Comparison

spacedesk vs OBS

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

OBS

Transform your iPhone or iPad into a high-quality webcam for OBS Studio. Connects instantly over your local network with no drivers or complex setup needed. Ideal for streamers, professionals, and presenters seeking stable video.

Highlights
  • Use iPhone/iPad as webcam for OBS
  • High quality, low latency video
  • Instant one-tap connection
  • Simple OBS integration
  • Works on macOS and Windows
  • No login or ads
Features
Read full description

Use your iPhone or iPad as a camera for OBS. Camera Studio is built for live streams, recordings, classes, and presentations when you want a stable camera source from the device you already have. WHAT YOU CAN DO • Start a live camera with one tap • Switch front and rear cameras • Adjust focus, exposure, zoom, and torch • Capture microphone audio and mute when needed • Use a grid overlay to frame your shot • Follow the built-in USB setup guide for macOS, Windows, and Linux An In-App Purchase is required before you can use the app. After purchase, connect a USB cable, tap Start Camera, and add your device in OBS as a Video Capture Device. No account and no extra computer driver required. HOW IT WORKS 1. Open Camera Studio, complete Get Started, and unlock the app with an In-App Purchase or Restore Purchases. 2. Connect your iPhone or iPad to your computer with a genuine Lightning or USB-C cable. 3. Tap Start Camera. Allow Camera and Microphone access when asked. 4. In OBS Studio, add a Video Capture Device source and select your device. Video and audio stay on your device and the computer you connect. This app does not upload your camera feed to a developer server. WHO IT IS FOR Creators, presenters, teachers, and anyone who uses OBS Studio to stream or record and wants a simple wired camera from iPhone or iPad. OBS Studio is independent software from the OBS Project. Camera Studio is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the OBS Project. IN-APP PURCHASES An In-App Purchase is required to use Camera Studio. The camera, USB source, and in-app controls are available only after you unlock Pro. Unlock options: • Auto-renewable weekly, monthly, or yearly subscription • One-time lifetime purchase Payment is charged to your Apple ID. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the period ends. Manage in Settings. Restore Purchases is available in the app. Refunds for App Store purchases are handled by Apple. PRIVACY POLICY https://sites.google.com/view/cam-obs-privacy TERMS OF USE https://sites.google.com/view/cam-obs-terms STANDARD EULA https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Download Camera Studio and use your iPhone or iPad as a wired camera for OBS.

Screenshots

spacedesk4 screens
OBS3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: spacedesk at 71% against OBS's 11%. spacedesk also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 7 months) and rating (4.7 vs 4.4). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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 OBS sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

spacedesk holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: spacedesk has 2.2K ratings behind it against 435, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 71% of spacedesk's written reviews are positive against 11% of OBS's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

spacedesk ships an update every 3 weeks, OBS every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
spacedesk versus OBS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterspacedeskOBS
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (2.2K ratings) — better4.4 (435 ratings)
Positive reviews71.2% of reviews — better10.7% of reviews
Number of ratings2.2K — better435
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 7 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS9.3 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerdatronicsoft Technology GmbHDREAMEE STUDIO COMPANY LIMITED

Customer experience

spacedesk

All ratings2,195 ratings
Positive94.8%
Neutral1.2%
Negative4.0%
Written reviews897 reviews
Positive71.2%
Neutral7.2%
Negative21.5%

OBS

All ratings435 ratings
Positive84.6%
Neutral1.4%
Negative14.0%
Written reviews28 reviews
Positive10.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative89.3%

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
4 purchases

OBS

Subscriptions3
  • Weekly camera access$4.997 Days
  • Monthly camera access$9.991 Month
  • Yearly camera access$14.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime camera access$17.99

Questions

Is spacedesk free?
spacedesk is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is OBS free?
OBS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, spacedesk or OBS?
spacedesk is rated higher. spacedesk averages 4.7 out of 5 from 2.2K ratings, while OBS averages 4.4 from 435 ratings.
Do spacedesk or OBS have ads?
Neither spacedesk nor OBS shows ads.
Which is updated more often, spacedesk or OBS?
spacedesk ships an update every 3 weeks, and OBS every 7 months. Most recently, spacedesk was updated on October 15, 2026 and OBS on October 14, 2026.

Other comparisons