Comparison

Screens 5 vs TouchKVM

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 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.

Highlights
  • Remote computer access
  • Secure connections
  • Multi-display support
  • Clipboard sharing
  • File transfer
  • Privacy masking (Curtain Mode)
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

TouchKVM

Control remote computers from your phone with low-latency video and touch input. Manage multiple connections, stream audio, and utilize hardware controls for out-of-band access. Ideal for IT professionals needing reliable remote management on the go.

Highlights
  • Low-latency video streaming
  • Touch and trackpad input
  • Text entry
  • Quick reconnects
  • Multiple saved connections (Pro)
  • Audio and microphone passthrough (Pro)
Features
Read full description

TouchKVM is a mobile-first remote control app for PiKVM and compatible KVM-over-IP workflows. Connect to remote machines from your phone with low-latency video, touch or trackpad input, text entry, and quick reconnects. The free experience covers single-host access, WebRTC streaming, touch and trackpad control, zoom, and practical mobile session management. Pro unlocks multiple saved connections, advanced stream modes, keyboard shortcuts, audio and microphone passthrough, audio volume, mouse jiggler, hardware controls, and agent-assisted workflows when supported by the target device. TouchKVM is built for operators who need fast, reliable out-of-band style access while traveling, on call, or away from a desktop. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula Privacy Policy: https://arisparty.org/touchkvm/privacy

Screenshots

Screens 54 screens
TouchKVM4 screens

Verdict

The call

Screens 5 and TouchKVM both sit at 4.5 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of TouchKVM's written reviews are positive against 49% of Screens 5's. TouchKVM also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 2 weeks) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.6). Screens 5's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (584 vs 5). On price, rating, 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 TouchKVM sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Screens 5 against 4.4 for TouchKVM. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Screens 5 has 584 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 49% of Screens 5's written reviews are positive against 100% of TouchKVM's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Screens 5 ships an update every 2 weeks, TouchKVM every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Screens 5 versus TouchKVM: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterScreens 5TouchKVM
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (584 ratings) — better4.4 (5 ratings)
Positive reviews48.9% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings584 — better5
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 3 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS17.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size70 MB54 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEdovia Inc.ARI'S PARTY L.L.C.

Customer experience

Screens 5

All ratings568 ratings
Positive88.6%
Neutral1.6%
Negative9.9%
Written reviews311 reviews
Positive48.9%
Neutral8.4%
Negative42.8%

TouchKVM

All ratings5 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

TouchKVM

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

TouchKVM

One-time1
  • TouchKVM Pro Lifetime$29.99

Questions

Is Screens 5 free?
Screens 5 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is TouchKVM free?
TouchKVM is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Screens 5 or TouchKVM?
Screens 5 is rated higher. Screens 5 averages 4.5 out of 5 from 584 ratings, while TouchKVM averages 4.4 from 5 ratings.
Do Screens 5 or TouchKVM have ads?
TouchKVM shows ads; Screens 5 does not.
Which is updated more often, Screens 5 or TouchKVM?
Screens 5 ships an update every 2 weeks, and TouchKVM every 3 days. Most recently, Screens 5 was updated on October 27, 2026 and TouchKVM on October 15, 2026.

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