Networking
Self-host RustDesk Server on a VPS
A self-hosted remote desktop relay.
Run your own Relay/ID server so RustDesk clients connect through your infrastructure, not a third party.
Why self-host RustDesk Server?
Self-hosting the RustDesk server keeps remote-desktop sessions and addresses off someone else’s relay.
How to install RustDesk Server
- 1
Provision a VPS
Choose a plan with room for your data as well as the app.
- 2
Install the stack
Install Rust relay + ID server.
- 3
Deploy the application
Follow the project’s official install guide for your distribution.
- 4
Enable HTTPS
Serve it on your own domain behind a reverse proxy with a certificate.
- 5
Back it up
Schedule a database dump plus a copy of any uploaded files to an off-box location.
Practical tips
- Give RustDesk Server its own database user with rights only on its own schema.
- Reverse-proxy RustDesk Server and terminate TLS at the proxy so certificates are managed in one place.
- Take a VPS snapshot before major upgrades so you can roll back cleanly.
- Keep RustDesk Server patched — most self-hosting incidents are unpatched software.
Frequently asked questions
- How much RAM does RustDesk Server need?
- Plan on 1–2 GB for typical use; add headroom if you expect many concurrent users.
- What stack does RustDesk Server run on?
- Rust relay + ID server.
- Can I run other things on the same VPS?
- Yes — size the plan so RustDesk Server plus your other workloads fit in RAM with room to spare.
Looking for something else? Popular alternatives include Apache Guacamole, MeshCentral, TeamViewer (hosted) — browse all app guides.