Comparison

spacedesk vs Astropad Studio Drawing Tablet

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

spacedesk

Extend your Windows PC's desktop to another device wirelessly or via USB. Use your tablet or phone as a drawing tablet or a portable second monitor for travel and productivity.

Highlights
  • Windows desktop extension
  • Screen mirroring
  • Remote desktop viewer
  • Drawing tablet functionality
  • Wireless display monitor
  • USB display monitor
  • Remote control
Features
Read full description

Windows computer desktop extension, mirroring and remoting tool for WiFi, USB or LAN. Supports applications like: - Screen Cast (to television, tablet or smart phone) - Desktop Remoting Viewer (over USB and Local Area Network) - Drawing Tablet (drawing and painting with digitizer pen) - Wireless Display Monitor (similar to Miracast, RDP, AirPlay and Sidecar) - USB Display Monitor (similar to DisplayLink) - Remote Access (over USB link, WiFi and LAN) - Remote Control (wireless and wired) - Screen Streaming (including audio) - Screen Mirroring (over the air and via cable) - Screen Cloning - Extension Screen - Windows Desktop Workspace Extension - Windows Desktop Duplication (clone) - Windows Desktop Streaming - Personal Computer Desktop Presenter - Virtual Monitor for Desktop PC - Second Display On The Go - TV, mobile or tablet screen as Side by Side Display - Alternative to Miracast, AirPlay and Sidecar - Portable Multimonitor Screen for Travel - Access main computer from mobile device - Software KVM-Switch (Keyboard Video Mouse) - Software Display Hub - Software Display Switch - Projector Screen Viewer - Input Console - Input Terminal - Tablet Input Device - Windows Graphics Tablet App - Windows Tablet as sketchbook for drawing artwork - Creative Video Wall App - Video Wall w. Any Angle Rotation Instruction manual, documentation and detailed setup: https://manual.spacedesk.net Quick Guide: 1. Install spacedesk DRIVER software for Windows Primary PC. Download from: https://www.spacedesk.net 2. Install this spacedesk Viewer app for iOS. 3. Open this spacedesk Viewer app and connect to Windows Primary PC. Connection: USB or LAN (Local Area Network). LAN: Driver and Viewer must be on the same network - via Mobile Hotspot Note: Does NOT need internet connection! The Windows Primary Machine running spacedesk Driver... ...supports Windows 11, Windows 10 or Windows 8.1. Apple Macs are not supported. Dual monitor and multi monitor configurations are supported. Needs spacedesk drivers installed. Download: https://www.spacedesk.net The Secondary Machine or Device (iOS network display client)... ...is an iPad, iPhone or device running the spacedesk iOS app. The wireless and wired cable connection... ...connects Windows Primary Machine to Secondary Machine or Device over USB, LAN (Local Area Network e.g. Ethernet) and/or WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network). Local Area Network connection can be wired or over WiFi. TCP/IP network protocol is required. More information on: https://www.spacedesk.net Instruction Manual: https://manual.spacedesk.net/ Support Forum: https://forum.spacedesk.net/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/spacedesk/330909083726073 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkWZSwBD-XY — LIGHTNING FAST — To achieve unparalleled performance and display quality with zero lag, use cable connection over USB or Local Area Network. Try to circumvent WiFi and network routers. E.g. configure Windows PC or iOS device as WiFi Access Point (Hotspot) and connect directly before connecting spacedesk. Please check chapter "Performance Tuning" in the instruction manual: https://manual.spacedesk.net — REMOTE CONTROL INPUT AND OUTPUT PERIPHERAL ACCESSORIES — - Touchscreen (multitouch and single touch - Touchpad - Mouse Pointer Control - Keyboard - Pressure Sensitive Stylus Pen - Audio Speaker — SETTINGS AND OPTIONS — - Landscape View - Portrait View — SYSTEM SUPPORT — Supported are iOS versions 11.x+ (including MacOS on Apple Silicon Chips) and PCs with Windows 11, Windows 10 and Windows 8.1. Apple Macs are not supported.

About

Astropad Studio Drawing Tablet

Transform your iPad into a professional wireless drawing tablet for demanding creative work. Enjoy customizable workspaces, gesture shortcuts, and high-speed connectivity for efficient digital art creation on Mac and PC.

Highlights
  • Wireless or USB connectivity
  • Customizable gesture shortcuts
  • Keyboard support
  • Pressure curve customization
  • Second display functionality
  • Optimized for Apple Pencil
Features
Read full description

