# KDE Connect vs DeskState

The clearest difference is rating: DeskState at 5.0 against KDE Connect's 4.2. DeskState also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 3 months). KDE Connect's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and ratings volume (271 vs 1). On price and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. DeskState sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. KDE Connect asks for nothing beyond the download.

DeskState holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: KDE Connect has 271 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

KDE Connect ships an update every 3 months, DeskState every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 11, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | KDE Connect | DeskState |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.2 (271 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kde-connect/id1580245991/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/deskstate/id6757682755/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **271** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 60.9% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Freemium |
| Size | 8 MB | 46 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 18.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [KDE e.V.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1580245993) | [Abraham Rubio](https://appshunter.io/developer/1571784493) |

## What reviewers say

### KDE Connect

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kde-connect/id1580245991)

Seamlessly integrate your devices with features like a shared clipboard, file sharing, and remote control. Use your phone as a virtual touchpad or keyboard, and even control presentations remotely. All communication is secured with end-to-end encryption.

**Highlights:** Shared clipboard, File and URL sharing, Virtual touchpad and keyboard, Remote presentation control, Remote command execution, End-to-end encryption

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Works seamlessly across devices
- 👍 Easy to set up and use
- 🔒 Secure file transfer
- 💡 Innovative remote control features
- 🤖 Great for Linux/KDE integration

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and connectivity issues
- 🔋 Drains battery when running in the background
- 🤖 Limited functionality on iOS compared to Android
- 🤔 Pairing can be unreliable at times

**Reported bugs**

- Clipboard push feature not working
- App crashes on launch for some users
- Incompatibility with certain device/OS combinations
- Inability to discover/connect to devices in some cases

**Requested features**

- Add support for background operation
- Improve multi-file transfer capabilities
- Integrate with system share sheet
- Implement two-finger scrolling and other gestures
- Add SMS/notification sync features


### DeskState

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/deskstate/id6757682755)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Game Controller support, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly subscription | $2.99 | per month |
| Yearly subscription | $14.99 | per year |
| Lifetime subscription | $29.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is KDE Connect free?

KDE Connect 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, KDE Connect or DeskState?

DeskState is rated higher. KDE Connect averages 4.2 out of 5 from 271 ratings, while DeskState averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do KDE Connect or DeskState have ads?

Neither KDE Connect nor DeskState shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, KDE Connect or DeskState?

KDE Connect ships an update every 3 months, and DeskState every 2 months. Most recently, KDE Connect was updated on September 11, 2026 and DeskState on September 10, 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.*