Docker OpenVPN 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?
Docker OpenVPN
OpenVPN server in a Docker container
VS
RustDesk
Open-source remote desktop alternative to TeamViewer
| Feature | Docker OpenVPN | RustDesk |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Remote Access & VPN | Remote Access & VPN |
| License | MIT | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | Shell | Rust |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | docker | docker, binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 9,088 | ★ 119,867 |
| First released | 2014 | 2021 |
| Replaces | NordVPN | TeamViewer, AnyDesk |
Why pick each one
Choose Docker OpenVPN if…
- Released under the MIT license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Mature project with 9.1k GitHub stars
- Written in Shell
Frequently asked questions
Is Docker OpenVPN or RustDesk better?
RustDesk is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Docker OpenVPN if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Docker OpenVPN and RustDesk free and open-source?
Yes. Docker OpenVPN is licensed under MIT and RustDesk under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Docker OpenVPN and RustDesk with Docker?
Docker OpenVPN: yes. RustDesk: yes.