# DS file vs RustDesk Remote Desktop

The clearest difference is rating: RustDesk Remote Desktop at 4.2 against DS file's 2.8. RustDesk Remote Desktop also leads on review sentiment (59% vs 29%) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 4 months). DS file's advantage is ratings volume (357 vs 77). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

RustDesk Remote Desktop holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 2.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 357 and 77 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 29% of DS file's written reviews are positive against 59% of RustDesk Remote Desktop's.

DS file ships an update every 4 months, RustDesk Remote Desktop every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 15, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | DS file | RustDesk Remote Desktop |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.8 (357 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ds-file/id416751772/reviews) | **[4.2 (77 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rustdesk-remote-desktop/id1581225015/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **357** | 77 |
| Positive reviews | 28.6% of reviews | **59.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 121 MB | 69 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Synology Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/321493109) | [Purslane Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/666983468) |

## What reviewers say

### DS file

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ds-file/id416751772)

Access, manage, and edit files stored on your Synology NAS from your mobile device. Upload, download, and securely browse documents, pictures, and videos on the go.

**Highlights:** File management on Synology NAS, Upload and download files, Basic file editing, Secure HTTPS access, Browse pictures and videos, Access work documents

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple and efficient file management
- 🚀 Fast file access and transfer
- 💡 Useful photo backup feature
- 🔒 Secure remote access to NAS

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and freezes, especially after updates
- 🔍 Inconsistent file format support (e.g. .MOV, .HEIC)
- 🔍 Lack of advanced features like multi-select and sorting
- 🔍 Slow performance, especially on older devices

**Reported bugs**

- Login issues, unable to connect to NAS
- Video playback not working, especially on iOS 12+
- Excessive storage usage and cache issues
- Inconsistent behavior after iOS updates

**Requested features**

- Integrate with iOS Files app
- Add support for more file formats
- Improve photo/video backup functionality
- Implement dark mode
- Allow multi-file selection and batch operations


### RustDesk Remote Desktop

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rustdesk-remote-desktop/id1581225015)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast connection and performance
- 🌟 Open source and free
- 💡 Self-hosting capability
- 👍 Easy to set up and use
- ⚡️ Low input lag

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔋 Phone heats up
- 🐛 Inconsistent performance on iOS/iPadOS
- 🚫 Lacks mouse acceleration
- 📱 Poor compatibility with older iOS versions
- ⚠️ Some users report data collection (location, identifiers)

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- 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


## Frequently asked questions

### Is DS file free?

DS file is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is RustDesk Remote Desktop free?

RustDesk Remote Desktop is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, DS file or RustDesk Remote Desktop?

RustDesk Remote Desktop is rated higher. DS file averages 2.8 out of 5 from 357 ratings, while RustDesk Remote Desktop averages 4.2 from 77 ratings.

### Do DS file or RustDesk Remote Desktop have ads?

Neither DS file nor RustDesk Remote Desktop shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, DS file or RustDesk Remote Desktop?

DS file ships an update every 4 months, and RustDesk Remote Desktop every 2 months. Most recently, DS file was updated on October 15, 2026 and RustDesk Remote Desktop on October 15, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*