Screens 5 vs Total Remote Control
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Remote computer access
- Secure connections
- Multi-display support
- Clipboard sharing
- File transfer
- Privacy masking (Curtain Mode)
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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
Total Remote Control
Transform your iPad into a wireless control surface and extended display for your Mac. Ideal for professionals, it offers low-latency screen mirroring and precise multitouch remote control over Wi-Fi.
- Wireless control surface
- Second display functionality
- Low-latency screen mirroring
- Multitouch gesture control
- Wi-Fi connectivity
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Turn your iPad into a powerful wireless control surface and second display for your Mac. Total Remote Control is the ultimate tool for professionals who need to interact with their Mac from anywhere in the room — or beyond. Ideal for live sound engineers, lighting technicians, and advanced users, it lets you: • Mirror your Mac screen with ultra-low latency. • Control your Mac remotely using precise multitouch gestures. • Extend your desktop and use your iPad as a portable second display. Whether you’re mixing a show, triggering cues, editing on the move, or just need more screen space, Total Remote Control adapts to your workflow — no cables, no lag. Works over Wi-Fi. Perfect for stage, studio, or mobile environments. This app is free to download. The macOS server requires a license (free trial available). Download at total-remote-control.com. Compatible with macOS 12.4 or later and iPadOS 16.6 or later.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Total Remote Control at 100% against Screens 5's 49%. Total Remote Control also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 6) and rating (5.0 vs 4.5). Screens 5's advantage is ratings volume (584 vs 1) and device support (4 vs 2). On price, update cadence, ads 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
Both are free to download. Screens 5 sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Total Remote Control asks for nothing beyond the download.
Total Remote Control holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Screens 5 has 584 ratings behind it against 1, 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 100% of Total Remote Control's.
Screens 5 ships an update every 2 weeks, Total Remote Control every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Screens 5 | Total Remote Control |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (584 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 48.9% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 584 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks — better | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | 16.6 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 70 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Edovia Inc. | David Barral |
Customer experience
Screens 5
Total Remote Control
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
Total Remote Control
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
Total Remote Control
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Screens 5 free?
Is Total Remote Control free?
Which has better reviews, Screens 5 or Total Remote Control?
Do Screens 5 or Total Remote Control have ads?
Which is updated more often, Screens 5 or Total Remote Control?
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