PortKnock vs RustDesk Remote Desktop
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
PortKnock
This utility allows network administrators to send custom port knock sequences to servers. It requires a port knock daemon on the server and offers features like password protection, knock validation, and host management.
- Password Protection
- Knock Validation
- Import/Export Hosts
- Auto App Launcher
- Shows External IP Address
- TCP/UDP Configuration
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-- Overview -- This application is a simple port knocker for the iPhone, generally useful only to network administrators. You *must* have a port knock daemon running on your server for this application to be useful. Features in this version of Port Knock: - Password Protection - Knock Validation - Import/Export Hosts - Auto App Launcher(+) - Knock Progress Screen - Shows your External IP Address - Arbitrary number of ports per host - An unlimited number of host definitions - TCP/UDP configuration per port - Selectively sending knocks through WiFi or Carrier/3G networks - Configurable interpacket delay - Has no advertising -- Use Cases -- This app is ideal if you're on a WiFi network but don't have a port knocker on the available computers. If you're sitting behind a NAT, the iPhone/iPod Touch will have the same IP as any of the other computers on your network. This is also great to use with TouchTerm or any other ssh or telnet software for the iPhone.Just give it the hostname and a list of ports, and whether you want it to send TCP or UDP packets. -- Brief Description of Port Knocking for the Layman -- Port Knocking is a technique to secure services behind a firewall until a specific knock sequence is given. This is not to be confused with port scanning (a network management tool for discovering open services on a system). Imagine you left your kids at home alone. You don't want them to open the door for strangers. And when a stranger comes knocking, you don't even want them to come to the door, because you don't want them to know your kids are there. But, when you or other family members come, you might want them to open the door for you. So you teach them to listen for a certain rattat-tat-tat or special knock that only you and your family know. This is the same concept you can apply to your servers. If you run a knock daemon on your server, this app then lets you send the special knock to it. A more technical description of port knocking can be found on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_knocking -- Additional Info -- If you're in need of a knock server, I personally use Judd Vinet's knock daemon for linux. It's quite easy to use: http://www.zeroflux.org/projects/knock You can find of information and a nice list of other knock clients and servers over at http://www.portknocking.org/ -- Notes -- + There are some restrictions regarding the Auto App Launcher. For SSH, you can only create temporary connections. For Mail, you will always be shown a new compose mail window first. Unfortunately, this is due to the way App integration works on iOS. There's not much I can do to address these issues at this time. -- Support -- For better support, please send bug reports and feature requests to danny@sungheroes.com, rather than simply posting it in a review. You can find more info on using PortKnock at the main website: http://www.sungheroes.com/products/portknock-iphone/ -- History -- 2022-02-28 PortKnock 4.18 released. LaunchApp automatically works again. Fixed some import bugs. 2018-01-xx PortKnock 4.12 supports IPv6 2017-09-xx PortKnock 4.0 released for iOS 10.3 2013-02-15 PortKnock 3.2 should work again on iOS5 2011-Jul-10 PortKnock 3.0.833 released. Added password protection, knock validation, import/export hosts, auto app launcher, and knock progress screen. 2010-Dec-14 PortKnock 2.02 released. Added a 'copy hosts' feature. Host/Port reordering should now work correctly. Entry fields should now work properly on iOS 4.2.1. 2010-Sep-25 PortKnock 2.01 is now available in the app store. iPhone 4's should no longer have an issue. If you are experiencing problems, please email me. 2010-Sep-09 The iPhone4 issue should be resolved. A bug fix release has been submitted. Thank you all for your patience!
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.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: RustDesk Remote Desktop at Free against PortKnock's $0.99. RustDesk Remote Desktop also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 7 months) and ratings volume (77 vs 9). PortKnock's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.2) and review sentiment (76% vs 59%). On ads, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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; PortKnock costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
PortKnock 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 9, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 76% of PortKnock's written reviews are positive against 59% of RustDesk Remote Desktop's.
PortKnock ships an update every 7 months, RustDesk Remote Desktop every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | PortKnock | RustDesk Remote Desktop |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 5.0 (9 ratings) — better | 4.2 (77 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 76.0% of reviews — better | 59.4% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 9 | 77 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 11 MB | 69 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Danny Sung | Purslane Limited |
Customer experience
PortKnock
RustDesk Remote Desktop
Bugs and requests
PortKnock
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or 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
In-app purchases
PortKnock
No in-app purchases
RustDesk Remote Desktop
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is PortKnock free?
Is RustDesk Remote Desktop free?
Which has better reviews, PortKnock or RustDesk Remote Desktop?
Do PortKnock or RustDesk Remote Desktop have ads?
Which is updated more often, PortKnock or RustDesk Remote Desktop?
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