Go beyond a drawing tablet with Astropad Studio. Start a free 14-day trial today! Astropad Studio is the ultimate wireless drawing tablet, designed for the most demanding creative work. With complete workspace customization, Studio allows artists to work faster and more efficiently, with the freedom to work in the studio, at home, or on-the-go. Built for creative professionals with features like: · Wifi or USB connectivity · Built in 2nd display · Crystal clear & ultra-fast · Gesture shortcut customization · Keyboard support · Customizable pressure curves · Magic Gestures: Create your own gesture shortcuts with touch-Pencil combinations · Shortcut Sets: Sidebar shortcuts automatically adapt to match whatever Mac app you’re working in · Unlimited upgrades · Works on Mac and PC $14.99 monthly or $79.99 annually ___ STREAMLINED PRODUCTIVITY · Pinch to Zoom: Pinch to zoom and pan in Mac or PC Apps · Liquid Extreme: Up to 5x faster than baseline Liquid · Wifi & USB: Use your iPad as a drawing tablet plugged in or wirelessly · Keyboard Support: Access our built-in keyboard or use your own Bluetooth keyboard · Velocity Control: Analyzes network conditions dozens of times per second to balance image quality and latency COMPLETE CUSTOMIZATION · Magic Gestures: Create your own gesture shortcuts with touch-Pencil combinations · Shortcut Sets: Sidebar shortcuts automatically adapt to match whatever Mac app you’re working in BUILT FOR CREATIVES · Apple Pencil Optimized: Designed exclusively for the precision of Apple Pencil · Color Corrected: True to your source material with color corrected output and retina resolution ___ SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS · Mac: OS X 10.14 or later · PC: Windows 10 64-bit, build 1809 or later · iPad iOS 13.1 or later: iPad Mini 4 (2015+), iPad Air (2014+), iPad Pro (2016+), iPad 5th generation (2017+) · Optimized for iPad Pro and Apple Pencil SUBSCRIPTION TERMS · $14.99 monthly or $79.99 annually · Price may vary by location. ___ Subscriptions will be charged to your credit card using your iTunes account. Your subscription will automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during active subscription period. Any unused portion of a free trial period will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period. ___ MORE RESOURCES Download the free desktop companion app: astropad.com/downloads FAQ: astropad.com/faq Support: support@astropad.com Twitter: @astropad Instagram: @astropadco Facebook: facebook.com/astropadco ___ Privacy Policy: http://astropad.com/studio/privacy.html Terms of Use: http://astropad.com/studio/terms.html

Screenshots

spacedesk4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: spacedesk at free with in-app purchases against Astropad Studio Drawing Tablet's subscription. spacedesk also leads on review sentiment (71% vs 46%) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. spacedesk sells 11 one-off in-app purchases and Astropad Studio Drawing Tablet sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for spacedesk against 4.7 for Astropad Studio Drawing Tablet. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2.3K and 3.8K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 71% of spacedesk's written reviews are positive against 46% of Astropad Studio Drawing Tablet's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

spacedesk ships an update every 3 weeks, Astropad Studio Drawing Tablet every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
spacedesk versus Astropad Studio Drawing Tablet: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterspacedeskAstropad Studio Drawing Tablet
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (2.3K ratings) — better4.7 (3.8K ratings)
Positive reviews71.2% of reviews — better46.3% of reviews
Number of ratings2.3K3.8K — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPad
Requires iOS9.3 — better13
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB103 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerdatronicsoft Technology GmbHAstro HQ

Customer experience

spacedesk

All ratings2,195 ratings
Positive94.8%
Neutral1.2%
Negative4.0%
Written reviews899 reviews
Positive71.2%
Neutral7.2%
Negative21.6%

Astropad Studio Drawing Tablet

All ratings3,772 ratings
Positive92.8%
Neutral2.1%
Negative5.1%
Written reviews607 reviews
Positive46.3%
Neutral7.4%
Negative46.3%

Bugs and requests

spacedesk

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Astropad Studio Drawing Tablet

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Frequent crashes and disconnects
  • Compatibility issues with certain apps
  • Unresponsive or glitchy input

Requested features

3 requests
  • Ability to use iPad as a secondary display
  • More affordable one-time purchase option
  • Improved stability and performance

In-app purchases

11 purchases

spacedesk

One-time11
  • Business License: 46-50 Conn.$9.00
  • Business License: 41-45 Conn.$18.00
  • Business License: 1 connection$19.00
Show 8 more
  • Business License: 36-40 Conn.$25.00
  • Business License: 31-35 Conn.$35.00
  • Business License: 26-30 Conn.$45.00
  • Business License: 21-25 Conn.$50.00
  • Business License: 16-20 Conn.$59.00
  • Business License: 11-15 Conn.$60.00
  • Business License: 6-10 Conn.$70.00
  • Business License: 2-5 Conn.$79.00
3 purchases

Astropad Studio Drawing Tablet

Subscriptions3
  • Subscription14 Days trial$14.991 Month
  • Subscription14 Days trial$99.991 Year
  • Astropad Studio Annual14 Days trial$99.991 Year

Questions

Is spacedesk free?
spacedesk is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Astropad Studio Drawing Tablet free?
Astropad Studio Drawing Tablet is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, spacedesk or Astropad Studio Drawing Tablet?
spacedesk is rated higher. spacedesk averages 4.7 out of 5 from 2.3K ratings, while Astropad Studio Drawing Tablet averages 4.7 from 3.8K ratings.
Do spacedesk or Astropad Studio Drawing Tablet have ads?
Neither spacedesk nor Astropad Studio Drawing Tablet shows ads.
Which is updated more often, spacedesk or Astropad Studio Drawing Tablet?
spacedesk ships an update every 3 weeks, and Astropad Studio Drawing Tablet every 3 months. Most recently, spacedesk was updated on October 26, 2026 and Astropad Studio Drawing Tablet on October 22, 2026.

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