RustDesk Remote Desktop vs OpenWebUI
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.
OpenWebUI
This client app connects to your personal Open WebUI server for AI model interaction. Enjoy real-time chat, image generation, and voice commands, all while keeping your data private on your own server. Customize themes and manage chats with various actions.
- Real-time AI chat responses
- Multiple AI model support
- Image generation
- Voice mode for interaction
- Notes and knowledge base (RAG)
- Chat management and export
- Customizable themes
Read full descriptionHide full description
OpenWebUI Client is a native app for your own Open WebUI server — chat with your AI models with the fluidity of a real app, keeping everything on your server and under your control. FEATURES • Chat with your models, with real-time (streaming) responses • Multiple providers and models configured in your Open WebUI • Image generation • Notes and knowledge base (RAG) • Voice mode: speak and hear the responses • Chat actions: pin, archive, rename, clone, share, and export • Themes and customization • Attachments: send photos and files • 34 app languages, auto-detected from your device PRIVACY The app talks only to the Open WebUI server you specify. Nothing goes through third parties — your data stays on your server. REQUIREMENTS You need access to an Open WebUI server. On first launch, enter the server address and sign in with your account. This is an independent client, not affiliated with the Open WebUI project.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: RustDesk Remote Desktop at Free against OpenWebUI's $2.99. RustDesk Remote Desktop also leads on review sentiment (59% vs 33%) and ratings volume (73 vs 2). OpenWebUI's advantage is update cadence (every 6 days vs every 2 months) and chart position (#111 vs unranked). On rating, ads, in-app purchases 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
RustDesk Remote Desktop is free to download; OpenWebUI costs $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.1 for RustDesk Remote Desktop against 4.0 for OpenWebUI. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: RustDesk Remote Desktop has 73 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 59% of RustDesk Remote Desktop's written reviews are positive against 33% of OpenWebUI's.
RustDesk Remote Desktop ships an update every 2 months, OpenWebUI every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 16, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | RustDesk Remote Desktop | OpenWebUI |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $2.99 |
| Rating | 4.1 (73 ratings) — better | 4.0 (2 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 58.5% of reviews — better | 33.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 73 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 6 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | #111 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 62 MB | 11 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Purslane Limited | Joao Victor Zao |
Customer experience
RustDesk Remote Desktop
OpenWebUI
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
OpenWebUI
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
RustDesk Remote Desktop
No in-app purchases
OpenWebUI
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is RustDesk Remote Desktop free?
Is OpenWebUI free?
Which has better reviews, RustDesk Remote Desktop or OpenWebUI?
Do RustDesk Remote Desktop or OpenWebUI have ads?
Which is updated more often, RustDesk Remote Desktop or OpenWebUI?
Other comparisons
