Ctrl for iPad vs Mouse · Keyboard
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Ctrl for iPad
Create, edit, and run custom control interfaces for multiple devices. Trigger commands using various protocols like MIDI, OSC, and HTTP. Share workspaces across devices and customize your interface with custom palettes and images.
- All-in-one interface for building and running workspaces
- Trigger multiple commands via MIDI, OSC, HTTP, TCP, UDP
- Mix and match control protocols
- Share workspaces across devices with file sharing and AirDrop
- Customizable control palettes and interface design
- Support for various control elements like buttons, sliders, and crossfaders
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- All in One Build, Edit and Run. All from one interface With Ctrl there's no need to ever leave the app. Create workspaces quickly, make changes in realtime and be ready to run your workspace all with a tap of a few buttons. - Mix and Match Trigger multiple commands using multiple protocols Build advanced interfaces with the flexible rules and command system. Trigger remote devices using MIDI, OSC, HTTP, TCP and UDP or mix them to control multiple device types. Playback audio locally and video over HDMI and AirPlay. - Share Work between device multiple devices with ease Why limit yourself to one device? Easily import and export workspaces and share between devices with file sharing and AirDrop support. - Customise Make Ctrl your own with custom control palettes Design colour palettes for your workspaces that match specifications Use the in-app palette builder or access pre-built styles online Set custom images or logos to suit your interface Set custom background images to make a completely unique interface design Controls - Buttons that allow control with single or multiple touches - Sliders that allow control with a variable value output - Steppers that allow variable control with set intervals - Crossfaders that allow control with a variable value output - Rotaries that allow control of rotation or parametric values - Descriptors that allow for information to be added your workspace - Custom built modules that control third party hardware & software - And more Control Protocols - MIDI / Musical Instrument Digital Interface - OSC / Open Sound Control - HTTP / HTTP/1.1 Methods, Headers, Body - TCP / Transmission Control Protocol - UDP / User Datagram Protocol - Audio Playback - Video Playback - sACN / Lighting Control [BETA] API Methods - MIDI - OSC - HTTP This app is provided by default to download at no cost. This trial version is designed for users to test the basic functions of the application, production use is not supported. Outputting from Ctrl for iPad will be disabled after 5 minutes of use without a Lite, Core or Pro license. If you are looking at Ctrl for iPad for a project or installation and want to try the full features of the app, contact our team through our website.
Mouse · Keyboard
Transform your iPhone or iPad into a precise trackpad and full-featured keyboard for your Mac or PC. Control your computer remotely for presentations, browsing, or messaging with a natural, intuitive interface. Enjoy seamless connectivity and privacy on your local network.
- Precise multi-touch trackpad gestures
- Full-screen keyboard with shortcuts
- Works with Mac and PC
- Local network privacy
- Landscape and portrait modes
- Quick setup
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Turn your iPhone or iPad into a powerful trackpad and keyboard for your Mac or PC. Present with confidence, browse from the couch, or answer messages without reaching for your computer. Why You’ll Love Input - Feels instantly natural. Smooth, precise multi-touch tracking with scrolling, swipes, and gestures that behave just like a real trackpad. - Type comfortably anywhere. Enjoy a full-screen keyboard with text shortcuts, emoji, and function keys—perfect for long messages or quick replies. - Works with all your computers. Install the free helper on any Mac or PC and switch between devices with a single tap. - Built for privacy. Everything stays on your local network. Connections use HTTPS and require on-device approval before pairing. - Made for every moment. Landscape or portrait, light or dark mode—Input adapts beautifully to any iPhone or iPad screen. Quick Setup 1. Download the free helper for Mac or PC at rs.ltd/get 2. Make sure your devices share the same Wi-Fi or Personal Hotspot 3. Open Input, select your computer, and you’re ready to go Requirements - Mac with macOS 10.10+ or PC running Windows 7 SP1+ - Latest helper app from rs.ltd/get - Shared network connection (Wi-Fi or Personal Hotspot); details at rs.ltd/connect Input turns any spot—sofa, stage, or bedside—into the perfect place to control your computer with ease and precision.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Mouse · Keyboard at 94% against Ctrl for iPad's 40%. Mouse · Keyboard also leads on rating (4.7 vs 3.3) and in-app purchases (none vs 6). Ctrl for iPad's advantage is iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). 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. Ctrl for iPad sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. Mouse · Keyboard asks for nothing beyond the download.
Mouse · Keyboard holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Mouse · Keyboard has 2.5K ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 40% of Ctrl for iPad's written reviews are positive against 94% of Mouse · Keyboard's.
Ctrl for iPad ships an update every 2 months, Mouse · Keyboard every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on June 1, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Ctrl for iPad | Mouse · Keyboard |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.3 (7 ratings) | 4.7 (2.5K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 40.0% of reviews | 94.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 7 | 2.5K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad — better |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 38 MB | 90 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | ON LX Limited | Remote Sunrise LTD |
Customer experience
Ctrl for iPad
Mouse · Keyboard
Bugs and requests
Ctrl for iPad
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Mouse · Keyboard
Reported bugs
2 issues- Cursor disappears or becomes unresponsive
- Keyboard input not registering correctly
Requested features
3 requests- Add volume and brightness controls
- Improve scrolling and zooming gestures
- Provide more keyboard customization options
In-app purchases
Ctrl for iPad
- Lite$14.99
- Lite to Core Upgrade$37.99
- Core to Pro Upgrade$44.99
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- Core$59.99
- Lite to Pro Upgrade$84.99
- Pro$99.99
Mouse · Keyboard
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Ctrl for iPad free?
Is Mouse · Keyboard free?
Which has better reviews, Ctrl for iPad or Mouse · Keyboard?
Do Ctrl for iPad or Mouse · Keyboard have ads?
Which is updated more often, Ctrl for iPad or Mouse · Keyboard?
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