Comparison

spacedesk vs Shadow PC

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

Shadow PC

Access your powerful Windows 10 PC from any device, anywhere. Stream your high-end computer with all its software and connect your peripherals. Enjoy a full PC experience on your mobile, tablet, or TV.

Highlights
  • Access full Windows 10 PC
  • Use on any device
  • Low bandwidth support
  • Connect peripherals
  • Automatic resolution scaling
Features
Read full description

Access your Shadow PC with all your PC software from any device at any time. The power of a high-end PC at your fingertips. Transform any iOS / iPadOS / tvOS device into a fully-featured Windows 10 PC with Shadow and use it at any time, whether you’re at home or on the go. Here’s what you’ll love about Shadow: • Get access to a full high-end Windows 10 PC from any device • Access it anywhere with our low bandwidth support • Connect all your peripherals (Mouse, keyboard, controller, display...) • Shadow supports native resolutions and scales to your device automatically. For more information about Shadow visit shadow.tech

Screenshots

spacedesk4 screens
Shadow PC4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: spacedesk at 4.7 against Shadow PC's 3.7. spacedesk also leads on review sentiment (71% vs 45%) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 6 weeks). Shadow PC's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 11). On price, ratings volume, ads and device support 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. Shadow PC asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

spacedesk holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2.2K and 1.9K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 71% of spacedesk's written reviews are positive against 45% of Shadow PC's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

spacedesk ships an update every 3 weeks, Shadow PC every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
spacedesk versus Shadow PC: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterspacedeskShadow PC
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (2.2K ratings) — better3.7 (1.9K ratings)
Positive reviews71.3% of reviews — better45.1% of reviews
Number of ratings2.2K — better1.9K
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV — better
Requires iOS9.3 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB48 MB
Age rating4+17+
Developerdatronicsoft Technology GmbHBlade SAS

Customer experience

spacedesk

All ratings2,195 ratings
Positive94.8%
Neutral1.2%
Negative4.0%
Written reviews895 reviews
Positive71.3%
Neutral7.3%
Negative21.5%

Shadow PC

All ratings1,917 ratings
Positive65.7%
Neutral6.5%
Negative27.9%
Written reviews426 reviews
Positive45.1%
Neutral12.4%
Negative42.5%

Bugs and requests

spacedesk

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Shadow PC

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Login issues and session expiration problems
  • Compatibility problems with certain devices
  • Frequent disconnections and unstable connections
  • Resolution and scaling issues on mobile devices

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add custom layout options for virtual controller
  • Improve mouse and keyboard support
  • Implement better microphone and camera integration
  • Add scrolling gestures for touch controls
  • Provide more storage options

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
None

Shadow PC

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is spacedesk free?
spacedesk is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Shadow PC free?
Shadow PC is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, spacedesk or Shadow PC?
spacedesk is rated higher. spacedesk averages 4.7 out of 5 from 2.2K ratings, while Shadow PC averages 3.7 from 1.9K ratings.
Do spacedesk or Shadow PC have ads?
Neither spacedesk nor Shadow PC shows ads.
Which is updated more often, spacedesk or Shadow PC?
spacedesk ships an update every 3 weeks, and Shadow PC every 6 weeks. Most recently, spacedesk was updated on October 1, 2026 and Shadow PC on September 30, 2026.

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