Comparison

Halo OS vs DeskState

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

Head to head
About

Halo OS

Transform your iPhone or iPad into a functional desktop computer. Connect external displays, keyboards, and mice to navigate a web browser and file explorer with ease.

Highlights
  • External monitor support
  • Bluetooth keyboard and mouse compatibility
  • Web browser
  • File explorer
  • TXT file reader
  • Window management
Features
Read full description

Initial Project to turn your iPhone/iPad into a computer. How to use this app: - Connect your iPhone/iPad to an external monitor (use Lightning Digital AV Adapter, HDMI (for iPad) or use Apple AirPlay) - Connect Bluetooth Mouse and Bluetooth Keyboard (if you are using iPhone you gonna need to activate Assistive Touch and screen orientation change to Off so you can rotate the iPhone screen) Feature: Web browser File Explorer with a txt file reader. -- How to use the app --- Double click to open files and folders Click the window top bar so that windows became top window Double click top bar will expand the screen

About

DeskState

Transform your iPhone into a focused external workspace. This app creates a windowed environment on a monitor with floating panels, keyboard/mouse support, and customizable layouts. Pin favorite web panels to maintain a consistent and efficient setup.

Highlights
  • External display workspace
  • Floating windows
  • Keyboard and mouse support
  • Pin favorite web panels
  • Customizable backgrounds
Features
Read full description

Turn your iPhone into a clean, focused workspace on an external display. When connected to a monitor or TV, the app creates a windowed environment with floating panels, quick switching, and full keyboard/mouse support — all within a single application. Pin your favourite web panels, organise your layout, and keep your workspace consistent across sessions. Key features: • External display workspace (phone + monitor) • Floating windows with resize and focus controls • Full keyboard and trackpad/mouse support • Pin favourite web panels for quick launch • Minimalist design with customisable backgrounds Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Note: The workspace lives inside the app and does not replace iOS.

Screenshots

Halo OS4 screens
DeskState4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Halo OS at 83% against DeskState's 0%. Halo OS also leads on rating (4.3 vs 3.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 3). DeskState's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 26 months). On price and ads 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. DeskState sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Halo OS asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Halo OS holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 2 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 83% of Halo OS's written reviews are positive against 0% of DeskState's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Halo OS ships an update every 26 months, DeskState every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Halo OS versus DeskState: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHalo OSDeskState
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (8 ratings) — better3.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews83.3% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings8 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 26 monthsEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.2 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB46 MB
Age rating17+12+
DeveloperTiago MendesAbraham Rubio

Customer experience

Halo OS

All ratings8 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%

DeskState

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

None

Halo OS

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

DeskState

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly subscription$2.991 Month
  • Yearly subscription$14.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime subscription$29.99

Questions

Is Halo OS free?
Halo OS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is DeskState free?
DeskState is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Halo OS or DeskState?
Halo OS is rated higher. Halo OS averages 4.3 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while DeskState averages 3.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Halo OS or DeskState have ads?
Neither Halo OS nor DeskState shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Halo OS or DeskState?
Halo OS ships an update every 26 months, and DeskState every 4 days. Most recently, Halo OS was updated on October 9, 2026 and DeskState on September 28, 2026.

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