Comparison

StrokeInput vs Screens 5

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

Head to head
About

StrokeInput

This app allows users to write naturally on a free field, seeing their text as they create it. It supports writing any character without switching keyboard views and offers easy cursor control. Users can also write and calculate formulas directly within the app.

Highlights
  • Write on a free field, view text as you type
  • Input any character without keyboard switching
  • Effortless cursor movement
  • Write and calculate formulas
  • Natural handwriting feel
Read full description

For those who like to write on a free field instead of pressing tiny keys. - Write looking at the text, not at the keyboard. - Write ANY character quickly, without switching between keyboard views. - Easily move the cursor through the text. - Write formulas and calculate them anywhere.

About

Screens 5

Access and control your Mac, Windows, Linux, or Raspberry Pi computers remotely from any device. Enjoy fast, secure connections with features like privacy masking, multi-display support, and file transfer.

Highlights
  • Remote computer access
  • Secure connections
  • Multi-display support
  • Clipboard sharing
  • File transfer
  • Privacy masking (Curtain Mode)
Features
Read full description

Access your computers from anywhere. Screens lets you remotely access your Mac, Windows PC, Linux PC, or Raspberry Pi from your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Vision Pro. Whether you’re connecting to a remote workstation, a headless Mac mini, or helping friends and family, Screens delivers fast, secure, and reliable remote desktop access wherever you are. REMOTE ACCESS FROM ANYWHERE Remote access is built right into Screens on Mac. For older Macs and Windows PCs, install Screens Connect to easily set up remote access over the internet. Need to connect to Linux or Raspberry Pi? Screens also integrates with Tailscale for secure, hassle-free connections. FAST, SECURE REMOTE DESKTOP ACCESS Screens is optimized for responsive remote control with support for: • Curtain Mode for private remote sessions on Mac • SSH connections and SSH keys • Secure password storage and quick logins • Observe or control remote computers • Adaptive and Full display quality BUILT FOR MODERN REMOTE WORKFLOWS Use Screens to: • Access remote Macs, PCs, Linux systems, and Raspberry Pi devices • Connect to headless Mac mini setups and remote workstations • Monitor long-running tasks from anywhere • Help friends, family, or coworkers remotely • Access your computers while traveling or away from home DO MORE WITH SCREENS Take advantage of powerful system features across iPhone and iPad: • Connect using Siri, Shortcuts, and Spotlight • Quickly connect to saved computers from widgets • Use external keyboards, mice, and trackpads • Use Apple Pencil on iPad • Display your remote computer on an external display with AirPlay POWERFUL FEATURES • Multi-display support • Clipboard sharing • File transfer between iPhone, iPad, or Vision Pro and Mac • Customizable connection settings for individual computers • Dictation support for remote text input • Session selection on Mac • iCloud synchronization • Full URL Schemes support • Touch ID, Face ID, Apple Watch, and password protection COMPATIBILITY • Connect from iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Vision Pro • Connect to Mac, Windows PC, Linux PC, and Raspberry Pi • Screens Connect is built into Screens for Mac on macOS 14.6 or later • Standalone Screens Connect is available for Macs running macOS 10.13 or later and PCs running Windows 10 or later • Clipboard sharing on Windows and Linux supports text only • Sound transmission is not supported due to VNC protocol limitations • Screens does not support connections to iPhone, iPad, or Vision Pro devices Screens gives you secure, reliable access to your computers anytime, anywhere. Privacy Policy: https://screens.app/privacy Terms of Use: https://screens.app/terms

Screenshots

StrokeInput4 screens
Screens 54 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Screens 5 at 4.5 against StrokeInput's 3.4. Screens 5 also leads on ratings volume (568 vs 8). StrokeInput's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.6). On price, review sentiment, update cadence 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. Screens 5 sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. StrokeInput asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Screens 5 holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Screens 5 has 568 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 50% and 49% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

StrokeInput ships an update every 3 weeks, Screens 5 every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
StrokeInput versus Screens 5: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStrokeInputScreens 5
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.4 (8 ratings)4.5 (568 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews — better49.0% of reviews
Number of ratings8568 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro — better
Requires iOS12.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size14 MB70 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAnnalisa CarraroEdovia Inc.

Customer experience

StrokeInput

All ratings8 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative25.0%

Screens 5

All ratings568 ratings
Positive88.6%
Neutral1.6%
Negative9.9%
Written reviews308 reviews
Positive49.0%
Neutral8.1%
Negative42.9%

Bugs and requests

StrokeInput

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Screens 5

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Inability to delete auto-saved nearby devices
  • Inconsistent behavior when editing device configurations
  • Screens Connect failing to work reliably

Requested features

3 requests
  • Ability to block remote input while keeping remote desktop visible
  • File transfer between Mac and iOS/iPadOS
  • Upgrade pricing for existing users

In-app purchases

None

StrokeInput

No in-app purchases

5 purchases

Screens 5

Subscriptions3
  • Monthly Subscription$3.991 Month
  • Yearly Subscription7 Days trial$29.491 Year
  • Yearly Subscription7 Days trial$29.991 Year
One-time2
  • Lifetime Family UpgradeFree
  • Lifetime2 variants$199.99

Questions

Is StrokeInput free?
StrokeInput is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Screens 5 free?
Screens 5 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, StrokeInput or Screens 5?
Screens 5 is rated higher. StrokeInput averages 3.4 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while Screens 5 averages 4.5 from 568 ratings.
Do StrokeInput or Screens 5 have ads?
Neither StrokeInput nor Screens 5 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, StrokeInput or Screens 5?
StrokeInput ships an update every 3 weeks, and Screens 5 every 2 weeks. Most recently, StrokeInput was updated on October 4, 2026 and Screens 5 on October 15, 2026.

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