Screens 5 vs Barcodes Matter
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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
Barcodes Matter
Organize and manage all your smart home device barcodes, including Matter and HomeKit. Scan, add, categorize, and search devices effortlessly. Syncs across devices and supports printing QR codes for easy setup.
- Scan barcodes and QR codes
- Add devices via image, scan, or NFC
- Categorize devices by type and location
- Search and filter devices instantly
- Recognize Matter barcodes for onboarding
- Sync across devices with iCloud
- Print QR codes via AirPrint
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Barcodes Matter is an app for storing your smart home device pairing barcodes, because we think barcodes matter! Effortlessly organise, scan, and manage all your Matter and HomeKit smart home device barcodes in one beautifully simple app. Includes a watch companion app to assist with scanning barcodes that cannot be paired from within the main app, display the barcode on your watch, then scan with the phone. Barcodes Matter makes it easy to: * Scan barcodes and QR codes quickly using your device’s camera * Add Devices by an image, manual code or by scanning an NFC Device * Categorise devices by type, location, and more * Search and filter through your devices instantly * Recognise Matter barcodes and help start device onboarding * Sync across all your devices securely with iCloud * Print QR codes directly from the app using AirPrint * Edit device details anytime to keep your inventory up to date Whether you’re setting up a smart home, keeping track of gadgets, or managing a large inventory — Barcodes Matter gives you the power to stay organized and connected. Features: * Tint-able Interface Colour * Multi-Home support if you manage devices across multi location like Home / Work / Cabin / Holiday Home etc * Lightning-fast scanning with VisionKit * Manual Device Add for devices without a barcode * Full iCloud sync with automatic updates * Clean, simple interface designed for iPhone and iPad * Powerful search and type filtering * Print or Save device QR Codes * Print ALL Device QR codes 16 per page with names and manual paring codes, ready for labelling or pairing * Export ALL Device QR codes 16 per page to a PDF * Native support for Matter and HomeKit devices * Privacy-first: your data stays with you If you have any problems, please contact us via one of the in app options, you can be assure of a timely and personal response.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Screens 5 at Free against Barcodes Matter's $1.99. Screens 5 also leads on ratings volume (597 vs 7). Barcodes Matter's advantage is review sentiment (91% vs 49%) and in-app purchases (none vs 6). On update cadence, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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
Screens 5 is free to download; Barcodes Matter costs $1.99 up front. Screens 5 sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Barcodes Matter asks for nothing beyond the download.
Barcodes Matter holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Screens 5 has 597 ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 49% of Screens 5's written reviews are positive against 91% of Barcodes Matter's.
Screens 5 ships an update fortnightly, Barcodes Matter monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Screens 5 | Barcodes Matter |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $1.99 |
| Rating | 4.5 (597 ratings) | 4.9 (7 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 49.2% of reviews | 90.9% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 597 — better | 7 |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Monthly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | #145 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro — better | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 69 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Edovia Inc. | Kevin Marshall |
Customer experience
Screens 5
Barcodes Matter
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
Barcodes Matter
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Screens 5
- Monthly Subscription$4.991 Month
- Yearly Subscription7 Days trial$29.491 Year
- Yearly Subscription7 Days trial$29.991 Year
- Lifetime Family UpgradeFree
- Lifetime2 variants$199.99
Barcodes Matter
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Screens 5 free?
Is Barcodes Matter free?
Which has better reviews, Screens 5 or Barcodes Matter?
Do Screens 5 or Barcodes Matter have ads?
Which is updated more often, Screens 5 or Barcodes Matter?
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