Aspia vs RustDesk Server
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted remote access & vpn options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Aspia | RustDesk Server |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 67 · Good | 91 · Excellent |
| Category | Remote Access & VPN | Remote Access & VPN |
| License | GPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | C++ | Rust |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 256 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | docker, binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,927 | ★ 10,449 |
| First released | 2016 | 2021 |
| Replaces | TeamViewer, AnyDesk | TeamViewer |
What are Aspia and RustDesk Server?
Aspia
Aspia is a free, open-source remote desktop and file-transfer application supporting desktop management, view-only sessions and a self-hostable relay and router. It works across Windows and Linux.
- Remote desktop and file transfer
- Self-hostable relay/router
- End-to-end encryption
- Cross-platform
RustDesk Server
RustDesk Server provides the rendezvous and relay components needed to run RustDesk remote desktop fully on your own infrastructure. It keeps all connections under your control.
- Rendezvous and relay servers
- Single binary or Docker
- Full data ownership
- Pairs with RustDesk clients
Aspia vs RustDesk Server: key differences
Aspia is written in C++, while RustDesk Server is built with Rust. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for Aspia versus AGPL-3.0 for RustDesk Server. RustDesk Server is the lighter option, starting around 128 MB of RAM against 256 MB for Aspia. Aspia is the more established project (first released 2016), while RustDesk Server arrived in 2021. RustDesk Server has the considerably larger community, at 10,449 GitHub stars versus 1,927. RustDesk Server lists first-class Docker deployment; Aspia does not.
Why pick each one
Choose Aspia if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- Active community (1.9k GitHub stars)
- Written in C++
- Tiny footprint — runs in 256 MB RAM
Choose RustDesk Server if…
- Released under the AGPL-3.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Mature project with 10.4k GitHub stars
Frequently asked questions
Is Aspia or RustDesk Server better?
RustDesk Server is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Aspia if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Aspia and RustDesk Server free and open-source?
Yes. Aspia is licensed under GPL-3.0 and RustDesk Server under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Aspia and RustDesk Server with Docker?
Aspia: check the project docs for container support. RustDesk Server: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Aspia or RustDesk Server?
RustDesk Server has the smaller minimum footprint at 128 MB of RAM, compared to about 256 MB for Aspia. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.