Comparison

Screens 5 vs CM

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

Head to head
About

Screens 5

Access your Mac, Windows, Linux, or Raspberry Pi computers remotely from your Apple devices. Offers fast, secure, and reliable desktop access for work, travel, or helping others. Integrates with modern workflows and system features for seamless control.

Highlights
  • Remote access to Mac, Windows, Linux, Raspberry Pi
  • Fast and secure VNC connections
  • Curtain Mode for private sessions
  • SSH connections and key support
  • Clipboard and file transfer
  • Multi-display support
  • Siri and Shortcuts integration
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

About

CM

Transform your iPhone into a Mac remote. Control music playback, volume, apps, and system functions like sleep and restart. Securely connect over Wi-Fi for seamless computer management.

Highlights
  • Music playback control
  • Mac volume adjustment
  • App launching and switching
  • System functions (sleep, restart)
  • Trackpad and keyboard control
  • File transfer to iPhone
  • End-to-end encryption
Features
Read full description

Control your Mac from your iPhone, over your Wi-Fi. CM - Remote turns your iPhone into a remote for your Mac: music, volume, apps and more, all on one screen. CM - Remote runs on iPhone and iPad. CM Agent runs on your Mac, from the Mac App Store or from decodr.tech. One purchase covers it all. FREE • Play, pause, next and previous for whatever is playing: YouTube, Plex, Music, Spotify, your browser and more • Current song shown for Music and Spotify, with 10 s, 30 s and 1 min jumps • Mac volume with a slider, or with your iPhone's volume buttons • Mute • List of open apps, screen saver and keep awake • Notifications CM REMOTE PRO (one-time purchase, no subscription) • Open any Mac app, and search all installed apps • Shortcuts • Several Macs, with quick switching • Mac details: memory, storage, disks and versions • With the full CM Agent from decodr.tech: trackpad and keyboard from your iPhone, lock the screen, dark mode, sleep, restart and shut down with confirmation, full screen, Time Machine backup, quit apps, processes and force quit, windows, and files sent to your iPhone Used CM - Remote before version 2.0? Every Pro feature stays included for you. Pro is shared with your family. SECURE AND PRIVATE • Pair by comparing a 6 digit code shown on your iPhone and on your Mac • Every command is end-to-end encrypted • Everything stays on your local network: no account, no ads, no analytics INSTALL ON YOUR MAC CM - Remote works with CM Agent, a small free menu bar app. Get it from the Mac App Store, or download the full version at https://www.decodr.tech/cm-agent Your iPhone and Mac must be on the same Wi-Fi network.

Screenshots

Screens 54 screens
CM4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: CM at every 4 days against Screens 5's fortnightly. On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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 $4.99 per month and CM sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Screens 5 ships an update fortnightly, CM every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and November 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Screens 5 versus CM: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterScreens 5CM
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (608 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews49.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings608 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro — betteriPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS17.617.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size69 MB8 MB
Age rating4++4
DeveloperEdovia Inc.Guang Hui YANG

Bugs and 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

CM

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

5 purchases

Screens 5

Subscriptions3
  • Monthly Subscription$4.991 Month
  • Yearly Subscription7 Days trial$29.491 Year
  • Yearly Subscription7 Days trial$29.991 Year
One-time2
  • Lifetime Family UpgradeFree
  • Lifetime2 variants$199.99
1 purchases

CM

One-time1
  • CM Remote Pro$3.99

Questions

Is Screens 5 free?
Screens 5 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is CM free?
CM is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Screens 5 or CM have ads?
Neither Screens 5 nor CM shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Screens 5 or CM?
Screens 5 ships an update fortnightly, and CM every 4 days. Most recently, Screens 5 was updated on November 7, 2026 and CM on November 9, 2026.

Other comparisons