RustDesk alternative: Auffi compared head-to-head
Auffi and RustDesk are both free, open-source (AGPL-3.0)
and privacy-friendly — the key difference is the helper:
with Auffi they just open auffi.app in a
browser and type a 9-digit code — no installation, no
account. With RustDesk an app runs on both sides. Auffi
is focused on simple, browser-based screen sharing; RustDesk
offers broader platform and mobile support.
Comparison table
| Feature | Auffi | RustDesk |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free (private & commercial) | Free (private & commercial) |
| License / open source | AGPL-3.0, open source | AGPL-3.0, open source |
| Self-hostable | Yes (Docker Compose) | Yes (own relay server) |
| Installation (person helping) | None — browser only | App on both sides |
| Account needed (ad-hoc) | No | No (ID + password) |
| Encryption | End-to-end, DTLS-SRTP (WebRTC) | End-to-end (NaCl) |
| Server location (public service) | Germany (Frankfurt) | Public default relay not necessarily EU |
| Platforms (sharer/client) | Windows, Linux (no macOS) | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Mobile support | No | Yes |
As of October 2026
When Auffi is the better choice
- The person helping should not install anything — a browser is all they need.
- You want an EU/German service out-of-the-box without running your own server.
- Simple, browser-based operation matters to you (9-digit code, no account).
When RustDesk is the better choice
- An app on both sides is acceptable to you.
- You need maximum platform and mobile coverage (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS).
- You want to run your own relay server and already have the infrastructure.
RustDesk alternative: where the difference shows up day to day
Both projects are AGPL-3.0, both are self-hostable, both are free including commercial use. So the licence question settles nothing here — the difference lies elsewhere.
Who installs what. RustDesk runs an app on both ends. For machines you look after permanently that is an advantage rather than a cost: set it up once and it is reachable from then on. For the one-off case it inverts — you have to talk someone through an installation remotely, and that is exactly where help-over-the-phone attempts fall apart.
How much operating you want. RustDesk comes into its own with your own relay server and your own ID management. That is work worth doing for a fleet you maintain — and work nobody takes on to help their parents once a month.
In short: RustDesk is built for ongoing access, Auffi for the ad-hoc case. If you need both, run both — the licences do not stand in the way.
Running both is often the right answer
These tools compete less than a head-to-head suggests. One workable pattern: RustDesk for your own machines, where the agent is installed anyway and permanent reachability is the point — Auffi for everything that turns up unplanned, where nobody installed anything in advance.
Both are AGPL, both can run on the same server, both cost nothing. So the decision does not have to be exclusive. The only real question is which tool needs less explaining in the moment you need it — and for an unplanned call that is almost always the one that asks for nothing but a browser and nine digits.
Free, open-source RustDesk alternative: what "free" means for each
If you are looking for a free or open-source RustDesk alternative, start with this: RustDesk itself costs nothing. The client and the open-source server are AGPL-3.0 and free for commercial use too. RustDesk only charges for Server Pro, an annual self-hosting license that, according to the vendor, adds a web console, user and device management, 2FA and, depending on the plan, OIDC/LDAP. On top of that, every self-hosted setup needs its own server — rent, updates, certificates, monitoring.
Auffi has no Pro tier. The public service at auffi.app is
free for personal and business use, and the complete code, signaling
and TURN included, is AGPL-3.0 on GitHub. If you want to self-host, you
bring it all up with Docker Compose; if you don't, you use the server in
Frankfurt.
So the difference is not the price but the effort around it. Your own RustDesk infrastructure pays off when you manage machines long-term. For occasional help without your own server and without an app on the helper's side, Auffi is the leaner RustDesk alternative.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Auffi and RustDesk?
Both are free, open source (AGPL-3.0) and self-hostable. The key difference is the helper: with Auffi they just open a browser and type a code — no install. With RustDesk an app runs on both sides.
Is RustDesk or Auffi better for self-hosting?
Both are fully self-hostable. RustDesk ships its own relay/signal server you can run yourself; Auffi runs entirely via Docker Compose including signaling and TURN. If an app on both sides is fine, RustDesk is a great fit; if the helper should only need a browser, choose Auffi.
Does Auffi or RustDesk need an account?
For ad-hoc help Auffi needs no account — a 9-digit code is enough. RustDesk also needs no account for direct access, just the remote ID and password.
Which tool is more GDPR-friendly?
Both can be run GDPR-compliant because they are self-hostable. Auffi's public service runs in Germany (Frankfurt) and stores no clear-text IPs; with RustDesk it depends on which relay you use — the public default server is not necessarily in the EU.
Are Auffi and RustDesk really free for commercial use too?
Yes. Both are AGPL-3.0 and free for commercial use with no license fee — unlike TeamViewer or AnyDesk.
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