# Gateway vs ShortFlow

The clearest difference is ratings volume: ShortFlow at 196 against Gateway's 20. On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Gateway sells 14 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and ShortFlow sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Gateway against 4.7 for ShortFlow. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ShortFlow has 196 ratings behind it against 20, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 60% of Gateway's written reviews are positive against 68% of ShortFlow's.

Gateway ships an update every 6 days, ShortFlow every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Gateway | ShortFlow |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (20 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gateway-mac-remote-and-trackpad/id1502021235/reviews)** | [4.7 (196 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shortflow-lockscreen-shortcut/id1644057973/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 20 | **196** |
| Positive reviews | 60.0% of reviews | **67.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 days** | Every 8 days |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 108 MB | 3 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.5 | **16.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Momentous Studio Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1502021234) | [Kenneth Kao](https://appshunter.io/developer/288711611) |

## What reviewers say

### Gateway

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gateway-mac-remote-and-trackpad/id1502021235)

Control your Mac remotely from your iPhone or iPad. Create custom actions to launch applications, files, or perform tasks with a single tap. Manage active applications and even quit them directly from your mobile device.

**Highlights:** Remote Mac control without WiFi limitations, One-tap access to Mac functions, Customizable actions for macOS and apps, Launch multiple items with a single tap, Stream Deck functionality, Organize actions with Spaces, Home screen widgets for actions

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

**In-app purchases (14)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Gateway Premium | $0.99 | per month |
| Gateway Premium | $9.99 | per year |
| VLC Playback Control | Free | one-time |
| AppleMusic Playback Control | Free | one-time |
| Podcasts Shortcut | Free | one-time |
| Single-Tap Screenshots | $0.99 | one-time |
| Force Quit Shortcuts | $0.99 | one-time |
| Spotify | $2.99 | one-time |
| Final Cut Pro X Shortcuts | $3.99 | one-time |
| Affinity Designer Shortcuts | $3.99 | one-time |
| Easter Bundle | $6.99 | one-time |
| Files + QuickLaunch | $9.99 | one-time |
| Life Time | $99.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Access | $149.99 | one-time |


### ShortFlow

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shortflow-lockscreen-shortcut/id1644057973)

Access your favorite apps, websites, and custom shortcuts directly from your iPhone's Lock Screen. Create personalized widget buttons with a vast icon library for quick launching. Supports Always-On display and offers advanced customization options.

**Highlights:** Launch apps from Lock Screen, Open URLs from Lock Screen, Access Shortcuts app actions, Customizable widget buttons, Over 4,000 icons available, Supports Always-On display

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ShortFlow Pro | $2.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple and neat app
- 🚀 Quick and efficient shortcuts
- 💰 One-time payment for pro features
- ✨ Great for lock screen access
- 💯 Best widget application

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App and ShirFlow both launch
- 🐛 Shortcuts don't appear
- 🐛 Doesn't work on iOS17
- 🐛 Face ID required
- 🐛 Black screen then shortcuts app

**Reported bugs**

- App and ShirFlow both launch when shortcut is pressed
- Shortcuts do not appear in widget list
- App does not work on iOS17
- Face ID required even for lock screen shortcuts
- Black screen followed by shortcuts app and then target app

**Requested features**

- Add Tidal as a preset
- More than 8 shortcut slots
- Add Spotify support
- Add Naverpay support
- Remove icon background


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Gateway free?

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

### Is ShortFlow free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Gateway or ShortFlow?

Gateway is rated higher. Gateway averages 4.8 out of 5 from 20 ratings, while ShortFlow averages 4.7 from 196 ratings.

### Do Gateway or ShortFlow have ads?

Neither Gateway nor ShortFlow shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Gateway or ShortFlow?

Gateway ships an update every 6 days, and ShortFlow every 8 days. Most recently, Gateway was updated on October 29, 2026 and ShortFlow 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.*