# Elgato Stream Deck Mobile vs simREF

The clearest difference is review sentiment: simREF at 100% against Elgato Stream Deck Mobile's 42%. simREF also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.6) and update cadence (every 10 days vs every 2 months). Elgato Stream Deck Mobile's advantage is ratings volume (5.9K vs 3). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Elgato Stream Deck Mobile sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and simREF sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

simREF holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Elgato Stream Deck Mobile has 5.9K ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 42% of Elgato Stream Deck Mobile's written reviews are positive against 100% of simREF's.

Elgato Stream Deck Mobile ships an update every 2 months, simREF every 10 days. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Elgato Stream Deck Mobile | simREF |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (5.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/elgato-stream-deck-mobile/id1440014184/reviews) | **[5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simref/id6753267206/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **5.9K** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | 42.3% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 10 days** |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 182 MB | 148 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Corsair Memory, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/650718405) | [Chris-Luca Fischer](https://appshunter.io/developer/1843257076) |

## What reviewers say

### Elgato Stream Deck Mobile

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/elgato-stream-deck-mobile/id1440014184)

Control your desktop applications and tools with customizable virtual keys on your mobile device. Streamline content creation, productivity, and more with powerful features and extensive plugin support.

**Highlights:** Virtual key press control, Customizable profiles and layouts, Extensive plugin support, Multi-action key triggers, Voice command integration, Personalized icons and animations

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| 1 Month | $2.99 | per month |
| Yearly | $24.99 | per year |
| 12 Months | $24.99 | per year |
| Lifetime | $49.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Workflow is smooth
- 👍 Good for creators
- 👍 Useful tool
- 👍 Works great on iPad
- 👍 Lifetime purchase available

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Constantly disconnects/loses connection
- 🐛 Unreliable, buggy performance
- 💰 Subscription model, not one-time purchase
- 🔒 Requires paid subscription to unlock full functionality
- 🔒 Limits features for non-subscribers

**Reported bugs**

- Fails to detect/connect to computer
- Profiles don't switch properly
- Shortcuts don't work
- Crashes OBS
- Compatibility issues with older devices

**Requested features**

- More buttons/customization options
- Native iPad app support
- Wired connection option
- Siri Shortcuts integration
- Volume control for external devices


### simREF

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simref/id6753267206)

This app provides quick-reference checklists and operational data for flight simulation on iPad. It features interactive normal and abnormal checklists, essential flight data, and a CG/Trim calculator for takeoff planning in a distraction-free, dark UI optimized for cockpit environments.

**Highlights:** Interactive Normal & Abnormal Checklists, Operational Data at a glance, CG/Trim calculator, Offline functionality, Dark UI for cockpit environments, iPad landscape optimized

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| IndiGo Virtual Integration | $2.99 | one-time |
| simREF Full Access | $8.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Elgato Stream Deck Mobile free?

Elgato Stream Deck Mobile is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is simREF free?

simREF is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Elgato Stream Deck Mobile or simREF?

simREF is rated higher. Elgato Stream Deck Mobile averages 4.6 out of 5 from 5.9K ratings, while simREF averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.

### Do Elgato Stream Deck Mobile or simREF have ads?

Neither Elgato Stream Deck Mobile nor simREF shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Elgato Stream Deck Mobile or simREF?

Elgato Stream Deck Mobile ships an update every 2 months, and simREF every 10 days. Most recently, Elgato Stream Deck Mobile was updated on October 24, 2026 and simREF on October 24, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*