Serial Control vs Screens 5
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Serial Control
Create custom interfaces for serial devices from your smartphone or tablet. Design control pages with buttons and sliders, build command libraries, and automate actions based on device responses. Seamlessly integrate with StarTech.com serial products.
- Customizable control interfaces
- Command library builder
- Event-based action automation
- Automatic device detection
- Integrated account control
- HEX and ASCII command editor
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Serial Device Application Software for iOS Build and customize your own serial control interface from your smartphone, tablet, or web browser Features • Use with your existing StarTech.com serial products (for example, NETRS232, NETRS2321P, NETRS232485, NETRS232485W) • Issue console commands, build a command library, or design a control page that’s tailored to your application, complete with buttons, sliders, and switches. • Easily set up events based on response types, and map actions to run when an event occurs. • The app automatically detects the StarTech.com serial devices that are connected to your network. • Integrated account control lets you create an account, save settings, and share it across multiple devices. • Includes a HEX and ACSII command editor. • Conveniently test commands as you edit them.
Screens 5
Access your Mac, Windows, Linux, or Raspberry Pi computers remotely from your Apple devices. Offers fast, secure, and reliable desktop access for work, travel, or helping others. Integrates with modern workflows and system features for seamless control.
- Remote access to Mac, Windows, Linux, Raspberry Pi
- Fast and secure VNC connections
- Curtain Mode for private sessions
- SSH connections and key support
- Clipboard and file transfer
- Multi-display support
- Siri and Shortcuts integration
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Access your computers from anywhere. Screens lets you remotely access your Mac, Windows PC, Linux PC, or Raspberry Pi from your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Vision Pro. Whether you’re connecting to a remote workstation, a headless Mac mini, or helping friends and family, Screens delivers fast, secure, and reliable remote desktop access wherever you are. REMOTE ACCESS FROM ANYWHERE Remote access is built right into Screens on Mac. For older Macs and Windows PCs, install Screens Connect to easily set up remote access over the internet. Need to connect to Linux or Raspberry Pi? Screens also integrates with Tailscale for secure, hassle-free connections. FAST, SECURE REMOTE DESKTOP ACCESS Screens is optimized for responsive remote control with support for: • Curtain Mode for private remote sessions on Mac • SSH connections and SSH keys • Secure password storage and quick logins • Observe or control remote computers • Adaptive and Full display quality BUILT FOR MODERN REMOTE WORKFLOWS Use Screens to: • Access remote Macs, PCs, Linux systems, and Raspberry Pi devices • Connect to headless Mac mini setups and remote workstations • Monitor long-running tasks from anywhere • Help friends, family, or coworkers remotely • Access your computers while traveling or away from home DO MORE WITH SCREENS Take advantage of powerful system features across iPhone and iPad: • Connect using Siri, Shortcuts, and Spotlight • Quickly connect to saved computers from widgets • Use external keyboards, mice, and trackpads • Use Apple Pencil on iPad • Display your remote computer on an external display with AirPlay POWERFUL FEATURES • Multi-display support • Clipboard sharing • File transfer between iPhone, iPad, or Vision Pro and Mac • Customizable connection settings for individual computers • Dictation support for remote text input • Session selection on Mac • iCloud synchronization • Full URL Schemes support • Touch ID, Face ID, Apple Watch, and password protection COMPATIBILITY • Connect from iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Vision Pro • Connect to Mac, Windows PC, Linux PC, and Raspberry Pi • Screens Connect is built into Screens for Mac on macOS 14.6 or later • Standalone Screens Connect is available for Macs running macOS 10.13 or later and PCs running Windows 10 or later • Clipboard sharing on Windows and Linux supports text only • Sound transmission is not supported due to VNC protocol limitations • Screens does not support connections to iPhone, iPad, or Vision Pro devices Screens gives you secure, reliable access to your computers anytime, anywhere. Privacy Policy: https://screens.app/privacy Terms of Use: https://screens.app/terms
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Screens 5 at 49% against Serial Control's 0%. Screens 5 also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 weeks). Serial Control's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 17.6). On price, 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
Both are free to download. Screens 5 sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Serial Control asks for nothing beyond the download.
Serial Control ships an update every 5 weeks, Screens 5 fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Serial Control | Screens 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 4.5 (597 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | 49.2% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | — | 597 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro — better |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 — better | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 6 MB | 69 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | StarTech.com | Edovia Inc. |
Customer experience
Serial Control
Screens 5
Bugs and requests
Serial Control
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Screens 5
Reported bugs
3 issues- Inability to delete auto-saved nearby devices
- Inconsistent behavior when editing device configurations
- Screens Connect failing to work reliably
Requested features
3 requests- Ability to block remote input while keeping remote desktop visible
- File transfer between Mac and iOS/iPadOS
- Upgrade pricing for existing users
In-app purchases
Serial Control
No in-app purchases
Screens 5
- Monthly Subscription$4.991 Month
- Yearly Subscription7 Days trial$29.491 Year
- Yearly Subscription7 Days trial$29.991 Year
- Lifetime Family UpgradeFree
- Lifetime2 variants$199.99
Questions
Is Serial Control free?
Is Screens 5 free?
Do Serial Control or Screens 5 have ads?
Which is updated more often, Serial Control or Screens 5?
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