Splashtop costs $49/mo.
These cost $0.
1 free alternatives to Splashtop, checked for license, recent activity and real adoption. Each one tells you the catch, so you can switch with your eyes open.
The top-rated free, open-source replacement for Splashtop is RustDesk (AGPL-3.0 Open Source). Across this category, 1 self-hostable tool is available (including RustDesk). Switching a 5-person team saves up to $2,940/year compared to Splashtop's $49/mo subscription.
The catch: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed TeamViewer.
Splashtop vs Free Alternatives
Quick side-by-side comparison · $0/mo vs $49/mo
| Alternative | Type | License | Where It Runs | Stars | Head-to-Head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RustDesk | open source | AGPL-3.0 | Self-host | ★ 128.5k | Splashtop vs RustDesk → |
The picks
1 open source · ranked by fit
- 01
RustDesk
open sourceAGPL-3.0Self-host128.5knov 2026Cross-platform remote desktop software that runs on your own servers, giving you full data control as a direct alternative to TeamViewer and AnyDesk.
The catch vs SplashtopRequires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed TeamViewer.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone https://github.com/rustdesk/rustdesk or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- your data
- All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- checked
- 2026-11-07
Splashtop Head-to-Head Comparisons (2027)
Side-by-side trade-off breakdowns · 1 free alternatives
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers · Splashtop open-source replacements
What is the best free alternative to Splashtop?+
The top free alternative to Splashtop is RustDesk (open source, AGPL-3.0). Cross-platform remote desktop software that runs on your own servers, giving you full data control as a direct alternative to TeamViewer and AnyDesk.
Can I self-host a free replacement for Splashtop?+
Yes. Of the 1 free alternatives to Splashtop, 1 can be self-hosted on your own server or local machine: RustDesk (AGPL-3.0).
How much does switching from Splashtop to a free alternative save?+
Splashtop starts at $49/month per seat ($588/year). Switching a 5-person team to a free alternative like RustDesk saves $2,940 per year in software subscription fees.
Should I vibe-code or build my own Splashtop clone from scratch?+
Our build verdict for Splashtop is NO (use a free alternative, save the tokens). Instead of paying recurring SaaS fees for Splashtop or rebuilding it from scratch, deploy one of the 1 battle-tested open-source alternatives like RustDesk.
What is the catch when switching from Splashtop to RustDesk?+
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed TeamViewer.
