# Element vs RustDesk Server

> Two self-hosted projects, compared on the numbers selfhost.directory tracks live: score, popularity, release cadence and setup effort.

| | Element | RustDesk Server |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 76/100 ✓ | 74/100 |
| Rank in category | #2 of 13 in Instant Messaging | #4 of 22 in Remote Desktop |
| GitHub stars | 13 623 ✓ | 10 630 |
| Stars, last 30 days | +119 | +174 ✓ |
| Stable releases, 12 months | 18 ✓ | 2 |
| Latest release | v1.12.33 · 27 Oct 2026 ✓ | 1.1.16 · 20 Jul 2026 |
| Setup | Moderate | Easy ✓ |
| Official Docker image | Yes | Yes |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Main language | Typescript | Rust |

## Which one should you pick?

Element scores 76/100 against 74/100 for RustDesk Server, so it is the safer default.

Element ships more often: 18 stable releases in the past year, against 2 for RustDesk Server.

If you want the quickest setup, RustDesk Server is easier to run; Element needs more configuration.

## Details

- [Element](https://selfhost.directory/project/element) (markdown: https://selfhost.directory/project/element.md)
- [RustDesk Server](https://selfhost.directory/project/rustdesk-server) (markdown: https://selfhost.directory/project/rustdesk-server.md)

---
Source: https://selfhost.directory/compare/element-vs-rustdesk-server