JumpServer 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.
Not the right match-up?
JumpServer
Open-source bastion host and PAM platform
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RustDesk Server
Self-hosted relay and ID server for RustDesk
| Feature | JumpServer | RustDesk Server |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Remote Access & VPN | Remote Access & VPN |
| License | GPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | Python | Rust |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 4,096 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | docker, kubernetes | docker, binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 31,230 | ★ 10,209 |
| First released | 2014 | 2021 |
| Replaces | CyberArk, Teleport | TeamViewer |
Why pick each one
Choose JumpServer if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Kubernetes-ready with Helm charts available
- Mature project with 31.2k GitHub stars
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 10.2k GitHub stars
Frequently asked questions
Is JumpServer or RustDesk Server better?
Neither is universally better. JumpServer has the larger community, while RustDesk Server is simpler to set up (easy difficulty). Choose based on the comparison table above and your own setup.
Are JumpServer and RustDesk Server free and open-source?
Yes. JumpServer 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 JumpServer and RustDesk Server with Docker?
JumpServer: yes. RustDesk Server: yes.