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RustDesk is for controlling existing computers; ThinLinc is for delivering centrally hosted Linux desktops and applications. Choose RustDesk for remote support or unattended access to a particular endpoint. Choose ThinLinc when multiple users need managed Linux sessions from different devices. They overlap only in the broad sense that both provide remote graphical access.
The core difference: an endpoint or a hosted workspace?
With RustDesk, you connect to a particular computer and interact with its existing desktop. With ThinLinc, you log in to a Linux server that creates a graphical session for you. That difference determines which product fits; a checklist of shared terms such as “remote desktop” can obscure it.
- “I need to help someone use their existing PC.” RustDesk is the closer fit.
- “I need to give several people access to Linux applications or desktops.” ThinLinc is the closer fit.
Neither is a complete substitute for VPN access, Windows desktop infrastructure, virtual desktop infrastructure, or endpoint-management software.
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RustDesk: remote control between devices
RustDesk clients run on the devices involved in a session. They can connect through public infrastructure or through a self-hosted backend. The self-hosted open-source server uses rendezvous and relay components commonly called hbbs and hbbr. A relay can help when a direct peer-to-peer connection cannot be established, but it cannot make an offline computer reachable. See the RustDesk documentation and its self-hosting guide.
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RustDesk distinguishes its free/open-source server option from Server Pro, a paid self-hosted product with administrative features that vary by plan. Self-hosting shifts control of backend infrastructure to the operator; it does not deploy, update, or secure endpoint clients for them.
ThinLinc: centrally delivered Linux sessions
ThinLinc runs on a Linux server and creates graphical sessions for users, who connect using native clients or HTML5 Web Access. Users can receive full desktops or published applications. Its feature set includes multiple sessions per user, desktop-environment selection, session controls, centralized administration, clustering, failover, load balancing, and VirtualGL integration. These are documented capabilities, not guarantees of a particular scale or performance: the server and its configuration still need to be designed for the workload. See ThinLinc’s feature list.
RustDesk vs. ThinLinc at a glance
| Question | RustDesk | ThinLinc |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Control and support existing endpoints | Deliver centrally hosted Linux desktops and applications |
| Host model | The computer being accessed is the endpoint | A Linux server creates user sessions |
| Client options | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and web, as listed in RustDesk documentation | Native GNU/Linux, macOS, and Windows clients; HTML5 Web Access |
| Windows desktop hosting | Can control an existing Windows endpoint | Not its native model; the hosted sessions are Linux |
| Multi-user Linux sessions | Not its primary design | Designed to provide them |
| Application publishing | Not the central model | Supported |
| Self-hosting | Available through its server options | Linux server deployment |
| Best match | Remote support and endpoint access | Shared or centrally managed Linux workspaces |
Platform lists do not mean that every feature behaves identically on every operating system. Permissions for screen capture and input, unattended access, service installation, and mobile access can vary. RustDesk describes its capabilities, including encryption based on NaCl, in its official documentation; those vendor claims are not, by themselves, independent security certification.
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When RustDesk is the better choice
- A technician needs to see and control a customer’s existing Windows, macOS, or Linux desktop.
- You need attended support or unattended access to a particular workstation or home-lab machine.
- Your endpoints use a mix of operating systems, rather than a uniform Linux server environment.
- You want an open-source self-hosted backend option and can take responsibility for operating it.
RustDesk is not an endpoint-management suite. Self-hosting does not automatically handle client rollout, patching, inventory, monitoring, or support workflows. RustDesk’s client documentation describes the software installed on devices to start or receive sessions.
When ThinLinc is the better choice
- A school, lab, research group, or business needs to provide users with centrally administered Linux desktops.
- People should access the same Linux applications from Windows, macOS, GNU/Linux, or a browser.
- You need full desktop or individual-application delivery, multiple sessions, or desktop-environment selection.
- Your environment benefits from session administration, load balancing, failover, clustering, or VirtualGL support.
A Windows or Mac computer can be a ThinLinc client, but that does not make the hosted session a Windows or macOS desktop. ThinLinc is Linux-first on the server side; it is not a native replacement for a Windows RDP server. Cendio documents its deployment model in the installation guide.
Browser access is not the same feature in both products
RustDesk web client and Server Pro web console
RustDesk documentation lists web support. Do not confuse a web client used to start remote sessions with the Server Pro web console for administration. RustDesk’s plan page distinguishes these functions; availability and administrative features depend on the product and plan.
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ThinLinc Web Access
ThinLinc Web Access is an HTML5 client for a hosted Linux session and can be used without installing the native ThinLinc client. Cendio’s documentation gives TCP port 300 as the default for Web Access. Browser access still depends on server configuration, authentication, network exposure, and browser compatibility; it does not remove the need to administer the Linux service. See the quick-start guide.
