Comparison

Controlax vs Deckboard

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

Head to head
About

Controlax

Transform your iOS device into a powerful computer remote. Control your PC or Mac with custom shortcuts, a virtual trackpad, and keyboard functionality. Manage apps, files, and system functions from a distance.

Highlights
  • Customizable app, file, and website shortcuts
  • Remote mouse and keyboard control
  • Virtual trackpad with familiar gestures
  • Remote shutdown and system control
  • Dual-channel connection for stability
  • Internet-based remote control from anywhere
Read full description

Have you ever thought about controlling the PC & Mac through the iPhone? Apps custom control, keyboard shortcuts mouse & keyboard, remote shutdown, or customize what you use most. With Controlax, your iOS device will turn into a computer's powerful Touch Bar in 1 step in 1 second. Controlax takes all: •1sec Connect & Auto-Detect: We tried our best to simplify the connection between your iPhone and computer. And the best way to do it is to let your iPhone find your computer automatically. •Revolution update: You can customize what you use most now. You can create shortcuts about apps, files, folders, websites, keyboard shortcuts, and more with your imagination. •Touch Bar also Remote Control A productive controller when near to computer, and a remote controller when far away Mac. Remote shutdown, apps switching, windows switching, windows maximization, lock the screen, screenshot with one button. •Remote mouse & keyboard Tap it. Slide it. Drag it. The iPhone becomes your best trackpad of the computer now. Familiar gestures make movement natural and intuitive •Number Pad Your efficiency can be improved by 300% when you using Excel, Numbers, and calculator •Extremely Stable with Dual-Channel Technology: Exclusive Dual-Channel(internet and LAN) technology makes the connection extremely stable. •Distance-limitless Controlling: The Internet-Connection-Mode enables Controlax to remote control smoothly from every signal corner of the world, without any space and distance's restriction. System Requirements: -iOS 8 or later -MacOS 10.10 or later -Windows 7 or later

About

Deckboard

Transform your mobile device into a custom macro keyboard for your computer. Streamline tasks, launch applications, and control streaming software with personalized shortcuts. Requires a companion desktop app.

Highlights
  • Custom macro shortcuts
  • Launch applications and websites
  • OBS Studio/Streamlabs OBS integration
  • Multimedia controls
  • Personalize buttons with images/GIFs
  • WiFi connection to PC
Features
Read full description

Create custom computer macro shortcuts and launch them through your device, with NO ADS and more buttons on PRO version! No more windows switching to open the folder or website, get Deckboard to simplify them and power up your productivity! If you are an avid streamer, enjoy OBS Studio / Streamlabs OBS integration! Switching scenes and toggling sources easily will make Deckboard your new favourite streaming companion tool! Connect your computer to your device over local WiFi connection by entering IP address or scanning QR code. And don't forget to make your macro buttons truly yours by adding image, text, or animated GIF! IMPORTANT This app required Deckboard desktop server app installed on your computer - Download Deckboard desktop app https://deckboard.app Available macros • OBS Studio and Streamlabs OBS control for streaming (OBS Websocket plugin required) • Keyboard key press combination • Opening website • Opening folder • Multimedia controls (play, next track, previous track , etc) • Run program or executable • Post Tweet Purchase the PRO version for more buttons per board.

Screenshots

Controlax4 screens
Deckboard4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Controlax at 4.6 against Deckboard's 2.8. Controlax also leads on ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). Deckboard's advantage is review sentiment (33% vs 20%) and ratings volume (16 vs 5). On price, in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Controlax holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 2.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 16 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 20% of Controlax's written reviews are positive against 33% of Deckboard's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Controlax ships an update every 6 weeks, Deckboard every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Controlax versus Deckboard: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterControlaxDeckboard
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (5 ratings) — better2.8 (16 ratings)
Positive reviews20.0% of reviews33.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings516 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS8.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size52 MB36 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGuangzhou Wayhold Information Technology Co. ,LtdRiva Farabi

Customer experience

Controlax

All ratings5 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive20.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative60.0%

Deckboard

All ratings16 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral22.2%
Negative44.4%

In-app purchases

None

Controlax

No in-app purchases

None

Deckboard

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Controlax free?
Controlax is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Deckboard free?
Deckboard is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Controlax or Deckboard?
Controlax is rated higher. Controlax averages 4.6 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while Deckboard averages 2.8 from 16 ratings.
Do Controlax or Deckboard have ads?
Deckboard shows ads; Controlax does not.
Which is updated more often, Controlax or Deckboard?
Controlax ships an update every 6 weeks, and Deckboard every 3 months. Most recently, Controlax was updated on October 1, 2026 and Deckboard on September 26, 2026.

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