# Screens 5 vs Chessconnect

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Screens 5 | Chessconnect |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (608 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screens-5-vnc-remote-desktop/id1663047912/reviews) | **[5.0 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chessconnect/id6747821027/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **608** | 8 |
| Positive reviews | 49.2% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 5 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 69 MB | 13 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **16.4** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Edovia Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/284606519) | [JORN DR. GEHRING](https://appshunter.io/developer/1822998188) |

## What reviewers say

### Screens 5

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screens-5-vnc-remote-desktop/id1663047912)

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:** Family Sharing, iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $4.99 | per month |
| Yearly Subscription | $29.49 | per year |
| Yearly Subscription | $29.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Family Upgrade | Free | one-time |
| Lifetime | $199.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent remote access
- 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly interface
- 🔒 Secure SSH-based remote control
- 👍 Native to Apple ecosystem
- 🚀 High-quality remote desktop rendering

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Unreliable connection and frequent disconnections
- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 🔒 Requires complex networking setup (port forwarding, Tailscale)
- 🐛 Issues with full-screen mode and window management
- 🐛 Telemetry and analytics cannot be disabled

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

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


### Chessconnect

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chessconnect/id6747821027)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| English Breakfast | $3.99 | one-time |
| Darjeeling | $8.99 | one-time |
| Earl Grey | $22.99 | one-time |
| Chai Latte | $44.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Screens 5 free?

Screens 5 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Chessconnect free?

Chessconnect is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Screens 5 or Chessconnect?

Chessconnect is rated higher. Screens 5 averages 4.5 out of 5 from 608 ratings, while Chessconnect averages 5.0 from 8 ratings.

### Do Screens 5 or Chessconnect have ads?

Neither Screens 5 nor Chessconnect shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Screens 5 or Chessconnect?

Screens 5 ships an update fortnightly, and Chessconnect every 5 weeks. Most recently, Screens 5 was updated on November 7, 2026 and Chessconnect on November 5, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*