# VGamepad Lite vs TapDeck

VGamepad Lite and TapDeck both sit at 3.2 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of TapDeck's written reviews are positive against 40% of VGamepad Lite's. TapDeck also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 weeks). VGamepad Lite's advantage is ratings volume (106 vs 3) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.5). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. VGamepad Lite sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and TapDeck sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 3.2 for VGamepad Lite against 3.3 for TapDeck. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: VGamepad Lite has 106 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 40% of VGamepad Lite's written reviews are positive against 100% of TapDeck's.

VGamepad Lite ships an update every 2 weeks, TapDeck every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | VGamepad Lite | TapDeck |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.2 (106 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vgamepad-lite/id1477007195/reviews) | **[3.3 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tapdeck-pc-controller/id6755589889/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **106** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | 39.5% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 111 MB | 13 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 18.5 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [PJSOFTCO](https://appshunter.io/developer/1454168690) | [Yashua Evans](https://appshunter.io/developer/1347639260) |

## What reviewers say

### VGamepad Lite

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vgamepad-lite/id1477007195)

Transform your phone into a physical game controller for your PC. Enjoy customizable buttons, motion controls, and haptic feedback for an immersive gaming experience. Supports standard controller emulation and basic mouse/keyboard functions.

**Highlights:** Emulates standard controllers, Motion control using phone sensors, Customizable button layout, Haptic feedback, Game capture button, AR Body Tracking (iPhone XS+)

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| VGamepad Monthly Subscription | $0.99 | per month |
| VGamepad Monthly Subscription | $1.99 | per month |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast connection speed between phone and PC
- 👍 Straightforward setup process with video tutorials
- 🎮 Works well with Steam games and emulators
- 🔧 Customizable button mapping and controller size
- 💰 Affordable or free alternative to physical controllers

**What reviewers complain about**

- 📢 Excessive ads interrupting gameplay every 5 minutes
- 🐛 Buttons frequently unresponsive or detect wrong inputs
- 🔌 Difficult connection setup requiring IP address entry
- ❌ App doesn't work after connection established
- 💳 Paywall after initial free use

**Reported bugs**

- Connection fails despite correct IP and password entry
- Ads appear but don't load, blocking app usage
- RT button and other buttons not functioning
- Buttons disappear after rearranging
- Mouse cursor moves in background during gameplay

**Requested features**

- Bluetooth connectivity for easier pairing
- Mac OS support for server-side application
- Nintendo Switch controller support
- Remove or reduce ad frequency with paid option
- Apple TV compatibility


### TapDeck

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tapdeck-pc-controller/id6755589889)

Transform your iPhone or iPad into a personalized PC gaming controller. Enjoy a fast, reliable connection and design custom layouts to match your play style. Personalize your experience with unique themes.

**Highlights:** Customizable PC gaming controller, Personalized layout design, Fast, reliable wired connection, Unique theme personalization, iPhone and iPad support

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tier 1 Tokens Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Tier 2 Tokens Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| Tier 3 Tokens Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Tier 4 Tokens Pack | $9.99 | one-time |
| Tier 5 Tokens Pack | $19.99 | one-time |
| Tier 6 Tokens Pack | $49.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is VGamepad Lite free?

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

### Is TapDeck free?

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

### Which has better reviews, VGamepad Lite or TapDeck?

TapDeck is rated higher. VGamepad Lite averages 3.2 out of 5 from 106 ratings, while TapDeck averages 3.3 from 3 ratings.

### Do VGamepad Lite or TapDeck have ads?

Neither VGamepad Lite nor TapDeck shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, VGamepad Lite or TapDeck?

VGamepad Lite ships an update every 2 weeks, and TapDeck every 5 days. Most recently, VGamepad Lite was updated on October 8, 2026 and TapDeck on September 23, 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.*