Deployment, networking, and security
RustDesk operational responsibilities
For a self-hosted deployment, plan for client configuration, a reachable rendezvous service, and a relay service where needed. Operators also need to manage keys and client settings, firewall and DNS configuration, updates, server hardening, and backups. A small endpoint setup may be quick to start; a managed deployment with centralized identity, audit needs, custom clients, or multiple relays is a different operational undertaking.
RustDesk documentation describes peer-to-peer connections, relay infrastructure, encryption, permissions, and password settings. Security in a real deployment depends on configuration and operations: which infrastructure is used, how access is granted, how endpoints are secured and updated, and how keys and incidents are handled. Open-source availability and self-hosting do not establish that a deployment has been independently audited or is secure by default.
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ThinLinc networking and security responsibilities
ThinLinc’s native clients use the server’s SSH service; Cendio’s quick-start documentation lists TCP port 22 as the default access port. Web Access uses TCP port 300 by default in that documentation. These are documented defaults, not universal requirements: administrators may change ports or use a reverse proxy. Decide whether SSH or Web Access should be exposed directly, reached through a VPN or bastion, or restricted by other network controls. Manage Linux identities, server updates, session isolation, and application trust as part of the same design.
Cendio’s release notes identify ThinLinc 4.16.1 as a security release addressing a critical Web Access vulnerability that could permit user impersonation, including root impersonation. If Web Access is not needed, the release notes give this mitigation:
sudo systemctl disable --now tlwebaccess.serviceConsult the 4.16.1 release notes and current release information when planning a deployment; do not treat an old version-specific notice as a substitute for current patch guidance.
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Neither is categorically more secure
RustDesk’s central security concern is granting remote control of endpoints. ThinLinc’s is protecting a shared Linux service and the sessions and applications it hosts. Compare the access pattern you need, your authentication and logging requirements, exposure, patching, and administrative capacity—not just whether a product uses encryption or is self-hosted.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Pricing and total cost
Both products have free-use paths, but the licensing units differ. RustDesk’s official pricing page displayed the following amounts when its cited plan information was checked; prices and plan limits can change, so confirm them on the official pricing page.
| Cost detail | RustDesk | ThinLinc |
|---|---|---|
| Free path | Free/open-source server option | Free use for up to 10 concurrent users under Cendio’s stated conditions; the server works for three concurrent users by default, with the community license file required to raise the limit to 10 |
| Paid model | Server Pro plans, self-hosted | Tiered subscriptions by user count, purchased in advance |
| Published pricing detail | Official page displayed Free at $0/month, Individual at $9.90/month, and Basic and customized entry plans at $19.90/month, billed annually; plan limits and additional charges vary | No universal per-user price stated in the cited pages; contact Cendio for applicable tier pricing |
| Scaling basis | Login users, managed devices, and/or concurrent connections depending on plan | Concurrent users/licenses |
| Client software | Part of the RustDesk product ecosystem | Free |
Cendio describes 12-, 36-, and 60-month subscription terms; commercial subscriptions include the ability to exceed the free-user limit, technical support, and upgrade rights, while premium subscriptions offer prioritized support and faster response. The details are described in Cendio’s licensing and general platform documentation and Ubuntu documentation. Check the terms that apply to your deployment.
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Quick Recap
What can fail, and what needs planning?
RustDesk: connectivity and endpoint availability
- A peer-to-peer connection may fail because of NAT or firewall conditions; the relay must be reachable if needed.
- A misconfigured rendezvous service, inconsistent keys or client settings, or blocked network traffic can prevent a connection.
- An endpoint that is powered off or offline remains unreachable.
- Endpoint permissions may prevent screen capture or input control, and platform updates can change behavior.
ThinLinc: server, identity, and session capacity
- If the Linux server is unavailable, users cannot start or reach its sessions; resilience requires deliberate failover or clustering design.
- Native access can fail when SSH is blocked; Web Access can fail independently of native clients.
- Desktop-environment packages or applications may not work as expected in the configured server environment.
- CPU, memory, storage, and GPU requirements grow with workload and concurrency; a license limit is not a capacity estimate.
- Linux account or identity integration problems can prevent logins, while a server outage affects a concentration of users.
Alternatives if neither fits
- Windows desktop or application delivery: consider Remote Desktop Services or Azure Virtual Desktop, not ThinLinc as a native Windows host. See Microsoft Remote Desktop Services and Azure Virtual Desktop.
- Private network access rather than screen control: evaluate a VPN or mesh VPN such as Tailscale.
- Patch management, inventory, monitoring, or scripting: evaluate an RMM or endpoint-management platform; neither product provides that full role by itself.
- Browser gateway to existing RDP, VNC, or SSH systems: consider Apache Guacamole.
- Hosted remote-support service: compare category alternatives such as TeamViewer or AnyDesk.
- GPU-focused remote visualization: assess a product designed for that workload, such as NICE DCV; ThinLinc’s VirtualGL integration alone does not establish a specific performance result.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
