Comparison

Defrost Pro vs CM

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

Head to head
About

Defrost Pro

Features
Read full description

Some Mac Pro (late 2013) users complain that their screen freezes sporadically. Sometimes several times a day. Other times this does not happen for several weeks. If your Mac Pro (or other Mac) suffers from screen freezes while the rest of the system is still running (sound is still being played and the cursor keeps moving and changing according to the underlying but frozen GUI), Defrost Pro can help you restart or shutdown your Mac. Just select the device that is having the problem from the list of devices in your current network and press restart. This will not save any unsaved file for you. But it will prevent having to hard shutdown the device and potentially causing any harm to the hardware or file system. Defrost Pro does not need to connect to the internet, but it must be connected to the same local network as the Mac to be restarted. Defrost Pro can only restart Macs running macOS. Nonetheless Defrost Pro will list all the devices in the local network. You need to know the ip address or the devices name to select the correct Mac. Requirements: - You will need to enter the device's admin name and password. Usually if there is only one user on the device that will be the admin. - The Mac to be restarted needs to have Remote Login activated so Defrost Pro can login and tell your Mac to restart. Activation can be done in the System Preferences under Sharing.

About

CM

Transform your iPhone or iPad into a remote control for your Mac. Manage music playback, volume, apps, and system functions over your Wi-Fi network. Offers secure, encrypted control with no ads or analytics.

Highlights
  • Control music playback (play, pause, next, previous)
  • Adjust Mac volume with slider or device buttons
  • Mute and unmute audio
  • Manage open apps, screen saver, and keep awake functions
  • Receive notifications on your iPhone/iPad
  • Launch and search for Mac applications
  • Full trackpad and keyboard control (with full CM Agent)
Features
Read full description

Control your Mac from your iPhone, over your Wi-Fi. CM - Remote turns your iPhone into a remote for your Mac: music, volume, apps and more, all on one screen. CM - Remote runs on iPhone and iPad. CM Agent runs on your Mac, from the Mac App Store or from decodr.tech. One purchase covers it all. FREE • Play, pause, next and previous for whatever is playing: YouTube, Plex, Music, Spotify, your browser and more • Current song shown for Music and Spotify, with 10 s, 30 s and 1 min jumps • Mac volume with a slider, or with your iPhone's volume buttons • Mute • List of open apps, screen saver and keep awake • Notifications CM REMOTE PRO (one-time purchase, no subscription) • Open any Mac app, and search all installed apps • Shortcuts • Several Macs, with quick switching • Mac details: memory, storage, disks and versions • With the full CM Agent from decodr.tech: trackpad and keyboard from your iPhone, lock the screen, dark mode, sleep, restart and shut down with confirmation, full screen, Time Machine backup, quit apps, processes and force quit, windows, and files sent to your iPhone Used CM - Remote before version 2.0? Every Pro feature stays included for you. Pro is shared with your family. SECURE AND PRIVATE • Pair by comparing a 6 digit code shown on your iPhone and on your Mac • Every command is end-to-end encrypted • Everything stays on your local network: no account, no ads, no analytics INSTALL ON YOUR MAC CM - Remote works with CM Agent, a small free menu bar app. Get it from the Mac App Store, or download the full version at https://www.decodr.tech/cm-agent Your iPhone and Mac must be on the same Wi-Fi network.

Screenshots

Defrost Pro2 screens
CM4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Defrost Pro at none against CM's 1. Defrost Pro also leads on iOS requirement (10.0 vs 17.0). CM's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 months). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

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

CostPrice Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Ads Ā· Monetization

Both are free to download. CM sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Defrost Pro asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Defrost Pro ships an update every 2 months, CM every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and November 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences Ā· 4 level
Defrost Pro versus CM: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDefrost ProCM
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS10.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB8 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEnie WeissGuang Hui YANG

In-app purchases

None

Defrost Pro

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

CM

One-time1
  • CM Remote Pro$3.99

Questions

Is Defrost Pro free?
Defrost Pro is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is CM free?
CM is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Defrost Pro or CM have ads?
Neither Defrost Pro nor CM shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Defrost Pro or CM?
Defrost Pro ships an update every 2 months, and CM every 4 days. Most recently, Defrost Pro was updated on November 11, 2026 and CM on November 12, 2026.

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