RustDesk has the aspiration to be an open-source alternative to remote desktop software such as TeamViewer[2] or AnyDesk.

As a result, RustDesk can function without relying on additional tools such as VPNs or port forwarding, even behind firewalls or NATs.

Since version 1.2.0 in 2023, RustDesk is based on Flutter, replacing the proprietary Sciter UI runtime library[3][4][5] that preceded it.

Also in 2023 fraudsters targeted victims of technical scams, tricking users into installing RustDesk to access sensitive data.

[6][7] As of August 2024, RustDesk states that their default rendezvous server is hosted in the EU.