RustDesk Remote Desktop vs iCodex
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
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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.
iCodex
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iCodex is a local-first usage dashboard for Codex users. Keep an eye on quota, reset times, and token trends without repeatedly returning to your Mac. Key features: • Quota overview: See 5-hour and 7-day limits, remaining percentages, and estimated reset times • Token trends: Explore 7-day or 30-day input, output, and cached token history • Apple Watch: Check quota, today's tokens, and 24-hour activity from your wrist • Widgets and complications: Keep essential usage information where you look most • Live Activities: View current quota on the Lock Screen and Dynamic Island • Low-quota alerts: Get optional notifications when remaining quota becomes low • Local-first connection: The Mac Helper reads and summarizes usage on your computer, then shares it with iPhone over an encrypted local-network connection Getting started: 1. Install and run the iCodex Mac Helper 2. Scan the pairing QR code with your iPhone 3. View usage on iPhone, Apple Watch, and widgets Paid content: • You can use Demo Preview at no charge to explore the iPhone quota overview, token trends, and settings with sample data • Connecting to the Mac Helper for real usage data, plus the live quota dashboard, up to 30 days of local history, Apple Watch app, widgets, complications, and low-quota alerts, requires the Lifetime Unlock • Lifetime Unlock is a non-consumable, one-time in-app purchase. It is not a subscription and does not auto-renew • The actual price and applicable taxes are shown on the App Store purchase confirmation sheet • Existing customers can use Restore Purchases on the unlock screen • Demo Preview uses sample data only. It does not include real Mac data or unlock Apple Watch and widgets iCodex does not upload or store your raw conversation content. The developer does not operate a cloud server that receives your usage data.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: RustDesk Remote Desktop at none against iCodex's 1. RustDesk Remote Desktop also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 18.6). iCodex's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). 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
Both are free to download. iCodex 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, iCodex every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on August 22, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | RustDesk Remote Desktop | iCodex |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.1 (73 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 58.5% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 73 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 18.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 62 MB | 5 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Purslane Limited | 建祥 陈 |
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
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- 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
iCodex
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
RustDesk Remote Desktop
No in-app purchases
iCodex
- Lifetime Access$1.99
Questions
Is RustDesk Remote Desktop free?
Is iCodex free?
Do RustDesk Remote Desktop or iCodex have ads?
Which is updated more often, RustDesk Remote Desktop or iCodex?
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