Our take
Pick RustDesk if ops teams who will stay on Free at $0 (OSS server, community support) while they open a first Devices list, then Individual at $11.88/month yearly when they need 1 login user and 20 managed devices — not Basic $23.88 unless they need 10 users / OIDC / LDAP. Pick Tailscale if individuals who will stay on Personal at $0 (up to 6 users) while they open a first Machines list, then Standard at
self-hosted Devices desk
Best for
RustDesk A device table you start at a public $
Tailscale A tailnet table you start at a public $
Free plan
RustDesk $0 · /month. Open source and free. Online status. Community support
Tailscale $0 · free forever. Unlimited user devices. Up to 6 users. Up to 3 ACL groups. 50 tagged resources to start. 1,000 mins/month for ephemeral resources
Lowest paid
RustDesk Individual $11.88/mo
Tailscale Extra tagged resources $1/mo
Next step up
RustDesk Basic $23.88/mo
Tailscale Mullvad add-on $5/mo
Runs where
RustDesk Local or hosted
Tailscale Hosted
Watch out
RustDesk Paid tiles are annual-only
Tailscale Personal stops at 6 users and 3 ACL groups
Last checked
RustDesk 2026-10-23 · rustdesk.com/pricing.html
Tailscale 2026-10-23 · tailscale.com/pricing
ops teams who will stay on Free at $0 (OSS server, community support) while they open a first Devices list, then Individual at $11.88/month yearly when they need 1 login user and 20 managed devices — not Basic $23.88 unless they need 10 users / OIDC / LDAP.
Read the RustDesk pageindividuals who will stay on Personal at $0 (up to 6 users) while they open a first Machines list, then Standard at $8/user/month when they need unlimited users / SCIM — not Premium $18 unless they need flow logs or 10,000 ephemeral minutes.
Read the Tailscale page