Build better Flutter UI with rustdesk

An open-source remote desktop application designed for self-hosting, as an alternative to TeamViewer.

CategoryUI/Components
Stars★ 118,373
Last update2026-07-16
PriorityHigh

rustdesk is an open-source UI component library for Flutter mobile app development, with 118,373★ on GitHub and last updated on 2026-07-16. This guide covers what rustdesk does, why it matters in 2026, how to add it to your project, when to reach for it, and how it compares to the alternatives — plus a quick FAQ.

What is rustdesk?

An open-source remote desktop application designed for self-hosting, as an alternative to TeamViewer. It focuses on building polished, reusable interface widgets faster. The project lives at rustdesk/rustdesk and is maintained by rustdesk.

Why rustdesk is worth knowing in 2026

rustdesk carries 118,373 GitHub stars, 18,005 forks, 122 open issues. It has been around since 2020, and is actively maintained (updated within the last month). For a UI/Components option, that combination of adoption and upkeep usually means a healthy community, production usage, and plenty of examples to learn from — the things that make a dependency safe to build on.

Installing rustdesk

Add the package to your pubspec.yaml:

dependencies:
  rustdesk: ^latest

Then fetch it and import it in your Dart code:

flutter pub get
import 'package:rustdesk/rustdesk.dart';

Check the package’s example/ directory and its GitHub repo for the exact API — rustdesk is versioned there with full docs so you always integrate against the current release.

When should you use rustdesk?

Reach for rustdesk when:

  • you need a ready-made widget instead of building one from scratch
  • you want a consistent look across screens
  • you’re prototyping a mobile app UI quickly

It’s especially relevant if your project touches android, anydesk, dart, flatpak, flutter, flutter-apps.

rustdesk vs. the alternatives

If you’re weighing options in the UI/Components space, these are the other projects developers most often compare rustdesk against:

There’s no single winner — the right pick depends on your app’s size, your team’s familiarity, and your performance budget. Browse the full UI/Components collection to compare them side by side.

Frequently asked questions

Is rustdesk free to use?

Yes. rustdesk is open source and free to use in your Flutter projects. You can view the source, report issues, and contribute on GitHub.

Does rustdesk work on both iOS and Android?

rustdesk is built for Flutter, so it targets iOS and Android from a single codebase, and typically web and desktop too depending on the project’s platform support.

As of 2026, rustdesk has around 118,373 stars and 18,005 forks on GitHub, which puts it among the more widely used options in the UI/Components space.

What are good alternatives to rustdesk?

Popular alternatives in the UI/Components category include hiddify-app, best-flutter-ui-templates, flet. The best choice depends on your app’s size, team, and performance needs.

Resources & links

Part of FlutterCook — 500 hands-on guides to the best open-source Flutter libraries, UI kits, and apps. Explore the live GitHub trends or browse YouTube guides.

#android#anydesk#dart#flatpak#flutter#flutter-apps