync Anything
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
RustDesk Remote Desktop
No in-app purchases
Sync Anything
- Full Version (One-Time Purchase)$2.99
Questions
Is RustDesk Remote Desktop free?
Is Sync Anything free?
Do RustDesk Remote Desktop or Sync Anything have ads?
Which is updated more often, RustDesk Remote Desktop or Sync Anything?
Other comparisons















