Comparison

RustDesk Remote Desktop vs Sync Anything

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

Sync Anything

Features
Read 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

RustDesk Remote Desktop4 screens
Sync Anything3 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Sync Anything sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. RustDesk Remote Desktop asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
RustDesk Remote Desktop versus Sync Anything: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRustDesk Remote DesktopSync Anything
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (77 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews59.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings77 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size69 MB23 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPurslane 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 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

Sync Anything

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

RustDesk Remote Desktop

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Sync Anything

One-time1
  • Full Version (One-Time Purchase)$2.99

Questions

Is RustDesk Remote Desktop free?
RustDesk Remote Desktop is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Sync Anything free?
Sync Anything is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do RustDesk Remote Desktop or Sync Anything have ads?
Neither RustDesk Remote Desktop nor Sync Anything shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RustDesk Remote Desktop or Sync Anything?
RustDesk Remote Desktop ships an update every 2 months, and Sync Anything weekly. Most recently, RustDesk Remote Desktop was updated on October 11, 2026 and Sync Anything on September 21, 2026.

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