Screens 5 vs Chessconnect
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
Chessconnect
Connect your electronic chessboard to your mobile device for an enhanced online chess experience. Play on major platforms, enjoy full game features, and utilize board-specific enhancements.
- Connect electronic chessboards to mobile
- Seamless integration with Chess.com, Lichess.org, and more
- Play against bots or human opponents
- Supports Chess960
- Enhanced gameplay features
- Wide electronic board compatibility
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Great news for iOS users! The Chessconnect app is now available, bringing the most popular browser extension for electronic chess boards directly to your mobile device. Just like the acclaimed Chrome extension, the Chessconnect iOS app lets you seamlessly connect your smart chessboard to top platforms like Chess.com, Lichess.org, Noctie.ai, and Chessiverse.com. Now, you can enjoy the authentic feel of a physical board combined with the power of online play, anywhere you go! Why You'll Love the Chessconnect iOS App: Play Anywhere: Connect your electronic chessboard to your iOS phone or tablet for an unmatched portable chess experience. 100% Free: Get all the great features of Chessconnect without any cost or hidden fees. Seamless Integration: Enjoy direct, legal connections to leading chess sites using their official APIs. Extensive Board Support: Compatible with almost all electronic chess boards that are equipped with Bluetooth LE. Full Online Features: Play against bots or human opponents, participate in live tournaments, solve puzzles, and dive into studies – all from your physical board. Enhanced Gameplay: Benefit from features like optional move delay, sound or speech announcements, and move/time display on compatible chess clocks. Chess960 Support: Enjoy full support for Chess960 (Fischer Random Chess). Download the Chessconnect iOS app today and elevate your game! (Please note: DGT's electronic chess boards require the Chessconnect adapter for DGT and iOS. See here for more information: https://chessconnect.de/#chessconnect-adapter)
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Chessconnect at 100% against Screens 5's 49%. Chessconnect also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.5) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). Screens 5's advantage is ratings volume (608 vs 8) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 weeks). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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 and Chessconnect sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Chessconnect holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Screens 5 has 608 ratings behind it against 8, 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 Chessconnect's.
Screens 5 ships an update fortnightly, Chessconnect every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Screens 5 | Chessconnect |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (608 ratings) | 5.0 (8 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 49.2% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 608 — better | 8 |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Every 5 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | 16.4 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 69 MB | 13 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Edovia Inc. | JORN DR. GEHRING |
Customer experience
Screens 5
Chessconnect
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
Chessconnect
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
Chessconnect
- English Breakfast$3.99
- Darjeeling$8.99
- Earl Grey$22.99
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- Chai Latte$44.99
Questions
Is Screens 5 free?
Is Chessconnect free?
Which has better reviews, Screens 5 or Chessconnect?
Do Screens 5 or Chessconnect have ads?
Which is updated more often, Screens 5 or Chessconnect?
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