RustDesk Remote Desktop vs MeshRemote
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.
MeshRemote
This client allows you to manage MeshCentral servers and their connected devices directly from your iPhone or iPad. It offers features like remote desktop control, SSH access, file management, and power commands for your computer fleet.
- Multiple server profiles
- Remote desktop control
- SSH terminal emulation
- Direct agent shell access
- File browsing and transfer
- Remote power commands
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MeshRemote is an unofficial iOS client for MeshCentral, the open-source remote management platform. Connect to your own MeshCentral server and manage your home-lab or computer fleet. Right from your iPhone or iPad. FEATURES - Multiple Servers: Save as many MeshCentral server profiles as you need and switch between them instantly. - Remote Desktop: View and control device screens with native decoding of MeshCentral's desktop protocol and smooth trackpad-style input. - SSH: Full terminal emulation through your server's SSH relay. - Terminal: Open an agent shell directly on a device (great for Windows machines without SSH). - Files: Browse drives and folders, download and upload files, create folders, rename, and delete. - Power Commands: Wake-on-LAN, restart, sleep, and power off your devices remotely. MeshRemote is an independent, third-party client and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the MeshCentral project. A MeshCentral Server is required in order to utilize all the features of this app.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: MeshRemote at 5.0 against RustDesk Remote Desktop's 4.2. MeshRemote also leads on update cadence (every 10 days vs every 2 months). RustDesk Remote Desktop's advantage is ratings volume (77 vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
MeshRemote 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 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
RustDesk Remote Desktop ships an update every 2 months, MeshRemote every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | RustDesk Remote Desktop | MeshRemote |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.2 (77 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 59.4% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 77 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 10 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 17 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 69 MB | 4 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Purslane Limited | Micah Ross |
Customer experience
RustDesk Remote Desktop
MeshRemote
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
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
MeshRemote
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
RustDesk Remote Desktop
No in-app purchases
MeshRemote
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is RustDesk Remote Desktop free?
Is MeshRemote free?
Which has better reviews, RustDesk Remote Desktop or MeshRemote?
Do RustDesk Remote Desktop or MeshRemote have ads?
Which is updated more often, RustDesk Remote Desktop or MeshRemote?
Other comparisons
