KasmVNC vs RustDesk
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?
KasmVNC
Modern VNC server with a browser-based client
VS
RustDesk
Open-source remote desktop alternative to TeamViewer
| Feature | KasmVNC | RustDesk |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Remote Access & VPN | Remote Access & VPN |
| License | GPL-2.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | C++ | Rust |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | docker, binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 5,167 | ★ 119,867 |
| First released | 2020 | 2021 |
| Replaces | TightVNC, RealVNC | TeamViewer, AnyDesk |
Why pick each one
Choose KasmVNC if…
- Released under the GPL-2.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Mature project with 5.2k GitHub stars
- Written in C++
Frequently asked questions
Is KasmVNC or RustDesk better?
RustDesk is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider KasmVNC if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are KasmVNC and RustDesk free and open-source?
Yes. KasmVNC is licensed under GPL-2.0 and RustDesk under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run KasmVNC and RustDesk with Docker?
KasmVNC: yes. RustDesk: yes.